How to transfer information to the new Xiaomi phone: a step-by-step guide

Buying a new gadget is always accompanied by a pleasant excitement, but the owner faces the inevitable task of transferring all the accumulated data from the old device. In the Xiaomi ecosystem, this process is as automated as possible and does not require deep technical knowledge, but it is important to follow the sequence of actions so as not to lose any important file. Modern smartphones of the Chinese brand, whether it is a budget Redmi series or flagship Xiaomi 14, offer powerful built-in tools for synchronization.

Before you start the active phase of migration, you need to do preparatory work on both devices, because the stability of the transfer depends on the state of the batteries and the connection. Backup is not just a recommendation, but a mandatory step that will save your photos and contacts in the event of an unexpected network failure. Ignoring simple preparation rules can lead to the process being delayed for hours or interrupted in the middle.

In this article, we will take a look at all the available ways to transfer information, evaluate their pros and cons, and answer frequent questions from users. You will learn how to use the specialized Mi Mover application, how to set up a Google account and what to do if you move from an iPhone. A competent approach will allow you to start using a new gadget immediately after unpacking, finding all your applications and settings in your usual places.

Preparing devices for data synchronization

Successful data transfer begins well before the migration function is turned on, requiring a close check of the status of both smartphones. First, make sure that both old and new devices have a battery charge of at least 60%, and ideally connect them to power sources. The process of transferring large amounts of data, especially high-resolution photos and video, puts a significant strain on the processor and communication modules, which can lead to a sharp discharge of batteries.

The second critical step is to check the available space on the receiving device. Even if you bought a new phone with a high memory capacity, the system and pre-installed applications already occupy a significant part of the space, and it is recommended to delete unnecessary files in advance or move them to the computer to free up the buffer for unimpeded recording.

⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to interrupt the data transfer process by turning off the screen or switching to other applications, as this may cause file corruption or a complete stop migration.

It’s also worth checking out the version of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system on both devices. Although portability tools are usually compatible with different versions of Android, upgrading to the latest available firmware minimizes the risk of software conflicts. In some cases, older versions of the shell may misinterpret the folder structure of new versions of Android.

Finally, make sure both devices are Wi-Fi enabled. Using a mobile network to transfer gigabytes of data will not only your traffic, but will also occur significantly slower and less stable. Local connection between devices operates at high speeds not available for standard 4G/5G connections during peak hours.

Using the Mi Mover app for quick migration

The most effective and preferred way for owners of Xiaomi equipment is to use the Mi Mover application, which was developed by the company’s engineers specifically for seamless-transition between devices and is able to transfer not only media files, but also system settings, the location of icons on the desktop and even passwords from Wi-Fi networks.

To get started, open the app on your new phone and select the role of “New Phone”. On the old gadget, regardless of its brand, you need to install the Mi Mover app from Google Play or find it in the Tools pack on Xiaomi devices, and select the role of the “Sender” (Old phone). QR-code.

When the devices detect each other, you will be asked to select data categories to transfer, the system will analyze the amount of information and the time it takes to complete the operation, and it is worth noting that the encryption of data when transmitted via Mi Mover occurs at the local network level, which ensures the security of your personal information.

The progress bar will be displayed on the screen as you copy it. It's important to keep your devices in line of sight and make sure they're in line of sight of each other for better signal. If you're carrying more than 100 GB of data, it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the read/write speed of the drives.

⚠️ Warning: If the screen of one of the smartphones is gone during the transfer, the process may stop - set the automatic screen lock to "Never" or constantly touch the display.

Synchronization through Google account and cloud services

An alternative, and more common, method for some users is synchronization through Google’s cloud services, ideal for those who plan to change their smartphone brand in the future, as data is tied to an account rather than a particular device. When you first set up the new Xiaomi, you just need to enter the username and password for Gmail so that contacts, calendar events and notes appear automatically.

For photos and videos, Google Photos is the best service to use. Make sure your old phone has Autoboot and Sync enabled. After that, all your pictures will appear in the gallery of the new device as soon as you log in to the app, which frees up space on the physical drive and creates an additional layer of security.

But the cloud has its limitations: Google Drive’s free tariff only provides 15GB of space, which may not be enough to fully back up the system, and download and download speeds depend on the quality of your Internet connection, which can be critical in the absence of high-speed Wi-Fi.

Don’t forget to synchronize passwords through Google Smart Lock and stored Wi-Fi networks, which will allow you to avoid re-entering passwords from sites and connect to known networks automatically. To activate these features, go to Google’s settings on your old phone and make sure that all switches in the Autocomplete section are active.

Transferring data from iPhone to Xiaomi

The transition from iOS to Android, particularly to the MIUI shell, has been a subject of many questions, but now it’s almost automatic. The Mi Mover app is available on the App Store, which allows you to create a bridge between the Apple and Android ecosystems.

From iPhone to Xiaomi, you can easily transfer contacts, photos, videos and calendar events. iMessage messages and call history, alas, are not subject to migration due to the closedness of the iOS file system. You can not transfer the applications themselves – their analogues will have to be searched and downloaded again from Google Play Market.

To successfully connect, the iPhone must run iOS 9.0 or higher. In the process of setting up, the new Xiaomi will offer to import data from the iPhone. QR-code and allow access to contacts and photos, and it's done over the local Wi-Fi network that the new phone creates.

If you use WhatsApp, when setting up an Android smartphone, the application will itself offer to restore a backup from Google Drive, if you have previously made a backup of chats on your iPhone through a special menu inside WhatsApp (Settings -> Chats -> Backup Chats -> Transfer to Android). This requires using a Lightning-to-USB-C cable or working through Mi Mover, which knows how to “pull” WhatsApp data.

Manual copying through a computer and USB-cable

For users who prefer full control over each file, or with a huge amount of data (for example, 200+ GB of media files), the classic method of copying through a PC remains the most reliable, this method eliminates the dependence on the speed of the Wi-Fi router and allows you to structure the files as you wish.

Connect your old phone to your computer with a cable and select file transfer mode (MTP). Copy the DCIM (photo and video), Download, Music and Documents folders to your computer's hard drive. Then plug in the new Xiaomi and transfer the data to the appropriate directories. The Android folder structure is universal, so the files will fall into place.

When you manually copy, it's important to follow the path structure, especially for multimedia. If you put music in a random folder, the system player may not see it, and it's recommended that you copy the contents of the internal memory to the root directory of the new device, allowing the system to sort the files itself through the media library.

This method also allows you to clean up the data archive before downloading to a new phone, so you can remove duplicate photos, old screenshots and unnecessary videos, saving precious space on the new device, and it’s a great opportunity to do a digital cleaning before you start working with the new gadget.

Solutions and recovery after failure

Even with reliable tools, there can be errors, and a common problem is that the message "Not enough space" on the receiving device, even if there is a formal space, is due to the file system or cache, in which case you can try to transfer data in smaller portions, choosing specific categories of files, rather than all at once.

Another common scenario is 99 percent freeze, which often happens when you transfer a lot of small files (like messenger cache), and the solution is one: interrupt the process, clear the cache of the apps on your old phone and try again by eliminating system files from the sample. Connection stability is more important than speed, so make sure there are no powerful sources of interference around.

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If the Mi Mover is constantly breaking, try switching the Wi-Fi frequency on one of the devices (if there is such a possibility in the engineering menu) or bringing the phones with the backs of each other for a better antenna signal.

Once the transfer is complete, make sure to check the integrity of the data. Open the gallery, flip through contacts, run heavy applications. If you've used cloud sync, give the phone time (sometimes up to several hours) to load the original photos in the background in high resolution.

In rare cases, a complete reset of a new phone and a repeat of the procedure may be required if system files were damaged during the migration.This is an extreme measure, but it ensures the system is clean.

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The most reliable result is a combination of methods: system settings and applications through Mi Mover, and heavy media files through a PC cable, which provides maximum speed and control.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)