Changing your smartphone, even to a newer model from the same manufacturer, always causes a slight panic, and there is a natural fear of losing important contacts, work documents, correspondence history and game progress, but the MIUI and HyperOS ecosystem offers such sophisticated tools that the migration process takes minutes, not hours.
Unlike manually installing apps and copying files through a computer, Xiaomi’s built-in tools allow you to create an exact digital copy of your old device on a new one, not only for multimedia, but also for system settings, icons and passwords from Wi-Fi networks.
In this article, we will look at all the available ways to transfer information, from the fastest method over Wi-Fi Direct to cloud synchronization, you will learn what nuances exist when switching between different versions of Android and how to avoid common errors that can lead to loss of data.
Preparation of devices before the migration
Before starting any transfer tool, you need to perform basic training for both smartphones. Ignoring this stage often leads to a process interruption or connection errors. Make sure that both devices, old and new, have a battery charge of at least 50-60%. Sudden power outage during the transfer of large amounts of data can damage the file system.
Both phones must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network if you plan to use cloud methods or LAN transmission. However, the built-in Mi Mover tool does not require internet, as it creates a direct connection between devices.
⚠️ Note: If the new smartphone has already logged in and configured any data, the migration tool may suggest a full reset.
It’s also worth checking for space, because the amount of memory available on the receiving device should exceed the amount of data you plan to transfer. If the old phone is 110 GB full and the new one is only 100 GB free, the process will end in error or not all will be transferred.
☑️ Ready for transfer
Using the Mi Mover application for wireless transmission
The most efficient and quickest way is to use the Mi Mover app, which is pre-installed on all modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, and its main advantage is the ability to transfer data without using Internet traffic over a high-speed Wi-Fi Direct channel.
To get started, open the app on both devices. It's usually in the Tools or Services folder. On the old phone, select "I send" and on the new phone, "I accept." After scanning. QR-code or manual connection to the created network will begin the process of data analysis.
- 📱 Data selection: The system will offer to select categories for transfer: contacts, messages, call log, applications, photos, music and documents.
- ⚙️ System settings: You can move the location of icons on the desktop, alarm clocks and even wallpaper to make the new phone look identical to the old one.
- 🔐 Security: Wi-Fi passwords and some security settings can also be copied, saving time on re-authorization.
Transfer speeds depend on the number of files and the distance between devices. When transferring 50-60 GB of data, the process can take from 15 to 40 minutes. It is important not to disconnect devices and not to block screens during the active copying phase.
What if the Mi Mover can’t see the device?
Sync with Mi Cloud and Google account
The alternative to direct transfer is cloud synchronization, which is ideal if you don't have both phones on hand at the same time or if an old device has already been sold/broken but backed up. Xiaomi's ecosystem is closely integrated with Google's services, giving the user the flexibility to choose.
To use Mi Cloud, you need to log into your Mi Account on your old phone and enable synchronization of the desired items in the settings menu. After that, on the new device, you just need to enter the same log and password. Contacts, notes, voice recordings and calendar will appear automatically.
Google services are similar. Photos and videos usually take up the most space, so it’s better to use Google Photos with Autoboot enabled. Apps downloaded from the Play Market will also recover automatically if you choose to restore from a Google backup when you first set up a new smartphone.
Comparison of data transfer methods
The choice of method depends on your priorities: speed, data volume or Internet availability. Below is a table that will help you determine the best way to solve your situation.
| Characteristics | Mi Mover (Wi-Fi Direct) | Mi Cloud / Google Drive | Local backup (PC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed. | High (up to 40 MB/s) | Depends on the speed of the Internet | Medium (depending on USB) |
| We need the Internet. | No. | Yes (required) | No. |
| Transfer of settings | Complete. | Partial | Complete. |
| Data volume | Limited by cloud fare | Limited to PC memory |
As the table shows, Mi Mover is the leader for full one-to-one migration without being tied to external servers. Cloud techniques are good for both contents and documents, but downloading heavy video files can take hours with slow connections.
Local backup to your computer via Mi PC Suite or simply through a conductor is recommended as an additional security measure before any major operations.
Transferring WhatsApp and Viber messages
The messengers deserve special attention, as they store the correspondence history in their own databases. Standard transfer of applications through Mi Mover often copies only the installer of the program, but does not save the dialogue history.
WhatsApp needs to use a built-in backup feature. Go to Settings → Chats → Backup chats on your old phone and click “Backup.” Make sure the copy is created in Google Drive. When you install WhatsApp on your new device, the system will prompt you to restore the history from the copy you found.
With Viber, the situation is similar, but there are nuances. Before transferring to your old device, go to Additional → Backup Viber and create an archive. Once you install the application on your new phone and confirm the number, Viber will find a local or cloud copy and prompt you to restore it.
⚠️ Note: When transferring WhatsApp through a shift SIM-maps or regions (e.g. Russia-Kazakhstan) may have problems with number verification or recovery from the cloud. SIM-card is active and accepts SMS confirm.
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To ensure that WhatsApp chats are saved, you can create a local backup and manually copy /Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databases to your computer, and then transfer it to a similar directory on your new phone before installing the app.
Solving problems and errors during transfer
Even with automated tools, there can be disruptions, and one of the common problems is that the process freezes at a certain percentage, often involving damage to a particular file in the old phone's database, so try to remove the gallery or documents from the transfer by moving them separately.
If apps don't open after porting, there may be a conflict of Android versions. When you switch from Android 11 to Android 14, some older apps may require an update or re-authorization. It's also worth checking the permissions: HyperOS has stricter security settings, and applications need to be re-accessed to contacts and microphones.
- 🔄 Connection error: Restart Wi-Fi modules on both phones or switch flight mode.
- 💾 Not enough space: Clear the app cache or remove unnecessary downloads before starting.
- 📉 Low speed: Make sure there are no powerful sources of interference nearby (microwaves, neighbors routers on the same channel).
In rare cases, cleaning the cache of the Mi Mover application itself through the application management menu (Settings → Apps → All Apps → Mi Mover → Clear) helps.
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If the transfer is interrupted 90-99%, Don't panic. It's probably the last big file that's being copied, wait for completion or timeout, and then check for data. Often, most of the information is already saved.
Completion of the setup and integrity check
Once the migration is complete, take your time to delete data from your old device. Do a thorough review of your new smartphone. Walk through the gallery, check for all contacts, open banking applications (they often need to be manually reconfigured for security reasons).
Note that biometrics work. Fingerprints and facial data are never transferred between devices for security reasons. You'll have to re-register them in the Passwords and Security menu.
It is also worth checking the NFC and contactless payment settings if they are relevant to your region, and you will need to link your cards to Google Wallet or Mi Pay again, confirming them via SMS or the bank application.