How to transfer data from your old phone to the new Xiaomi Redmi 9

Buying a new smartphone like the Xiaomi Redmi 9 always elicits a lot of positive emotions, but the owner immediately faces the question of migrating the information accumulated over the years. The process of transitioning to a device with a MIUI shell may seem difficult for a beginner, but modern tools make this task as simple and fast as possible. In this article, we will discuss all the available ways of synchronizing so that you can immediately start using the gadget without spending time manually entering numbers or searching for photos.

There are several proven methods of copying information, and the choice of the particular depends on the state of your old device and the type of operating system.You can use Google cloud services, a specialized Mi Mover application or a classic connection via a computer. Each of the options has its advantages, which we will discuss in detail below, so that you choose the most suitable for your situation.

Preparation of devices for the migration procedure

Before you start moving files, make sure both smartphones are ready to go, charge the battery of both devices to at least 60-70%, as the process of transferring large amounts of data can be energy intensive, and check the availability of free space on the receiving Redmi 9 to avoid errors in the middle of the procedure.

Make sure both devices have Wi-Fi enabled, preferably connect to the same network for maximum transmission speed. If you plan to use mobile Internet, make sure that the signal is stable and there is enough traffic, although this is not the best option for large amounts of data.

⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the data transfer process or unlock device screens while working, this may cause files to be damaged or the system to freeze.

On an old phone, close all background apps to free up RAM and speed up the system, which is especially important for older Android models that can run slower when the CPU is high.

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Before starting the transfer, delete unnecessary files and application cache from both devices – this will speed up the process and make room for new information.

Using the Mi Mover app for fast transfer

The most effective and native way for Xiaomi’s technology is to use the Mi Mover utility, which is designed specifically for the MIUI ecosystem and allows you to transfer contacts, messages, call logs, photos, music, videos and even installed applications along with their data.

The process starts with installing the app on both smartphones. On Redmi 9, it is often pre-installed in the Tools folder, and on the old device it can be downloaded from Google Play or the official GetApps store. Once launched, select the role of each device: on the new phone, click “I am the recipient”, and on the old one – “I am the sender”.

  • 📱 Scan it. QR-the code of the camera of the old phone to establish a connection between devices.
  • 📂 Select the categories of data that you need to copy to the new gadget.
  • 🚀 Click the “Send” button and wait until the process is complete without switching between windows.

☑️ Check before launching the Mi Mover

Done: 0 / 4

The Mi Mover transmission speed is much faster than standard Bluetooth, as direct Wi-Fi connections are created between the devices, and once completed, you will receive a successful import notification, and all data will appear in the corresponding sections of the Redmi 9 system.

What if the Mi Mover can’t see the device?
Make sure both phones are enabled with GPS (geolocation), as newer versions of Android require Wi-Fi Direct to work. Also try to turn off mobile internet on one of the devices to avoid network conflict.

Synchronization through Google account

If you've used an Android smartphone before, you probably have a Google account, which is a powerful backup tool, which is ideal for saving contacts, calendar events, notes and settings. When you first activate Redmi 9, just type in your login and password, and the system will prompt you to recover data from the cloud.

To work properly, check your sync settings on your old device. Go to Settings → Accounts → Google and make sure that the boxes are ticked against the right items, such as Contacts, Calendar and Drive. After that, click the sync button to keep the current data in the cloud.

Photos and videos are best saved through Google Photos. Install the app on your old phone, turn on autoload and wait until the process is over. On the new Xiaomi, just log in to the same account in the Photos app, and your entire library will be available instantly.

Type of dataSynchronization methodInternet is requiredSpeed.
ContactsGoogle ContactsYes.Instantly.
Photo/VideoGoogle Photo/DiscYeah (Wi-Fi)Depends on the volume.
AnnexesGoogle PlayYes.Medium
Files.Google DriveYes.Low/Mediocre

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Syncing through Google is the best way to save contacts and calendar, as this data is tied to your account forever and will not be lost when you change your phone.

Transfer data from iPhone to Xiaomi Redmi 9

The owners of iOS also do not need to worry when switching to the Android platform. Xiaomi has provided the ability to migrate data from the iPhone through the same Mi Mover app or the alternative application Move to iOS (in the opposite direction), but in this case we use the capabilities of the Redmi 9 itself.

To start, you’ll need a Lightning-to-USB (addresser) cable to physically connect your iPhone to your new phone, or use a Wi-Fi connection via an app. When choosing a wireless method on your iPhone, you’ll need to download the Mi Mover app from the App Store.

  • 🍏 Run Mi Mover on your iPhone and select “I am the sender».
  • 🤖 On Redmi 9, select “I am the recipient” and scan the code.
  • 📸 Allow access to photos, contacts and calendar on your Apple device.

It’s worth noting that some data, such as apps purchased or iMessage messages, cannot be ported due to the limitations of the Apple ecosystem, but core media and contacts are migrating successfully, allowing you to comfortably start using the new system.

⚠️ Note: When transferring from your iPhone, Wi-Fi passwords and iCloud keys will not be transferred to Android for security reasons.

📊 Which device do you most often switch to a new phone?
Android
iPhone on Android
Android button phone
This is my first smartphone.

Backup to the computer and SD-map

For users who prefer to keep their data under full control, or in the absence of a stable Internet, a great option is to use a PC. USB-cable and select file transfer mode (MTP) noticeably.

Copy DCIM (photo and video), Download, Music, and other important directories to your computer’s hard drive. Then plug in Xiaomi Redmi 9 and transfer those files to the corresponding folders of the new device’s internal memory.

The path to the folder with photo: /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera

If your Redmi 9 or old phone has a microSD card slot, you can use it as an intermediate medium. Just copy the data to the card, then move it to a new smartphone. This is one of the fastest ways to transfer heavy video files.

Formatting a memory card
If the new phone doesn't see the files on the memory card, the file system may not be compatible, so copy the data to your PC, format the card to exFAT or FAT32 through your computer, and download the files back.

Problem Solving and Frequently Asked Questions

When you move data, you might encounter a lot of technical issues, like if you're 90 percent out of gear, don't panic, and check if one of your devices has power-saving modes that could have turned off the Wi-Fi module to save power.

Sometimes users complain that contacts have been duplicated, which happens if you’ve used Google sync and importing from the same site at the same time. SIM-Open the Contacts app, click on the menu and select "Combine duplicates».

If apps don't open after the transfer, try clearing their cache or reinstalling them from Google Play.Some programs may require an update to work properly on the new version of Android installed on Redmi 9.

Is it safe to transfer banking applications through Mi Mover?
Bank applications are usually portable, but for security reasons you will have to re-authorize in them.In some cases, especially with serious banking customers, the system may require a complete reinstallation of the application to verify the integrity of files.
What to do if you don’t have enough memory on the new Redmi 9?
Before you move, evaluate the amount of data on your old phone. If memory is critically low, transfer only contacts and messages, and leave photos and videos in the cloud or on your computer, and you can also remove unnecessary applications that you do not plan to use.
Can we stop the process and continue later?
Most of today's tools, including Mi Mover, don't support the "pause" function, and if the process is interrupted, it will have to start again, but the files already transferred will remain on the new device, but for the integrity of the database, it is better to complete the operation completely.
Will passwords from Wi-Fi and apps be saved?
Wi-Fi passwords can be saved if you use a Google account and the reset function, but passwords inside apps (social networks, games) most often require manual re-entry for the security of user data.