The transition from Google devices (be it Pixel, Nexus or Google One) to Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI or HyperOS shell is not just a brand change, but a change in the philosophy of interaction with the operating system. Pure Android offers minimalism and instant updates, while Xiaomi’s ecosystem provides deep customization, energy-saving algorithms and functionality that are not available to stock devices. However, this transition requires preparation, since the structure of the menu and the logic of the background processes are radically different.
Not only will you be able to move your contacts and photos, but you will also need to reconfigure notifications that are more aggressive in MIUI to save battery life. Account sync is smooth with Google, but system settings will require your attention. In this article, we’ll look at every step, from unpacking a new device to fine-tuning the interface, so you can feel the difference for the better.
Don't be afraid of data loss or login difficulties. Modern migration tools allow you to copy the contents of an old phone in minutes, the main thing is to understand where to look for the right options in the new interface and how to properly configure system permissions for the correct operation of familiar applications.
Preparing the old Google device and the new Xiaomi
The first step before you switch from Google to Xiaomi is to prepare both devices thoroughly. On an old smartphone running pure Android, make sure you are fully synced to your Google account. Check if your contacts are saved in the cloud, not just in the device's memory, and back up your photos via Google Photos or transfer them to your computer.
The new Xiaomi may initially have an older version of the system than your current Pixel. Be sure to connect the new smartphone to Wi-Fi immediately after turning on so it can check for firmware updates. Installing the latest security patches is critical to the stable operation of data portability tools.
You also need a stable Internet connection and a minimum of 60 percent charge on both devices, and the migration process can be energy-intensive, especially if you plan to transfer a large amount of media over a wireless connection.
☑️ Checklist before migration
Remember to turn off the Find My Device feature on your old device if it is active, although when you completely flash or reset, this often happens automatically, and this will prevent you from blocking your account when you try to sign in from a new device.
Using the Mi Mover application to transfer data
The main migration tool is the built-in Mi Mover app, which is pre-installed in the Tools folder on Xiaomi's new smartphones. If you go from the Pixel, you'll need to download this app from the Google Play Store to your old device, and it provides a direct Wi-Fi link between phones, which is much faster than transferring over the cloud.
Once you run the app on both devices, select the role of each phone: on Xiaomi, click "I am the recipient" and on Google, "I am the sender." QR-The code will establish a secure connection. You'll see a list of data categories to transfer: contacts, messages, call log, applications, images, video, audio and documents.
- 📱 Contacts and messages are transferred almost instantly and without errors, maintaining the structure of correspondence.
- 📸 Media files – photos and videos can be copied for a long time depending on the volume of your gallery.
- 📲 Annexes — APK-files are copied, but logging into accounts inside applications (banks, social networks) will have to be done again for security reasons.
It is important to understand that Mi Mover does not tolerate Wi-Fi passwords and some system settings specific to stock Android, and it may also be difficult to migrate authorization data for some banking applications due to differences in certificate signatures.
What if Mi Mover interrupts the connection?
Setting up Google Account and Services on MIUI/HyperOS
Once the data transfer is complete, the system will prompt you to log in to your Google account, which is key because it will give you back access to Google Play, YouTube, Drive, and other services. Unlike pure Android, where the login is at the initial setup stage, in MIUI, this process can be integrated into the original setup wizard or performed separately.
You will be asked to accept the terms of use of Google services. Read carefully the paragraphs regarding geolocation and action history, as the privacy settings in the Xiaomi shell can duplicate the settings of the account itself.
| Service | Status on Xiaomi | Nuances of work |
|---|---|---|
| Google Play Store | Pre-installed | It's working normally, you need to get in. |
| Google Photo | Installation required | You need to manually turn on Autoboot. |
| Google Assistant | Pre-installed | Requires voice activation settings |
| Google Pay (Wallet) | It works (NFC) | Safety is confirmed by biometrics |
Pay special attention to sync contacts. Go to your Google account settings and make sure that the Contacts slider is active.This ensures that all new numbers added to Xiaomi are stored in the cloud, not just in your phone’s memory.
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Tip: After logging into Google Play, open the Play Store settings → Settings → Network → Auto-Update apps and select “Only via Wi-Fi” so as not to waste mobile traffic on updating dozens of apps.
Adaptation to the MIUI and HyperOS interface
The most notable change for the Pixel user will be the interface. The MIUI shell (or the new HyperOS) offers a different approach to navigation. There is no default app menu (although it can be enabled), and all icons are located on desktops, like iOS. Control centers are also separated: the notification curtain on the left and the quick settings panel on the right.
It will take time for you to get used to gestures. In Xiaomi, they may differ from standard Android gestures. For example, swiping down the center of the screen can open a search, not a notification bar, unless otherwise configured. It is recommended to immediately go to Settings → Desktop and choose a classic or light mode, and also to turn on the app menu if you are used to a vertical list of programs.
- 🎨 Themes are a powerful customization tool that allows you to change icons, fonts, sounds and even system animations entirely.
- 🔔 Notifications - in MIUI They are divided into “Important” and “Other”, which helps to keep the notifications blank, but requires initial prioritization.
- 🖱️ Control panel – the ability to bring frequently used switches (flashlight, screenshot, voice recorder) to a separate menu.
Don’t ignore the built-in widgets. They look more modern and functional in HyperOS than standard Android widgets, offering interactive controls right from the desktop.
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A key feature of MIUI is the deep integration of system functions, such as call recording and second space, which work out of the box without installing third-party software.
Optimizing notifications and energy saving
One of the main problems with the transition is the lack of notifications from messengers. Xiaomi’s aggressive energy saving system can “kill” the background processes of applications such as Telegram, WhatsApp or email clients if they are not set up correctly.
To fix this, find the application you want in the installed list, click on it and go to "Advanced Settings." You need to enable autostart and remove background activity restriction, and it is also recommended to fix the application in memory (lock in the list of recent applications).
⚠️ Warning: Don't turn off battery optimization for all applications at once. This will cause the device to run out quickly. Only configure programs that make instant notifications critical.
Also, check your Doze settings. MIUI has its own analog that can block network activity in sleep mode. For important applications, add them to the "No Limits" list in the battery section.
You should also pay attention to the memory extension feature. If your phone has little RAM, using a portion of the permanent storage as a virtual RAM can help, but on UFS 3.1/4.0 fast drives, it can even slow down. Experiment with this setup by watching the speed of the interface.
Installation of necessary applications and removal of system debris
You'll find a lot of pre-installed apps bundled with the phone, some of them Google services and useful Xiaomi utilities, but some of them are advertising apps and games that you can safely remove. Unlike pure Android, the removal process here can require confirmation.
For advanced users, ADB mode is available, allowing you to remove system applications that are not deleted in the standard way, but for the average user, it is enough to simply hide unnecessary icons or move them to a folder.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayerThis command (example) will remove the standard video player if you plan to use a VLC or MX Player.Be careful when removing system components marked as critical.
- 🛡️ Security – built-in antivirus and memory cleaner that is worth leaving behind as it is deeply integrated into the system.
- 📂 Explorer – a powerful tool for working with files, supporting access to network folders (SMB).
- 🧹 Clean up – use the built-in cleaning tool regularly, but don’t get carried away with “memory speeding” as Android manages it effectively. RAM.