How to copy data from Xiaomi to Xiaomi: all the ways

Buying a new smartphone is always a joyous event, but it is often overshadowed by the need to transfer all the accumulated information. Xiaomi ecosystem owners are in a favorable position, as the company has developed powerful built-in tools for migration. The process of transitioning from an old device to a new one can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour, depending on the size of the files.

There are several proven synchronization methods, each with its own characteristics: you can use a local wireless connection, cloud storage or classic backup through a computer, the choice of the specific method depends on whether the screen of the old phone is broken or it is fully functional.

In this article, we'll go into detail on the algorithm for each option, and you'll learn how to save folder structure, Wi-Fi passwords, and even desktop icons, and the key is to take your time and follow the steps carefully.

Preparation of devices for the transfer procedure

Before any manipulations, you need to make sure that both smartphones are ready to work. The battery charge on both devices should be at least 50-60%, since the data transfer process can be energy intensive. If the phone runs out at a critical moment, the backup file can be damaged.

You should also make room on the new gadget, see if there's enough free memory to house all the photos, videos and apps from the old device. 10-15% More space than is occupied in the old.

⚠️ Warning: Make sure both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, even if you plan to use a cable. System services often use these interfaces to detect devices on the LAN.

Don’t forget to check the version of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system. It is advisable that both smartphones have up-to-date updates, which minimizes the risk of conflicts when transferring system settings and passwords.

Using the Mi Mover app for quick migration

The most efficient and quickest way is to use the regular Mi Mover utility, which is pre-installed on the system, but if it's not available, it can be easily downloaded from the GetApps store, which allows you to transfer data directly over Wi-Fi Direct without consuming mobile traffic.

Run the app on both smartphones. Select Reciever on the new device and Sender on the old one. QR-code or find the device in the list of available networks, and then the connection will start to automatically exchange data.

• 📱 Contacts and messages: carried along with the history of correspondence and attachments.
• 📸 Media Files: Photos, Videos, and Music Keep Original Quality Without Compression.
• ⚙️ System settings: including Wi-Fi passwords, alarm clocks and notes.
• 📲 Annexes: installation packages APK In some cases, the data within them.

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If the process is stuck at a certain percentage, try turning off the lock screen on both devices and setting a “Never” sleep timer for the duration of the transfer.

The speed of transfer depends on the number of files. Thousands of photos can be copied for 20-30 minutes. It is not recommended to interrupt the process, since you will have to start again.

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Mi Mover is the only way to transfer the arrangement of icons and desktop settings without root rights.

Sync with Mi Cloud and Google Account

Cloud technology allows you to not depend on the physical presence of the old phone at hand. If you have previously activated sync, your data is already safe. To activate, go to Settings → Mi Account and make sure that the sync sliders are turned on.

On the new device, you just need to log into the same Mi Account, and the system will offer to restore data from the cloud, which is ideal for contacts, calendar, notes and photos, if you have the Gallery enabled in the cloud.

Google Account handles contacts and calendars perfectly, and keeps a list of installed apps, but data inside apps (such as progress in games without cloud saves or chats in messengers) often doesn’t move through the Google cloud, requiring a local backup.

Local backup to the computer or SD-map

For users who don’t trust the cloud or have a very large amount of data, local backup is a good option. The built-in backup feature allows you to save almost the entire state of the phone in one file.

On your old smartphone, go to Settings → About Phone → Reservation and Restore. Select Mobile Device and enter the security password. Once the process is complete, the backup file will lie in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder.

You have to copy this file to your computer or to your new phone, and if you're using a PC, plug it in with a cable and just drag it over, and on the new device, you have to put it in a similar directory and start recovery through the same settings menu.

⚠️ Note: The password you set when you create a local backup cannot be restored. If you forget it, the data will be lost forever, so write it down.

This method is good because it copies the folder structure and allows you to restore the phone to the state of “as it was”, including call logs and SMS, which are not always correctly synchronized through the cloud.

Transfer data messengers: WhatsApp and Telegram

Messengers deserve special attention, as they store correspondence in their databases. For Telegram, everything is simple: just enter a phone number, and all chats (except secret ones) will be downloaded from servers.

WhatsApp is a bit more complicated, because when you first install the app on a new phone, it will suggest you recover your history from a local copy or Google Drive. If you used Mi Mover, the app will be ported along with the data, but sometimes you need to manually activate the recovery.

• 📲 WhatsApp: Requires a mandatory Google Drive or local file binding for a full history.
• ✈️ Telegram: Stores history in the cloud, only media files are cached locally.
• 💬 Viber: Uses its own cloud or local backup through app settings.

Without this, when reinstalling the application, the message history will be lost.

Possible problems and solutions

There can be unforeseen complications in migrating, and users often find that the new phone can't see the old one, in which case a reboot of the Wi-Fi module or a temporary shutdown of the mobile Internet helps.

Another common problem is space shortage: If a new device runs out of memory in the copying process, the process will be interrupted. Always leave a few gigabytes of storage. Some banking applications may also require re-authorization for security reasons.

⚠️ Note: After transferring data, banking applications may require re-binding the device, which is a normal security procedure not related to migration errors.

If the app doesn’t open after the transfer, try clearing its cache in the settings or reinstalling it manually from the GetApps store or Play Market.

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Most portability errors are solved by simply restarting both smartphones before the procedure begins.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)