How to transfer all settings to the new Xiaomi phone: 5 proven ways

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but the process of data transfer often raises more questions than the choice of the model itself: How to save all contacts, messages, photos and even screen settings so as not to waste hours on manual adjustment? In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of migration – from the official tools of the Mi Cloud and Mi Mover to the hidden capabilities of Google and manual methods for power users.

Features of Xiaomi phones (including Redmi models, POCO Black Shark – Deep integration with the ecosystem MIUI. This makes it easier to move data between devices of the same brand, but it creates nuances when you move from Android smartphones of other manufacturers, and we have considered all scenarios: you will find instructions for both complete cloning of an old phone and selective transfer of only the necessary data.

Important: the transfer procedure depends on the version MIUI (starting MIUI 12 algorithms have changed) and phone models. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with HyperOS, features are available that are not available on the Redmi Note 10 with the new model. MIUI 13. We noted all the key differences.

1.Preparation for the transfer: what to do before buying a new Xiaomi

Many users only start thinking about data portability after unpacking a new phone, a mistake. A few simple steps in advance will save hours of time:

• 🔄 Update the software on your old phone: Make sure it has the latest version installed. MIUI Or Android. On old firmware (for example, on Android, MIUI (11) modern transfer tools may not work.
• 🔌 Check the compatibility of cables: For Mi Mover you will need the original USB-C cable (or micro-USB adapter on older models) unoriginal cables often cause connection errors.
• 📱 Clear out unnecessary data: Delete app cache, duplicate photos and unnecessary files, which will speed up the process and free up space in the cloud.
• 🔐 Remember passwords: Porting some data (such as saved passwords to Google Chrome) will require re-authorization.

Pay special attention to cloud services:

• ☁️ Mi Cloud: Check if your Xiaomi account is linked to your phone. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud and enable synchronization for all the data you need.
• 🅿️ Google Drive: Make sure you have backup enabled in Settings → Google → Backup. This will come in handy if Mi Cloud fails.

⚠️ Note: If you use Root rights or custom firmware on your old phone, the official portability methods (Mi Mover, Mi Cloud) may not work.

2.Official method: transfer via Mi Mover (without PC)

Mi Mover is Xiaomi's proprietary tool for wirelessly transferring data between devices. It works on all phones with a mobile phone. MIUI 9 and newer, and also supports the transition from other brands (Samsung, Huawei, etc.) The main advantage is the preservation of system settings (wallpaper, sounds, display parameters) that do not tolerate other methods.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on the new Xiaomi and select the language. On the welcome screen, tap Data Transfer (or Import data in English firmware).
2. On your old phone, install the Mi Mover app from the Play Market (if it’s not in the system).
3. Run Mi Mover on both devices. On the new phone, select I receive data, on the old one, I send data.
4. Scan it. QR-code from a new phone is old or connect via Hotspot (if you have a new phone) QR misspelled).
5. Select data to transfer: contacts, messages, photos, applications and system settings.
6. Confirm the transfer and wait until it's done. It can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the amount of data.

Mi Mover carries:

⚠️ Note: If the transfer is interrupted during the data transfer phase, do not turn off Wi-Fi or leave the application. Wait 5 minutes, the system will try to resume the process automatically. If this does not help, start again, but select only the data that has not yet been transferred.

Charge both phones at least 50 times%|Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network|Release 10+ GB of memory on a new phone|Shut down. VPN firewalls|Make sure there is enough space on your old phone for temporary files-->

3.Move over Mi Cloud: Cloud Backup

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s cloud service that allows you to create a full backup of an old phone and restore it to a new one, a method that is handy if you don’t have physical access to an old device (like it broke) or you’re transferring data from your iPhone.

How to make a backup copy:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup of the device.
2. Click Create a backup and select data: system settings, applications, multimedia.
3. Wait until it's finished (time depends on internet speed) and the copy will be saved in the cloud.

How to restore on a new phone:

1. When you first enable a new Xiaomi, select Restore from a backup.
2. Sign in to the same Mi Cloud account as your old phone.
3. Select the latest backup and confirm the recovery.

Mi Cloud provides 5GB for free, and if you have more data, you have to:

• 💰 Buy an additional seat (from 100 GB per ~300 rubles per year).
• 🗃️ Transfer some data manually (photo/video via Google Photos).
• 🔄 Break the backup into parts (for example, move the settings first, then multimedia).

4.Google Transfer: A Universal Method for Any Android

If you're switching from a different brand phone (Samsung, Realme, Google Pixel) or want to use a reliable backup option, Google services are the best choice. They work on any Android device and carry:

• ☑️ Contacts (via Google Contacts).
• 📧 Mail and calendars (Gmail, Google Calendar).
• 📱 Wi-Fi settings, wallpaper, language settings.
• 🎮 Data from some games (if they support Google Play Games).
• 📁 Files from Google Drive and Google Photos.

