Changing a mobile device is often alarming not because of the loss of contacts or photos that are easily recovered from the cloud, but because of the history of correspondence. SMS-Messages are confirmation of important agreements, access codes or simply store expensive memory. POCO This process can be performed in several ways, each of which has its own characteristics and use cases.
You don't need to be a technologist to successfully complete the migration. Modern shells MIUI and HyperOS offer built-in tools that minimize the risk of loss of information. However, to transfer text without errors, you need to clearly understand what method will suit you in your situation: when you buy a new phone of the same brand, when you switch from Android to another company or when you completely reinstall the system.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available algorithms, from cloud synchronization to local copying via PC, and we will focus on the nuances of working with the message database so that you can be sure of the integrity of the transmitted information.
⚠️ Warning: Before any data manipulations, make sure that the battery charge on both devices is at least 50%. interruption of the transmission process due to battery discharge may damage the message database.
Use of the built-in Mi Mover application
The fastest and most native way for Xiaomi smartphone owners is to use the pre-installed Mi Mover app, which is designed specifically for data migration between devices running the MIUI shell and allows you to transfer not only multimedia, but also system data, including SMS and call log.
The process starts with running the app on both devices, and the new phone needs to select the Receiving Device role, and the old phone needs to select the Sending role, and the system will create a local Wi-Fi network that you need to connect to by scanning. QR-This allows for high speed transmission without the use of Internet traffic.
Once you connect, the interface will suggest you select data categories to copy, and it's important not just to click "All," but to go to the selection settings to make sure that the tick is next to "Messages," and if you have a few gigabytes of MMS attachments, it can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes.
☑️ Ready to migrate via Mi Mover
It is worth noting that Mi Mover is most effective when switching from Xiaomi to Xiaomi.When trying to send data to another manufacturer’s device, the functionality can be limited to media files and contacts, so for a cross-platform transition, it is better to consider other options.
Synchronization with Mi Cloud
The Mi Cloud is a fundamental part of Xiaomi’s ecosystem, allowing not only backups but also real-time synchronization of messages, and for this method to work, SMS sync must be enabled on the old device.
To activate the feature, go to the settings menu, select your Mi Account and click on the "Mi Cloud" section. In the list of services, find "Messages" and activate the switch. The system will automatically upload all text messages to the cloud storage associated with your ID.
On the new device, you just need to log in to the same Mi Account, and when you first set up or through the cloud menu, you can start data recovery, and the phone downloads your correspondence history and integrates it into a standard messaging application, which is ideal if the old phone is already unavailable or damaged, but the sync was enabled in advance.
Free storage limits
It is important to understand the difference between a local backup and a cloud one. A local copy is stored in the phone’s memory and requires physical access to the file, whereas Mi Cloud stores data on the company’s servers, providing access from any device after authorization.
Local backup and recovery
Built-in backup function in MIUI Allows you to create a full picture of the system status, including the database SMS, on an internal storage device or SD-It's a reliable method that doesn't require the Internet, but requires manual transmission of a copy file to a new device.
To create a backup, go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Restore. Select Mobile Device and enter your security password (if required). In the data list, be sure to check System Data → Messages. Once the process is complete, a file with the.bak extension will appear in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup directory.
The hardest part is to transfer this file to a new phone. USB-cable, connected to the computer, or via Bluetooth, if there are few files. Once the file is in the same directory on the new smartphone, you need to start the recovery procedure from the same settings menu.
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When recovering from a local copy, make sure that the MIUI version on the new phone is not significantly older than the version on the old one. Sometimes the database structure in newer versions of Android changes, which can cause errors when reading old backups.
This method is good for its autonomy, but it is less convenient when changing the model to a device of another brand, since the backup structure of Xiaomi may not be compatible with other shells of Android without the use of special converters.
Applications for SMS Backup & Restore
If the built-in tools don't work for some reason or you're planning to switch to a clean Android phone, the best solution is to use specialized software, and the leader in this niche is the SMS Backup & Restore app from developer SyncTech.
The principle of the program is simple: it creates XML-A file that contains all your messages and call logs, which you can save to your phone or send to the cloud immediately (Google Drive, Dropbox), and you need to install the same application on the new device, specify the path to the file and start recovery.
- 📱 Support for all versions of Android, independence from the smartphone brand.
- 🔄 Possibility of automatic backup schedule.
- 💾 Conservation MMS-attachments together with the text of the message.
- 🛡️ Encrypting backups to improve data security.
The main advantage of the method is versatility: an XML file created on Xiaomi can be read easily on Samsung, Pixel or any other device, but it is worth remembering that the application will need appropriate permissions to work with cloud storage.
⚠️ Note: When using third-party SMS recovery applications, make sure that the application is selected by default to work with messages at the time of recovery.
Comparison of methods of carrying messages
The best way to do this depends on your specific circumstances: the Internet, the status of your old phone, and the model of your new device, and to structure the information, we've developed a basic method comparison table.
| Method | Speed. | We need the Internet. | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover | Tall. | No (local Wi-Fi) | Only Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO |
| Mi Cloud | Medium | Yeah (stable) | Any Android (via browser/services) |
| Local backup | Tall. | No. | Only Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO |
| Third-party Apps | Depends on the file. | Optionally. | Universal (all Android) |
As you can see from the table, native tools are the most preferred for users remaining in the Xiaomi ecosystem, providing deep integration and minimizing the risk of conflicts between software components.
Solving synchronization problems and errors
Despite the fact that processes are fine, there are sometimes crashes, and most users are faced with a situation where messages do not appear on the new device after recovery. Newer HyperOS phones use Google Messages, while older ones use Google Messages. MIUI They could use their own phone and SMS-manager.
If you see a blank post-recovery list, try clearing the Messages and Google Play Services cache. Sometimes it takes time for the system to index the recovered database, especially if the volume of correspondence is large. Don't panic if the messages don't appear instantly - give the device 10-15 minutes in standby mode.
Another common problem is space shortage: SMS databases can grow to several gigabytes if you actively share media, and make sure that the new device has free space to deploy temporary files during the import process.
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A key factor in successful portability is compatibility between Android versions and message manager applications. XML-backup.
In rare cases, manual import through hidden engineering testing menus may be required, but for the average user this is an unnecessary measure, fraught with risk.