Changing a smartphone always brings mixed feelings: on the one hand, the joy of a new gadget and its capabilities, on the other – the fear of losing important contacts, photos or correspondence. Owners of the Xiaomi ecosystem are in a better position, as the company has provided several effective ways to migrate content. The transition process has become as automated as possible, but requires care at every stage, so as not to encounter synchronization errors.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods, from using the proprietary Mi Mover app to Google Drive and Mi Cloud technologies.You will learn how to properly prepare both devices, what nuances exist when transferring passwords and banking applications, and how to avoid common mistakes that can lead to data loss.
Whether you’re switching from an older Android or an iPhone, the algorithm will be similar, but it will have its own technical features. It’s important to understand that a full copy of the system is not possible due to the differences in the versions of MIUI and HyperOS, but user data is almost completely transferred. Let’s look at each step in detail, so that your new phone becomes an exact digital copy of the old one in 15-20 minutes.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before launching any port tools, both smartphones need to be trained in basics, a critical step that is often ignored, leading to a connection breakdown at the most inopportune moment, and make sure that both devices have at least 50-60% battery life, as the process of actively communicating via Wi-Fi Direct consumes significant energy.
Check if there is space on your new phone. The amount of memory you have available should exceed the amount of data you plan to transfer. If the old device is 100 GB and the new one is only 64 GB free, the process will either end up in error or you will lose some of the files.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to transfer data if one of the devices is in power saving mode. The system can force the Wi-Fi connection to save charge, which will damage the archive with the data.
It is also recommended to update the system software on both devices to the latest available version, which minimizes the risks of file format incompatibility and errors in the migration application. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and check for updates.
☑️ Ready for transfer
Make sure that the screens of both smartphones work correctly, as you will have to constantly confirm connections and enter passwords. PIN-code or pattern lock, which may be needed to confirm security when accessing certain folders.
Using the Mi Mover application for wireless transfer
The most efficient and quickest way to migrate is to use the built-in Mi Mover tool, which is designed specifically for the Xiaomi and Redmi ecosystem, allowing you to transfer contacts, messages, call history, photos, music, videos, documents and even home screen layout.
To get started, open the app on both devices. On the new phone, select "I'm the recipient" and on the old phone, "I'm the sender." The app will create a Wi-Fi hotspot that the second device will need to connect to. QR-Code speeds up the process of pairing.
Once you have established the connection, you will be asked to select the types of data to transfer, the system will automatically analyze the amount of information, you can select all at once, or you can only mark specific categories, such as contacts and a gallery.
- 📱 Contacts and calls: carried over with call history and blacklist.
- 📸 Multimedia: Photos and videos retain original quality and metadata (date of shooting, geolocation).
- 📱 Annexes: installed APK-files, but data inside apps (logins, game progress) may not be saved without a Google account or developer.
- ⚙️ System settings: alarm clocks, wallpaper, location of icons on the desktop.
⚠️ Attention: During the transfer process, do not switch between applications or block the sender screen. MIUI stable, background processes can interrupt the flow of data.
The speed of the transfer depends on the number of files and the quality of the wireless module. Large video files can be copied longer, but the overall process takes 10 to 40 minutes. Once completed, the new phone will suggest rebooting to apply all the changes.
Transfer data through Google Account and cloud services
If Mi Mover is not possible for some reason, the classic solution is sync through a Google account, which is ideal for saving contacts, calendar, notes and list of installed applications, stored in the cloud and automatically pulled up when you first log in to a new device.
To activate sync on your old phone, go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google. Make sure the switches opposite Contacts, Calendar and other necessary items are on. Press the menu button (three dots) and select Sync Now.
As for photos, Google Photos is the rule of the ball: Install or open the app, log in to your account and enable Autoboot and Sync. All images from the gallery will be uploaded to the cloud in source or compressed quality (depending on the tariff).
On the new Xiaomi Redmi, just enter the same email address when you initially set up or in the account section, and the system will offer to restore a backup of applications and settings from the last restore point.
