Buying a new smartphone is always a joyous event, but it is often overshadowed by the need to tediously transfer all the accumulated data. Owners of the Xiaomi ecosystem are in a winning position, as the manufacturer has built into the shell of MIUI and HyperOS powerful tools for migration.
Synchronization between devices allows you not only to copy contacts, but also to fully recreate the digital environment of the user on the new gadget, this includes call history, SMS, the location of icons on the desktop and even passwords from Wi-Fi networks. The right approach to the issue of backup will save you from losing important memories and working files.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at all available methods of transferring information, paying special attention to the Mi Mover application. You will learn about the intricacies of cloud storage configuration and understand how to avoid common errors that can lead to data loss or a freeze in the copying process.
⚠️ Warning: Before you start any data manipulation, make sure that both devices are at least 60 percent charged. Interrupting the sync process due to battery discharge can cause files to be damaged or the system to malfunction on the new phone.
Preparing devices for data migration
The success of the operation depends on the pre-preparedness of both smartphones, which means that the old device needs to perform a file audit: remove unnecessary debris, duplicate photos and applications that you no longer use, which will significantly speed up the process and free up space on the new device, which is better spent on relevant content.
Make sure to check for free space on the target device. The amount of memory available on the new phone should exceed the amount of data planned for transfer. If you move from a 256 GB model to a 128 GB version, you will have to manually sort files or use cloud storage to archive heavy media.
An important step is to update the software, and make sure that both devices have the current version of MIUI or HyperOS installed. Different versions of the operating system may contain incompatible database formats, which will lead to errors when reading contacts or messages after transfer.
☑️ Readiness for synchronization
Signing into the same Mi Account on both devices will make it easier to synchronize system settings, passwords and notes through the cloud, and it’s also a good idea to make sure that your old phone has all local changes synchronized with the manufacturer’s servers before starting the main transfer.
Using the Mi Mover app for local porting
The fastest and most efficient way is to use the built-in Mi Mover app, which creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices, allowing data to be transmitted at high speeds without using Internet traffic, ideal for carrying heavy files such as video archives and application installation packages.
To start the process, open the application on both smartphones. On the new device, select Receiver and on the old device, Sender. QR-A code that will appear on the screen of the receiving gadget, and after scanning, the automatic connection will begin.
The application interface allows you to flexibly customize your data selection, you can only transfer contacts and messages, or you can make a full copy of the system, including alarm settings and voice recordings. After selecting categories, click "Send" and wait for the process to be completed.
What if the Mi Mover can’t see the device?
It is worth noting that some system applications and data from banking programs are not portable for security purposes, and once the migration is complete, you will have to re-authorize with the bank applications and configure biometric protection, which is a standard procedure to ensure the protection of the user's financial resources.
Synchronization through the cloud service Mi Cloud
The Mi Cloud is a universal bridge between devices, and it's especially useful if your old phone is already unavailable, broken, or lost, but you've set up automatic sync before. All the data is stored on the company's servers and can be downloaded at any time.
To use this method, log into your account on the new device through the settings menu. The system automatically prompts you to restore data from the last backup, and you can choose which categories of data to download: gallery, contacts, voice recorder or notes.
The main advantage is independence from the physical condition of the old device, but this method has a limit on the amount of free storage, which is 5 GB. For large volumes of photos and videos, you will have to purchase a subscription or use a computer to upload archives.
| Parameter | Mi Mover (Locally) | Mi Cloud (Cloud) | Google Account |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed. | High (depends on Wi-Fi) | Medium (depending on the Internet) | Low (background) |
| We need the Internet. | No (local area network) | Yes. | Yes. |
| Transfer of settings | Complete. | Partial | Minimum |
| Dependence on location | We need both phones close by. | Not required | Not required |
It is recommended to connect the device to the charger and Wi-Fi network so that the process goes without interruptions.
Transfer of multimedia and files through Explorer
Not all files are transferable through system synchronization utilities: Large archives, documents downloaded from the Internet, or messenger cache are often easier to transfer manually, using built-in Explorer with support for FTP or SMB.
Enable FTP access on your new phone through the Remote Control menu in the Explorer app. On your old device, type the address you receive into your browser bar or connect as a network drive, which allows you to directly copy files between the devices' internal memory.
An alternative option is to use USB-cable OTG, If both phones support this standard, you can connect them directly, you can flip folders. DCIM, Download and Documents in minutes, and this method guarantees maximum speed and is independent of the quality of the wireless signal.
⚠️ Note: When you manually copy messenger folders (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) through the file manager, the correspondence history may not be saved. For chats, use the built-in backup functions inside the applications themselves.
Pay special attention to the DCIM/Camera folder where your photos and videos are stored. When manually transferring, make sure that the metadata of the files (the shooting date) is stored correctly so that the chronology in the gallery of the new phone is not broken.
Synchronization of contacts, calendar and notes
The most critical information, contacts and calendar events, requires a special approach: In modern versions of MIUI, the default contacts are saved to your Mi or Google account. Check the way you save on your old phone by going to Contacts → Settings.
If your contacts are saved to SIM-In the contact menu, select "Import/Export" and transfer the records to your device or cloud account, which will ensure their safety even if you lose your phone completely.
Notes and voice recordings are synced exclusively through the Mi Cloud. Make sure that the Notes app is synced and will automatically appear on the new device after logging in to your account within minutes.
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Use the "Contact Exchange" function through QR-code for fast transfer of multiple numbers if full synchronization is not possible for some reason.
For enterprise users, it is important to set up Exchange or corporate email sync separately under Settings → Accounts and Sync, which will automatically tighten your work contacts and appointment schedules without manual intervention.
Problem Solving and Frequent Errors
During the synchronization process, various failures can occur, most often users are faced with a message "Not enough space" or a connection break, in the first case, you need to clear the application cache or delete temporary files before starting the procedure.
If the connection is constantly interrupted, try to turn off the power saving mode on both phones. Aggressive battery optimization can kill the background data transfer process, considering it to be energy-consuming, and it also helps to reboot both devices before you try again.
In rare cases, fonts or icons that are broken after transfer are not displayed correctly, this is treated by clearing the theme cache or resetting the launcher settings. Go to Settings → Applications → All Applications → System → Clear the data (be careful, this will reset the location of the icons).
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If the synchronization is suspended 99%, Don't panic. Often the process just waits for the buffer to be released. 10-15 minutes before interrupting the operation.
If you experience an authorization error in Mi Account, try changing your password through your browser and then entering new data on your devices, which will update your security tokens and allow access to cloud services.