Buying a new Redmi or Xiaomi smartphone is always a thrill, but it immediately challenges the user to migrate data. The process of transferring information from the old device to the new one often seems complicated, especially if you have accumulated a lot of photos, correspondence and application settings. Fortunately, the MIUI and HyperOS ecosystem offers built-in tools to do this as quickly as possible and without losing important information.
There are several proven ways to clone the system: using a proprietary Mi Mover application, recovering from a local copy or synchronizing through a Mi Account. The choice of a particular method depends on the amount of data and the state of the oldest device. In this article, we will discuss each of the options in detail so that you can choose the best one for your situation.
It is worth noting that before any manipulations, you need to make sure that the charging of both gadgets is stable. Interrupting the file transfer process can damage the archives or malfunction the programs on the new phone.
Preparing devices for data migration
The first step is to prepare both smartphones correctly, so don't try to start the transmission without checking the basic system settings, but on the old device, clean the cache of garbage files so that you don't transfer the digital junk to the new device, which will speed up the process and save space.
Both phones should be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Using a 4G/5G mobile network is possible, but not recommended due to high traffic consumption and less stable connection.Make sure both devices have Bluetooth and Geolocation modules enabled, as they are often used for the initial handshake between gadgets.
⚠️ Note: If your old phone has two-factor authentication installed in important banking apps, make sure you have access to your phone number or backup codes, as session resets may be possible.
Check for space on your new smartphone, the amount of memory available should exceed the amount of data you plan to transfer, and if there is not enough space, it is better to immediately delete unnecessary videos or heavy files before starting the procedure.
It is also important to update the Mi Mover system app to the latest version on both devices via the GetApps store or Google Play. Older versions may not work properly with new file formats or Android versions.
Use of the Mi Mover app
The most efficient and quickest way is to use the Mi Mover tool, which is pre-installed in the Tools folder on most Xiaomi and Redmi devices, and allows you to transfer contacts, messages, call logs, photos, music, videos, documents, and even system settings.
Run the app on both phones. On the new device, select the "I'm the recipient" (or "New device") role, and on the old one, select the "I'm the sender" (or "Old device") role, and the system will create a Wi-Fi hotspot to connect to.
Once connected, the device interfaces sync up, and you'll see a list of categories to transfer, so you can pick all at once, or you can mark only the right items, and the process will go automatically, and the speed will depend on the amount of data and the distance between the devices.
- 📱 Contacts and calls: Delayed in full, including call history and assigned ringtones.
- 🖼️ Multimedia: photos and videos retain original quality and metadata (date of shooting, geolocation).
- ⚙️ System settings: the location of icons, passwords from Wi-Fi, alarm clocks and wallpaper is transferred.
- 💬 Communications: SMS and MMS remain fully.
It is important not to interrupt the process or switch to other applications during the transfer.The screen may go out, but the application must remain active in the background.
Transfer through local backup
If a direct connection is not possible for some reason or is unstable, you can use the local backup method, which is a good way to create an exact copy of the status of the old phone as a single file, which is then deployed to the new one.
To create a copy, go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Restore. Select creating a new backup and mark all the necessary data. The system will create an archive in internal memory.
☑️ Checklist before transfer
Once you have created a backup file, you have to transfer it to a new phone. USB-cable, connecting an old phone to a computer, or via Wi-Fi file transfer (Mi Drop). MIUI/backup/AllBackup.
On the new device, also go to the backup section, select the Mobile Device or Computer tab, find the transferred file, and click Restore.The system will require a password if you set it when you created the backup.
⚠️ Attention: Local backup doesn't include the apps themselves, just their data and settings. APK-The software files will have to be re-downloaded from the store.
This method is especially useful when switching between different versions of Android, when direct synchronization may fail. It provides a deeper level of transfer of system settings.
Sync with Mi Cloud and Google Account
Cloud technology allows you to not depend on the physical presence of an old phone at hand, if you set up sync in advance, it is enough to simply enter your username and password on a new device.
To work with Mi Cloud, log into your Mi Account in the settings of your new phone. The system will offer to restore data from the cloud, which stores contacts, notes, voice recordings and the location of icons on your desktop.
Google Account takes the brunt of recovering the list of installed apps, Chrome browser passwords, contacts and calendar. When you first set up your phone, just type in your Gmail and the process will start automatically.