How to transfer all data from Xiaomi to the new Xiaomi: 3 proven ways

Buying a new Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone is always a joyous event, but one that is often overshadowed by the prospect of a long and tedious setup. The Chinese giant’s ecosystem is better positioned than other brands thanks to its deeply integrated synchronization tools. The process of changing the device is no longer a headache and has become a routine but fast procedure that takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on the amount of information it has accumulated.

Modern MIUI shells and the new HyperOS offer multiple migration scenarios, each with its own advantages: you can use the built-in Mi Mover app, which runs on a local Wi-Fi channel, or rely on Google and Xiaomi Cloud cloud services, depending on how deeply you are integrated into the ecosystem and how much data you need to migrate.

In this article, we will take a closer look at each available method, focusing on the nuances of password transfer, system settings and application data. We will look at how to avoid common mistakes, such as loss of call history or broken notifications in messengers. Proper preparation of an old device is the guarantee that the new gadget will work immediately after turning on.

Preparing devices for the migration process

Before you run any software tool for copying, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps. Ignoring this step can cause the process to interrupt in the middle and the files to be damaged. First of all, make sure that both smartphones are charged at least 60-70%, as active communication modules and write to the disk significantly consume energy.

The critical point is to update the operating system on both devices to the current version. Old bugs in data protocols are often fixed in security patches. Check for updates in the Settings menu → About Phone → MIUI version (or OS version). It is also worth freeing up space on the new device, although modern systems usually suggest clearing it automatically on the first run.

⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to transfer data if one of the devices is in power saving mode. The system may force the Wi-Fi module to be turned off or the background activity is restricted, which will lead to a connection error.

For users planning to use cloud methods, a stable high-speed Internet connection is required. If you use mobile traffic, make sure that you have an unlimited package or Wi-Fi enabled, otherwise the bill may be unpleasantly surprising.

Method 1: Use of the Mi Mover application

The most efficient and quickest way, developed specifically for owners of Xiaomi equipment, is the Mi Mover utility, which is preinstalled on most modern models and allows you to transfer data over a direct communication channel, bypassing the Internet, which guarantees high speed and privacy, since files do not leave the limits of your devices.

To get started, run the app on both smartphones. On the old device, select the role of "Sender" (Old phone), and on the new one, select the role of "Receiver" (New phone). The system will ask permissions to access files and contacts, which must be provided, otherwise the program will not see what to copy. QR-code to be scanned by the camera of the old device.

The application interface allows you to flexibly customize your data selection, so you can eliminate heavy video files or system debris, leaving only contacts, messages, system settings and important documents, and the process goes through several stages: first, the folder structure is copied, then the files themselves, and at the end, the applications are configured.

It is worth noting that some secure data of banking applications and instant messengers (for example, secret chats in Telegram) are not automatically transferred for security reasons.

Method 2: Sync through a Google account

An alternative, classic way that works on any Android smartphone, including Redmi and POCO. This method is ideal if you don't have an old device at hand when you set up a new one, or if you're switching from a different brand to Xiaomi. The main storage here is the Google Drive cloud.

On your old phone, go to your Google account settings (Settings → Accounts & Sync → Google) and make sure that the checkmarks are ticked against contacts, calendar, Keep notes and Chrome history. To back up your system settings and app list, go to System → Backup & Restore and click Start Copy.

When you first activate a new smartphone, just type in the same email address, and the system will prompt you to recover data from the last available copy, which can take longer than the Mi Mover, as it depends on the speed of your Internet channel.

• 📞 Contacts and calendar: Restore instantly after logging in to your account.
• 📸 Photos and videos: Download as needed through Google Photos, without taking up space in memory immediately.
• 📱 Apps: Downloaded from Play Market automatically in the background.
• 🔑 Passwords: GooglePasswords Autocomplete will substitute saved keys in apps.

Method 3: Working with Xiaomi Cloud (Mi Cloud)

Owners of Xiaomi devices often underestimate the capabilities of the company’s own cloud – Mi Cloud. Unlike Google, this service is able to save not only contacts and photos, but also specific system settings, desktop layout, blacklist of locked numbers and even record recorder.

To use this method, on your old device, log into your Mi Account (Settings → Mi-account) and select the Cloud section, where you can set up sync in detail. Once you have finished uploading data to the server, just enter the username and password of the Mi-account on the new phone, and the system will prompt you to restore the backup.

It is important to understand that free space in the Mi Cloud is limited (usually 5 GB). If you have a lot of high-resolution photos, there may not be enough space, in which case it makes sense to pay for a temporary subscription for a month or use the local port method.

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Xiaomi Cloud is best suited to saving interface settings and system data that Google ignores.

Nuances of transfer of messengers and applications

The most painful part of migration is chats in messengers. WhatsApp, Viber and Telegram store their correspondence history differently. Telegram stores everything in the cloud, so just log in is enough, but for WhatsApp and Viber it is critical to back up the application right inside the application before you switch.

On WhatsApp, go to Settings → Chats → Backup Chats and click “Create.” Make sure the copy has downloaded to Google Drive. When you install the app on a new phone, it will automatically detect that copy and prompt you to restore the history. Without this step, you will get a “clean” messenger.

⚠️ Note: When transferring banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff, etc.), you will need to re-authorize. Often, you will need an SMS code or confirmation via a push notification on your old device to sign in to an application on a new device, so don’t rush to reset your old phone before full access to all accounts.

Some apps may not be automatically migrated if they were installed from third-party sources or through GetApps (the Xiaomi store), rather than through Google Play. In this case, the system will suggest finding their counterparts in the Play Market, but the data inside such applications may not be saved if they do not have their own cloud sync.

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To transfer WhatsApp chats between different operating systems (for example, from iPhone to Xiaomi), standard methods will not work – use the “Data Transfer” function when you initially configure a new Android smartphone via cable.

Frequent problems and ways to solve them

During the transfer process, users often experience connection errors or progress bar freezes. One common problem is the Wi-Fi Direct connection break in Mi Mover. This often happens if one of the devices has a smart network switch on, which tries to swap the local connection for mobile Internet at the slightest drop in the signal.

Another problem is the lack of space. Even if you see 10GB free, the system may require more for temporary unpacking files. Always leave 15-20% of the total storage space. Sometimes there is an "Inadequate Rights" error, which is solved by completely resetting the permissions for the portable application in the application settings.

If the transfer is interrupted by 90%, don't panic. Most of the time, the basic data is already copied. Check for contacts and photos. You can download the missing applications manually. Re-start a full copy can be redundant and take longer than manually loading the residue.

• 📶 Network Error: Reboot both phones and try again by turning off mobile internet.
• 🔋 Discharge: Connect devices to charge even if the battery is not completely dead.
• 📉 Slow speed: Make sure you don’t download anything heavy in parallel on one of the devices.

Completion of the setup and cleaning of the old device

After successfully completing the migration, take your time to trade-in or sell your old phone.Do a thorough check of the new gadget within 1-2 days. Make sure notifications work, fonts are displayed correctly, and alarms ring on time.

Once you make sure that all the data is in place and working correctly, you can start cleaning the old device, and then do a full reset to the factory settings (Wipe Data / Factory Reset), which will delete all your personal data, accounts and passwords, making the phone safe for the new owner.

Remember that two-factor authorization in some services can be tied to a phone number or a specific device. Make sure you can access your accounts even without your old smartphone before you finally get rid of it.