How to transfer data from Xiaomi to Xiaomi: the complete guide

Buying a new smartphone is always a thrill, but the inevitable question is how quickly and without loss to move all the information from the old device. In the Xiaomi ecosystem, this process is as automated as possible, but many users still spend hours manually installing applications and finding contacts. The right approach to data migration will allow you to start using the new gadget immediately after it is turned on, maintaining the usual digital environment.

There are several proven synchronization methods, each with its own advantages depending on the amount of information and the speed of the Internet connection. Local transfer via Wi-Fi Direct is the fastest method that does not require a connection to the global network. Alternative options, such as backup to the cloud or using a PC, are suitable for those who prefer to store their data in remote storage or want to create an additional insurance copy.

The choice of a particular method depends on how large the volume of your photos, videos and installed programs. In this article, we will discuss in detail the regular tool Mi Mover, which is built into the shell of MIUI and HyperOS, and also consider the nuances of working with a Google account. Understanding these processes will help to avoid common errors and loss of important files when changing devices.

Preparing devices for data migration

Before starting the procedure, make sure that both smartphones are ready to work. First check the battery level on both devices; it is recommended that each of them have at least 50-60% of the power. The process of transferring a large amount of data, especially high-resolution video files, can be energy intensive, and a sudden shutdown of one of the phones will interrupt the operation.

The second important step is to free up space on the receiving device. Even if you bought a phone with a lot of storage, the system and pre-installed applications already take up a significant part of the space, delete the unnecessary files in advance or transfer them to your computer to make sure that the copy is successfully completed.

It’s also worth checking the operating system version. Although Mi Mover is compatible with most versions of MIUI, both devices are encouraged to have up-to-date security updates, which minimizes the risk of software conflicts when transferring system settings and passwords from Wi-Fi networks.

Using the Mi Mover app for fast transfer

The most effective tool for Xiaomi app owners is the built-in Mi Mover app, which allows you to transfer contacts, messages, call history, multimedia and even place icons on your desktop without using Internet traffic. The application creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices, ensuring high data transfer speeds.

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For maximum speed, keep your phones close to each other and don’t switch to other apps during the copying process.

You can run the program through a settings menu or search the system. On the old device, select the role of "Sender" (Old phone), and on the new one, select the role of "Receiver" (New phone). QR-The code or password of the device will connect, and you will be able to select data categories to transfer.

It’s important to note that when you port apps to your new device, you can install the latest versions of apps from the GetApps store or Google Play, rather than the files you had on your old phone, which is even better, as it ensures that there are no bugs and the latest security patches.

• 📲 Contacts and messages are transmitted along with attachments MMS and history of correspondence.
• 📷 Photos and videos retain original quality and metadata (EXIF).
• ⚙️ Settings alarm clocks, calls and Wi-Fi networks are copied automatically.
• 📱 Desktop layout and widgets are restored in the same form.

Alternative methods: Google Account and Cloud

If Mi Mover is not possible for some reason, synchronization via Google is an excellent option, ideal for those who plan to switch to a smartphone of another brand in the future, since the data is tied to a universal account. When you first turn on a new phone, you just need to enter a username and password to make contacts, calendar events and notes appear on the system.

For photos and videos, Google Photos is the best option. By enabling Autoboot on your old device, you are guaranteed to save all images in the cloud. On the new phone, it is easy to log in, and the entire library will be available in original or compressed quality, depending on your subscription settings.

The Mi Cloud service, which allows you to create full backups of the system, including settings for specific Xiaomi applications, deserves special attention, but it is worth remembering that free storage is limited to 5 GB, which may not be enough for a full backup with media files.

Transfer of data of messengers and applications

A special category is the data of messengers such as WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber. Simply copying the application files is not enough – you need to back up chats inside the messenger itself. On WhatsApp, for example, this is done through the Chats menu → Chat Backup, where you can choose to save to Google Drive.

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Messenger backups are tied to your phone number and cloud storage account, so make sure you sign in with the same credentials on the new device.

Banking applications and programs with a higher level of security may require re-authorization or additional verification. SMS. Make sure in advance that yours SIM-The card is active and receives network signals, since without a confirmation code, it will be impossible to log into some services.

Applications not installed from official stores (APK-Mi Mover will try to move installation files, but on a new device with the current version of Android security system MIUI It can block their installation from unknown sources, and then you have to re-download the current versions of the software.

⚠️ Note: When transferring messenger data, make sure that the new device has the same phone number that was used to create a backup.

Solving problems in synchronization

Despite the fact that processes are fine, users may face difficulties. Often the problem lies in energy saving. Aggressive charge saving settings on Xiaomi can “sleep” the data transfer process if the screen goes out. It is recommended to set performance mode or prohibit battery optimization for the Mi Mover application during the transfer.

Another common situation is the incompatibility of Android versions: If you move from a very old device (like Android 8) to a new one (Android 13/14), some old apps may simply not install, in which case you will have to look for their modern counterparts or web versions of services.

Two-factor authentication is also worth mentioning: when you change your device, many services (Google, social networks, banks) may view the login as suspicious. Keep a (backup) verification method at hand, such as SMS codes or backup codes, so you don’t lose access to your accounts.

• 🔋 Turn off the power saving mode on both smartphones before start.
• 📶 Make sure that the Wi-Fi router does not block the connection between devices (guest network).
• 🔄 Restart both phones if the process is stalling in step 99%.
• 🛡️ Check the availability of free space by adding a stock in 10-15% old-data volume.

Completion of the setup and integrity check

Once the progress indicator reaches 100%, don't immediately delete the data from the old phone. Do a thorough review of the new device. Open the gallery and flip through the albums, check for all contacts, make sure the alarm clocks are set at the right time.

Pay special attention to the notification settings. On the new system, they may behave differently, and important messages from work chats may not come due to the new background rules. Go through the application list and manually adjust permissions where necessary.

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It takes 2 to 5 days for a user to fully adapt to a new device.Do not delete the old phone in the early days to be able to quickly recover forgotten passwords or missing files.

The final touch is to clean the old device before selling or transferring it. After successful migration and verification, perform a full Wipe Data reset on the old smartphone, pre-removal from it. SIM-This ensures that your personal data does not fall into the wrong hands.

⚠️ Warning: Before selling your old phone, be sure to log out of all accounts (Google, Mi Account) and unblock activation. Otherwise, the new owner will not be able to use the device, and you risk losing remote access to it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)