How to transfer all data from Xiaomi to Xiaomi: the complete guide

Buying a new smartphone is always a joyful experience, but it is often overshadowed by the prospect of long hours spent migrating contacts, photos and app settings. Fortunately, the MIUI and HyperOS ecosystem offers users several powerful tools to clone the contents of an old device to a new one in just a few touches, the migration process has become so simple that even an inexperienced user who does not need the help of computers or sophisticated software can cope with it.

There are many scenarios that require full synchronization: you crashed the old device matrix, you just upgraded to the flagship model or decided to switch to Xiaomi from another brand. The key here is to choose the right method, which depends on the amount of information, the speed of the Wi-Fi connection and the version of the operating system on both devices, we will analyze all the available options so that you can choose the most suitable for your situation.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the Mi Mover app, Xiaomi Cloud, and classic methods through a Google account and local backup, and learn how to transfer not only media files, but also Wi-Fi passwords, desktop icons, and even alarm settings, allowing you to start using the new gadget with the same degree of comfort you’re used to.

Using the Mi Mover app for quick migration

The most efficient and quickest way, developed by the company's engineers, is to use the built-in Mi Mover app, which creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between two devices, bypassing the router, which provides high data transfer speeds. On new models, the app is already preinstalled in the Tools folder, and on older versions of Android, it can be downloaded for free from Google Play.

The startup process is simple: open the app on both smartphones, accept the terms of the agreement, and select the role of each device. On the new phone, click "I am the recipient" and on the old one, "I am the sender." After scanning. QR-When you code or select a device from a list, you start to sync, and it's important that both screens are on, and the apps are running in the background without any power saving restrictions.

The uniqueness of this method is that it can selectively transfer data categories, so you can decide whether you need to copy system settings or just gallery and contacts, and it automatically converts data if the Android versions on the devices are different, ensuring compatibility.

• 🚀 High speed transfer thanks to direct Wi-Fi connection without using Internet traffic.
• 📱 Ability to transfer not only files, but also desktop layouts and system settings.
• 🔄 Support for data transfer between different versions MIUI and even from other brands on Xiaomi.
• 🛡️ Security: Data is transferred locally and is not stored on third-party servers.

⚠️ Note: If the process is stalled at the "Connection" stage, try to turn off mobile Internet (4G/5G) On both devices, leaving only the Wi-Fi module active, often solving the handshake problem between devices.

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Before starting a large-scale transfer, restart both smartphones, which will clear the RAM and prevent possible failures in the network module during a long operation.

Sync with Mi Cloud and Google account

Cloud technology allows you to keep data secure and access it from any device after authorization. For users of the Xiaomi ecosystem, the Mi Account and Google Account are ideal. The first is responsible for system settings, notes, voice recorder and gallery (if synchronization is enabled), the second is responsible for contacts, calendar and application data.

To use this method, make sure that the old device is fully synced. Go to the Mi Account settings and click Sync. Repeat the same steps for your Google account under Accounts and Sync. Once you enter the data on the new phone, the system will prompt you to restore backups.

This is especially useful if the old phone is already unavailable, broken or lost, but you have taken care of the backup beforehand. The main drawback is the dependence on Internet connection speed and the amount of free space in the cloud. Xiaomi provides 5 GB for free, and Google provides 15 GB, which may not be enough for a full copy of the system with video.

Keep in mind that Mi Cloud sync may require changing your phone’s location to China or India to work in some regions, as servers may not be available. Google works consistently almost everywhere, requiring only a standard network connection.

Local backup and recovery

For those who prefer to keep data under full control or do not have fast Internet, there is a local backup function that allows you to create a full picture of the system, including application data, and save it in internal memory or on the Internet. SD-The backup file has the.bak extension and weighs as much as the selected data.

To create a backup, go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Restore. Select Mobile Device and specify what to save. It is critical that you transfer the file from the hidden MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder to your computer or cloud drive once you create a copy, as when you reset your new phone, this data may be lost.

