How to copy data from Xiaomi to Xiaomi: a step-by-step guide

Buying a new Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone is always a pleasant experience, but it inevitably comes with the need to transfer all the accumulated information. Users often wonder how to copy data from Xiaomi to Xiaomi as quickly and without loss as possible so that the new gadget becomes a full replacement for the old one. Fortunately, the Chinese manufacturer’s ecosystem offers built-in and extremely effective tools for solving this problem.

The migration process may seem complicated at first glance, but modern technology allows you to complete it in minutes even with a huge amount of files. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available methods, from cloud services to direct Wi-Fi connection, so you can choose the most convenient option for your situation.

Preparation of devices before the transfer

Before you start any migration tool, make sure both smartphones are ready to go. Charge both devices to a minimum of 60-70%, as the process of transferring large amounts of data can significantly consume battery power. It is also recommended to upgrade the MIUI or HyperOS operating system to the latest available version on both devices to avoid compatibility conflicts.

Make room on the receiving device. Check that the amount of free memory on the new phone exceeds the amount of data you plan to transfer. If there are many heavy games on the old phone, it makes sense to remove the ones you no longer use in advance to speed up the process.

⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the data transfer process or break the connection between devices until the operation is complete.This may cause file damage or malfunction on the new smartphone.

Make sure both devices have Wi-Fi enabled. Even if you don't plan on using a router, the Wi-Fi Direct technology that most porting methods rely on requires activation of this module. Also check that the screens of both smartphones are working correctly and the sensor responds to touch.

Using the Mi Mover app for quick migration

The most effective and official way to transfer data from Xiaomi to Xiaomi is to use the built-in Mi Mover application, which is pre-installed and optimized for working with MIUI and HyperOS shells, providing high transfer speeds without using Internet traffic.

To get started, open the app on both devices. On the old phone, select Sender and on the new one, Receiver. QR-code the camera of the old device or connect through the search for available devices. Once you establish the connection, you will see a list of data categories available for copying.

Select the necessary items: contacts, messages, call history, photos, videos, music, documents, and even installed applications. Please note that some banking applications and secure programs may require separate authorization after transfer. Press the "Send" button and the copying process will begin.

• 🚀 High speed transfer with Wi-Fi Direct.
• 📱 Ability to transfer not only files, but also system settings.
• 🔒 Local data transfer without access to the Internet.
• ⚙️ Support for data transfer between different versions MIUI.

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If the transfer process has stalled at some stage, try restarting both smartphones and repeating the procedure by previously turning off mobile internet on both devices.

The latency depends on the amount of data. When transferring 50-60 GB of information, the process can take from 15 to 30 minutes, during which time the screens of the devices may go out, but do not block them completely if the system requires confirmation of action.

Synchronization through the cloud service Mi Cloud

An alternative method that is ideal for regular backup is the Mi Cloud cloud service, which is convenient because your data will always be safe even if your physical phone is lost or broken.

On your old device, go to settings, select your account, and click on "Mi Cloud." Activate sync for the right categories: contacts, notes, voice recorder, calendar, gallery, and system settings. Click on "Sync" and wait for the data to be uploaded to the server.

On the new smartphone, log in to the same Xiaomi Account. The system automatically prompts you to recover data from the cloud. You can choose a full copy or specify specific items to download. This method is especially useful for restoring contacts and settings of the system.

It’s important to consider that the free storage is only 5GB. If you have a lot of high-resolution photos, this space may not be enough, in which case it’s worth considering a paid subscription or using the cloud selectively, uploading only the most important documents there.

Transferring data through Google Account

The Google ecosystem remains the universal standard for Android smartphones, and if you’ve used other brands or prefer Google services, this is the most common method you’ll find, and allows you to migrate contacts, calendars, emails, and installed app lists.

On your old phone, make sure you sync with Google. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google and check if the ticks are right. Click Sync to make sure all the data has gone to the searcher cloud.

When you first turn on the new Xiaomi, the system will prompt you to log in to your Google account. Once you enter your username and password, the phone will automatically start loading the list of apps and contacts. Photos will be restored through the Google Photos app if you have Autoboot and Sync enabled.

• 🌐 Universality: Works on any Android smartphone.
• 📧 Ideal for transferring contacts and mail.
• 📦 Automatically download the list of applications from the Play Market.
• 🖼️ Unlimited (with compression) storage of photos in Google Photos.

However, it is worth remembering that Google does not transfer files from internal memory, such as downloaded files, music or documents, unless they were specifically placed in syncable folders.

Alternative methods: PC and Bluetooth

In situations where wireless methods are unavailable or are not working smoothly, you can use a classic computer connection. USB-cable, select File Transfer Mode and copy folders DCIM, Download, Music and Others on Hard Drive.

Then, plug in the new smartphone and transfer the stored data to the appropriate directories, which is especially good for moving very heavy video files, since the wired connection speed is more stable than wireless.

Bluetooth is also an option for transferring small amounts of data, such as multiple contacts or documents, but because of the protocol’s slow speed, it doesn’t make sense to transfer gigabytes of photos or videos over Bluetooth — it will take hours.

⚠️ Note: When connecting to your computer, use only original or quality cables. Cheap cables can only charge the device without transmitting data, which will lead to a phone detection error in the system.

For advanced users, there is the option of using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), but this requires drivers and certain technical knowledge, so we are only looking at custom methods for this article.

Solving problems when copying

Sometimes it can go wrong. If Mi Mover gives you a connection error, try turning off mobile internet on both devices, leaving only Wi-Fi on. IP-Addresses prevent direct access points between phones.

If the apps are not portable or labeled as “not compatible,” it means that the Android version on the new phone is lower than the old one, or the app has been removed from stores. APK-file-search.

If messenger notifications fail to work after the transfer, check the power saving settings. MIUI is known for aggressive battery optimization, which can block the background of applications. Add important messengers to the list of exceptions.

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The most reliable way to fully clone a system is to use Mi Mover, while cloud services are better suited for regular backup of important data.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)