Changing a smartphone always causes mixed feelings: on the one hand, the joy of buying a new gadget, and on the other hand, the fear of losing important data. POCO People often wonder how to quickly and error-free transfer information from an old device. SMS-correspondence, which may contain confirmation codes, commemorative dialogues or business correspondence.
Fortunately, the Android ecosystem offers several proven methods of data migration. You don't need to be a technician to do this. Modern tools allow you to copy contacts, call history and media in minutes. The main thing is to choose the right way that suits your situation and phone model.
In this article, we will take a look at all the options available, from the regular Mi Mover app to Google cloud services. We will look at the nuances that are often missed by beginners, and give answers to frequently asked questions.
Using the Mi Mover app for quick migration
The most efficient and quickest way to transfer data is to use the Mi Mover app, which is built into the MIUI and HyperOS shell, which ensures maximum compatibility. You don't need the Internet to get started, because the data is transferred over the local Wi-Fi network between devices.
The process starts with installing or finding an app. On the new Xiaomi phone, it's already in the Tools folder. On the old device, you need to download it from Google Play or the official app store. Once launched, you'll see a simple interface with two buttons: "I'm the sender" and "I'm the recipient."
Select the appropriate roles on each device. The old phone will scan. QR-And then the code that will appear on the screen of the new Xiaomi, and it will create a secure connection, and then the system will suggest you to choose the types of data to transfer. SMS, But also contacts, photos, videos and even installed apps.
- 🚀 High data transfer speed thanks to direct Wi-Fi connection.
- 🔒 Security: Data is not transmitted through third-party servers.
- 📱 Compatible with all versions of Android starting with 4.0.
- ⚡ Ability to interrupt the process and resume it later without losing progress.
Importantly, Mi Mover automatically sorts files by folder on the new device, and your SMS will end up in the standard messaging app and your photos in the gallery, eliminating the need to manually sort files once the procedure is complete.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure both devices are on GPS Bluetooth, this will help you find devices faster with each other when you first connect, even if the main channel is Wi-Fi.
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If the process is suspended during the scanning phase QR-Try to temporarily turn off mobile internet on both devices, leaving only the Wi-Fi module on.
Synchronization through Google Account
An alternative and often more reliable method is to use Google cloud storage, which is ideal if you don't have a cable on hand or want to back up before you start any phone experiments, all of the data is stored on the company's servers and can be downloaded at any time.
To implement this method on an old device, you need to go to the settings and find the Accounts section. Select your Google account and click Sync. In the list that opens, make sure that the boxes are ticked against the SMS (if available on your Android version) and Contacts.
On the new Xiaomi, you just need to enter the same username and password when you first set up or in the account menu. The system will automatically prompt you to restore data from the last backup. This process can take longer than using the Mi Mover, as it depends on the speed of your Internet connection.
But it has its advantages: Google's backup stores its message history in encrypted form, allowing it to be restored even if both phones are lost or damaged, a critical aspect of digital hygiene.
☑️ Preparing for Google Synchronization
It is worth remembering that not all Android manufacturers allow SMS synchronization through the standard Google interface, in which cases messages may not get to the cloud automatically, and you will have to resort to third-party solutions or manual export.
Transfer with Xiaomi Cloud (Mi Cloud)
Xiaomi smartphone owners have access to their own cloud service, Mi Cloud, a powerful tool that is deeply integrated into the system, allowing you to create full snapshots of the system status, including settings, icon layouts and, of course, messages.
To use this method, sign in to Mi Account on your old device (if it is also Xiaomi) or install the Mi Cloud app on any Android. From the menu, select Backup and select the desired data categories. After you complete the download on your old phone, log in to the same akkaMi Cloud on your new device and select Restore.
This is especially useful for those who are already using the Xiaomi ecosystem, where you can manage your data through a web interface on your computer, and it allows you to view contacts and even some types of messages directly from your PC, which is very convenient for finding the right information.
| Method | Speed. | We need the Internet. | Type of data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover | Very high. | No (locally) | All types of files |
| Google Sync | Medium | Yes (required) | Contacts, Calendar, SMS* |
| Mi Cloud | Depends on the network. | Yes (required) | Complete copy of the system |
| SMS Backup+ | Tall. | No (locally) | Only SMS/MMS |
When using cloud services, always keep an eye on the amount of free space. The free rate is usually limited to 5 GB, which may not be enough for a full copy of photos and videos, in which case it is better to use local methods or buy a temporary expansion of storage.
Use of third-party applications for SMS
If the regular funds don't work for some reason, specialized tools come to the rescue. One of the most popular and time-tested is SMS Backup & Restore, which allows you to create local copies of correspondence in XML format.
The way it works is simple: you install the app on both phones, back up the old device and save the file to Google Drive, or send it to yourself via messenger/Bluetooth, and on the new Xiaomi, you open the file through the same app and choose Restore.
The main advantage of these programs is versatility. They work on any Android, regardless of the manufacturer. You can migrate messages from Samsung to Xiaomi, from Huawei to Redmi, and so on. The interface is usually minimal and clear.
⚠️ Note: When recovering from a third-party application, messages may not appear instantly. After the process is completed, it is recommended to restart the smartphone so that the system correctly indexes the new database.
What if messages are restored but not displayed?
And don't forget about data security. Using third-party software, you trust your correspondence to the app developer. Choose only those programs that have high ratings and positive reviews on Google Play, and avoid dubious utilities with unverified permissions.
Transfer of contacts and multimedia separately
Often users want to move only contacts and photos, leaving messages in the old place or deleting them. For contacts, the best format is VCF (vCard), you can export all contacts from the phone book to one file and transfer it to a new phone in any convenient way.
For multimedia (photos, videos, documents), the most convenient way to use a file manager or a computer is to connect your old phone to your PC as a drive, copy the DCIM, Pictures, and Download folders. Then plug Xiaomi in and paste the files into the appropriate directories.
When working with files, it is important to keep the folder structure so that the gallery of the new phone correctly displays the albums, you can also use the Wi-Fi Sharing function or Bluetooth if there are few files, although the transfer speed over Bluetooth will be extremely low for large videos.
- 📂 Export contacts in.vcx or.csv format for maximum compatibility.
- 🖼️ Photos are better to transfer archives, so as not to lose the compression quality that messengers use.
- 💾 Check the integrity of files after copying to a new device.
If you use your computer as an intermediary, remember to safely remove the devices before disabling the cable, which will prevent possible file system errors and loss of data in the write buffer.
Frequent problems and their solution
There may be unexpected complications in the data transfer process, such as a process interrupted in the middle or some messages may not be displayed, often due to a lack of memory on the receiving device or an unstable connection.
If Mi Mover makes a mistake, try disabling VPNs on both devices. Virtual private networks can block local connections between phones. It's also worth checking if one device is running a "Saving Energy" mode that can limit the Wi-Fi module's performance in the background.
In cases where messages have recovered but no attachments (pictures or voice), the problem may be in database format. Some older versions of Android use formats that newer versions of MIUI read with restrictions, in which case re-importing through a third-party application that can convert database formats will help.
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The most common reason for portability errors is incompatibility of Android versions or lack of space. Always check these two parameters before starting the procedure.
Don't panic if you don't get it the first time. Data on an old phone usually stays intact until it's completely cleaned. You can always try another method or try again after you reboot both devices.