What to do if the synchronization is suspended?
Importantly, this method will not migrate files stored locally in download or instant messenger folders unless they were explicitly selected for the backup, nor will it retain desktop layout and system settings specific to MIUI.
Migration from iPhone (iOS) to Xiaomi Redmi
The transition from iOS to Android has previously seemed daunting, but Xiaomi's tools allow it to go quite smoothly.The Mi Mover app is available on the App Store, making it possible to transfer basic data without a computer.
Install the app on your iPhone and launch it. Select "I'm the sender." On your Redmi phone, also launch Mi Mover and select "I'm the recipient," then specify that the sender is iOS. Follow the connection instructions via QR-code.
The data transfer list from the iPhone is limited compared to the transition between Android devices.
- 📞 Contacts: The phone book is transferred in full.
- 📅 Calendar: Events and meetings are synchronized.
- 📷 Photo and video: media files from the gallery.
- 🎵 Music: tracks not protected DRM.
⚠️ Note: iMessage messages, apps from the App Store and in-game purchases cannot be migrated to Android due to the closed Apple ecosystem.You will have to reinstall apps from Google Play and log in to your accounts.
To make the most of the transition from the iPhone, it is also recommended to use cloud services, upload photos to Google Photos, and sync contacts by adding a Google account to the iPhone settings (Mail, Contacts, Calendars), which will ensure the safety of data even if the direct through the application will not be correct.
Comparison of methods of information transfer
The choice of method depends on your priorities: speed, full clone of the system or security of data in the cloud. Below is a comparative table that will help determine the way to migrate.
| Characteristics | Mi Mover | Google Account | Computer (Cable) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed. | High (Wi-Fi Direct) | Depends on the Internet. | Medium (USB 2.0/3.0) |
| System settings | Transferred | Partially. | Not tolerated. |
| Network requirement | Not required (locally) | Wi-Fi required | Not required |
| Difficulty | Low. | Low. | Tall. |
As you can see from the table, Mi Mover is the most versatile solution for Xiaomi owners: it does not require the Internet and retains the structure of the file system. However, if you change your phone every few years, regular sync with Google can be a more reliable insurance against data loss in the event of a breakage of the old device before you buy a new one.
Using a computer via a USB cable is justified if you need to transfer huge amounts of data (hundreds of gigabytes of video) that are pathetic to compress or download through the cloud for a long time. In this case, just copy the DCIM, Pictures and Download folders to the internal memory of the new phone.
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If you are transferring data through a computer, copy files in small portions (10-15 GB each) and transferring a huge amount of data in one file can cause a file system error or a USB controller to freeze.
Decision and expert advice
Users often face some difficulties in migrating, and one of the most common problems is missing messages from Viber or WhatsApp, because standard app porting only copies the program shortcut itself. Use built-in backups inside the messengers themselves before moving to save correspondence.
On WhatsApp, go to Settings → Chats → Backup chats and create a copy in Google Drive. Once you install the app on your new phone and confirm the number, the system will prompt you to restore your message history from the cloud.
Another important thing is banking apps, because they don't transfer their cache and authorization data for security reasons, and you have to log in to every bank client again, confirming your login via SMS or Push. SIM-A card with a phone number tied to the bank is active and installed in the phone (or you have access to SMS).
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The most reliable way to transfer is combined: use Mi Mover for files and settings, Google Account for contacts, and manual backup inside messengers for correspondence.
If you notice that some apps are not working properly or are “flying out” after the transfer, try clearing their cache or reinstalling them from Google Play.This often happens if the Android versions on the old and new phone are very different (for example, switching from Android 9 to Android 14).
Why do some apps not open after the transfer?
Can I interrupt the Mi Mover transfer process?
Do I need to reset the new phone to factory settings before transferring?
The right approach to data migration allows you to enjoy your new gadget from the first minute without having to search for lost numbers or photos. By following these instructions, you minimize the stress of changing your device and keep your entire digital history intact.