Changing devices is always about minimizing the stress of losing your digital environment. Xiaomi ecosystem owners are in a better position to provide powerful built-in tools for migration. Moving settings from Xiaomi to Xiaomi allows you not only to copy contacts and photos, but also to recreate the exact structure of the desktop, Wi-Fi passwords and system preferences.
The migration process has become much easier with the release of MIUI 12 and subsequent versions of the HyperOS shell. Now the user does not need to be a technical specialist to activate all the functions of the new gadget in a matter of minutes.
There are several proven methods of synchronization, each of which has its advantages depending on the condition of the old device and the speed of the Internet connection, we will consider the most effective ways that ensure the safety of your personal information and a comfortable switch to a new device.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before you start any copying tools, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps. Ignoring this step often leads to interruption of the process or incorrect display of data on the new device. Make sure that both smartphones are charged at least 60-70%, as active file transfer significantly consumes battery power.
Check for free space on the receiving device. The amount of memory available should exceed the amount of data reserved, and it is also critical to update the system software on both devices to the current version to eliminate conflict versions of the transmission protocols.
☑️ Checklist for transfer preparations
For stable operation of cloud services, it is recommended to connect to a reliable Wi-Fi network. Mobile Internet can be unstable when transferring large amounts of data, such as video archives or application installation files.
⚠️ Warning: Don’t interrupt the initial setup process of the new smartphone before the migration is complete.If you miss the data import phase on your first run, it will be harder to repeat it through the standard settings menu.
Using Mi Cloud account to sync
The most elegant and reliable way is to use Mi Cloud storage, which allows you to transfer not only media files, but also system settings, call history, SMS and even the location of icons on your desktop. First, log into your Mi Account on your old device through the Settings → Mi Account menu.
In the sync section, select the data you want to save. The system will offer a huge list of categories, from gallery and voice recorder to alarm settings and blacklist. After choosing, click the Sync button to ensure that the latest data has gone to the server.
How much space does the Mi Cloud give you for free?
On the new Xiaomi smartphone, log in to the same account. When you first set up, the system will prompt you to restore data from the cloud. If the phone is already configured, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Restore from a backup.
This method is particularly useful because it allows you to recover data even if your old device has been lost or damaged, but the main thing is to know your login and password, but the speed of recovery depends on the speed of your Internet connection.
Local backup: a complete clone of the system
Local backup is a function that creates an accurate “cast” of the system on an internal drive or SD-Unlike the cloud, it copies both the application files (apk) and their data, so you don't have to download the software again from the store. → The phone. → Backup and restoration.
When you create a local copy, you will be asked to select system components to save. It is recommended to mark all items, including System Settings and Other Android Settings. Once the process is complete, the backup file will be saved to the MIUI/backup/AllBackup directory.
To transfer this file to a new device, the easiest way is to use a built-in file manager or USB connection. Copy the backup date folder to the new phone in a similar directory. Then, on the new device, run recovery through the same settings menu.
| Parameter | Mi Cloud | Local backup | Mi Mover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed of operation | Depends on the Internet. | High (locally) | Very high (Wi-Fi Direct) |
| Demands the Internet. | Yes. | No. | No (creating a network) |
| Copying application data | Partially. | Yes (fully) | Yes. |
| You need an old phone. | No (only account) | Yes (to create a file) | Yes (physically) |
It is important to note that local copies take up a significant amount of disk space, and once the data is successfully transferred to the new phone and checked for integrity, the backup file can be deleted to free up space.
Mi Mover app: fast Wi-Fi transmission
Mi Mover is a specialized tool for fast data transfer between two physical devices, which creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between phones, which provides high speed transfer without using Internet traffic, and can be found in the Tools folder or through a search in settings.
Run the app on both smartphones. Select Recipient on the new device and Sender on the old one. Scan QR-code or connection via a search network will allow you to establish a secure connection.
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If Mi Mover can’t see the device, try turning off mobile internet on both smartphones and leaving only Wi-Fi on.
Once you connect, you'll see a list of data categories, so you can select to selectively transfer only contacts and messages, or copy all the content, including heavy video files, and the process is displayed as a progress bar with the remaining time.
The main advantage of Mi Mover over other methods is the ability to transfer data from devices of other brands (Android and iOS) to Xiaomi, although in the Xiaomi-Xiaomi connection the functionality is revealed as fully as possible, transferring even specific shell settings.
⚠️ Warning: While Mi Mover is running, phone screens should not go out. Increase the time to turn off the display in the screen settings so that the process does not stop halfway through.
Transfer of desktop layout and passwords
One of the most annoying tasks when changing phones is manually placing widgets and folders. Fortunately, the Xiaomi ecosystem allows you to move the layout of the desktop automatically, this feature is activated when you log into your Mi Account and enable synchronization of the Desktop item.
Wi-Fi passwords are also stored in the cloud or locally, and when connected to a known network on a new device, the system can suggest using the saved password without having to re-enter it, especially for complex WPA2/WPA3 security keys.
For users who are actively using the Mi Browser browser or the standard browser on the Chromium engine, it is worth checking the synchronization of bookmarks and passwords of sites through Google Account or Mi Account, respectively, this will provide access to your favorite resources immediately after the first launch of the browser.
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A full copy of your desktop is only possible when you use your Mi Account. Sync through Google saves only contacts and calendar, not app icons.
Solving problems and errors during transfer
Despite the fact that things are fine, sometimes there are failures. If the process is stuck on a certain percentage, try restarting both devices and trying again. Often the cause of errors is incompatibility of Android or MIUI versions, when the old version of the system incorrectly generates a data packet for the new one.
In cases where applications (banking programs, encrypted messengers) are not portable, this is normal security protection: such programs require separate authorization or manual login to the account on the new device, and the data inside them (correspondence) often require a separate local backup within the application itself.
If you encounter a “Not enough space” error in local recovery, check to see if large files are hidden in the backup folder. Sometimes clearing the system cache before starting the process helps avoid file system conflicts.