How to transfer data via Google:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Google → Backup and turn on the option.
2. Click Create a copy now and wait until it is completed.
3. On the new Xiaomi, when you first turn on, select Copy Data → From the cloud → Google.
4. Enter the same Google account as the old phone.
5. Select the data for recovery and confirm.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Not tolerated. SMS/MMS (use SMS Backup & Restore from Play Market).
• ❌ No possibility to reschedule the settings MIUI (topics, sounds, screen parameters).
• ❌ Some apps (such as Xiaomi Home for Smart Home) require separate authorization.

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If you're migrating data from your iPhone to Xiaomi, use Apple's Move to iOS app in reverse: first install it on Xiaomi, then follow the instructions, which will transfer contacts, photos and some of the settings.

5. Manual transfer: for experienced users

If the official methods don't work, like Root, custom firmware, or a lot of data, you can manually migrate it, which takes longer, but gives you complete control.

Manual transfer methods:

• 🖥️ Through PC: Connect both phones to your computer and copy files directly (photos, videos, documents). ADB:
• 📁 Through Memory Card: Copy data to MicroSD on an old phone, then paste it into a new one.
• 🌐 Through FTP-Server: Install an application on an old phone FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer, launch FTP-server and download files to a new phone over a local network.
• 🔗 Through Cloud Services: Upload data to Yandex Drive, Dropbox or Mega, then download to a new phone.

How to transfer SMS call:

1. Install it on an old phone. SMS Backup & Restore.
2. Create a backup copy (backup) → choose SMS/MMS/call-in).
3. Copy the backup file (usually in.xml format) to a new phone.
4. Install the same app on the new Xiaomi and recover the data (Restore).

Portability of data applications:

• For applications without cloud sync (such as some games), use Titanium Backup (requires Root).
• For WhatsApp: Backup your Settings → chat → Backup copy, then transfer the file msgstore.db.crypt14 folder /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases new phone.

⚠️ Note: When manually transferring, do not copy system files from folders /system, /data/data or /vendor. This can cause a malfunction of the new phone. /sdcard (internal memory) and established APK-file.

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Manual transfer is the only way to save data from applications that don’t support cloud sync (such as some banking apps or local games).

6.Move Smart Home Settings and Mi Account

If you use the Xiaomi Smart Home ecosystem (smart lamps, robot vacuum cleaners, sensors), their settings are not automatically transferred either through the Mi Mover or through the Mi Cloud, so as not to configure everything again:

Instructions for transferring Mi Home devices:

1. On your old phone, open the Mi Home app and check that all devices are connected to your Xiaomi account.
2. Make sure that the new phone is logged in to the same Mi Account.
3. On the new phone, install Mi Home from Play Market (not from Xiaomi’s App Store to avoid regional restrictions).
4. Go to the app – all devices should be displayed automatically.
5. If the devices don't show up, press. + → Add the device → Connect existing ones and select them from the list.

Challenges and solutions:

For robot vacuum cleaners (Xiaomi Mi Robot, Roborock):

• First untie the vacuum cleaner from the old phone in the Mi Home app.
• Reset it to factory settings (press the power button for 10 seconds).
• Connect to your new phone via Mi Home by selecting Add Device → Vacuum cleaner.

7.What to do after the transfer: verification and optimization

Data portability is only half the battle, and once the process is complete, it is imperative to:

• 🔍 Check contacts: Open the Contacts app and make sure all numbers are in place. Pay special attention to the contacts saved on the phone. SIM-map, they might not have moved.
• 📱 Update apps: Go to Play Market → My apps and update to the latest versions. Some apps (like banking) may require re-authorization.
• 🔒 Set up security:
• 📶 Check the mobile network: Sometimes settings APN If there is no internet, manually download the operator's settings to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN).

Optimizing the new phone:

• 🧹 Cache Clearing: After transferring apps, clear the cache to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Clear the cache.
• 🔋 Battery calibration: Fully discharge and charge your phone 2-3 time to allow the system to correctly calibrate the charge indicator.
• 🎨 Setting up the themes: If you used custom themes on an old phone, install them again via Themes (not all themes are automatically portable).

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After transferring the data, it is recommended to reset the system cache (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings → Cache dumping will eliminate possible lags and errors associated with migration.

8. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have problems.-5 errors and ways of correcting them:

If nothing helps:

• 📞 Contact Xiaomi Support via Settings → Reviews (response within 24 hours).
• 🛠️ Reset the new phone to factory settings (Settings) → The phone. → Reset settings) and repeat the transfer.
• 💬 Visit the forum 4PDA or XDA Developers – there are solutions for rare bugs (for example, for phones with HyperOS).

⚠️ Note: If you migrate data from your iPhone to Xiaomi, never use iTunes to back up — it will result in a loss of file structure. Instead, export your contacts via iCloud (.vcf format) and photos via Google Photos.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions