Owning multiple Xiaomi devices or switching to a new model often challenges users to quickly and securely transfer data. The Chinese manufacturer’s ecosystem offers powerful tools that allow them to not just copy files, but create a single digital environment. The right synchronization setup ensures that your contacts, photos, notes and call history are available at any time, regardless of what device you have in your hands.
The process of data exchange between smartphones can be implemented in several ways, each of which has its own advantages depending on the specific situation: you can use cloud storage for constant background updates or local tools for quick migration when changing your gadget. Understanding the differences between these methods will help you choose the best scenario and avoid losing important information at a critical moment.
In this article, we will discuss all the available methods in detail, paying special attention to working with the Mi Account and standard Android tools. We will look at the nuances of working with the file system and explain how to configure automatic data exchange so that it does not affect the speed of the system.
Preparation of devices and backups
Before you start any data manipulation, it is critical to make sure that both devices are ready to go. Backup is not just a recommendation, but a mandatory step that will protect you from accidental loss of information in the event of a process failure. Make sure that both smartphones have an up-to-date MIUI or HyperOS installed, as older versions of the firmware may contain errors in the system utilities.
Check the battery level. It is recommended that both devices have a charge of at least 60-70%; the process of transferring large amounts of data, especially over a wireless channel, can be energy intensive; and it is also necessary to free up enough space on the target device where the files will be transferred.
⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to interrupt the sync process or switch between applications during the initial account setup, this may result in contact databases being desynchronized.
Make sure both phones are connected to a stable Wi-Fi network. Mobile internet can be unstable, and transferring large amounts of data (such as a photo archive) can take hours or be interrupted halfway.
Sync with Mi Cloud: Basic settings
The main tool of the ecosystem is the Mi Cloud service, which you need to log in to your account through the settings menu to activate. Go to Settings → Mi Account and log in. If you do not have an account, the system will prompt you to create one, which will take only a few minutes.
Once you log in, you'll have a cloud control screen, and you can choose what data you're going to be sending between devices, and you'll normally activate contacts, messages and notes by default, but if you want to work properly, you'll need to enable gallery and voice recorder sync, and automatically upload new photos as soon as they're created.
On the second device, you just need to log in to the same account, and once you have an Internet connection, the system will automatically start uploading data from the cloud, which is ideal for keeping data up to date in real time, but has limitations on the amount of free storage available.
It’s important to understand the difference between on-premises storage and cloud storage. With storage optimization enabled, the original photos can be deleted from the phone, leaving only previews, which saves space but requires the internet to view the full versions.
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Enable the Clean the Cloud option only if you are sure that all important files are saved to another device or external drive, otherwise the data may be permanently deleted.
Using the Mi Mover app for migration
When it comes to moving to a new Xiaomi phone, the most effective tool is the pre-installed Mi Mover app, which allows you to transfer data directly from device to device, bypassing cloud servers, which greatly speeds up the process.
Run the app on both smartphones. On the old device, select the role "Sender" and on the new one, "Receiver." QR-code or connect via a Wi-Fi hotspot that one of the phones will create.
☑️ Check before launching the Mi Mover
The interface allows you to flexibly customize your data selection, so you can transfer not only media files and contacts, but also system settings, desktop icons, and even passwords from Wi-Fi networks, which creates a virtually clone of an old device on a new hardware.
Transfer speeds depend on supported Wi-Fi standards. If both phones support 5 GHz, the process will go as fast as possible. During the transfer, the screens may go out, but it is better not to close the applications, so as not to knock the handshake protocol between devices.
Working with Google Account and Contacts
Despite the development of Xiaomi services, Google Account remains the foundation for the Android operating system. Synchronizing contacts and calendar through Google services is often more reliable and versatile, especially if you plan to change the brand of your smartphone in the future.
It’s convenient to use Google’s web interface or Contacts app to manage contacts, and you can easily combine duplicates that often occur when you change. SIM-If you want to use a map or import from old phones, then cleaning the contact database before syncing will save you from future confusion.
Google Calendar also requires special attention. All events created in the Xiaomi system calendar can be saved locally by default. You need to select your Google account as the main one for new events in the calendar settings so that they appear on all your devices, including tablets and PCs.
| Parameter | Mi Cloud | Google Services | Local exports |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed of operation | Depends on the Internet. | Tall. | Instant. |
| Data volume | Tariff-limited | 15GB free of charge | Limited by memory |
| Compatibility | Only Xiaomi. | Any Android/iOS | Only reading files |
| Automation | Complete. | Complete. | Hand-held |
Synchronization of multimedia and files via PC
To transfer heavy files like video to 4K or document archives, cloud methods can be too slow, in which case the most rational use is a wired connection to the computer. Connect the phone with a USB cable and select the MTP file transfer mode in the notification curtain.
You'll have access to the internal memory of your smartphone on your computer. Copy DCIM (photo and video), MIUI (voice recorder and screenshots) and Download to your hard drive. Then plug a second phone in and copy the data into the appropriate directories, which is the most reliable way to create a physical copy of the data.
⚠️ Note: When copying large amounts of data through USB Avoid sudden cable movements, as breaking the connection can damage the file system or make the file unreadable.
There are also third-party management programs, such as Mi PC Suite (although official support is discontinued, alternatives are working) or the standard Windows Explorer, which allow you to visualize the structure of files and simplify sorting.
What to do if your computer can’t see your phone?
Solving Common Synchronization Problems
Sometimes the process can run into errors. If the data is not updated, the first thing you do is check the date and time on the device. Incorrect time is a common cause of security certificate failures, which causes servers to connect. Set up automatic time synchronization over the network.
Mi Cloud issues are often solved by logging out and logging in again, which updates authorization tokens, and it's also worth checking if the cloud storage is crowded, and if the space is over, syncing new files will stand until you clear space or buy a subscription.
In rare cases, cleaning the cache of Google Play or the Mi Cloud app itself helps. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find the service you want, and select Clear Cache. Don't confuse it with cleaning the data so you don't lose your local settings.
If neither method works, it may be network settings or DNS that are the problem. Try resetting your network settings or temporarily using another Wi-Fi router to check.
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Regularly checking sync statuses in the account menu prevents situations where important data is locked on one device without a copy.