How to copy data from Android to a new Xiaomi phone

Buying a new smartphone is always accompanied by a pleasant excitement, but soon the euphoria is replaced by prose of life: the need to transfer hundreds of contacts, gigabytes of photos and customize applications to a new device. Owners of the Xiaomi ecosystem are in a great position, as the company’s engineers have implemented powerful native tools for migration. The process of transitioning from any Android smartphone to the MIUI or HyperOS platform is debugged to the smallest detail and does not require deep technical knowledge.

There are several proven ways to perform cloning of information, each of which has its advantages depending on the volume of files transferred and the speed of the Internet connection. We will consider both the built-in Mi Mover application and cloud services, so you can choose the best option for your situation.

Before starting the procedure, make sure that both devices are charged at least 50%, as the process of active data transfer can be energy intensive, it is also worth checking the availability of free space on the new gadget so that it can accommodate the entire archive from the old device. Below we will discuss each step in detail, so that the transition goes as smoothly and without errors.

Preparing devices for data migration

The success of the operation to transfer information directly depends on the preliminary preparation of both smartphones. The first thing to do is make sure that both devices are Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, as most transmission methods use a local wireless connection to achieve maximum speed. OTG-Adapter, check its performance in advance.

On an old phone, it is recommended to perform a file audit: remove unnecessary debris, duplicate photos and cache of heavy applications, this will reduce copy time and not overload the memory of the new device. Also make sure that the lock screen on both gadgets is unlocked, as the security system can interrupt the transfer when you go to sleep.

⚠️ Note: If your old device has two-factor authentication installed in banking applications, make sure you have access to the app. SIM-card or backup codes, as reauthorization may be required after the transfer.

An important step is to update the operating system on the new Xiaomi to the current version. Manufacturers often release patches that improve the stability of communication modules and the file system. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and check for updates. This action minimizes the risk of compatibility bugs when importing specific system settings.

Also, be sure to check the amount of free memory. Even if the files weigh a little, the system needs space for temporary buffers when unpacking the data, and it is optimal to have a spare space that exceeds the amount of data that is copied by 10-15%.

Using the Mi Mover app for fast transfer

The most effective and recommended way is to use the Mi Mover branded tool, which is preinstalled on all modern Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones. For older Android devices of other brands, the application can be downloaded from the Google Play Store. This method is good in that it transfers not only media files, but also the folder structure, which keeps order in the file system.

Run the app on both devices. On the new phone, select Recipient and on the old phone, Sender. QR-code or find the device through Bluetooth search. Once paired, you'll see a list of data categories available for portability.

☑️ Ready to transmit via Mi Mover

Both phones are over 50% charged.Mi Mover app is installed on both devicesScreens unlocked during the processFlight mode is off, but mobile network may be disabled

Done: 0 / 4

Select the necessary items: contacts, messages, call log, images, videos, music and documents. Special attention should be paid to the section "Applications". Mi Mover will try to move APK-Program files, but banking applications and some secure services may require separate installation and login for security reasons.

The transmission process is done over a direct Wi-Fi channel, so the speed can reach 20-40 MB/s, which is much faster than Bluetooth. Do not interrupt the connection or switch to other applications during copying. Once completed, the new phone will offer to restart for all changes and indexing files.

⚠️ Warning: When carrying large amounts of data (over 50 GB), the phone may get hot, which is normal for the processor and Wi-Fi module to react to high loads, but it is better to remove the protective case for better heat sink.

If there is an error in the process, try to turn off mobile internet on both devices, leaving only Wi-Fi. Sometimes the system tries to use mobile data to verify licenses, which can conflict with the local Mi Mover transmission protocol.

Synchronization through Google Account and Cloud Services

An alternative and reliable way is synchronization through the Google ecosystem, ideal for those who are already deeply integrated into the services of the search giant. When the new Xiaomi is first enabled, the system will prompt you to log into a Google account, and after authorization, contacts, calendar events, notes and a list of installed applications will automatically download.

Google Photos is the best way to transfer photos and videos. Make sure your old phone has Autoupload and Sync enabled. All media files will be uploaded to the cloud in original or compressed quality (depending on the tariff settings), and then available on the new device instantly.

The advantage of this method is that it is independent of physical proximity devices. You can set up a new phone even if the old one is already sold or broken, the main thing is to know the password from the account. However, for large volumes of data in high resolution (4K video, RAW photos), you may need to expand the storage of Google One.

