Buying a new smartphone is always a pleasant anticipation, but the process of migrating data from an old device often causes fear of losing important contacts or photos. Owners of the Xiaomi ecosystem are in a favorable position, as the company has provided powerful built-in tools for synchronization.
There are several proven ways, each of which is suitable for a specific situation: If you have both phones at hand, you should use a direct Wi-Fi connection. If you don't have an old device nearby, you can rely on cloud services. Below we will discuss all the nuances so that you can choose the best option.
The key is to take your time and keep a close eye on the status of battery charging, which can take anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours depending on the amount of internal memory that needs to be freed up and refilled, and the right preparation will eliminate the need to repeat the procedure.
Using the Mi Mover application for direct transmission
The most efficient and quickest way is to use the Mi Mover app, which is pre-installed on all modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones, and is also available for installation on Android from other manufacturers. The utility creates a local Wi-Fi Direct network, which allows you to transfer files at high speed without using Internet traffic.
To get started, you need to run the app on both devices, and on the new smartphone, select "I'm the recipient" and on the old one, "I'm the sender." QR-code or find the device in the list of available networks. After the connection, the analysis of the data available for copying will begin.
- 📱 The application automatically sorts data by categories: contacts, messages, call history, applications.
- ⚡ The transmission speed can reach 20-40 MB/s, which is much faster than Bluetooth.
- 🔒 The connection is local and does not require a connection to the Internet.
The interface allows you to flexibly customize your data selection, you can only migrate system settings and contacts, leaving heavy media files, or copy a full clone of the system. Please note that some banking applications and secure programs may require separate authorization after the transfer.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure the screens of both smartphones do not go out during transmission. Interrupting the connection during the copying phase of large files can damage the data archives.
Synchronization with Mi Account and Cloud
An alternative to direct transfer is cloud sync via Mi Cloud, which is ideal if the old phone is already sold, lost or physically unavailable, and all data previously stored in a Xiaomi account will automatically be pulled to the new device immediately after entering your username and password.
To activate the function, you need to go to the settings and select "Mi Account" where you can control the storage space and choose which data to sync. 5 GB of free space is standard, but for large volumes of photos and videos, you may need to subscribe.
Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → SynchronizationThe feature of this method is that it does not copy the applications themselves, but only their shortcuts and settings. When you first run a portable application on the new Redmi, you will need to download it from the GetApps store or Google Play, which saves space during initial configuration, but requires a stable Internet connection.
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Turn on gallery and contacts sync in advance on the old device so that the new phone has data instantly after login.
Two-factor authentication in Mi Account will protect your profile from unauthorized access even if your device is lost, a critical aspect when dealing with personal information.
Migration of data through Google Account
Google’s ecosystem remains the universal standard for Android, and when the new Xiaomi smartphone is first activated, it will offer to restore data from the Google Drive backup, a method that is most convenient for those who change devices frequently or use phones of different brands.
Unlike Mi Mover, Google stores primarily contacts, calendar, notes and a list of installed apps. Photos and videos are usually stored in Google Photos, which are accessed automatically. Text messages (SMS) and call history can also be saved if the appropriate option was enabled.
| Type of data | Mi Mover | Google Account | Mi Cloud |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Yes. | Yes. | Yes. |
| Annexes | Yes (APK) | Yes (links) | Yes (links) |
| Photo/Video | Yeah (originals) | Compressed (or original) | Yeah (originals) |
| Wi-Fi passwords | Yes. | Yes. | No. |
The process of restoring Google takes longer as each app is downloaded from the store, which can be a problem with a slow Internet connection, but this way ensures that you get the latest versions of programs that are compatible with the current version of Android on your Redmi.
⚠️ Note: When you restore through Google, check which account is the primary one. Data is not automatically mixed between different mailboxes.
Transferring Multimedia and Large Files by Hand
Sometimes automatic systems fail or miss certain folders, and in these cases, manual copying through a computer or file manager is a way that takes longer, but gives you complete control over what gets to the new phone.
Connect both devices to your PC in turn. Copy the DCIM (camera), Pictures (screenshots, social networks), Download and Documents folders. Pay special attention to the Android/media folder, where instant messenger data is often stored if it is not synced through the cloud.
Where to look for hidden WhatsApp files?
For document users, it is critical to check files at the root of internal memory that may have been created by various office applications.Simply copying the main folders may not cover all user data.
The solution when transferring to Redmi
Users often face typical problems when migrating, such as when they move their contacts through the Internet. SIM-The card may be missing numbers saved on the phone, not on the card. SIM-The card has a limited amount of memory and does not support saving additional fields such as email or address.
Another common situation is that apps don't open or crash, because newer versions of MIUI or HyperOS have changed security permissions, and you have to manually provide access to the microphone, camera and memory in each application's settings.
- 🔋 Check that both devices are charged more than 50% of the battery before starting.
- 📶 Make sure your Wi-Fi router is stable if you use cloud sync.
- 💾 Free up space on your new phone by deleting temporary files if memory is running out.
If the process is stuck at a certain percentage, try restarting both smartphones and starting over with only the problematic data category, and partial transfer is often more successful than trying to copy everything at once.
☑️ Checklist of successful migration
Security settings and final steps
Once the data is transferred, the security adjustment phase begins: Xiaomi’s new smartphones feature advanced biometric sensors, be sure to set up facial unlock or fingerprint, and set a robust pin code.
Be sure to check for two-factor authentication on important accounts. When changing your device or phone number, some services may require confirmation via the service. SMS Or a backup code. Make sure that SIM-The card with your number is installed in the new phone and receives signals.
⚠️ Note: Do not delete data from your old phone until you have made sure everything is running on the new device within 24 hours.
The final touch will be to update all apps in the GetApps or Play Market, which will ensure stability and close any security vulnerabilities, and your Redmi is now fully operational.
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Using Mi Mover for initial porting and subsequent synchronization through Mi Cloud creates the perfect balance between speed and reliability of backup.