Buying a new smartphone is always a pleasant experience, but it inevitably comes with the need to transfer data from the old device. Synchronization is a key step that turns just a new gadget into your personal tool with all the usual apps, phone numbers and photos. Owners of the Xiaomi ecosystem are more fortunate than users of many other brands, as the company has developed powerful built-in tools for migration.
The process of transferring information can seem complicated only at first glance. Modern versions of the MIUI shell and HyperOS offer intuitive interfaces that allow you to clone data almost automatically. You do not need to be an IT expert to perform this procedure in 15-20 minutes, while preserving the folder structure and even the location of icons on the desktop.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods, from using the proprietary Mi Mover app to cloud services, and we will look at the nuances that are often overlooked, and help avoid common errors that can lead to the loss of important files or a long delay in setting up.
Preparation of devices before synchronization
Before you run any data porting tool, make sure both old and new devices are ready to go. First check the battery level. The process of actively transferring large amounts of data over Wi-Fi Direct can consume a significant amount of power, so it is recommended to charge both smartphones to a minimum of 60-70% or connect them to a power source during operation.
⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to migrate data if one of the devices is in power saving mode, which can cause the connection to break at the most inopportune time and interrupt the copying process.
The second important aspect is the state of the operating system: Make sure that both phones have the latest available security updates and system patches, and differences in Android versions or MIUI shells can sometimes cause conflicts when transferring specific system settings or passwords from Wi-Fi networks.
It is also worth freeing up space on the new phone if it has already been partially used. Although the system will prompt cleaning when you first set up, manual verification ensures that there are no file conflicts, delete temporary files or unnecessary downloads, so that data reception goes as smoothly and quickly as possible.
☑️ Readiness for migration
Using the Mi Mover application for wireless transfer
The most efficient and quickest way to transfer data is to use the built-in Mi Mover app, which creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices, which ensures high speed transfer without using mobile traffic or connecting to an external network, and can be found in the Tools folder or through a search in settings.
Run the app on both smartphones. Select Recipient on the new device and Sender on the old one. QR-This is a code that will appear on the screen of the new phone, and this action will automatically establish a secure connection between the gadgets.
- 📱 Select the data category: the system will prompt to tick contacts, messages, call history, images, music and installed applications.
- 📸 Pay attention to the size of the data transferred: the application will show the approximate weight of files, which will help to estimate the waiting time.
- 🔒 Do not block smartphone screens during the process, as this may interrupt the transmission of data packets.
Once you have finished copying, the new device will begin installing applications and unpacking archives, which can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the number of programs, and in the background, the system will also restore permissions and settings, making the new phone almost identical to the old one.
What do I do if the transmission is suspended?
Sync with Mi Cloud and Xiaomi account
An alternative to direct connectivity is cloud sync via Mi Cloud, which is ideal if you don't have an old phone on hand when you set up a new one, or if you want to keep your backups secure at all times.
Log in to your account on your old phone via the Settings menu → Mi Account. Make sure that the switches in front of the desired data categories (Contacts, Notes, Recorder, Gallery) are activated and marked with a synchronization icon.
| Type of data | Limit in the free version | Recovery speed | Synchronization priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Unlimited (up to 50k) | Instantly. | High-pitched |
| Photos and videos | 5GB | Depends on the Internet. | Medium. |
| Notes | Not limited. | Instantly. | High-pitched |
| Call records. | 5GB (total) | Depends on size. | Low. |
On the new phone, just enter the username and password from Mi Account when you first set up or in the settings menu. Once authorized, the data will automatically pull up to the corresponding applications, which is especially convenient for restoring notes and contacts, which are critical in the first minutes of using the device.
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Use the Advanced Cloud feature for photos if you have a lot of pictures, which will allow you to store the originals in the cloud, freeing up space on the device, but leaving access to thumbnails.
Transferring data from iPhone (iOS) to Xiaomi
iPhone owners who choose to migrate to Android also have an easy migration option, the Mi Mover app is available for download on the App Store, a process similar to porting to Android, but has its own peculiarities related to the limitations of the Apple operating system.
Once you install the app on your iPhone and connect to the new Xiaomi Wi-Fi network, you can transfer contacts, calendar events, photos and videos. However, keep in mind that apps purchased from the App Store cannot be ported, as ecosystems use different.apk and.ipa file formats.
iMessage and WhatsApp messages will require a separate procedure. WhatsApp offers a backup feature on Google Drive directly in the chat settings on the iPhone (if such an option is available in your version) or using the “Move to Android” feature when you initially set up a new phone when the system itself offers to scan. QR-iPhone-screen code.
- 🍏 The photos are transmitted in original quality, but the albums can be mixed.
- 📞 Contacts synchronize perfectly, keeping all fields and avatars in sync.
- 🎵 Music protected DRM, It will not be played on the new device without removing protection.
Synchronization of messengers: WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber
Messengers deserve special attention, as they store their correspondence history in their own databases, often ignoring the system backup tools. For Telegram, the situation is the simplest: just enter a phone number and confirmation code, and all cloud chats, channels and groups will appear instantly.
WhatsApp is more complicated. When you first run on a new phone, the app will suggest you restore your history from a backup. If you used Mi Mover, the copy may have already moved to the memory of the new device. If not, you will need access to Google Drive (for Android) or iCloud (for iOS).
⚠️ WARNING: Two-factor authentication on WhatsApp can request code that came to the old number. SIM-The card is active and on the phone, or what you remember PIN-code set in the application privacy settings.
Viber also needs to back up on the old device through the application settings (Viber → Settings → Account → Backup Viber) by saving it to Google Drive. On the new phone, when you log in, the system will prompt you to restore data from this copy.
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Key data messengers (message history) are not always automatically transferred along with the application itself. Always check the backup creation inside each messenger before resetting the old phone.
Solving problems and errors in synchronization
Despite the fact that processes are fine, users may encounter difficulties. One of the common problems is the Mi Mover “Disconnected” error, usually because one of the devices uses a VPN or proxy connection. Disable any third-party networks and antivirus firewalls while the transmission is underway.
Another common situation is that some photos are missing after transfer, which occurs when images are stored in secure folders or on an external folder. SD-In such cases, it is better to use the computer as an intermediary or configure Google Photo sync.
If the new phone “sees” the old one, but the transmission is extremely slow or constantly breaks down, try to turn off both Bluetooth (except for pairing) and GPS devices. These modules can interfere with the Wi-Fi frequency range used for direct data transmission.
adb shell pm grant com.mi.mover android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGEIn the rare cases where standard methods don't work, you can use the ADB command to force permissions, as shown above, but this requires a PC and a configured debugging mode. For most users, it's easy to restart both devices and try again.