How to Transfer Data to Xiaomi Without Losing Information

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always an exciting moment, but one that is often overshadowed by the prospect of a long and tedious setup: users are afraid of losing important contacts, messaging history or desktop settings. Fortunately, the MIUI ecosystem (and its global version of HyperOS) offers powerful built-in tools that allow them to clone an old device into a new one in just a few minutes.

There are several proven ways to perform a full data port, and the choice of the specific method depends on the amount of information and the state of the old device. In this article, we will take a detailed look at the native Mi Mover application, which is the industry standard for migration within the brand, as well as consider alternative options through cloud storage.

The main advantage of using native Xiaomi solutions is that you do not need to search for third-party software or connect complex adapter cables. The whole process takes place over Wi-Fi Direct, which ensures high speeds of transferring gigabytes of data without Internet traffic.

Preparing devices for data migration

Before you start the copying process, you need to make sure that both smartphones are ready to work. Charge both devices to a minimum of 60-70%, as active data transfer can quickly consume battery power. If one of the phones runs out in the process, the migration will stop, and you will have to start again.

Make sure both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled. The carrier application doesn't have to have an active internet connection to work, as the phones will create their own local area network. However, if you plan to sync data through the Mi Cloud, a stable internet is a must.

⚠️ Note: If the old phone has an older version MIUI (For example, below version 9, the port application may not work properly, so you should update the old device first.

While the system usually calculates the amount of space it needs, having 120% of the data volume of the old phone ensures that the procedure is completed without recording errors.

Using the Mi Mover application: a step-by-step algorithm

The most effective way to transfer data from Xiaomi to Xiaomi is to use the Mi Mover utility preinstalled, which is built into the default system in the Tools or Tools folder. If you haven't found the icon, the app can be downloaded for free from GetApps or Google Play.

Run the app on both devices. On the new smartphone, press I am a recipient and on the old one, I am a sender. The system will ask for permission to access contacts, photos and files, and be sure to agree to all requests, otherwise the migration will not be complete.

Next on the screen of the new phone will appear QR-Scan it with your old smartphone camera, or select the device name from the list of available networks. Once you establish the connection, you will see a list of data categories available for porting.

• 📱 System data: contacts, messages (SMS/MMS), call log, alarm clocks and notes.
• 📸 Multimedia: all photos, video files, music and recordings of the recorder.
• 📲 Applications: lists of installed programs and, in most cases, their data (logins, saves in games).
• ⚙️ Settings: system parameters, location of icons on the desktop, wallpaper and themes.

Once you select categories, click Send. The copying process will begin. The speed depends on the number of files and the distance between devices, but is usually between 10 and 40 MB/s. Don't fold the application during the process.

💡

The Mi Mover app automatically creates a local Wi-Fi network between phones, so data transfer speeds are significantly higher than using Bluetooth or cloud services.

Alternative methods: Mi Cloud and Google Account

If the Mi Mover app is unavailable for some reason or you want to back up before selling your old phone, you can use cloud technology.Mi Cloud is deeply integrated into the shell and allows you to synchronize key data without user involvement.

To use this method, log in to the same Mi Account on both devices. On the old phone, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud and activate the synchronization of the desired items: Gallery, Contacts, Messages, Recorder. Once you have completed downloading data to the server, on the new device, it is easy to log in to the account and select Sync.

The same thing works with the Google Account bundle. When you first set up the new Xiaomi, the system will offer to restore data from Google backup. This is a great way to migrate contacts, calendar and app list, but photos are better uploaded through Google Photos, since the standard backup has a size limit.

Nuances of application and data portability

One of the hardest questions is how to move data within apps. Unlike iOS, where the ecosystem is closed, in Android, each app stores data according to its own rules. Apps installed from Google Play are most often restored with a record of progress if they use cloud-based saves.

However, for banking apps, instant messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp, and some social networks, standard portability may not be enough, such as WhatsApp requiring a separate backup inside the app itself before transferring, which must then be restored when it first launches on a new phone.

Banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff, etc.) for security reasons do not transfer their cached data; you will have to re-authenticate, use SMS codes or biometrics to log in, which is normal security practice, and it is impossible to bypass.

⚠️ Note: Two-factor authentication (2FA). If you use code generators (Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator), be sure to export codes or back up before resetting your old phone, otherwise you may lose access to your accounts.

For games, the situation is twofold: If the game is tied to a Google Play Games, Xiaomi Account or Facebook account, progress will continue. Single-player games without being linked to the cloud may require manually transferring folders through the file manager, but Mi Mover often handles this automatically.

Transfer of system and desktop settings

Xiaomi users often appreciate customization of the interface. Fortunately, when using Mi Mover or recovering from a full Mi Cloud backup, not only files but also visual preferences are transferred to the new phone.

Rehabilitation is required:

• 🎨 Themes and Wallpaper: All installed themes, fonts and live wallpaper will return to their places.
• 📍 Widget Location: App icons and widgets on the desktop will stand up just like on an old device.
• 🔔 Sounds and vibrations: tuned contact ringtones and vibration modes will be maintained.
• 🌐 Wi-Fi passwords: list of known networks and passwords to them will be automatically inserted.

There are exceptions, however, that biometric settings (fingerprints, facial recognition) are not portable for security reasons, that you have to rescan your fingers and set up Face ID on your new device, and that you can also get lost in the TalkBack settings, which are worth checking manually.

💡

If after the transfer, the desktop looks “got” (icons bump into each other), try to change the grid scale in the theme settings or temporarily change the theme to the standard and return yours back.

Solving Common Problems in Transfer

Even with reliable tools, there are sometimes failures. If the process is stuck in the "Data Analysis" or "Transfer", try restarting both smartphones and repeating the procedure. Often, turning off the energy saving mode during the migration, as the system can limit the operation of the Wi-Fi module.

If you have a "Not enough space" error on your new device, even though there seems to be space, the problem may be in the file system. Try to transfer data in smaller portions: first photos and videos, then applications, and at the end system settings.

If the contacts are not portable, check where they are stored on the old phone. SIM-Your card or phone memory (locally), may not sync automatically. Before transferring, export them to your Google account or to your.vcf file via your contact menu.

⚠️ Warning: Don't interrupt the transfer process by turning off phone screens. Some Xiaomi models may break the Wi-Fi connection when going into deep sleep, leading to a transmission error.

For advanced users who are experiencing compatibility issues with MIUI versions (e.g., switching from Global to China ROM or vice versa), it may be necessary to manually transfer the MIUI folder through a computer, but in 95% of cases, automatic tools cope without intervention.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions