How to transfer data from Xiaomi to the new Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

Buying a new smartphone is always a joyous event, but often overshadowed by the prospect of long hours spent on transferring information. Happy owners of the Xiaomi ecosystem are in a favorable position, as the manufacturer has provided several effective ways to migrate. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to move to a new device as quickly and without loss, saving all the important files, settings and passwords.

Modern synchronization techniques allow you to clon a system in literally a few touches. You don't need to be an IT expert to successfully complete this process, but the main thing is to understand the differences between the methods and choose the one that best suits your current situation and the state of the old machine.

We'll look at the Mi Mover app, the Mi Cloud, and the classic way to use a Google account, each with its own nuances to prevent errors, and the proper preparation of the devices ensures that no photo or contact is lost when you move.

Preparation of devices before the migration

Before you start the copying process, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps. This is a critical step that is often ignored, which subsequently leads to interruption of communication or incorrect display of files. Make sure that both smartphones are charged at least 60-70%. The process of transferring large amounts of data can take from 15 minutes to several hours, and battery discharge at this point is unacceptable.

It is also worth checking whether there is free space on the receiving device, the amount of information being transferred should not exceed the available space, and if you plan to transfer heavy video files and games, it makes sense to pre-clear the cache or remove unnecessary apps on your old phone.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use public Wi-Fi networks to transmit data. This can be insecure and extremely slow. It is best to create an access point on one of the devices or use a direct connection that the regular software offers.

Make sure both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled. Even if the transmission is over cable, these protocols are often used for initial handshakes, and it is recommended to upgrade the MIUI or HyperOS operating system to the latest available version on both devices to eliminate software conflicts.

Using the Mi Mover app for fast transfer

The most effective and preferred way is to use the Mi Mover branded tool, which is pre-installed in the Tools folder on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models, and allows you to transfer not only media files, but also system settings, desktop layout and even passwords from Wi-Fi networks.

The process starts with running an app on both devices, and on the new smartphone you choose the Reciever role, and on the old one you choose the Sender role, and the app automatically creates a temporary Wi-Fi network that you need to connect to, and after successfully pairing, you'll see the data selection interface.

Here you can configure in detail what exactly is migrating, and the system will suggest selecting categories: contacts, messages, call logs, multimedia, documents and installed applications, that some banking applications and secure messengers may not be automatically transferred for security reasons - they will have to be authorized again.

An important advantage of Mi Mover is the ability to interrupt the process and resume it later if the connection is unstable. However, try not to switch to other applications during the active transfer phase, so as not to reduce the priority of the process in the system.

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If the process is stuck in the Preparation phase, try restarting both smartphones and disabling VPN or antivirus software that may block a local connection.

Synchronization with your Mi Cloud account

An alternative but equally powerful tool is the Mi Cloud, which is ideal if you don’t have physical access to both devices at the same time or if you want to back up just in case.

On your old device, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud. You need to activate the synchronization of the desired elements: gallery, contacts, notes, voice recorder and calendar. After you turn on the sliders, click Sync and wait for the process to be completed. Status can be checked in the web version of the cloud.

On the new phone, you just need to log into the same Mi Account, and the system automatically prompts you to restore data from the cloud, which is especially convenient for restoring contacts and notes that will pull up in the background immediately after authorization.

It is worth noting that cloud sync does not copy the applications themselves and their data (cache, progress in games) unless the developer uses their own cloud services.

Backup through Google Account

Google’s ecosystem remains the standard for the Android platform. Even when switching between Xiaomi smartphones, this method is not worth ignoring, especially to keep progress in games and shopping lists. Make sure that the old device in the Google → Backup settings is fresh date of the last copy.

When you first set up a new smartphone, the system will prompt you to restore data from a Google backup, so you can choose which apps and accounts to restore. It's important to understand that Google Photos syncs images separately from the overall backup of the system, so check the download status in this application.

Contacts saved to Google will appear in the phone book automatically after you add an account, which is the most reliable way to keep your phone numbers from being lost, even if something happens to the device itself in the future.

⚠️ Note: Google backup does not store the contents of folders inside apps (such as drafts in messengers or local game saves without the cloud).For WhatsApp and Telegram, use the built-in chat export features.

Using a combination approach — Mi Mover for system and files, and Google for apps and progress — gives you the best result. You get a fully configured phone ready to go right after you turn it on.

Transfer of messengers and banking applications

Messengers such as WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber require special attention. Despite the work of Mi Mover, WhatsApp’s correspondence history often requires special attention. In the settings of the messenger itself on the old phone, create a local backup or make sure that it is downloaded to Google Drive.

When you install WhatsApp on a new device, the app will detect the backup and offer to restore the message history. Telegram and Viber just need to enter the phone number – the whole story will be downloaded from the servers, as these messengers store data in the cloud (except for secret chats).

The situation is different with banking applications: for security reasons, bank keys and tokens are not portable, you will have to re-enter card data, pass SMS identification and possibly re-activate the biometrics (Face ID or fingerprint) for each application.

Be sure to also check your two-factor authentication settings. If you used an old number or authenticator app on your old phone, make sure you have access to confirmation codes before formatting or selling your old device.

Completion of the process and cleaning of the old device

Once all the data has been moved, don't rush to rent or sell your old phone. Do a thorough check on the new device. Walk through the gallery, check for contacts, open a few apps. Make sure the alarms and reminders work correctly.

If you plan to get rid of your old gadget, you need to perform a full reset to factory settings. Go to Settings → About Phone → Reset → Erase all data. This action will delete all personal information and return the phone to the “out of the box” state.

Once reset, the phone will be ready for a new owner or safe storage.

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A complete reset of the old phone is possible only after a thorough check of the health of all data on the new device and logging out of all cloud accounts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)