How to copy all data from Xiaomi to Xiaomi: Full instructions

Changing a smartphone is always stressful, especially when it comes to transferring a huge amount of accumulated information. Owners of the Xiaomi ecosystem are in a better position, as the company has developed a powerful built-in tool for migration. Switching to a new model of Redmi or POCO can take only a few minutes if you properly prepare both devices. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to copy data from Xiaomi to Xiaomi everything without losing anything.

There are several proven synchronization methods, each with its own advantages depending on the amount of information and the speed of the Internet connection. The main way is to use the proprietary application Mi Mover, which is preinstalled in the shell of MIUI and HyperOS. However, to fully guarantee the safety of critical data, such as passwords and correspondence history, it is worth combining local copying with cloud services. Direct transmission via Wi-Fi Direct through Mi Mover works 5-10 times faster than copying via Bluetooth or the cloud with mobile Internet.

Before you start taking action, make sure both smartphones are at least 50-60% charged. The transfer process can be energy-intensive, especially if you plan to throw hundreds of gigabytes of high-resolution photos and videos, and it’s also worth checking for free space on the receiving device to avoid recording errors in the middle of the procedure.

Preparing devices for data migration

The success of the operation depends on the quality of the gadgets. Before you start copying, both phones should update the system software to the latest available version. This minimizes the risk of compatibility bugs between the old and new versions of the MIUI shell. Go to Settings → About the phone and check for updates.

The second important step is to clean the cache and delete temporary files that will only take too long to transfer. There is no point in carrying gigabytes of garbage that the system has created over the years of use. Use the built-in Security utility for quick optimization (storage space).

☑️ Ready for transfer

Done: 0 / 4

If you use complex passwords or two-factor authentication, make sure you remember them or have access to a phone number to receive a text message. When you first log in to a new device, some banks and social networks may request proof of identity, and it is also recommended to turn off the power saving mode on both devices so that the system does not interrupt the process of transferring background data.

Using the Mi Mover app for local porting

The fastest and most reliable way to copy data from Xiaomi to Xiaomi everything is to use the native Mi Mover app. It creates a direct Wi-Fi hotspot between devices, which provides high speed transfer without using Internet traffic. You can find the program in the Tools folder or search the application menu.

The process runs the same on both devices, but each device needs to be assigned the right role. On the old smartphone, select the status of "Sender" (Old phone), and on the new one, "Receiver" (New phone). QR-code or manual connection to the created network will begin the analysis of the content.

  • 📱 Data selection: The system will offer to select categories for transfer: images, videos, contacts, messages, applications and system settings.
  • 🚀 Speed: Local transmission allows you to reach speeds up to 20-30 MB/s, which is much faster than cloud methods.
  • 🔒 Security: Data is transferred directly between devices without access to third-party servers.

⚠️ Warning: Do not unlock your phone screens or switch to other apps during the process. Active user actions may interrupt the Wi-Fi Direct connection and the transmission will have to start again.

Once you have finished copying the apps, they will appear on the new device as shortcuts, but it is worth considering that some heavy games or specific banking applications may require additional data downloads or re-authorization within themselves.

What to do if the Mi Mover is frozen?
If the process is stuck at a certain percentage, try to turn off mobile Internet on both devices, leaving only Wi-Fi. Sometimes the conflict of networks interferes with a stable connection.

Sync with Mi Cloud and Google Account

For those who prefer cloud technology or do not have physical access to both phones at the same time, the ideal solution is sync through accounts. Mi Cloud is deeply integrated into the system and allows you to save not only contacts and notes, but even the location of icons on the desktop and call history.

To activate this method, log into your Mi Account on your old device via the Settings → Mi Account menu. Make sure the sliders opposite the desired data categories are active and have the “Sync” tag tag tag tag tag tag tag tag tag tagged. After that, click the “Sync” button manually to be sure the backup is up to date.

Type of dataMi CloudGoogle DriveLocally (USB/PC)
ContactsAutomatically.Automatically.VCF file
Photo/VideoUp to 5GB free15GB free of chargeNo restrictions.
Wi-Fi passwordsYes.No.No.
Location of iconsYes.No.No.

A similar procedure is used for Google Accounts, where many users store the bulk of contacts and calendar events, and when you first set up a new Xiaomi phone, just type in the same Gmail address, and the phone will offer to restore data from the cloud.

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Enable “Download over Wi-Fi” in the Google Photos and Mi Cloud settings to avoid wasting mobile traffic when backing up large video files.

Transferring WhatsApp and Viber messages

The messenger question deserves special attention, as they often store the most important correspondence. The standard methods of WhatsApp backup are tied to Google Drive, but when changing a device within the same Xiaomi ecosystem, there are nuances. The Mi Mover app can correctly port WhatsApp data, including media files, if you choose the appropriate option when scanning.

For Viber, the situation is similar, but it is critical to make a local backup before transferring. Go to Viber settings on your old phone, select Account → Backup, and create a fresh backup. Once you install the app on your new phone and enter the number, the system will prompt you to restore the history from a local file or the cloud.

  • 💬 WhatsApp: Use the built-in “Chat Transfer” feature inside the app itself or trust Mi Mover.
  • 📞 Viber: Make sure to make a manual backup before resetting your old device.
  • 📸 Telegram: No action required, all history is stored on the server and downloaded automatically.

⚠️ Two-factor authentication in messengers can block the sign-in on a new device if you don’t remember PIN-Make sure you have access to the linked phone number to receive the confirmation SMS code.

If you use end-to-end encryption with a backup in the cloud, make sure you remember the password from that copy or have access to the recovery key, without which it will be impossible to unlock the archive of correspondence on the new device even if you have a backup file.

📊 What messenger is most important to you?
WhatsApp
Telegram
Viber
Signal
Other

Working with files and multimedia via PC

When photos and videos are hundreds of gigabytes long, wireless methods can be too slow, and then the smartest solution is to use a computer as an intermediary. USB-cable, select the mode of operation "File transfer» (MTP).

Copy the DCIM (camera), Pictures (screenshots, images from social networks) and Download folders to your computer hard drive. Then connect the new phone and move the files to similar directories, which ensures that the metadata of the files (date of shooting, geolocation) is preserved unchanged.

Structure of folders for manual copying:


/DCIM/Camera - Photos and video from the camera




/Pictures/Screenshots - Screenshots




/Music - Music files




/Documents - Documents and downloads

It is worth noting that this method will not transfer applications and settings of the system, it is only a method for working with “heavy” media content. Once you have completed the copy, it is recommended to check the integrity of the files by opening a few random photos and videos on the new device.

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Using a PC is the only way to quickly transfer more than 100 GB of data without the risk of connection breakage or wireless protocols freezing.

Solving problems in transfer

Even with all the instructions, there are sometimes technical difficulties, and users often face a situation where applications have been copied but not logged in or crashed when they were launched, due to Android security mechanisms that can block applications from running from another device, especially if they are banking software or government customers.

In such cases, you need to remove the problematic app on the new phone and download it again from the GetApps store or Google Play, which will update the digital signatures and allow the application to work in the new environment, and there may be problems with contacts if they are stored in memory. SIM-cards, not in your account.

For importing contacts with SIM-Go to the Contacts app, click on the menu (three dots) and select Import/Export Contacts» → «Import with SIM-After that, make sure that your Google account or Mi Account is selected as the place of saving, so that in the future you do not depend on a physical medium.

Why do some apps not open after the transfer?
This involves checking digital signatures and licenses, where high-security applications (banks) can be blocked by the system if they see that they are cloned rather than installed cleanly. Solution: remove and reinstall from the store.
Can I interrupt the Mi Mover process and continue later?
Unfortunately, no. The Mi Mover data protocol does not support pause/resume. If the connection is interrupted, the process will have to be restarted by selecting the same data categories, and the system will try the files already transferred, but time will be lost.
Will viruses accumulate from the old phone to the new one?
Theoretically yes, if you are going to APK-Installers or infected documents, however, system viruses are rarely transferred through Mi Mover, as the application only copies user data and shortcuts, not system files.

In conclusion, the process of transitioning to the new Xiaomi has become as automated as possible: the combination of Mi Mover for quick migration and cloud services for important data allows you to change your device without losing your digital history.