How to copy Xiaomi account to a new phone: 3 proven ways

Moving to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always an exciting moment: you want to save all contacts, messages, photos and settings, but do not lose any important file. Many users mistakenly think that it is enough to just enter a username and password from a Mi Account and everything will be transferred automatically. In practice, the process requires preparation, especially if it is a large amount of data or specific settings (for example, permissions for applications or Mi Home settings).

In this article, we will discuss three official ways to transfer your account and data to the new Xiaomi: through the Mi Cloud, using the Mi Mover app and manually. Each method has its own nuances, from transfer speeds to volume limits. APK-Application files, and Mi Mover may not migrate some banking applications due to security constraints, depending on your priorities: reliability, speed or completeness of the copy.

To avoid the typical mistakes, we’ll also explain what exactly isn’t portable with standard synchronization, how to prepare both phones for the process, and what to do if the data isn’t copied. If you’re switching from another brand’s Android (like Samsung or Huawei), there’s a separate section at the end of the article with instructions.

1. Preparation of telephones before data perenos

Before you start copying, make sure both devices are ready for the process. Neglect of preparation is the main cause of failures, from a connection break to the loss of data.

On your old phone, check:

• 🔋 Battery charge: at least 50%, and Mi Mover uses more energy than cloud backup.
• 📶 Stable Internet connection (for Mi Cloud) If the data volume exceeds 5 GB, connect to Wi-Fi - mobile traffic may not withstand.
• 📱 Version MIUI. Both phones should be installed. MIUI 10 or later. You can check the version in Settings → The phone.
• 🔑 Access to Mi Account. Make sure you remember the password and the phone is tied to your account (check in Settings). → Mi Account).

On the new phone, it is mandatory:

• 📦 Complete the initial setup (language selection, network connection). Don't miss the step of signing in to your Mi Account, this will make it easier to sync further.
• 🛠️ Update to the latest version through Settings → Update the system, it'll eliminate compatibility errors.
• 🚫 Do not install applications manually until the transfer is complete – they may conflict with the data being copied.

⚠️ Note: If the old phone has enabled Data Encryption (in Settings) → Lock and protect, disable it in advance, otherwise Mi Mover will not be able to read part of the files.

Method 2: Transfer over Mi Cloud (cloud storage)

Mi Cloud is the most reliable, but not the fastest way, and it is suitable if you have a stable Internet and non-critical data volumes (up to 5-10 GB), the main advantage is the ability to recover data even if your old phone is broken or lost.

How to copy your account and data:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Mi → Mi Cloud → Backup.
2. Click Backup manually and select data categories: 📞 Contacts and Call Log 💬 Communications (SMS/MMS) 📷 Gallery (photo and video) 🎵 Notes, Calendar, Call Records ⚙️ System settings (wallpaper, sounds, Wi-Fi networks)

Wait for the backup to be completed. Time depends on the amount of data and the speed of the Internet.

new phone

Mi Account

Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Recovery

What is not copied through the Mi Cloud:

• 📱 Installed annexes (APK-Only links to them are transferred to Google Play.
• 🔐 Data from some applications (e.g. banking or two-factor authentication).
• 🎮 Save games if they are not synced through Google Play Games.
• 📁 Files in folders that are not in the standard categories (Download, DCIM etc.).

⚠️ Note: If the new phone already has data (for example, you started using it before the transfer), it will be overwritten with the files that are being restored.

Synchronized contacts with Google account|Checked Internet speed (minimum 5 Mbit / s)|There is enough room on the new phone to recover.|Disabled. VPN Proxies (can block access to Mi Cloud)|-->

Method 2: Direct transfer via Mi Mover (wi-fi)

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary application for direct data transfer between phones over Wi-Fi Direct, which is faster than Mi Cloud and does not require Internet, but has limitations:

• It only works between Xiaomi devices (or Redmi/POCO).
• It does not transfer data from some system applications (for example, Mi Fit or Mi Home).
• It can be interrupted if one of the phones runs out of battery.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Mi Mover on both phones from Google Play (if it’s not in standard apps).
2. On the old phone, choose I give, on the new phone, I accept.
3. Scan it. QR-code from a new phone on an old phone (or connect via device search).
4. Select data categories for transfer: 📱 Applications (including data from some of them) 📞 Contacts, Messages, Call Log 📷 Photos and videos (including screenshots) 🎵 Audio files and documents

Confirm the transfer and wait until it's done.

