How to transfer data from one phone to another via Google

Changing a smartphone is often stressful, especially when it comes to saving precious photos, contacts and app settings. Fortunately, the Android ecosystem that underpins MIUI and HyperOS shells offers a powerful migration tool: a Google account. Using the search giant’s cloud services allows not just copying files, but re-creating a user’s digital identity on a new device in the blink of an eye.

Unlike local cable or Mi Mover transfer, the Google method provides deep integration with the operating system, which means that once you log in, you will not only receive a set of files, but a fully working environment: browser history, passwords, purchased applications and even the location of icons on the desktop. Synchronization occurs in the background, making the process as invisible as possible to the owner, but requiring a stable Internet connection.

But despite automation, there are important things to know about beforehand: Not all apps allow backups to Google for security reasons or developer policies, and free storage is limited to 15 gigabytes shared between email, photos and documents, and understanding these limitations will help avoid unpleasant surprises when the old phone is already given away and the new one is not yet configured.

Preparing the old device for migration

Before you start the magic of cloud technology, you need to make sure that the original device is fully ready to transfer information. The first step is always to check the current version of the operating system. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI (or HyperOS) version and click the update check button. This is critical, as older versions of Google Play services may not properly back up.

Then you need to make room or check the status of the storage. Since the backup is created in the cloud, make sure that you have enough free space in your Google account. If the limit is exhausted, the process will stop, and you will be left with an incomplete copy of the data, delete the extra videos or temporarily transfer them to your computer to ensure the success of the operation.

⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to back up Wi-Fi networks in malls or cafes. Interrupting the connection while downloading large amounts of data can damage the archive or unload it incorrectly.

Now you have to manually run a check on what's going to be saved. Sometimes the system defaults to turning off partition syncs like calendars or notes. Go through the list and make sure all the switches are activated. It takes a couple of minutes, but it saves you from losing important records.

• 📱 Make sure that both devices are signed in to the same Google account.
• 🔌 Connect your old smartphone to the charger, as the process can take a long time and consume battery life.
• 📶 Use a stable Wi-Fi connection at a speed of at least 20 Mbps to speed up the process.

After all the preliminary checks, you can move on to directly configuring the backup settings, and this is where the foundation for successful data recovery on the new gadget is laid.

Set up backup in your Google account

The main mechanism of data storage is deep in the system settings. You need to go on the path of Settings → Google → Backup. In modern versions of Android, this section combines system data, SMS messages, call logs and a list of installed applications. By clicking the "Start Copy" button, you start a process that can last from 15 minutes to several hours.

The multimedia section requires special attention. Photos and videos are usually synced through the Google Photos app, not the system backup. Open the app, click on the profile avatar and make sure that the Autoboot and Sync function is enabled. The Sync status is complete indicates that your media archive is secure.

It is important to understand the difference between the app data and the apps themselves. Google saves the program configuration, your logins and game progress (if the developer uses Google Play Games). However, app cache, offline maps and downloaded music from streaming services are usually not portable and require re-downloading on a new device.

There's also the possibility of creating a local copy just in case, although our focus is on the cloud. Some users prefer to play it safe by creating a dual backup. This is especially true if you have very specific system settings or rare applications that may not work properly with cloud recovery.

The process of initial setup of the new Xiaomi

When you first turn on a new Xiaomi smartphone, it goes through a series of initial setup steps, the key point comes after choosing the language and connecting to Wi-Fi. The system will prompt you to recover data from the backup, and this is where you choose the option of "Copy from the cloud" or "Restore from Google Drive."

You will be asked to enter your Google account login and password. Once you have successfully logged in, the system will show you a list of available backups, sorted by date of creation. Choose the latest version we prepared in the previous step. Pay attention to the size of the copy and the date, which is a guarantee that you are recovering current data.

The download process will begin. App icons will return to the screen, then they will start to load from the Google Play store. In parallel, contacts, calendar events and system settings will be downloaded. The lock screen, wallpaper and widget location can also be recreated if this feature is supported by your shell version.

Don't be afraid if some applications require re-entry, it's normal security practice for banking customers and instant messengers, and the system will restore the shortcut and data, but you'll have to re-enter by entering your password or confirming your SMS login.

Synchronization of contacts, calendar and mail

One of the most important features of the Google ecosystem is instant synchronization of personal information: Contacts saved in a Google account appear on a new device almost immediately after you enter a password. You don't have to export them to a.vcf file and import them manually, as was done in the era of button phones.

To control sync, go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google. Here you will see a list of all the services that can be synced. Make sure the switches opposite Contacts, Calendar and Google Drive are active. If you use multiple mailboxes, check the settings for each.

If you're used to schedule appointments, make sure that the Calendar app selects your Google account, not your local phone storage, to prevent future events from being lost.

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Use Google Contacts to clear duplicates. Go to contacts.google.com from your computer, select Combine and Fix to remove duplicate numbers that may have accumulated over the years.

In case contacts don't show up right away, you can speed up the process. Go to your account settings, click three dots in the corner and select "Sync." This will cause the phone to immediately request current data from the server.

Working with Multimedia and Google Photos

Photos and videos take up the lion's share of smartphone memory, so you need to pay special attention to their portability. As mentioned earlier, this is the responsibility of Google Photos. The main advantage of this method is the independence of the device. Even if you lose your phone, your pictures will remain in the cloud and will be available from any other gadget or computer.

When you first run Google Photos on the new Xiaomi, the app will offer to enable autoload. Agree, but pay attention to quality. Save space mode (formerly High quality) allows you to store unlimited number of photos in compressed format for free, while the “Original quality” mode consumes the quota of your Google Drive.

If you are switching from an iPhone or other Android smartphone, make sure that the old device is fully synced. The indicator in the application should show no pending tasks. Only then you can be sure that all new images have been taken to the cloud.

• 🖼️ Check the Recycle Bin folder in Google Photos - deleted photos are stored there for 60 days.
• 📂 Create albums in the cloud for easy sorting, they are also synchronized on a new device.
• 🔒 Use the Protected Folder feature to hide personal photos, but remember that it requires a separate setup on the new device.

High-resolution (4K) videos can take a significant time to download when you first turn on a new phone.It is recommended not to remove the originals from the old device until you are sure that the videos are fully displayed and playable in high quality on the new Xiaomi.

Recovery of applications and passwords

Modern Android can restore not only the list of applications, but also their internal state. When you restore from a backup copy of Google Play, the Store will automatically download and install all the programs that were on the old phone, you will see the download progress bars right on the desktop.

Google’s password manager deserves special attention. If you saved passwords in your account, when you log in to any application or site in the Chrome browser, the system will suggest you substitute the saved login and password. This greatly speeds up the process of mastering a new device, eliminating the need to remember complex combinations of characters.

However, banking applications and some enterprise services, for security reasons, do not allow their data to be transferred through the cloud backup, they will have to be reconfigured: log in, possibly confirm the device via SMS or an authenticator application, and you will also need to set up fingerprints and facial recognition separately, since biometric data is stored in the secure module of the phone and does not leave it.

⚠️ Note: Two-factor authentication (2FA). If you use code applications (Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator), make sure you have ported them correctly. Simple application recovery is not enough – you either need to use the function of export / import accounts inside the authenticator application itself, or have printed backup codes.

After installing all the applications, it is recommended to restart the smartphone, which will allow the system to finally index files, complete the background processes of optimizing batteries and stabilize all services.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)