Buying a new smartphone is always a pleasant thrill, but the process of data transfer can turn into a real stress if you approach it without preparation. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices are in a favorable position, as the MIUI and HyperOS ecosystem offers built-in tools for rapid migration. You do not need to search for third-party paid programs or manually copy files through a computer if you know the right sequence of actions.
Modern synchronization techniques allow you to clone the contents of an old device almost one to one, even keeping the icons on the desktop. However, there are nuances when switching from iOS or from very old versions of Android that require special attention. In this article, we will discuss all the available ways so that you can start using the gadget immediately after unpacking.
Before you start, make sure that both devices are at least 60 percent charged, as the process of transferring large amounts of data can be significantly energy-consuming, and check for free space on the new device, which should exceed the amount of information transferred. Ignoring these basic requirements can lead to interruption of the process and damage to files.
Preparing devices for data migration
The foundation of successful porting is the correct preset of both smartphones. On the new Xiaomi device, when it first turns on, the system will suggest running a customization wizard where you can select the import option. If you have already set up the phone, don’t rush to reset it to factory settings, since the built-in Mi Mover app works on configured devices as well.
On an old phone, regardless of its brand, you need to have a stable connection. You'd better use a Wi-Fi network that both devices are connected to, or you could create an access point on one of them. The direct Wi-Fi Direct connection that the regular utility uses works faster and more stable than Bluetooth, transmitting gigabytes of information in minutes.
Signing into Mi Account on a new device is mandatory for synchronizing cloud data, contacts and notes, and on an old device, it is also advisable to log in to check if all data has been uploaded to the cloud before local copying.
⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the transfer process even if the screen is turned off.Forcing the application to close or exit the settings menu can cause some contacts or messages to be lost without the possibility of recovery.
Check for system updates on both devices. Often, manufacturers release patches that improve compatibility between different versions of Android. Software updates are a simple step that can eliminate many errors in the future.
Use of the built-in Mi Mover application
The main tool for migration is the Mi Mover app, which is preinstalled on all modern smartphones of the brand, and you can find it in the Tools folder or through a search by settings. MIUI, The app will have to be downloaded from the Google Play Store or scanned. QR-code that will appear on the screen of the new phone.
The way you start up is this: you take the new phone as the Receiving Device, and the old phone, the Sending Device. QR-code from the old screen, after which the devices will connect over a secure channel.
Once connected, the system will suggest selecting data categories to transfer, you can copy only contacts and messages, or make a full cloning of the system, including installed applications and their data, that banking applications and some messengers may require re-authorization for security purposes.
- 📱 Contacts and calls: transfer instantly and without loss, even additional numbers are saved.
- 📸 Media files: photos, videos and music are copied in original quality without compression.
- 📲 Annexes: portable APK-Program files, but data inside them (cache, logins) may not be saved depending on the application security policy.
- ⚙️ System settings: alarm clocks, wallpaper, icon location and Wi-Fi password settings.
Transfer speeds depend on the number of files and the Wi-Fi version of the module. When transferring 50-60 GB of data, the process can take from 15 to 40 minutes. At this time, the screens of the devices may periodically go out to save energy, but the process will continue in the background.
☑️ Checklist before Mi Mover launch
Switching from iPhone to Xiaomi: features of iOS
Migrating from iPhone to Xiaomi has its own peculiarities due to the closed iOS operating system. Mi Mover is available in the App Store, but it can not copy paid applications purchased in the App Store, as they are tied to Apple ID. You will have to re-download free analogues or buy apps on Google Play.
To get started on the iPhone, you need to give the application access to all the permissions you request: photos, contacts, calendar. Without this, the copying will be incomplete. that iMessage messages and call history may not be transferred correctly due to differences in the architecture of the Android and iOS databases.
Photos and videos are perfectly portable, but the process can be slower than between two Android devices, due to iOS security restrictions that prevent background processes from working too much, and keeping the iPhone screen on and bright while transferring is recommended.
⚠️ Note: Apple's Two-Factor Authentication ID You may need to enter a code from a trusted device. Make sure you have access to a phone number tied to Apple. ID, not to lose your account during the process of setting up a new smartphone.
After the data transfer, it is recommended to set up Google services on your iPhone before migrating or immediately after, if you plan to use cross-platform synchronization, this will provide a backup of contacts and calendar in the Google cloud, which is a universal solution.
Alternative ways: Google Account and Cloud
If Mi Mover isn't possible for some reason, the Google ecosystem comes to the rescue, and it's the most versatile way that works on any Android smartphone, and just type in your Gmail address when you first set up your new phone, and the system will suggest that you restore data from the last backup.
In the old phone settings, go to Settings → Google → Backup and click “Start Copy.” This will save the list of apps, Wi-Fi passwords, call history and SMS to the Google Drive cloud. The amount of data is limited to free space in your Google storage.
What to do if there is no space in Google Drive?
Xiaomi’s Mi Cloud is also relevant to users, allowing them to synchronize contacts, notes, voice recorders and gallery, a technique that is convenient because data is automatically restored after you log in to Mi Account, without the need for manual file selection.
A comparison of backup methods is presented in the table below so you can choose the best option for your situation.
| Method | Speed. | We need the Internet. | What's copying |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover | Very high. | No (locally) | Everything (applications, settings, files) |
| Google Account | Medium | Yeah (Wi-Fi) | Contacts, applications, SMS, passwords |
| Mi Cloud | Depends on speed. | Yes. | Contacts, photos, notes, recorder |
| Computer (USB) | Tall. | No. | Files only (photos, videos, documents) |
Transfer of messengers: WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber
Messengers deserve special attention, as they store the history of correspondence in secure databases. Standard porting of applications through Mi Mover often copies only the program itself, but not the history of messages. WhatsApp and Viber need to use built-in backup functions.
On WhatsApp, go to Settings → Chats → Backup chats and create a copy in Google Drive. On a new phone, WhatsApp will offer to restore a history from the cloud when it first starts, which works seamlessly when you switch between Android devices.
💡
There's nothing you need to do for Telegram: just log in to your account at your phone number, and all cloud chats are synchronized instantly. Secret chats are not portable by definition of security.
With Viber, the situation is similar: back up in the app settings before transferring. When switching from iPhone to Android, WhatsApp’s history may not survive without using paid third-party slits or the official “Move to iOS” app (which works only one way – on the iPhone). QR-code when you initially set up your phone.
Without these conditions, recovery will not be possible.
Solving problems and errors during transfer
Users may experience a variety of errors during migration, most often due to an unstable connection or memory shortage, and if the process is stuck on a certain percentage, try turning off mobile internet on both devices, leaving only Wi-Fi, or restart the Mi Mover app.
Sometimes new Xiaomi phones with HyperOS shells may otherwise request permissions from older apps, in which case manually check the battery settings for the port application and prevent the system from "killing" its process in the background.
⚠️ Note: If contacts are not displayed correctly or duplicated after transfer, do not rush to delete them manually. log in to contacts.google.com, use the Cancel Changes feature in the last 24 hours to roll back the cloud state, and then sync again.
In case the photos are not visible in the gallery, check the hidden folder.thumbnails or try to clear the cache of the Gallery app through the application settings. Sometimes the system media scanner takes time (up to several hours) to index all new files after mass copying.
💡
The most reliable way to avoid data loss is a combination of methods: first make a full backup to the Google cloud, and then use Mi Mover for quick local transfer of heavy files and settings.