The transmission speed depends on the model of the phone:

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If Mi Mover is “hanging” during the connection phase, restart the application on both phones and try connecting via Wi-Fi Direct manually (in Wi-Fi settings, select the network with the name of the old phone).

Method 3: Manual transfer via computer (for advanced users)

If the cloud and Mi Mover don't work well (e.g., because of a lot of data or a device incompatibility), you can copy files manually through your PC, which takes longer, but gives you complete control over the process.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 USB Type C cables (or adapters for older models).
• 📂 Enough hard disk space (at least 20 GB of free space is recommended).

Instructions:

1. Connect your old phone to your computer in File Transfer (MTP) mode. To do this: Unlock the phone screen. In the notification curtain, select USB to transfer files (or File Manager).

Internal Storage/DCIM/# Photos and Videos


Internal Storage/Download/# Downloads




Internal Storage/WhatsApp/# WhatsApp Backups




Internal Storage/Android/data/# Data from some applications

new

Move the copied folders to the new phone in the same directories.

Google Play

What can not be transferred manually:

• 📞 Call log and SMS (You need to use specialized applications, for example, SMS Backup & Restore).
• ⚙️ System settings (wallpaper, sounds, Wi-Fi) will have to be reconfigured.
• 🔑 Application data, if stored in secure partitions (e.g, /data/data/).

5. Transfer of account from Android of other brands (Samsung, Huawei, etc.)

If you are switching to Xiaomi from a phone from another manufacturer (such as Samsung, Huawei or Google Pixel), the standard methods (Mi Cloud or Mi Mover) will not work.

Step 1: Transfer of core data

• 📞 Contacts: sync them with your Google account (in your phone settings, enable Contact Sync).
• 💬 Messages: Use SMS Backup & Restore (see spoiler above).
• 📷 Photos and videos: copy via computer or upload to Google Photos.

Step 2: Set up a Mi Account on a new phone

1. When you first enable Xiaomi, select Sign in to your Mi Account and create a new one or use an existing one.
2. If you already had an account but forgot your password, restore it through Settings → Mi Account → Forgot your password.
3. Activate Mi Cloud Sync for backup in the future.

Step 3: Transfer applications and data

• 📱 Install apps from Google Play manually. Some data (e.g. from Telegram or Viber) will be restored automatically when you first run.
• 🎮 For games, use Google Play Games to sync saves.
• 🏠 For a smart home (Mi Home), re-attach devices via Add Device.

⚠️ Note: When switching from Huawei, some files may have incompatible encryption, in which case use HiSuite to export data to your computer, then transfer it to Xiaomi.

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even when you follow instructions, users face problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem 1: Mi Mover doesn't find the device

• 🔄 Restart the app on both phones.
• 📶 Turn off your mobile data and connect to a single Wi-Fi network.
• 🔋 Check your battery power – if it’s below 30%, connect your phones to charge.
• 🛠️ Update the Mi Mover to the latest version.

Problem 2: Mi Cloud is not recovering data

• 🔄 Make sure there is enough space on your new phone.
• 🔑 Check that you are logged in to the same Mi Account.
• 🌐 Try changing the region in your account (Settings) → Mi Account → Region).
• ⏳ Wait 10-15 minutes – sometimes recovery doesn’t start right away.

Problem 3: No photos or videos are tolerated

• 📁 Check if files are saved in standard folders (DCIM, Pictures).
• 🖥️ If you use manual portability, make sure you copy hidden folders (e.g.,.thumbnails).
• 🔍 In Mi Cloud, check if Gallery sync is enabled.

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If none of these methods worked, try resetting the new phone to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset) and repeat the transfer from the clean system.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions