Buying a new Xiaomi smartphone is always a joyful event, but it often comes with a headache from the need to transfer a huge amount of data. Users want to see the new device with a familiar desktop, all installed applications, Wi-Fi passwords and instant messaging history. Fortunately, the MIUI and HyperOS ecosystem provides powerful tools to automate this process, minimizing manual intervention.
There are several proven ways to migrate, from the proprietary Mi Mover utility built into the shell, to Google cloud services and Xiaomi Cloud. The choice of a particular method depends on the version of the operating system, the amount of internal memory and the availability of a stable Internet connection. In this article, we will discuss each method in detail so that you can restore the working environment in minutes.
Before starting the procedure, it is important to understand that some banking applications and secure enterprise services will require re-authorization for security purposes, but most programs, their settings and even the location of icons on the desktop will be copied exactly as on an old device, which avoids the stress of a clean smartphone and immediately start productive work.
Using the Mi Mover app for quick migration
The most efficient and quickest way to transfer is to use the built-in Mi Mover app, which is designed specifically for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, providing data transfer over direct Wi-Fi connection without using Internet traffic, transfer speeds can reach tens of megabytes per second, which is critical when carrying heavy games and video archives.
To start, you need to open the app on both smartphones, and on the new device, select "I am the recipient" and on the old one, "I am the sender." QR-If you have code or manually connect to the network you've created, you'll have to select the types of data you want to copy.
- ๐ฑ Applications: Copying themselves APK-Program files and, in most cases, their internal data (cache, logins).
- ๐ผ๏ธ Multimedia: photos, videos, music and recordings of the recorder are transferred in original quality without compression.
- โ๏ธ System settings: Wi-Fi passwords, alarm clocks, blacklist contacts and desktop settings.
โ ๏ธ Warning: During the transfer process, do not unlock the device screens and keep them at a distance of no more. 1-2 Interrupting the connection can damage the data archive.
โ๏ธ Preparation for transfer via Mi Mover
Importantly, the Mi Mover can even move the widgets and folders on the home screen, which makes it feel like you just changed the body of your phone, retaining all the digital habitat, taking 10 to 40 minutes depending on the amount of information.
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Mi Mover is the only method that allows you to transfer an exact copy of the location of icons and widgets of the desktop without manual adjustment.
Sync with Mi Cloud and Google account
The alternative to direct transfer is cloud storage, which is deeply integrated with Googleโs services and its own Mi Cloud, which is ideal if the old phone is already sold, lost or broken, but the data has already been synchronized.
When you first set up a new smartphone, just enter your Google account. The system will offer to restore applications that were installed on the previous device with the same account. Google Play will automatically start downloading the list of programs, but their data (for example, progress in games or drafts in messengers) may not be saved without additional settings.
Using Mi Cloud provides a deeper level of synchronization for Xiaomi owners. In the cloud you can upload contacts, SMS messages, call history, notes and even screenshots. To activate, you need to go to Settings โ Mi Account โ Synchronization and select the desired items.
| Type of data | Google Drive | Mi Cloud | Local backup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Yes. | Yes. | Yes. |
| Photos and videos | Yeah (squeezing) | Yeah (original*) | Yes. |
| Wi-Fi passwords | Yes. | Yes. | Yes. |
| Screen layout | No. | Partially. | Yes. |
Note: Original quality photos in Mi Cloud are only available if you have a subscription or sufficient free space. Free tariff usually provides 5 GB, which is quickly filled with video content.
How to increase the limit of Mi Cloud for free?
Manual creation of a local backup of the system
For users who prefer full control of data or don't have fast internet, there's a method for creating a local backup, which is built into the MIUI shell and allows you to create a full cast of the system, which can then be transferred to a new phone via a computer or memory card.
To create a backup, go to the Settings menu. โ The phone. โ Backup and restore. You can choose to create a copy on an internal drive or an external one. SD-It is recommended to select only the necessary partitions so as not to inflate the size of the backup file.
Once you create a backup file (usually in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder), you have to copy it to the new device in the same directory. On the new phone, you also need to go to the recovery menu and select the created file.
- ๐พ Complete control: you decide what to copy, and the file is nowhere on the Internet.
- ๐ Security: Data does not pass through third-party servers, which is important for sensitive information.
- โณ Time: The process of creating and restoring takes longer than direct transmission over Wi-Fi.
โ ๏ธ Note: Local app backup may not contain login data for some secure applications (banks, corporate clients) due to Android security policies.
This method is especially useful when switching between major Android versions, when cloud sync may not work properly, and it also allows you to keep a clean version of the system without any debris if you cleaned your old phone beforehand.
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Use your computer as a middle ground. Copy the AllBackup folder on your PC, format your new phone, and then roll the backup back in, which ensures you have a clean system installation with your data.
Nuances of data transfer messengers
The transfer of instant messengers such as WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber deserves special attention. Despite the fact that Mi Mover tries to capture their data, it is often necessary to manually upload the correspondence history to avoid losing important dialogues.
WhatsApp best uses the built-in backup feature on Google Drive. Go to Settings โ Chats โ Chat Backup and click โCreate Backup.โ On the new phone, when you first start, the app will prompt you to restore a story from the cloud.
Telegram works differently: all data is stored on the messenger servers. You just need to enter the phone number and confirmation code - all chats (except secret ones) will be downloaded automatically. Secret chats are tied to a specific device and cannot be transferred.
For Viber, it is also recommended to use backup on Google Drive or local save if the cloud is crowded.
What to do if applications do not open after the transfer
Sometimes, after migration, users are faced with a situation where the application icons are in place, but when you start the program crashes or requires you to re-go through all the stages of configuration, this is due to changes in the security policy of Android and the features of MIUI.
Banking applications and services with two-factor authentication (2FA) almost always require re-entry, which is normal behavior, since encryption keys are often tied to a unique device ID (Device ID), which changes when you change your phone.
If a standard app doesn't run, try clearing its cache through Settings โ Apps โ All Apps โ [Select App] โ Clear the data. In rare cases, removing and re-installing the problem program from Google Play or GetApps helps.
- ๐ Google Authenticator: Make sure to export accounts or back up codes before resetting your old phone.
- ๐ฆ Banking applications: Prepare cards for re-binding, as biometric data may not be portable.
- ๐ฎ Games: Make sure that progress is saved in Google Play Games or the game developer account.
โ ๏ธ Warning: Do not try to migrate old phone system applications (such as system launcher or Google services of the old version) to the new one if the Android versions are very different.
In some cases, especially when switching from a very old version of MIUI to a new HyperOS, older versions of applications may not be compatible.The system will automatically prompt you to update them, and it is better to agree to ensure stable operation.
Final optimization and data integrity verification
Once the transfer is complete, you should not immediately start active operation. It is recommended to conduct an initial data integrity check. Walk through the gallery, check for contacts, make sure that alarms are set and notifications come correctly.
It can take 30 minutes to hours for the system to index files and optimize application databases, during which time the phone may get slightly warmer and the battery discharges faster than usual, which is a regular process of background services.
It's also worth checking for updates for all installed programs, and even if you've moved the latest versions, critical security patches may have been released during the transfer. Go to Google Play and click "Update All."
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After transferring the data, give the phone 1-2 hours of quiet operation with the screen turned on and Wi-Fi connection for full database optimization.
If you used Mi Mover, you can reset your old device completely, making sure everything works perfectly on the new phone, and this will protect your personal data before you sell or dispose of the old gadget.