Recovery is done through the same menu on the new device. If the backup file is on the memory card, the system will detect it automatically. If you have transferred the file through your computer, place it in the same MIUI/backup/AllBackup directory on the new phone and it will appear in the list available for recovery.

• 💾 Complete independence from Internet connection and cloud limits.
• 📂 Ability to store multiple versions of the backup for different dates.
• ⚙️ Deep copying of application data, including logins and game progression (not for all applications).
• ⏳ The process can take a long time with a large amount of data.

⚠️ Note: Local backup does not save media files (photos, videos, music) by default, but must be copied separately through the file manager or USB-cable, otherwise the gallery on the new phone will be empty.

Transferring multimedia via USB and computer

When it comes to transferring hundreds of gigabytes of high-resolution photos, or 4K-So in these cases, the most rational solution is to use a computer as an intermediate or direct cable connection. USB-OTG.

Connect your old smartphone to your PC, select MTP file transfer mode, and copy DCIM, Pictures, Download, and Music folders to your hard drive. Then connect the new Xiaomi and transfer the data to the appropriate one. This method guarantees file integrity and allows you to immediately audit, removing unnecessary debris before downloading to the new device.

If you don't have a computer on hand, you can use a USB-OTG adapter cable. Connect a flash drive or an external SSD to an old phone, copy the data, and then connect the drive to a new one. Android file system usually reads exFAT and NTFS formats without any problems, which allows you to work with large disks.

When using the wired method, it is worth considering that some system files and application databases may not be visible without root rights. Therefore, this method is ideal for multimedia and documents, but not for cloning system settings.

• 💻 Connection stability and no interruption due to weak signal.
• 🗂️ Easy sorting and organizing files on a large computer screen.
• 🔌 The possibility of using external SSD For instantaneous terabyte transfer of data.
• 🚫 Not suitable for transferring OS settings and passwords.

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For more transfer 100 GB data use of cable USB 3.0 external SSD-will be in 5-10 faster than any wireless method.

Features of data transfer WhatsApp and messengers

Messengers have a special place in the lives of users, and the loss of correspondence history is unacceptable. WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber use different algorithms for storing data, so they require an individual approach when migrating to the new Xiaomi.

For WhatsApp, the most reliable way is to back up Google Drive on an old device. Go to Settings → Chats → Chat Backup and click Backup. When you install the app on a new phone and type in the same number, the system will prompt you to restore your history from the cloud. Local copies of WhatsApp are not automatically transferred when you change your phone without manually rearranging files over your PC.

Telegram works differently: the entire story is stored on messenger servers. You just install the app and log in. All secret chats (Secret Chats) are tied to the device and do not transfer — they will have to be created again. Viber also relies on Google Drive or a local backup, which you need to manually transfer to the ViberBackups folder on a new device before installing the application.

⚠️ WARNING: When restoring WhatsApp, make sure the new phone has the same Google account active as the old one.Without it, the app won't be able to find a backup in the cloud.

Problem Solving and Final Configuration

Even with regular funds, there can be unforeseen complications: users often find that after a transfer, some applications do not open or require re-authorization, which is normal behavior for banking applications and services with enhanced security that are associated with a specific device identifier.

If Mi Mover gives you a "Not enough space" error, check not only the shared memory, but also the hidden partitions. Sometimes the system reserves space for cache, which prevents the recording of new data, in which case it is recommended to transfer data in parts: first contacts and photos, then applications.

After successfully transferring the data, take time to calibrate the battery and optimize the system. The new phone should re-index the files and adapt the processor to your use style. In the first hours of operation, the device can run slower than usual and heat up more — this is part of the adaptation of MIUI.

• 🔋 Allow the new phone to fully discharge and charge up to 100% after the migration.
• 📲 Check the work. NFC Contactless payment by adding cards to Mi Pay or Google Pay.
• 🔒 Go through re-verification in the applications of banks for security.
• 🧹 Remove duplicate contacts that may have occurred during synchronization through different accounts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)