Buying a new Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone is always a joyous event, but it can cloud the prospect of a long and tedious setup. Users are often afraid of losing important contacts, correspondence history or favorite photos when switching to a new model. Fortunately, the Chinese manufacturer’s ecosystem offers powerful built-in tools that allow you to clone the contents of an old phone in minutes.
There are several proven ways to migrate data, each with its own advantages depending on the condition of the old device and the amount of information transferred. The most effective and quick method is to use the regular Mi Mover app, which creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between gadgets. The alternative is the Mi Cloud cloud service or classic synchronization through a Google account, which is especially true if the old phone is already unavailable.
In this guide, we will discuss each method in detail, focusing on the nuances of porting system settings and application data, how to avoid common errors, why connection may be interrupted and what types of files require special attention.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before starting the cloning procedure, make sure that both smartphones are ready to go. First of all, check the battery level on both devices: it is recommended to have a minimum of 50-60% of energy, as the process can be energy intensive. If the charge is low, connect the phones to the original chargers to avoid a sudden shutdown at a critical moment.
The second important step is to update the software. Go to Settings → About the phone and check for updates to MIUI or HyperOS. Differences in operating system versions can sometimes cause conflicts when transferring data, especially system settings and passwords from Wi-Fi networks. Also free enough space on the new smartphone by deleting unnecessary files if the memory is almost full.
⚠️ Note: Do not interrupt the data transfer process or switch to other applications while Mi Mover is running.This may cause archives to be damaged or information to be incompletely transferred.
Make sure both devices are Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled. Although direct connection is used to transfer files, initial handshake and device detection often require Bluetooth module activity, and it is also recommended to turn off power saving mode on both devices so that the system does not “sleep down” at the most inopportune time.
☑️ Preparation for transfer
Using the Mi Mover app for quick transfer
The most effective way to transfer contacts, photos and apps from Xiomi to Xiomi is to use the Mi Mover utility, which is pre-installed on most of the brand’s current models, and if it’s not on an old phone (like a different brand or a very old model), it’s free to download from Google Play or GetApps.
Run the app on both smartphones. On the new device, select the role of "I am the recipient" (Receiver), and on the old one, "I am the sender" (Sender). The system will suggest creating an access point or connecting to an existing network. The new device will create a temporary Wi-Fi network that you need to connect to from the old phone. The password is usually displayed on the screen or automatically inserted.
Once the connection is established, the interface will suggest selecting data categories to transfer. You can choose all at once or manually mark the desired items: Contacts, Messages, Call Log, Photos, Videos, Documents and installed Applications. Please note that some banking applications and messengers with enhanced security may not be portable or require separate authorization.
- 📱 Select the data type: tick contacts, gallery and system settings.
- 🚀 Start the transfer: press the "Send" button and wait for the progress bar to be completed.
- 🔒 Check the result: after completion, make sure all files are opened correctly.
- ⚙️ Configure apps: some programs will require re-entry into your account.
The speed of transmission depends on the amount of data and the version of the Wi-Fi standard supported by both devices. When transferring large volumes of video to 4K, the process can take from 15 to 40 minutes.
Sync with Mi Cloud and Google account
If a direct connection is not possible or you want to back up just in case, the cloud is the perfect solution. Xiaomi’s ecosystem is deeply integrated with its own Mi Cloud.
Go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud. Here you will see a list of categories: Contacts, Messages, Gallery, Recorder, Notes, etc. Make sure the switches opposite the desired points are active. Press the Sync button to make sure the latest data has flown to the company's servers.
On the new phone, log in to the same Mi Account. It automatically prompts you to recover data from the cloud, which is especially useful because it allows you to restore contacts and notes even if the old phone is no longer available — just enter your username and password. Similarly, sync through Google Account, which stores contacts, calendar and data of some applications.
| Parameter | Mi Cloud | Google Drive | Mi Mover (Locally) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed. | Depends on the Internet. | Depends on the Internet. | High (up to 40 MB/s) |
| Free seat limit | 5GB | 15GB | No (depending on memory) |
| Type of data | System, photo, contact | Photos, documents, settings | Full copy + APK |
| Internet | Mandatory. | Mandatory. | Not required |
⚠️ Attention: Free space in the Mi Cloud is only 5 GB. If you have a lot of photos in original quality, there may not be enough space.
What to do if the synchronization is suspended?
Transferring WhatsApp and Viber data without losing history
Messengers deserve special attention, as they store the history of correspondence in secure databases that are not always copied by standard means. For WhatsApp, the most reliable way is to back up the application itself before transferring it.
On your old phone, open WhatsApp, go to Settings → Chats → Chat Backup. Select save to Google Drive (for Android) and click Backup. Wait for the process to be completed. On the new device, when you first log in to WhatsApp, the system will find it in the cloud and prompt you to restore the history.
The situation is similar with the Viber app, but it is important that the Google Drive account is the same. Open More → Settings → Account → Backup. Once you install Viber on your new phone and confirm the number, the app will ask you to restore from a backup. If you use Mi Mover, try to choose the option to port the application data, but the cloud method is more reliable.
- 💬 Create a backup in the messenger settings on the old device.
- ☁️ Make sure the copy is uploaded to Google Drive or iCloud.
- 📲 When installing on a new phone, use the same number and Google account.
- 🔑 Don’t forget two-factor authentication if it’s enabled.
It is important to understand that transferring through Mi Mover can copy the application itself, but not always its internal database due to Android security policy.
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If you change your phone number with your device, restore WhatsApp to the old number first, and then select Change Number in the app settings to link your correspondence history to the new SIM card.
Solving Common Problems in Transfer
Despite the fact that processes are fine, users may encounter technical difficulties, and one of the common problems is that the connection is interrupted while the Mi Mover is running. This often happens if one of the devices is power-saving or has a smart lock on the screen. Solution: in the battery settings, allow the Mi Mover to run in the background without restrictions.
Another common situation is the error "Not enough space" on the receiving device. Before starting the procedure, always check the free space. If memory is scarce, first transfer only contacts and messages, and transfer photos and videos later through the computer or cloud, pre-deleting the excess from the new phone.
Users also complain that Wi-Fi passwords and some system settings are not portable, because different versions of MIUI may have different configuration file structures, in which case you will have to enter the settings manually, but the bulk of user data (photos, videos, documents) is portable without problems.
⚠️ Note: When migrating from very old versions of Android (below 7.0) to newer HyperOS, some older file formats or applications may become incompatible.
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Connection stability is more important than speed. If the Mi Mover crashes all the time, try rebooting both phones and disabling VPNs or antiviruses that can block the local network.
Alternative methods: PC and third-party utilities
If wireless methods don't work or the internet is too slow, there's always a proven way through the computer. USB-cable, select file transfer mode (MTP) and copy the folders. DCIM, Pictures, Download and Documents on hard drive.
Then connect the new phone and copy the data to the appropriate directories. Contacts can be exported to a.vcf file via the Contacts app and then imported to the new device, a method that, while requiring more action, gives you complete control over the process and allows you to clear the data of garbage before downloading.
There are also third-party PC software, such as MI PC Suite (official but rarely updated) or general-purpose managers like MobileTrans. They allow you to do full backups of the system, but often they are paid or require the installation of drivers. Use them only if Xiaomi’s regular funds for some reason refuse.