Buying a new smartphone from a Chinese manufacturer is always an exciting moment, but the owner inevitably faces the issue of migration of accumulated information. The process of transitioning from one Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO device to a similar gadget is greatly simplified thanks to a single ecosystem of MIUI and HyperOS. Unlike cross-platform transfer, not only contacts and media files are stored here, but also specific system settings, placement of icons and passwords from Wi-Fi networks.
There are several proven ways to perform this operation, each with its own advantages depending on the amount of information being transmitted and the state of the source device: You can use the built-in Mi Mover app, the Mi Cloud service or classic synchronization through a Google account. The choice of the specific method depends on your situation: whether the screen of the old phone is broken, whether there is a computer at hand or the maximum speed of the process is required.
In this article, we will take a look at all the options available so you can choose the one that suits you best. We will look at the nuances of working with large amounts of data, compatibility issues with Android versions and how to restore information in the event of a crash. Proper preparation before starting the procedure will save you hours of time and save you from losing important documents or family photos.
Preparation of devices for information transfer
Before starting any data migration procedure, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps to ensure the stability of the process. First of all, make sure that both smartphones are charged at least 50-60%, since active file transfer over the wireless network or via cable can quickly consume energy. If the battery of one of the devices runs out at a critical moment, the process can be interrupted, which will lead to file corruption or the need to start over.
The second important step is to check for free space on the new device, the amount of free memory on the receiving phone should exceed the amount of data you plan to transfer, and it is recommended to also update the system software on both devices to the latest available version to eliminate compatibility errors of transmission protocols.
⚠️ Note: Before starting the transfer, it is strongly recommended to back up important data to an external medium or to the cloud, even if you use built-in tools, this will protect you from unforeseen failures that can theoretically lead to loss of information on the original device.
You also need to free up RAM by closing the background applications, and turn off the power saving mode, which can limit the operation of network modules. Make sure that both phones are Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules, as they are used to detect devices and organize the communication channel. A stable Internet connection is only required for synchronization with cloud services, local file transfer works through a direct access point.
☑️ Readiness for migration
Mi Mover Method: A Staff Solution for Migration
The most efficient and quick way to transfer data is to use the pre-installed Mi Mover app. This tool is designed specifically for the Xiaomi ecosystem and allows you to transfer contacts, messages, call history, notes, voice recordings, as well as installed applications and their data. The utility creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices, which provides high speed transfer without using Internet traffic.
To start, run the app on both smartphones, select the new device for "I'm the recipient" (or "New phone"), and the old one for "I'm the sender" (or "Old phone"). QR-search code or device name: scan the code with the camera of the old phone or select the device name from the list of available networks.
Once the connection is established, the system will suggest selecting data categories to transfer. You can select all at once or mark only the necessary items, for example, only the gallery and contacts. The copying process can take from a few minutes to an hour depending on the volume of files. During the transfer, stay in the application and keep the screens on.
What if the Mi Mover can’t see the device?
Importantly, Mi Mover can even carry the icons on the desktop, recreating the familiar environment on the new gadget. However, some banking applications or secure programs may require re-authorization for security reasons. Once the process is complete, the new phone will suggest rebooting to apply all changes and index files.
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Mi Mover is the fastest local transfer method, without requiring internet and retaining the file system structure and launcher settings.
Sync with Mi Cloud and Xiaomi account
An alternative to local porting is using Mi Cloud cloud storage.This method is ideal if the old phone is already sold, broken or unavailable, but you have a Xiaomi account.Data uploaded to the cloud will automatically appear on the new device immediately after you sign in.Free 5GB of space is available to the user, which is enough for contacts, messages, notes and settings.
To activate sync on your old device, go to settings, select your Mi Account and click on "Mi Cloud." Here you need to activate the switches for the types of data you want to save: contacts, gallery, voice recorder, notes and system settings. After sync, wait for the data to be downloaded to the server.
On the new smartphone, sign in to the same Xiaomi Account. The system automatically prompts you to restore data from the cloud. You can choose to restore a full copy or only individual items. SMS-Messages that are often lost in other ways of migration.
| Type of data | Mi Mover | Mi Cloud | Google Account |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Yes. | Yes. | Yes. |
| Photos and videos | Yeah (originals) | Yes (compressed or original) | Yes (Google Photo) |
| Annexes | Yes (APK + data) | List of annexes | List of annexes |
| System settings | Yes. | Yes. | Partially. |
| SMS messages | Yes. | Yes. | No (no special software) |
It is worth considering that uploading large amounts of photos and videos to the cloud can take considerable time with a slow Internet, and that storing large amounts of media files may require a paid subscription to expand the cloud, but this is the most reliable way to ensure the safety of data in the long run.
Using Google Accounts for Basic Migration
Google’s ecosystem provides a universal way to transfer basic user data that works on any Android smartphone. When you first turn on a new Xiaomi phone, you will be prompted to log into your Google account. If you agree, the system will automatically download your contact list, calendar events, mail and list of previously installed apps from the Play Market.
To successfully implement this method, you need to make sure that the old device is synced. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google and check that the boxes are ticked against Contacts, Calendar and App Data. Also make sure that your photos are saved in Google Photos.
The main advantage of this method is brand independence, so if you decide to switch to a smartphone from another manufacturer in the future, your data will remain available, but specific MIUI settings, such as themes, system sounds and widget location, are not transferred through your Google account.
Apps will load automatically in the background after setting up the phone.This can take some time and require a stable Wi-Fi connection.Some apps not available on Google Play will have to be installed manually through the phone. APK-file-store.
Manual transfer of multimedia through a computer
For users with huge archives of 4K photos and videos, the most reliable way is to manually copy through a computer, which allows you to control the process and is independent of wireless connection speed or cloud volume. You will need a USB cable and access to the file system of both phones.
Connect your old phone to your PC in file transfer mode (MTP). Copy the DCIM folders (camera photos and videos), Pictures (screenshots and images from messengers), Download and Music to your computer hard drive. Then connect the new phone and transfer these folders to the appropriate directories.
⚠️ Note: When manually copying, do not move system folders with unknown names or Android service files. copy only user content so as not to disrupt the operating system of the new device.
Pay special attention to the folder MIUI, dictaphone (sound_recorder) If you use a microSD card, you can make it simpler to simply move the card from the old phone to the new one, after making sure that the files on it are not encrypted with the specific device key.
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Use an FTP or SMB-enabled file manager to transfer files over a local network wirelessly if there is no cable at hand but a PC. This is faster than Bluetooth and does not require installing additional apps on the phone.
Solving problems and errors during transfer
Users may encounter various technical difficulties in migrating data, and one of the common problems is that they may be interrupted when using Mi Mover, which often happens when one of the phones is power-saving or has a heavy background, so you can close all the applications and turn off battery optimization for the migrator application.
Another challenge is the incompatibility of Android versions, when you switch from a very old version (like Android). 8) on a new one. 13/14) Some old applications may not install or work properly, and in such cases, the application data may not migrate, although the application itself may not be able to do so. APK-It is recommended to check for updates for mission-critical programs after the transfer.
If the process is stuck in the “Initialization” or “Data Preparation” phase, try restarting both smartphones and clearing the Mi Mover app cache. Also make sure that antivirus or firewall does not block the creation of a local Wi-Fi hotspot. In rare cases, a temporary shutdown of mobile Internet on both devices helps.