What to do if your contacts are not synchronized?

If contacts don't show up after you log in, check your sync settings. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google. Make sure the switch opposite Contacts is active. You can also force the sync to start by clicking on three points in the corner and selecting Sync. Sometimes deleting and re-addition of the account helps.> It's important to note that Google doesn't carry passwords from Wi-Fi networks and some system settings unless they're saved in an Android backup. So setting alarm clocks and specific interface preferences, they may have to manually save copies of the WhatsApp messaging tools in the cloud messaging. WhatsApp has a built-in backup feature on Google Drive. On your old phone, go to Settings → Chats → Backup Chats and click on “Backup.” When you install WhatsApp on the new Xiaomi, the app will detect the presence of a backup in the cloud and offer to restore the history of messages. It is critical to use the same phone number and the same Google account as on the previous device. Without this, it will be impossible to restore. Telegram is easier: all data is stored on the messenger servers. It is enough to simply enter the phone number and confirmation code, as all the chats, channels and the media will remain automatically on the devices. Messenger Reservation Method What is saved WhatsApp Nuances Google Drive Text, photo, video, voice Requires the same Google account Telegram Server Cloud All except secret chats Automatic synchronization Viber Google Drive / Viber Backup Chats and media files You need to manually run backup Signal Local File Full copy via QR-In the case of Signal, a unique method is used: in the settings of the old phone, you create a unique phone. QR-This provides encryption even when you're porting it. Make sure both phones are on the same Wi-Fi network when you do this. High-quality photo and video transfers take up the lion's share of the smartphone's memory. If you don’t want to depend on internet speed or paid cloud storage rates, use direct copying via PC or cable. Connect your old phone to your computer in file transfer mode (MTP) and copy the folder. DCIM Then connect the new Xiaomi and transfer the files to the appropriate directory, which ensures that the metadata (date of shooting, geolocation, lens parameters) will remain unchanged. EXIF-You can also use external drives, if both phones support USB OTG, You can flip files onto a flash drive and then onto a new device. For today's Type-C models, this is the fastest way to transfer hundreds of gigabytes of data without losing quality. Remember the Pictures folder, which often stores images from social networks and screenshots. Hand-transferring them will take a few minutes, but will eliminate the need to search for lost files in the future. Portability of apps and their settings Although Mi Mover and Google can migrate the apps themselves (APK-The files, their internal settings and logins often stay in the old place, because it's for security reasons, and after you install apps on your new phone, you'll probably have to re-enter passwords, and a special case is the applications of banks and government services. They can block the entry from the "new" device, requiring confirmation via SMS or call support. SIM-The card tied to the bank is active and installed on the phone (or available via the phone). eSIM/For games with heavy cache (e.g. roaming, PUBG, Genshin Impact, World of Tanks: It is better to use the built-in data download function inside the application itself after installation, or use the “Cloning of Applications” function in the app. MIUI, If it is available for a specific gaming service. This will prevent re-uploading of gigabyte files. ⚠️ Note: Two-factor authentication (2FA) It is not automatically portable via Google Authenticator (Microsoft Authenticator) but make sure to back up codes or use the account export function inside the authenticator app itself before resetting your old phone. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Can I transfer data from the iPhone to Xiaomi? Yes, it is possible. On the new Xiaomi, when you first set up, select the option “Import from iOS.” You will need a Lightning-to-USB-C cable (or adapter). The Mi Mover app also has an iOS version in the App Store that allows you to transfer contacts, photos and videos over Wi-Fi. 64 GB of data? When using Mi Mover over Wi-Fi 5 GHz speed can reach 30-40 MB/s, which will take about 30-40 minute. Through the cloud or Bluetooth, the process can take hours depending on the Internet speed. Will the data disappear from the old phone after transfer? No, the copying process does not delete information from the source. The old phone will remain in its original state. However, before selling or disposing of the old device, make sure to completely reset (Settings → Advanced Settings → Recovery and Reset). What to do if Mi Mover freezes by 99%? This is a frequent problem with a large number of small files. Try canceling the operation, restarting both phones and running the transfer again, selecting only those categories that do not accumulate the data, and try to start the key check the data from the device. Only when you make sure everything is working correctly can you start setting up your old device to sell or transfer to another user.