Changing your smartphone, especially the switch to a new Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO model, always brings mixed feelings: on the one hand, the joy of owning a more powerful device with an improved camera and screen, and on the other hand, the frightening prospect of setting up the system from scratch.
Fortunately, the MIUI and HyperOS ecosystem offers powerful built-in tools that allow you to clone the contents of an old device almost completely. You do not need to be a technician to perform this procedure, since the whole process is as automated and understandable as possible even for beginners.
In this article, we’ll look at all the migration options available, from using the Mi Mover app to Google cloud services and syncing through your Mi Account. You’ll learn how to properly prepare both smartphones, what file formats are supported during transfer, and how to avoid common errors that can lead to loss of information.
Preparation of devices for the migration procedure
Before you start the copying process, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps. Ignoring this step can cause the data transfer to interrupt in the middle or the files will be corrupted. Make sure that both old and new devices have a battery charge of at least 50-60%.
It is recommended to connect both smartphones to a power source if possible, as the process of cloning large amounts of data (especially photos and videos) can be energy-intensive.
⚠️ Note: Do not start porting if the new phone has already created multiple user profiles or has many settings. Ideally, the device should be reset to factory settings or be in the initial activation stage.
Connection stability is a key success factor. If you plan to use wireless, make sure that both devices are Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled. If you use the wired method, you will need a serviceable cable that is compatible with both devices' connectors (for example, USB-C on USB-C or an adapter).
☑️ Checklist for transfer preparations
Using the Mi Mover application for wireless transfer
The most popular and convenient way is to use the regular Mi Mover app (in some regions it is called “Mi Drop” or built into the setup wizard), which is designed specifically for work in the Xiaomi environment and allows you to transfer contacts, messages, call logs, applications, system settings, as well as multimedia files.
The process starts with running an app on both devices, and on the new smartphone you choose the role of the "Receiver" (New Phone), and on the old one - "Sender" (Old Phone), the application will create a Wi-Fi hotspot, which will need to connect to the second device, which provides high data transfer speed without using mobile traffic.
Once connected, the device interfaces synchronize, and you see a list of data categories that you can copy, and you can either select all of them at once or manually mark only the sections you want, like just the gallery and the contacts, and the system optimizes the transmission by compressing the data to speed up the process.
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If the transfer freezes at a certain percentage, try turning off the Traffic Saving feature in your Wi-Fi settings or temporarily disabling the VPN if it is active.
It is important to note that when you migrate applications, their data (logins, game progress, cache) is not always copied. Some banking applications and secure services will require re-authorization for security purposes. However, the shortcuts and installation files themselves will be transferred and installed automatically on the new device.
Synchronization through Google Account and Cloud Services
An alternative and often more reliable method for critical information is syncing through a Google account, which is particularly effective for transferring contacts, calendar events, notes and passwords stored in the Chrome password manager.
You don't need any special apps to do this, just go to the settings on your old phone, select Accounts and Sync, and make sure the switches against the data you want are activated, and then click Sync to upload the actual data to Google's servers.
On the new Xiaomi, just enter the same email address and password when you first set up or in the account menu, and automatically pull up all the stored data, which ensures that your contacts are not lost even in the event of a physical breakdown of the old device, since the copy is stored in the cloud.
⚠️ Note: Photos and videos are not always fully copied through standard Google sync unless you have Google Photos enabled. Make sure that backup media is completed in the Google Photos app before resetting your old phone.
For users deeply integrated into Xiaomi’s ecosystem, Mi Cloud is a great addition, allowing you to create full backups of the system, including desktop icons, alarm settings and system preferences. Recovery from Mi Cloud makes the new phone almost a complete replica of the old one.
Data transfer via computer and cable
If the amount of files being transferred is in the hundreds of gigabytes, wireless methods can take too long. In such cases, it is advisable to use the computer as an intermediary. USB-cable and select the mode of operation "File transfer" (MTP).
Copy folders with photos (usually DCIM), videos, documents and downloads to your computer’s hard drive. Then connect the new Xiaomi and transfer the data to the appropriate internal memory directories. This method also allows you to audit files and remove unnecessary debris before downloading to a new device.
For advanced users, it is possible to create a full backup through Mi PC Suite or similar programs, although support for this software in new versions of MIUI is limited. However, manual copying of folders remains the most versatile way, regardless of Android versions or regional features of the firmware.
Hidden folders that are worth checking
Once you have finished copying, make sure to check the integrity of the files on the new device. Open a few photos and documents to make sure they are not corrupted. Pay special attention to large files, as they are most often affected by a connection break.
Comparison of data transfer methods
The best way to choose depends on your priorities: speed, data volume or type of information, and to help you determine, we have compiled a comparative table of the main migration methods available to owners of Xiaomi smartphones.
| Method | Speed. | Data volume | What's transferable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover | Tall. | No restrictions. | Everything (applications, settings, files) |
| Google Account | Medium | Depends on the tariff. | Contacts, calendar, photos (via Google Photos) |
| USB-cable) | Very high. | Depends on the disc. | Files, photos, videos, documents |
| Bluetooth | Low. | Small. | Only contacts and small files |
As you can see from the table, the best way to do a complex relocation is to use the Mi Mover bundle for system and application, plus cloud synchronization for mission-critical data as a safety net, and the combination of methods gives the best result and ensures that information is safe.
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The ideal strategy is to use Mi Mover for the bulk of your data, and keep your contacts and photos in constant sync with Google or Mi Cloud.
Solving and eliminating errors
Users may face various difficulties in migrating, such as the new device may not see the old one on the list of available devices for connection, in which case, try rebooting both smartphones and repeating the procedure, making sure that the screens are unlocked and the Mi Mover app has all the necessary permissions.
Another common problem is space shortage: if an error message appears during the copying process (not enough space), you will have to select only the most important data or pre-clean the memory of the new phone from system debris and pre-installed applications.
⚠️ Note: When transferring data from iPhone to Xiaomi via the “Move to iOS” app or analogues, iMessage messages and some system settings may not be transferred due to the limitations of the iOS operating system.
If the app transfer ends in an error, check the Android version. Some old apps may not be compatible with the new version of the operating system on your new phone, in which case they will have to be downloaded again from Google Play or GetApps.
What do I do if I lose my text?
Final setup and security check
After successfully transferring all the data, take your time to rent or sell your old phone. First, make sure that the new device has all the features: make a test call, check Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and NFC. Open the gallery and make sure that all the albums are in place.
Pay special attention to security. Since you have transferred data, including possibly saved passwords, make sure that the new device has a reliable method of locking the screen (PIN, pattern lock or biometrics), it is also recommended to change passwords from critical accounts if you suspect that the old phone may fall into the wrong hands.
Only after a full check and confidence in the performance of the new gadget, you can start cleaning the old one. → The phone. → Resetting settings, pre-removal SIM-memory-card.
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The full migration cycle is completed only when the old phone is reset to factory settings, and the new one has all the key features checked.
Following these guidelines, you can easily upgrade to the new Xiaomi smartphone, retaining all the digital history and familiar environment, modern technology makes this process quick and convenient, minimizing the risk of data loss.