How to transfer information to the new Xiaomi Redmi phone

Buying a new Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone is always a thrill, but it also requires a technical challenge: transferring all the data from the old device. Android ecosystem owners are in a great position, as modern migration tools allow you to copy contacts, photos, call history and even place icons on the desktop in automatic mode, the process is much easier and faster than models five years ago.

But despite automation, there are many nuances that can affect the speed and success of an operation, such as the version of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system, the amount of internal memory and even the battery status of an old phone play a major role, and in this article we will take a detailed look at all the methods available, from the regular Mi Mover application to cloud services, so you can choose the most suitable for your situation.

There is no need to be afraid of the complications, because Xiaomi’s backup system is designed to meet the needs of ordinary users, you don’t need to be a programmer or have deep technical knowledge to successfully complete the migration, the main thing is to follow the instructions carefully and prepare both devices in advance.

Preparing devices for data migration

Before any copying process begins, it is critical to properly prepare both smartphones. Ignoring the preparatory stage often leads to connection breakage or errors in the middle of the process, which can damage file integrity. Make sure that both devices, both the old and the new Redmi, have at least 50-60% battery charge.

⚠️ Warning: Do not start transferring large amounts of data if one of the devices is powered by an external power bank with unstable voltage.

The second important step is to clean up the space on the new phone if it’s not brand new, or check the space available on the receiving device, which should exceed the amount of data you plan to transfer, and remove the extra apps from the old phone so that the new gadget does not clog up with digital garbage.

Be sure to connect both smartphones to the same Wi-Fi network if you plan to use cloud-based methods, or make sure that Bluetooth and Geolocation modules are enabled for local transmission protocols to work. Connectivity stability is a key success factor.

• 🔋 Charge both phones to at least 60% for stable operation during long-duration transfer.
• 📶 Connect devices to a single Wi-Fi network or make sure that wireless modules are in good condition.
• 🗑️ Make room on your new smartphone by removing unnecessary system files or temporary data.
• 📱 Unlock the screens of both devices and keep them close to each other throughout the process.

Using the Mi Mover app for local porting

The most efficient and quickest way to migrate is to use the proprietary utility Mi Mover, which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones.This tool creates a direct wireless connection between devices, bypassing the Internet channel, which allows you to transfer data at high speeds up to tens of megabytes per second.

To get started, open the app on your new phone and select Recipient. On an older device that may not even be from Xiaomi (subject to installing the app from Google Play), select the Sender role. QR-code or find the device in the list available for connection.

Once you connect, you'll see a detailed menu of data categories, you can migrate system settings, accounts, apps, music, images and videos, and it's important to note that the Mi Mover can even copy shortcuts on the desktop, keeping the interface structure familiar.

During the transfer, do not switch to other applications or turn off the screen, as this can interrupt the session. The copy time depends on the amount of data: several gigabytes of photos can be transferred from 10 to 40 minutes.

• 📲 Run Mi Mover on both devices and select the appropriate roles (Sender/Receiver).
• 🔗 Connect your phones through scanning QR-code or Bluetooth search.
• 📂 Select data categories for copying, ticking the necessary points.
• ⏳ Wait for the process to be completed without turning off smartphone screens.

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Mi Mover is the only way to transfer the icon layout and system settings of the MIUI interface without using the cloud.

Sync through Google Account and Cloud Services

An alternative and often more reliable method is sync through a Google account, which is ideal if you don’t have both phones on hand at the same time or your old device is already sold/lost but synced, and when the new Redmi is activated, the system will prompt you to enter Google’s login and password.

Once logged in, the smartphone will automatically download your contact list, email history, calendar events, and most importantly, a list of installed apps. Although the application files themselves will be re-downloaded from the Play Market, their settings and data (if the application supports backup to Google Drive) will be restored automatically.

Google Photos is a special service, and if you have enabled uploading photos and videos to the cloud on your old phone, it is easy to log into the same account on the new device, and the entire library will be available instantly, saving a huge amount of time and space on the internal drive.

⚠️ Attention: Free Google account provides 15GB of space. If you have a lot of high-quality photos, the place may run out and sync will stop. Check available storage space before starting.

Also worth mentioning is the Xiaomi Cloud service, which if you used on an old device, when you log in to your Mi Account on a new phone, you can recover notes, voice recordings and screenshots that are not synced through Google.

Transfer of WhatsApp messages and messengers

The most painful topic for many users is transferring the history of correspondence to WhatsApp, since standard copying methods often do not affect the databases of messengers for security reasons.

The most reliable method is to use the built-in backup feature in WhatsApp itself. On your old phone, go to Settings → Chats → Backup Chats and click Backup. Make sure the copy is created on Google Drive, not just locally on the device.

When WhatsApp first runs on the new Xiaomi, after confirming the phone number, the system will detect a backup in the cloud and prompt you to restore your message history, which works flawlessly when you switch between Android phones.

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For Telegram, you don't have to transfer: just type in the phone number on the new device, and all cloud chats will be automatically loaded.

If you’re switching from iPhone to Android, the process is more complicated and may require the use of a Lightning-USB-C cable or a Data Transfer feature when you initially set up a new phone, when the system itself suggests copying data from the iOS device.

• 💬 Make a full WhatsApp backup on Google Drive on your old device.
• ☁️ Make sure you use the same phone number and Google account to recover.
• 📲 Don’t miss the recovery step when you first start an app on a new phone.
• 🔒 For Viber and Telegram, you just need to enter a number, the history is stored in the cloud or requires a separate backup.

Solving and eliminating errors

Even if all instructions are followed, technical failures can occur. One of the common problems is the Mi Mover “Disconnected” error, most often due to one device using a 4G/5G mobile network instead of Wi-Fi, or power saving mode that blocks background data transmission.

Another common situation is a 99% freeze, which can mean that a large file is being copied or the system process is temporarily blocked, so don't rush to interrupt the operation. Wait 10-15 minutes. If progress doesn't shift, try restarting the application on both phones and starting over again, selecting only the categories that didn't copy.

⚠️ Warning: If you transfer contacts, they appear on your phone in the form of take-ups, do not panic. Go to the Contacts app, select "Organize contacts» → «Combine duplicates and the system will automatically clear the list.

The problem with restoring apps from Google Play may be that some high-security banking applications or programs (such as government services) do not allow automatic installation from backup.

Also, consider the difference in Android versions: When you switch from a very old version (like Android 8) to a new one (Android 13/14), some older apps may not be compatible and will not install, in which case you will have to look for their modern counterparts in GetApps or Play Market.

Completion of the setup and integrity check

Once the transfer is complete, don't just think it's done. You need to do a thorough audit. Check the phone book: are all the numbers there, have the names and photos of the subscribers correctly identified. Open the gallery and make sure the albums are correctly formed.

Pay special attention to security settings. Since you may have moved Wi-Fi passwords and autocomplete data, make sure the new device has a robust screen locking method (PIN-Mi Account must also be activated for the Device Search function».

Now that all the data is in place, it is recommended to make the first full backup of the already new system state, which will create a “backpoint” with already configured apps and accounts, which will save you in the future if you have to change your phone again or reset your settings.