Buying a new smartphone is always a joyous event, but often overshadowed by the need to transfer accumulated information. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices face the challenge of migrating contacts, photos and applications when switching from one Android gadget to another. Fortunately, the MIUI ecosystem and modern versions of HyperOS offer powerful built-in tools that make this process as automated and fast as possible.
There are several proven ways to transfer data, each with its own characteristics and suited to different use cases. You can use the specialized Mi Mover app, which is the de facto standard for transferring between devices of this brand, alternatively cloud services Google or Mi Cloud, as well as classic methods like Bluetooth or other devices. USB-The choice of the specific method depends on the amount of information, the speed of the Internet connection and the version of the operating system on both devices.
In this article, we will take a look at each of the options available so that you can choose the most suitable one for your situation. We will look at the nuances of working with Wi-Fi Direct, the features of synchronizing accounts and how to solve typical errors that occur when cloning a system. Proper preparation of devices before starting the procedure ensures that all important files and settings are safe.
Preparation of devices for information transfer
Before you start the direct file transfer process, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps, this is a critical step, ignoring which can lead to a connection interruption or loss of data. First of all, make sure that both smartphones have a battery level of at least 50-60%, the cloning process can be energy-intensive, especially if a large amount of media is transmitted.
The second important condition is a stable connection: If you plan to use cloud services or wireless transmission through an application, both devices must be on the same network or have activated communication modules. For older models with low RAM, it is recommended to close the background applications to free up the system resources for the migration task.
It is also worth checking the availability of space on the receiving device. The amount of memory available should exceed the size of the data transmitted. If you move from a phone from 128 GB to a model with 64 GB, you will have to audit the files and delete the excess.
- 🔋 Charge both devices to levels above 50% or connect them to power supplies.
- 📶 Make sure that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules are activated on both smartphones.
- 🗑️ Check the space on the new phone, it should be more than the amount of data transferred.
- 🔒 Unlock the screens of both devices and keep them on throughout the process.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to interrupt the transmission process by turning off the screen or running heavy games.This may damage the database files of contacts or messages.
⚠️ Note: When migrating from iOS to Android, some system settings and paid apps may not be copied due to operating system limitations.
Using the Mi Mover app for quick migration
The most effective way to transfer data from one phone to another Xiaomi is to use the Mi Mover app, which is pre-installed on most of the brand’s devices, and for older models or phones of other brands, it can be downloaded from Google Play or GetApps. The main feature of this tool is to create a direct secure Wi-Fi network between devices, which provides high transfer speeds without using Internet traffic.
The process starts with running the app on both devices, and the new phone needs to select the Recipient role, and the old phone needs to select the Sender role. QR-code or connect to the created access point manually. the application interface is intuitive and fully Russified, which makes navigation easier.
☑️ Checklist before Mi Mover launch
Once the devices are connected, you will see a list of data categories to transfer, you can select only contacts and messages, or you can copy the entire system, including the placement of icons on the desktop. Mi Mover automatically converts some file formats for compatibility with the new version of the MIUI shell or HyperOS.
The speed of transfer depends on the number of files and their type. Photos and videos are copied the fastest, whereas installing heavy applications can take time, since often it is not just copying. APK-file, but also download the current version from the store.
What if the Mi Mover can’t see the device?
Sync through Google Account and Cloud Services
An alternative and often more reliable method is to use cloud synchronization, which is ideal if you don't have a cable on hand and the wireless connection between phones is unstable, and the main burden falls on Google's servers, which ensures that data is kept safe even if one of the devices breaks.
To implement this method on an old phone, you need to go to the settings of your Google account and force sync. It is important to make sure that all the necessary items are selected: contacts, calendar, notes, Chrome data and, if you have a subscription, photos in full quality.
Google Photos is a special service, and if you have Autoboot and Sync enabled, all your photos are already in the cloud. On the new Xiaomi, you just need to install the app and the library will fill up automatically, which frees up the phone's internal memory, since the originals are stored on the server.
| Type of data | Synchronization method | Speed. | Network dependency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Google Contacts | Instantly. | Internet is required |
| Photo/Video | Google Photos / Mi Cloud | Depends on speed. | Wi-Fi required |
| Annexes | Google Play | Medium | Internet is required |
| SMS messages | SMS Backup appendix | Quickly. | Local or cloudy |
Mi Cloud is also a viable option for Xiaomi ecosystem users, and is deeply integrated into the system and allows you to back up your system settings, including Wi-Fi passwords and widget location. However, the amount of free storage is limited, so you may need a subscription for large amounts of data.
Manual file transfer via USB and computer
When it comes to transferring gigabytes of video, music or documents, the most rational solution is to use a computer as an intermediate buffer, which, although it requires a PC, provides maximum speed and control. You'll need quality. USB-cable that supports data transfer, not just charging.
Connect your old phone to your computer and select the USB File Transfer (MTP) mode from the notification menu. In Windows Explorer or macOS, copy the required folders (usually DCIM, Pictures, Download, Music) to your hard drive. Then repeat the operation with the new phone by moving the files to the appropriate directories.
For advanced command-line users, the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) tool is available to back up system and application partitions using commands. For example, the adb backup -apk -shared -all -f backup.ab command will create a full backup of the connected device.
adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/Camera/ C:/Backup/Photos/This method is especially useful when switching from iPhone to Xiaomi, when direct wireless transmission may not work properly for certain types of files.
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Use it. USB-Powered hub if you connect external backup hard drives to avoid problems with port power shortages.
Transferring Contacts and Messages without Losing Data
Contact and SMS-Messages are the information that is most critically lost. MIUI The default contacts are saved to your Google account, and you can check this by opening the Contacts app, going to the settings and making sure that you choose to display Google contacts rather than your phone’s memory.
For the transfer of messages (SMS and MMS) staff funds may be limited, especially when changing the manufacturer of the phone, in such cases it is recommended to use specialized utilities, for example, SMS Backup & Restore is a backup app. XML-archive file, which is then restored to the new device, saving dates and senders.
If you use messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram, the procedure is different. Telegram stores all the history in the cloud, so just log in. WhatsApp needs to back up Google Drive on an old phone and restore it when you install the app on a new one, without which the history of correspondence will be lost.
- 📱 Export contacts to the file.vcf via the contact management menu for insurance.
- 💬 Make a local WhatsApp backup before resetting your old phone.
- 🔐 Make sure you know the password from your Google account, it will be required to confirm ownership.
⚠️ Warning: Two-factor authentication on WhatsApp is tied to a phone number. SIM-The card is active and can be accepted SMS confirmation code on the new device.
Decision and expert advice
Even when following instructions, there may be technical difficulties, a common problem is the “Not enough space” error, even when there is free space, because it requires a temporary buffer to unpack and install applications, and free up an additional 10-15% of memory to successfully complete the operation.
Another common scenario is that the process freezes at a certain percentage, which often happens with heavy applications or corrupted media files, in which case it is better to interrupt the process and perform a selective transfer, eliminating problem categories, or break up the migration into several stages.
When you upgrade to new models with HyperOS, you may experience changes in folder structure, the system can automatically create duplicate albums in the gallery, not a bug, but a feature of indexing new files, and it is recommended that you audit the gallery after the transfer and delete empty or duplicate folders.
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The most reliable result is a combination of methods: Mi Mover for applications and settings, plus manual check of critical contacts and photos.
Remember that after transferring data to the new phone, it is recommended to perform a full reboot, which will allow the system to correctly index all new files, update databases and establish background synchronization of services.