Buying a new Xiaomi smartphone is always a joyful event, opening up access to a more powerful processor, a quality camera and a fresh shell HyperOS or MIUI. However, the euphoria from unpacking is often replaced by mild stress when you hold a glossy but completely empty device. In the memory of the old device there are thousands of photos, important correspondence, passwords and settings of familiar applications, and the thought of manually transferring this entire array of data seems frightening.
Fortunately, the Android ecosystem and the tools developed by Xiaomi engineers allow you to automate this process to the state of “pushing a button.” IT-The new model is designed to be used by a specialist to move to Xiaomi Redmi or Xiaomi 14 without losing digital history. Modern migration methods ensure almost complete cloning of the workspace, including the placement of icons on the desktop.
In this article, we will look at all the available ways to transfer data, from Mi Mover, the proprietary utility that is the gold standard for Chinese owners, to Google’s cloud services and the specific nuances of the transition from the iPhone. We will pay special attention to the security of your data and eliminate typical errors that can lead to the loss of contacts or media files.
Preparation of devices before the migration
Both devices must be properly prepared before any transfer tools can be launched. A fundamental condition for a successful operation is a stable battery charge. The process of copying hundreds of gigabytes of data can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, and suddenly turning off one of the smartphones will interrupt the connection, which often leads to errors in the database.
Make sure both devices have Wi-Fi enabled.While some methods use a direct Wi-Fi connection between phones, having a stable hotspot or router greatly speeds up the process and reduces the risk of breakups.Also make room on the new Xiaomi: even if you plan to port everything, temporary cache files may require an additional buffer.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to transfer data if one of the devices is in power saving mode. The system can force the Wi-Fi module to be turned off to save energy, which will break the connection at the most critical moment.
Check for the latest system updates on both devices, especially the new phone, where the factory firmware may contain bugs patched in more recent security patches. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI/HyperOS version and check.
☑️ Checklist for transfer preparations
Mi Mover Method: A Standard Solution from Xiaomi
The most effective and preferred way for Xiaomi app owners is to use the built-in Mi Mover app (or “Mi Move”), which is designed specifically for deep integration with the MIUI and HyperOS shell, allowing you to transfer not only media files, but also system settings, alarm clocks, calendars and even widgets.
On a new Xiaomi phone, the Mi Mover app is usually pre-installed in the Tools folder. If you don't find it, download the current version from GetApps or Google Play. On an older device (even if it's not Xiaomi), you'll also need to install the app. Run the program on both smartphones.
The interface is intuitive. On the new device, select "I'm the recipient" and on the old one, "I'm the sender." QR-Wi-Fi code or hotspot. Scan the code with the old phone's camera or connect to the network you've created via Wi-Fi settings. Once you establish the connection, you'll see a list of data categories to transfer.
- 📱 Contacts and messages – carry over in full, including attachments MMS.
- 📸 Gallery and video – original quality and metadata (date, geolocation) are preserved).
- ⚙️ System settings – including Wi-Fi passwords, alarm clocks and notes.
- 📲 Annexes — APK-files are copied, but data within applications (logins) may require re-entry.
What if the Mi Mover can’t see the device?
Transferring data from iPhone to Xiaomi
Migration from iOS to Android (particularly Xiaomi) has long been considered difficult due to the closed Apple ecosystem, but now the process is debugged to automatism, and the main tool here is also the Move to iOS app from Apple or the adapted version of Mi Mover for iOS, available in the App Store.
When you first set up the new Xiaomi, when you select the data source, the system will suggest you migrate the data from the iPhone. You will be asked to download a special application to the iPhone or use a Lightning-to-USB-C cable if you have the appropriate adapter. The cable method is preferable, since it provides a high transfer rate and does not depend on the quality of the wireless module.
It’s important to understand the limitations: you can’t migrate the apps themselves (you’ll have to download them from Google Play), but their listings and often even the data inside them (if the app supports cross-platform synchronization) will remain.
| Type of data | Moved from iPhone | nuance |
|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Yes. | It is better to sync your Google account in advance. |
| Photos and videos | Yes. | HEIC format can be converted to JPG |
| Messages (iMessage) | No. | iMessage doesn’t work on Android, SMS history is partially ported |
| Wi-Fi passwords | Yes. | Requires confirmation on both devices |
Once the process is complete, be sure to turn off iMessage on your iPhone if you no longer plan to use it, otherwise messages from other Apple users may not be coming to your new Android smartphone.
Working with Google Account and Cloud Services
Don't underestimate the power of syncing through Google Account. It's the "skeleton" of your digital life on Android. When you first turn on a new Xiaomi, you'll be prompted to log in to your Google account. If you do that, the phone will automatically start the background loading of contacts, calendar events, Google Keep notes and passwords from Google Password Manager.
For users switching from pure Android or other brands, this method is basic. Anything stored in the Google cloud will appear on the new device instantly. However, local files such as photos in original quality (unless Google Photos sync is enabled) or files in the Download folder are not portable by this method.
Use Google One to create a full backup of your old phone before you change device. Go to Settings → Google → Backup and click “Start Copy.” When you set up a new Xiaomi, select Restore from that copy.
⚠️ Note: Google’s backup does not store data on banking apps and some secure programs for security reasons.
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Tip: Before selling or disposing of an old phone, be sure to do a full Wipe Data reset only after making sure that all data has successfully appeared on the new device and is working correctly.
Migration of messengers: WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber
Messengers require a separate and very careful consideration. Unlike contacts, WhatsApp and Viber correspondence history is not stored in the Google cloud as transparently as the number list by default. WhatsApp is critical to locally backing up or copying to Google Drive immediately before transferring.
On an old phone, open WhatsApp, go to Settings → Chats → Chat Backup and click on “Backup.” Make sure you have a copy created today. When you install WhatsApp on the new Xiaomi, the app will detect a local or cloud copy and offer to restore the history. In the case of Telegram, it’s easier: just enter the phone number, and the entire cloud history will be downloaded automatically, since Telegram stores data on its servers, not on the device.
With Viber, the situation is similar to WhatsApp, requiring you to back up your app settings before transferring. When using Mi Mover to port applications, the data inside them may not be saved, so manually checking the messenger backups is mandatory.
- 🟢 WhatsApp – requires a manual backup on Google Drive or locally.
- 🔵 Telegram – everything is loaded automatically after entering the number.
- 🟣 Viber – Backup is required through the application settings.
- ⚪ Signal – requires a separate transfer procedure QR-code.
Typical errors and problem solving during transfer
Even if you follow all the instructions, you can have technical difficulties, and one of the most common problems is interrupting the connection during the transfer of large files, which often happens if the screen of the old phone goes off and the system goes to sleep, turning off the Wi-Fi module to save energy.
To avoid this, set the sleepout timeout to Never or maximum (30 minutes) in the screen settings of the old device, and don’t switch between apps on the old phone while transferring, let the system focus on the task.
Another common mistake is trying to transfer data to an already configured phone without resetting. Mi Mover works best during the initial setup (OOBE) stage. If you are already using the phone, the app may require a reset or run in limited mode without affecting system settings.
⚠️ Note: If the process is suspended 99%, Don't panic or turn off your phones right away. 10-15 Often, the system will do the final indexing of files, and the process will end on its own.
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The key to success: Use Mi Mover for the bulk of data, but always check WhatsApp/Viber backups separately before resetting your old device.