How to transfer data from the old smartphone to the new Xiaomi: full instructions

Buying a new Xiaomi device is always an exciting moment, but it is often overshadowed by the prospect of a long and tedious setup: you will not only unpack the gadget, but also recreate the usual digital environment, transferring contacts, photos, correspondence and application settings. Fortunately, modern technology allows you to automate this process, minimizing user participation and preserving the structure of files.

There are several proven migration options that depend on the operating system of your previous gadget, and if you move from Android, the process will be as transparent as possible due to the openness of the system, and iPhone owners also do not need to worry, since the Mi Mover tools provide full synchronization between iOS and the shell of HyperOS or MIUI.

In this article, we will take a closer look at each step of the procedure, focusing on the nuances that are often overlooked, how to avoid losing important files and why standard methods can be more effective than cloud services with a lot of information.

Preparing devices for data migration

Before any manipulation of the file system, you need to make sure that both devices are ready to work. The battery charge on both smartphones should be at least 50-60%, since the process of active data transfer over Wi-Fi Direct consumes significant energy. If one of the devices runs out at a critical moment, the connection may break, and the procedure will have to start again.

It is also recommended to free up space on the receiving device, especially if you plan to carry heavy media files or game backups.Make sure that the new Xiaomi has enough free space in Internal Storage memory.It is not superfluous to update the system software on both gadgets to the latest available version to eliminate transmission protocol compatibility errors.

⚠️ Warning: Make sure the screens of both smartphones do not automatically go out during the process. Go to the display settings and temporarily increase the time before going to sleep, otherwise a break in the connection on the timer may interrupt the copying of large files.

To work smoothly, it’s better to disable background applications that can consume traffic or load the processor. Close all unnecessary tabs in the browser and heavy games. This will allow the system to direct all resources to create and maintain a communication channel between devices.

Using the Mi Mover app for Android

The main tool for migration in the Xiaomi ecosystem is the Mi Mover utility, which is pre-installed on all new smartphones of the company, but if you do not find it in the Tools folder, the application can be downloaded for free from the GetApps store or Google Play. On the old device, the program will also need to install if it is missing.

The process starts with running the app on both gadgets. On the new Xiaomi phone, you need to select the Receiver role, after which the device will create a Wi-Fi hotspot. On the old smartphone, you select the role of Sender, and in the list of available networks you need to find the name of the new device to connect.

• 📲 Open the Mi Mover app on both devices via menu or search.
• 🔗 On the new phone, click "I am the recipient" and on the old one, "I am the sender".
• 📡 Connect your old smartphone to the Wi-Fi network created by the new device.
• ✅ Select data categories to copy and click the "Send" button".

Once the connection is established, the system will suggest selecting data types to transfer.You can copy contacts, messages, call history, images, videos, music, and even installed applications. that the applications themselves will only be transferred as APK installation files, and their data (logins, game progress) will only be saved if the applications support cloud sync or have a built-in backup function.

The data rate is directly dependent on the amount of information and the distance between the devices. Keep your smartphones close to each other and don't switch to other applications during the process. Once you're done, you'll get a detailed report of how many files have been successfully transferred.

Transfer information from iPhone to Xiaomi

Owners of Apple equipment also available functionality Mi Mover, which makes the transition to the Android platform less stressful. the application is available in the App Store, but its functionality on iOS has some limitations compared to the version for Android due to the security policy of Apple.

To start, you need to download Mi Mover from the App Store on the iPhone. Next, the actions are similar: on Xiaomi, choose “Recipient”, on the iPhone – “Sender”.

Special attention should be paid to file formats. Photos taken in HEIC format on iPhone, during the transfer process can be automatically converted to a more versatile JPG, which will ensure their correct display in the Xiaomi gallery.

Sync with Mi Cloud and Google Account

The alternative to direct connectivity is to use cloud services, which is ideal if you don't have both devices on hand at the same time or your old phone has already been sold. Mi Cloud and Google Drive let you save key data and restore it at any time.

On the old device, make sure that sync contacts, calendar and notes are activated in your account settings. For Google users, simply log in to your account on the new Xiaomi when you first set up, and the system will prompt you to restore apps and settings from the last backup.

• ☁️ Log in to your Google or Mi Account settings on your old device.
• 💾 Click on "Sync" or "Create a backup copy".
• 🔐 Enter account details on the new Xiaomi smartphone.
• ⬇️ Select “Restore from the Cloud” when you first set up.

Using the cloud is especially useful for keeping contacts and calendars, as it takes up minimal space and syncs instantly, but for carrying heavy files such as high-resolution video, this method can be inconvenient due to the limits of free cloud space and the dependence on Internet speed.

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Use Google Photos to quickly upload your library. Install the app on your old phone, enable high-quality (not original) autoloads, and in a couple of hours, all your photos will be available on the new device through the gallery.

Transfer of messengers and applications

The most delicate part of the process is the migration of messengers such as Telegram, Viber and WhatsApp. If it is enough for Telegram to simply enter a phone number, since all the history is stored on servers, then WhatsApp and Viber require a local or cloud backup.

On WhatsApp, you need to go to the chat settings before transferring and select "Backup." Make sure that the copy is created on Google Drive (for Android) or iCloud (for iPhone). When you install the application on a new phone and enter the same number, the system will prompt you to restore the history of correspondence from the found copy.

⚠️ Note: When you transfer WhatsApp between different operating systems (iOS) ↔ Android standard backup may not work. Use the Chat Transfer feature inside the WhatsApp app when you first install on a new device, following the on-screen instructions (scanning) QR-code).

For banking applications and government services, data portability is not possible for security reasons, and you will have to re-authorize, enter passwords, and possibly confirm login via SMS or push notification on your old device if you still have one.

Common mistakes and ways to solve them

Even with automated tools, the process can go wrong, and one of the most common problems is breaking the Wi-Fi connection, which often happens when one of the devices is power-saving, which force the wireless module to shut down to save power.

Another common mistake is the incompatibility of Android versions: If the old phone has a very old version of the system (for example, Android 5 or 6), and the new Xiaomi runs on Android 13 or 14, some system settings may not be transferred correctly, in which case it is better to transfer only mediafiles and contacts, and set the settings manually.

If the process is stuck at a certain percentage, don't rush to reboot the devices. Wait 10-15 minutes, as the system can handle a large file. If progress is still in place longer, try to interrupt the process, clear the cache of the Mi Mover application on both devices and start over, selectively eliminating the "heavy" folders.

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The most reliable way to avoid errors is to transfer data in parts: first contacts and photos, then applications, and at the end – heavy video files.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)