Buying a new smartphone from a Chinese manufacturer is always accompanied by a pleasant excitement, which is quickly replaced by a slight stress due to the need to transfer all information from the old device. The owners of the Mi and Redmi ecosystem are in a better position, because the company's engineers have built powerful built-in tools to automate this process. IT, to throw contacts, photos and even the location of icons on the desktop.
There are several ways to migrate, each with its own advantages depending on the amount of data transferred and the state of the network. The main tool is the Mi Mover app, which is pre-installed on most current models and provides data transfer over a direct Wi-Fi connection. The alternative is synchronization through a Google account or Mi Cloud, which is convenient for saving important settings and contacts in the cloud.
In this guide, we will take a step-by-step look at each method available, focusing on nuances that are often overlooked by beginners. You will learn how to avoid media loss and how to properly prepare both phones for the procedure. Data transfer speeds with Mi Mover can reach 20-40 MB / s, which allows you to copy 100 GB of information in less than an hour. Following the instructions will allow you to start using the new gadget immediately after unpacking, without wasting time on manual settings.
Preparation of devices for the migration procedure
Before you run any portable tools, you need to make sure that both smartphones are in full working order.A critical parameter is the battery level: both devices must have at least 50-60% of the energy to ensure that the process is not interrupted due to a sudden shutdown.It is also recommended to free up enough space on the new device, especially if you plan to carry heavy files such as high-resolution videos or game archives.
Be sure to check for a stable Wi-Fi connection on both devices, although the Mi Mover may not need internet to run, as it creates its own local area network. Make sure the screens are unlocked and security systems do not block system applications. If the old phone has custom firmware installed or root rights obtained, this can cause conflicts when trying to standardize data transfer.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to interrupt the file transfer process by turning off the screen or running other heavy applications, which can damage archives and incorrectly display data on the new device.
For convenience, it is recommended to pre-sort files on an old smartphone, removing unnecessary debris and duplicate photos. This will reduce the waiting time and save the new gadget from unnecessary digital junk. It is also worth making sure that Bluetooth and GPS are on both devices, since some system utilities use these modules to detect neighboring devices.
Using the Mi Mover app to migrate fully
The most efficient and quickest way is to use the native Mi Mover app, which is designed specifically for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices. This tool allows you to transfer not only media files and contacts, but also system settings, call history and even placement of widgets on the desktop. To get started, find the application in the Tools folder or through a search through the settings menu.
The process starts with running the program on both smartphones, and the new device needs to select the Reciever role, and the old one needs to select the Sender role. QR-code or find a device in the list of available Wi-Fi networks. Once the connection is established, you will see the interface for selecting data categories to copy.
- 📱 Contacts and Messages: Instantly Transferring a Phone Book, History SMS and MMS format-free.
- 🖼️ Multimedia: Copying all photos, videos and audio from internal memory and memory card.
- ⚙️ System settings: Transfer passwords from Wi-Fi, alarm clocks, calendar and even icon location.
- 📲 Annexes: Installation APK-Program files to a new device (data within applications may require separate synchronization).
Once you select categories, click Send and wait for the process to be completed. The speed depends on the number of files and the distance between devices, but it is usually much faster than when you transfer via Bluetooth. At the end, you will get a report on the number of successfully transferred items and you can immediately start using the new device.
☑️ Ready for Mi Mover
Sync through Google Account and Cloud Services
If you don't have a direct connection for some reason or you prefer cloud computing, sync through your Google account is a great solution, and it's a universal method that allows you to restore basic data on any Android smartphone, not just Xiaomi, and you need to make sure that your old device has your contacts, calendar, and notes synced in your Google account settings.
When you first turn on a new smartphone or after resetting to factory settings, the system will prompt you to log in. Once you log in, Android will automatically prompt you to restore a backup of applications and their data if it was created earlier. Photos and videos can be synced through the Google Photo service, which stores photos in compressed format or in original quality for free if you have a subscription.
Xiaomi device owners can also use Mi Cloud to store backups.This service is deeply integrated into the MIUI shell and allows you to save system settings, voice recordings and screenshots. To activate, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud and select the necessary points for backup.
⚠️ Warning: Free space in Mi Cloud is limited to 5 GB. If your archive is large, the system may offer to pay for additional space or synchronize only the most important data.
The advantage of the cloud method is that it is independent of the physical presence of the old phone after setting up. All your data will be available at any time, just enter your login and password. However, it is worth considering that it will require a stable and fast Internet connection to initially upload a large amount of data to the cloud, which can take a considerable time.
Transferring data through local backup
The MIUI shell contains a powerful local backup feature that creates a full snapshot of the system or selected parts of it on the internal drive. This method is ideal for those who want to keep an exact copy of the settings and data of the applications without using third-party services. You can create a backup through the Settings menu → About Phone → Backup and Restore.
Once you've created an archive on the old device, the backup file needs to be moved to the new phone. USB-cable, connecting the phone to the computer, or through the file manager over the network. MIUI/backup/AllBackup. After transferring the file to the new device, you need to start the recovery through the same settings menu.
Where to look for backup files?
It is important to note that local backup recovery is only possible if the MIUI versions on both devices match or the version on the new device is higher, otherwise the system may give a compatibility error, which is especially useful for saving progress in games that do not support cloud saves and settings specific system applications.
The recovery process takes some time, during which time the phone is not recommended to use, the system will unpack the archives and replace the current configurations with the stored ones, and this is one of the most reliable ways to transfer, since it does not depend on Internet speed and third-party servers.
Comparison of transfer methods: Characteristics table
To make it easier for you to choose the right way, we have compiled a comparative table of the main methods of migration, each of which has its own strengths and limitations, which should be considered before starting the procedure.
| Method | Speed. | Internet dependency | What's transferable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover | Very high. | No (local area network) | Everything (including screen layout) |
| Google Account | Medium | Yes (required) | Contacts, applications, photos |
| Mi Cloud | Depends on the tariff. | Yes (required) | Settings, contacts, notes |
| Local backup | Tall. | No. | Full system image |
As you can see from the table, Mi Mover is the most versatile solution for Xiaomi bundle. However, a combination of methods often gives the best result: for example, using Mi Mover for basic data and Google Photos to guarantee the safety of images. The choice of a particular path depends on your preferences and technical equipment.
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If you are upgrading from a very old version of MIUI to a new one, use Mi Mover as direct restoration of the local backup can cause database compatibility errors.
Problem Solving and Troubleshooting
Despite the fact that things are fine, there can be some errors in data transmission. One of the most common problems is that the Wi-Fi Direct connection breaks during the Mi Mover operation. This can be due to interference in the air or energy saving settings. To avoid this, keep the devices closer together and turn off the power saving mode for the duration of the transmission.
Another common situation is the absence of some applications after recovery, which is because some programs, especially bank clients or high-security applications, do not allow their data to be copied through standard backup tools, they will have to be reconfigured and logged in manually.
- 🔌 Connection Error: Reboot both smartphones and try to start the process again.
- 💾 Lack of space: Check the free space on the new device before you start copying.
- 🔒 Antivirus Block: Temporarily disable third-party antiviruses if they block network connections.
⚠️ Note: When transferring data from devices with screens of different resolutions (for example, with 720p on 1080p) Some widgets and icons may not fit in the right place.
If neither method works, try updating the Mi Mover app through the GetApps store or Google Play. Developers regularly release patches that fix compatibility bugs with new versions of Android. At the very least, there is always the option of manually copying files via a computer.
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The combination of methods (Mi Mover for the system + Cloud for photos) ensures maximum reliability and safety of your digital data when changing devices.