Changing a smartphone is often a quest, especially when the usual arrangement of icons and widgets on Xiaomi is lost after the first download. Users often find that the applications are in place, but the structure of the folders and the location of items on the desktop is completely lost. This is not just an aesthetic problem, but a matter of the usual workflow that we have been developing for months.
Fortunately, the MIUI and HyperOS ecosystem offer powerful data migration tools that allow you to clone the interface one to one. However, the process has its own nuances depending on whether you move from another Xiaomi or from a third-party device. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to maintain the exact desktop grid when you change devices, and what pitfalls can meet along the way.
There are several proven ways to do this: using the built-in Mi Mover app, syncing through a Google account or the Mi Cloud service, each method has its own advantages and limitations, which directly affect the final result. Let's dive into the technical details.
Using the Mi Mover app to migrate fully
The most effective and reliable way to migrate not only applications, but also their location on the desktop is to use the Mi Mover utility, which is designed specifically for the Xiaomi ecosystem and can copy the launcher settings. It is important that the application is installed on both old and new devices, although on new models it is often preinstalled in the Tools folder.
The process starts automatically when you first turn on a new smartphone, but you can find it later through the settings. You choose the role of the device (sender or recipient), scan. QR-You can then choose the code and you can choose the data to transmit, and the system will then suggest that you move the "System Data" -- which includes the desktop layout.
☑️ Preparation for transfer via Mi Mover
It should be noted that when transferring from an Android smartphone of another brand (for example, Samsung or Huawei), the functionality can be limited only to a list of applications without saving their positions, in this case, Mi Mover acts more as a convenient installer of programs, but not a keeper of visual style.
⚠️ Note: When transferring data over Wi-Fi Direct, do not open other heavy applications or leave the Mi Mover menu, otherwise the connection may break and the process will have to start again.
Sync with Google Account and Restrictions
Many users rely on Google’s standard sync as universal. Indeed, if you sign in to your account on a new device, Play Market will automatically start downloading previously installed apps. However, Google Drive does not keep the exact location of icons on the desktop of third-party launchers, such as the Xiaomi system launcher.
Once you download apps, you’ll have to manually create folders and drag and drop shortcuts.This is because the desktop structure in MIUI is stored in specific database system files that Google’s standard backup often ignores for the sake of compatibility with pure Android.
However, this method is useful if you need to quickly restore a set of programs without unnecessary garbage files. To activate, you just need to enter the Gmail username and password when you first set up and agree to restore from a backup.
- 📱 Auto-load list of all previously installed apps from Play Market history.
- ☁️ Keeping your contacts, calendar and notes in a single Google space.
- 🔒 Data security thanks to two-factor account authorization.
- ❌ Lack of preservation of an accurate grid of icons and desktop widgets.
The role of the Mi Cloud cloud service in maintaining layout
Xiaomi device owners have the unique advantage of deep integration with Mi Cloud. Unlike Google, Xiaomi’s cloud can save home screen settings, including app and widget location, by logging into your Mi Account on both devices.
To activate this feature, go to your account settings and find the Sync section, where you need to make sure that the switch opposite the Desktop (or Home screen) is activated, and then the system will create a cast of the current state of the interface and upload it to the cloud.
On a new device, after logging in to the same account and enabling sync, the layout should apply automatically or after restarting the launcher, ideal for those who often change phones within the brand.
What to do if the synchronization is not working?
Comparison of data transfer methods
To make it easier for you to choose the right option, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you understand which tool is best for your situation, whether it is a brand change or a model update within the Xiaomi line.
| Method | Preservation of the grid of icons | Preservation of widgets | Speed of operation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover | Full (Xiaomi → Xiaomi) | Yes. | Tall. |
| Google Backup | No. | No. | Medium |
| Mi Cloud | Yes. | Partially. | Depends on the network. |
| Hand-held | No. | No. | Low. |
As you can see from the table, Xiaomi Mi Mover is the ultimate technology owner, providing the most complete clone of the system, and cloud-based methods are good as a backup option if direct transfer is not possible for some reason.
Moving from Android to other brands to Xiaomi
That's a big difference if you go to Xiaomi with Samsung, Honor, or any Android phone, and the operating system of the new device won't understand the commands from the launcher of the old phone. The desktop file structure is different from every manufacturer.
When using Mi Mover in cross-platform migration mode, the application will offer to transfer only the mobile version. APK-Program files, contacts, messages and media files, and the icons will have to be manually re-located, which is standard Android security behavior to prevent system file conflicts.
But there's a caveat: if you installed a third-party launcher on your old phone (like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) and you install it on Xiaomi, you can save the layout when you synchronize the launcher itself (through its internal backup settings), but this is not the work of Xiaomi's system tools, but of third-party software.
⚠️ Note: When transferring from iPhone to Xiaomi via the application "Move to iOS" (similar to Apple) or Mi Mover, the transfer of the desktop is impossible in principle due to the closedness of iOS.
Typical errors and their solution
Even with the right tools, users often face problems, and one of the most common is 99 percent interruption, which can be energy saving, and make sure that both devices are power saving modes off during the migration.
Another common mistake is trying to transfer data to a phone that has already been configured and filled. Mi Mover may not work properly if the target device already has conflicting versions of apps or accounts. The best result is achieved by configuring from scratch immediately after a reset or purchase.
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Tip: Before you start a large-scale data transfer, take screenshots of your current desktop, which will help you navigate faster and manually restore important widgets if the automatic transfer is not perfect.
Switching from a very old version (like Android 8) to the latest version (Android 14) can cause some system interface settings to be incompatible, in which case the system may skip the desktop recovery phase to avoid cyclical reboots.
- 🔋 Turn off the power saving mode on both devices before start.
- 📶 Use 5GHz Wi-Fi to speed up data transfer.
- 🔄 Do not interrupt the process even if the screen goes out (keep the devices unlocked).
- 🗑️ On the new device it is better to perform a complete reset before migration for the purity of the experiment.
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Main conclusion: For the perfect cloning of the Xiaomi desktop → Xiaomi, use Mi Mover when you first set up. For cross-platform transition, tune in to manually organize the space.