Changing a smartphone, even within the same ecosystem, often turns into a stressful scenario where privacy is at stake. SMS-Messages containing confirmation codes, important business correspondence or just memorable dialogues. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices are in a winning position, as the manufacturer has provided several native tools for seamless migration of content.
The process of data transfer does not require deep technical knowledge, but knowing the nuances of each method will avoid typical errors and loss of information. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the current ways of synchronizing text messages, compare their effectiveness and choose the best option for your situation.
Before you start to act, you need to make sure that both devices are charged at least 50-60%, as active data transfer can significantly consume battery power.
Using the Mi Mover app for quick migration
The most efficient and quick way that many beginners ignore is to use the pre-installed Mi Mover app, which is designed specifically for the MIUI and HyperOS ecosystem, allowing data to be transmitted over a local Wi-Fi channel without using Internet traffic, and can be as fast as tens of megabits per second, making it ideal for carrying large amounts of data.
To start, you need to run the app on both smartphones, and the new device should select the Receiver role, and the old one should select the Sender role. QR-If you have a code or manual connection to the network you've created, the system will tell you to choose the types of data you want to copy "SMS", Not to transfer unnecessary files.
☑️ Preparation for transmission via Mi Mover
It is important to note that during the transmission process, the screens of the devices should not go out, and the phones themselves should be in close proximity to each other. Interrupting the connection can damage the message database, so it is better to postpone calls and heavy tasks for the migration.
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If the process is frozen at 99%, do not restart your phones immediately. Wait 5-10 minutes - the system can complete background indexing of files.
Synchronization with your Mi Cloud account
Xiaomi’s cloud service provides a convenient mechanism for backing up and recovering data tied to your account, especially if you don’t have both devices on hand at the same time or want to create a long-term backup that can be deployed at any time.
On an old smartphone, you need to go to the Mi Account settings and select the Cloud section. In the list of available data for synchronization, you should find the Messages item and activate the switch. Once turned on, the system will automatically upload your correspondence history to the company's servers. On the new device, you just need to log in under the same login and password, after which the messages will be automatically pulled up.
It is worth considering that free cloud space Mi Cloud is limited to 5 GB. If you actively use multimedia messages (MMS) with attachments, this volume may not be enough, in this case, it makes sense to clear the cloud of unnecessary photos or purchase an additional tariff.
What to do if messages are not synchronized?
Backup through Google Drive
The Google ecosystem is an alternative to Xiaomi’s own cloud, and many users prefer this method because of its versatility: the messages that are restored in this way will be available even if you decide to change your smartphone brand to Samsung or Honor in the future.
To activate SMS saving in Google Drive, open your phone's settings and search for the "Google" section. From the menu, select "Backup" and make sure the Messages switch is active. The system can suggest that you enable backup over Wi-Fi so you don't waste mobile traffic. After you create a copy on the new phone, when you initially set up Android, you need to select a recovery from a Google backup.
| Comparison parameter | Mi Mover | Mi Cloud | Google Drive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed of operation | High (locally) | Depends on the Internet. | Depends on the Internet. |
| The Necessity of the Internet | Not required | Required. | Required. |
| Storage limits | No (phone memory) | 5GB free of charge | 15GB free of charge |
| Compatibility | Only Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco | Any Android/iOS | Any Android |
The peculiarity of the method through Google is that the recovery usually occurs only when the new device is initially set up. If the phone is already configured and used, simply logging into a Google account will not restore the old SMS - you will need a complete data reset.
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Google Drive is the best choice for cross-platform migration, but requires a complete reset of a new phone to recover your message history.
Third-party applications: SMS Backup & Restore
When embedded tools fail or need more flexible archive management, specialized tools come to the rescue, and SyncTech’s SMS Backup & Restore has been a leader for many years, allowing you to create detailed XML backups that can be stored anywhere.
The process is simple: install the application on both devices. On an old phone, back up by selecting local memory or cloud service (Google Drive, Dropbox) as your storage location. The file will have the.xml extension. Then transfer the file to a new smartphone (via Bluetooth, messenger or cable) and start the Recover function in the application on the new device.
⚠️ Note: When recovering messages from third-party apps on Android 10 and above, additional permissions may be required. SMS Backup & Restore is the default SMS application, which is required to write data to the system database, after which you can return the standard application.
The main advantage of this method is that it can be selectively reconstructed. XML-file on your computer, delete spam mailings or unnecessary dialogs, and only then upload a "clean" history to a new phone.
How to open an XML backup file?
Local backup of the MIUI system
Hidden in the shell of MIUI and HyperOS is a powerful tool for creating full local copies of the system, which allows you to save not only messages, but also folder structure, application settings, and even the location of icons on the desktop, which is good because it does not require the Internet and third-party accounts.
To access the function, go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Restore. Select Mobile Device and enter the screen unlock password. In the data list, be sure to check Messages. Once the process is complete, the backup file will be stored in internal memory via MIUI/backup/AllBackup. This file must be copied to the new phone in the same directory.
On the new device, the path will be similar: go to the reservation menu, select the Recovery tab, find the copied file and start the process. The system will warn you that current data can be overwritten or combined with archival data.
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Local backup files weigh a bit, but it is better to copy them through a computer or via USB cable to avoid compression and loss of archive integrity when transmitted via instant messengers.
Possible problems and solutions
Even when following instructions, there can be technical difficulties, and most users often find that messages have been restored, but without attachments (pictures in MMS) or with incorrect dating, often due to differences in Android versions or encoding features.
If you see "crackberry" instead of text after transfer, the problem may be the encoding. SMS Backup & Restore with a different encoding option when creating the archive, and it’s also worth checking if the Messages app cache on the new device is full.
- 📱 No messages coming: Check if it's blocked SIM-card operator and whether SMS roaming service is active if you are abroad.
- 🔄 Duplication of correspondence: Often occurs when Mi Mover is repeatedly launched, the solution is to clear the Messages application of data before re-starting the migration.
- 🔒 Access error: Newer versions of Android require manual rights confirmation for each application when recovering from Google Backup.
⚠️ Warning: Never interrupt the recovery process with a forced reboot, which can damage the SQLite database that stores SMS messages and lose all of your correspondence history without the ability to restore it.
In case of critical errors, when neither method works, it is worth considering contacting an authorized Xiaomi service center, especially if the phone is warranty, but in 99% of cases the problem is solved by repeating the procedure using another copying method.
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The most reliable way to avoid problems is to use a combination of methods: the main transfer through Mi Mover and the safety backup to Google Cloud.