Changing your smartphone is always a bit stressful, especially when you have to move from one ecosystem to another. Meizu users who are used to pure Flyme OS often face the need to switch to Xiaomi devices for more powerful hardware or updates. The main fear is the loss of important contacts, correspondence and photos. Fortunately, modern technology allows you to make this process as smooth and almost invisible to the owner.
The data migration process has become much easier in recent years thanks to the standardization of the Android operating system. However, each manufacturer has its own nuances and pre-installed utilities that can conflict or work incorrectly when interacting with competitors. In this article, we will discuss all working methods, from cloud services to local Wi-Fi transmission, so you can choose the most suitable for your situation.
There are several proven synchronization methods, each with its own advantages depending on the amount of information transferred and the speed of the Internet connection.We will consider the use of the Mi Mover application, which is the most effective tool for owners of Xiaomi equipment, and pay attention to working with a Google account and the specific security settings of Flyme, which can prevent normal copying of files.
Preparation of devices for data transfer
Before any manipulations, you need to properly prepare both smartphones to avoid connection errors or interruption of the process halfway.First of all, make sure that both devices are charged at least 60% of the battery, as active transmission of large amounts of data can significantly consume energy. If the batteries are discharged, connect the gadgets to power sources or Power Bank to eliminate the risk of sudden shutdown.
The second critical step is to update the software on both devices to the latest available version. In Meizu, check the updates in the system settings menu, and on Xiaomi, go to the phone section and click on the MIUI or HyperOS version. Outdated firmware versions can contain bugs in data protocols, which will lead to an error when copying heavy files or application databases. Also free up space on the new smartphone by deleting unnecessary files if the device’s memory is limited.
- 🔋 Charge both smartphones to a minimum of 60-70% or plug in to charge.
- 📶 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network at a good speed.
- 🔄 Update the operating system and all system applications on both gadgets.
- 🗑️ Clear space on the receiving device (Xiaomi) to accommodate all files.
⚠️ Note: Do not interrupt the data transfer process or block smartphone screens during the active copying phase.This may cause file damage or the process to stop.
Be sure to also unlock the screens of both devices and allow display over other windows if the system requests such permissions. On older Meizu models, it is sometimes required to manually allow the installation of applications from unknown sources if you choose to use third-party programs for transfer, although standard methods do not usually require this.
Using the Mi Mover app for migration
The most efficient and quickest way to move is to use the proprietary utility Mi Mover, which is pre-installed on most Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones. If your new device does not have this app, it can be downloaded for free from the GetApps store or Google Play. The old Meizu will also need to install a similar application or its compatible version to organize a communication channel between devices.
Once you run the program on both phones, the interface will suggest you choose the role of the device: sender or receiver. On Xiaomi, you choose "I am the recipient", and on Meizu, you will choose "I am the sender", and the application will create a Wi-Fi hotspot that the old phone will need to connect to, which ensures high data transfer speeds without using Internet traffic.
☑️ Check before launching the Mi Mover
Then the system will suggest you to choose the types of data to transfer. You can copy contacts, messages, call history, photos, videos, music, and even installed applications. It is important to note that system settings and passwords may not be transferred due to differences in the Flyme and MIUI shells. The process will take time depending on the amount of data, so be patient.
| Type of data | Successful transfer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Contacts and telephone book | Tall. | Transferred in full, including photos |
| Photos and videos | Tall. | The original quality is maintained |
| Annexes (APK) | Medium | They may require re-entry. |
| SMS/MMS messages | Tall. | Text is transferred, attachments may not open |
| Wi-Fi passwords | Low. | Due to differences in security systems |
What to do if the Mi Mover is frozen?
Synchronization through Google Account
An alternative and often more reliable method is to use Google cloud storage, which is ideal for those who want to keep contacts, calendars and notes intact, regardless of the phone model. On Meizu, you need to go to your account settings, select Google, and make sure that your contacts and other data sync is enabled. If sync has been disabled, turn it on and press the Forced Update button.
Once the data is uploaded to the cloud, we move to Xiaomi, which is the first time you turn on or add the same Google account to the account menu, and automatically prompts you to restore the data from the backup, which is especially good for contacts, because they remain forever tied to the mail, not to the SIM card or the phone's memory.
- 📧 Go to Meizu account settings and select Google.
- 🔄 Click on Sync and wait for the process to end.
- 📲 On Xiaomi, log in to the same Google account when you first set up.
- ✅ Select the option to restore contacts and data from the cloud.
Consider that free space on Google One is limited to 15 GB, which includes mail, photos and documents. If you have many photos in original quality, they may not fit into the limit, and sync will be interrupted, in which case you should use Mi Mover for media files, and for contacts – Google.
💡
Use Google Photos to automatically back up your images in a compressed (high quality) format, as this does not consume the Google Drive storage quota.
Hand-over of multimedia and files
For users who prefer full control over their files, or in cases where automated utilities are not working properly, the manual method is suitable. USB-cable, copy folders DCIM, Download, Music and Documents to your hard drive. Then similarly connect Xiaomi and move the files to the appropriate directories.
Another modern way is to use third-party cloud storage, such as Yandex.Disk, Dropbox or Telegram (Favorites feature), by uploading files to the cloud on an old device, you can instantly download them on a new one, which is convenient for transferring documents and small amounts of photos, but requires a stable and fast Internet connection.
⚠️ Note: When manually copying through a PC, keep the folder structure in mind. Do not copy Android system files, as they may cause conflicts on a new device with a different shell.
Pay special attention to the WhatsApp or Viber folder if you use these messengers. Simply copying files is often not enough to restore your correspondence history. Better take advantage of the built-in backup function inside the messenger app itself, saving the backup to Google Drive, and restore it when you install the application on Xiaomi.
Nuances of application portability and settings
Switching from Flyme to MIUI or HyperOS can cause some inconvenience to the usual applications, and many programs, especially banking and government services, require re-authorization and customization of biometrics (fingerprint, face) on a new device, a normal security measure that cannot be circumvented.
Some Meizu system applications, such as a voice recorder, a special interface calculator or branded themes, will not migrate to Xiaomi.You will have to re-download their counterparts from the GetApps store or Play Market. The alarm settings, call replays and vibratory response are also often reset, so it is worth checking them first after you turn on a new smartphone.
If you use specific features, such as recording phone conversations, keep in mind that Xiaomi may have different restrictions on this feature for different regions. In global firmware versions, recording a conversation may not be available or require notification of the interlocutor, while on Meizu this worked covertly.
💡
A complete clone of the system is not possible due to the differences in shells, so setting up notifications and alarms will require your personal involvement.
Decision and possible errors
When migrating, users often encounter a message that says, “Not enough space” or “connection error.” The first problem is solved by clearing the cache or deleting temporary files on the receiving device. The second most often involves one of the smartphones losing the Wi-Fi network or going into power saving mode, breaking the connection.
There may also be a situation where contacts are transferred but no photos. This is treated by re-syncing through a Google account, as local copy machines sometimes ignore the attached images in the contacts. If notifications from the applications after the transfer do not work, check the auto-start and battery settings in the Xiaomi security section.
In the rare cases where data can’t be transferred by standard methods, you can use service centers or specialized software for PCs, but this requires certain skills. In most cases, retrying to use Mi Mover after restarting both devices solves 99% of the problems.