The move to a new smartphone, especially in the Xiaomi ecosystem, is always accompanied by a desire to get started right away without having to be distracted by a long setup. Modern users store gigabytes of important data in their devices, from high-resolution family photos to work documents and passwords in the browser. The migration process can seem like a complex maze, but the Chinese brand’s engineers have provided several effective tools to automate this task.
There are many scenarios for replacing a gadget: you could buy a flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra after an old Android smartphone, switch from an iPhone or simply replace a broken device with a used one. In each of these cases, the algorithm of actions will be different, although the ultimate goal is the same – full cloning of a digital identity. The key factor for success is the right transfer method, which depends on the operating system of the old device and the amount of information transmitted.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at all the current syncs, including the Mi Mover app, Google cloud services, and manual copying via PC. You’ll learn how to avoid common mistakes like losing your message history or resetting your banking apps.
Preparing devices before data migration
Before running any transfer programs, you need to do basic training for both devices. Ignoring this step often leads to connection interruption or file writing errors. First of all, make sure that both smartphones are charged at least 50-60% of the battery, as the process of cloning large amounts of data (especially 4K video) is actively consuming energy.
The second important step is to check the space available. The new Xiaomi should have space that exceeds the data volume on the old phone. If you plan to transfer 100 GB of information and only 80 GB is free, the process will end in error or only a part of the files will be copied. It is also recommended to update the MIUI or HyperOS operating system to the current version to eliminate compatibility bugs.
⚠️ Note: If the old phone has a screen lock (pattern lock, PIN-code or fingerprint, make sure you remember the unlock code. Some data transfer methods require proof of security on the source device while running.
Be sure to check the stability of your Wi-Fi connection if you plan to use cloud methods or network transmission. For local copying via cable or direct Wi-Fi Direct connection, Internet speed is not important, but for downloading backups from Google Drive it is critical. The optimal speed for fast migration is at least 20 Mbps.
☑️ Ready for transfer
Using the Mi Mover app to clone Android
The most efficient and quickest way for Android smartphone owners is to use the Mi Mover app, which is built into Xiaomi’s default system and allows you to transfer contacts, messages, call logs, apps, music, videos and even system settings. The main advantage of the method is to create a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices, which provides high transfer speeds without using mobile operator traffic.
To get started, open the new Xiaomi Mi Mover app through the menu or find it in the Tools folder. Select the Recipient role. On the old phone, you need to install a similar app from the Google Play Store, if it is not built into the system, and select the role of “Sender”. QR-code that will appear on the screen of the new device, or use manual connection through device search.
- 📱 Select the type of data to copy: you can mark only contacts or make a full copy of the system.
- ⚡ Use 5GHz Wi-Fi: If both phones support this standard, the transfer will go much faster.
- 🔒 Do not block screens: During the process, screens should burn, and applications should work in active mode.
Once you select the data categories, you start copying. You can wait a few gigabytes of photos, you can transfer between 10 and 40 minutes, and interrupting the process at this point can damage your archive, so try not to switch to other tasks and keep your devices nearby.
What if the Mi Mover can’t see the device?
Transferring data from iPhone to Xiaomi (iOS to Android)
iPhone owners who choose to switch to Xiaomi will need a slightly different approach, as the Apple and Android ecosystems have different file structures.The Mi Mover app supports iOS, but the functionality can be limited compared to Android-to-Android transfer, with the focus on contacts, photos, videos and calendar events.
The process begins with installing the Mi Mover app from the App Store on the iPhone. After launching and providing all the necessary permissions (access to photos, contacts, local network), the application will offer to connect to Xiaomi. It is important to note that the applications (.ipa files) will not be transferred due to the closedness of iOS, they will have to be re-downloaded from Google Play, finding analogues.
| Type of data | Moved through the Mi Mover | Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Yes. | Full synchronization |
| Photos and videos | Yes. | In an original capacity. |
| Messages (SMS) | No. | Technical Limitation of iOS |
| Annexes | No. | Only a list of names. |
| Notes | Partially. | Depends on the iOS version |
An alternative and often more reliable way for iPhone owners is to sync through a Google account. If Google services (Gmail, Photos, Drive) are installed on an iPhone, just turn on sync in iOS settings. Once you enter the same account on Xiaomi, all data will “fly” automatically, this is especially true for calendar and contacts that are stored in the Google cloud, rather than in the phone’s memory.
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Before switching from iPhone to Android, be sure to turn off iMessage if you change your phone number. SMS-Messages from other Apple users to their new Android smartphone.
Sync through Google Account and Cloud Services
The most versatile method, which does not require both devices at hand at the same time, is to use cloud backups. When the new Xiaomi is activated, the system will prompt you to log in to your Google account. If you choose this option, the phone will automatically start downloading contacts, calendar events, notes and a list of installed applications.
For photos and videos, Google Photos is the best option. Install the app on your old phone, turn on Autoboot and Sync and wait until the process is over. With the new Xiaomi, just log in to the same account, and your entire library will be available in the cloud, taking up minimal space on your device. This is a modern approach to free up your smartphone memory.
Xiaomi device owners can also use their own Mi Cloud service, which is deeply integrated into the shell and allows you to synchronize voice recordings, screenshots, desktop settings and even open tabs of the Mi Browser browser. You can log into Mi Cloud via the settings menu or a separate application by entering your Mi Account.
- ☁️ Google One: allows you to expand storage and make full backups of the Android system.
- 📸 Google Photos: The Best Tool for Managing Media Files with Smart Search.
- 🔐 Mi Cloud: ideal for saving shell settings MIUI/HyperOS.
It's important to understand the difference between synchronization and backup. Synchronization works in real time: changed the contact on one device, changed everywhere. Backup is a cast of the system at a certain date. To move to a new phone, it is more convenient to use backups created just before the change of device.
Manual copying of files via computer and USB
When it comes to transferring really large files, like high-resolution movies, project archives, or game folders, wireless methods can be too slow. USB-This method gives you complete control over the file system and allows you to structure data when you transfer it.
Connect your old phone to your PC in File Transfer mode» (MTP). Copy the required folders (usually this one) DCIM, Download, Documents, Music, to your computer's hard drive. Then plug in the new Xiaomi and transfer the data to the appropriate directories. USB Type-C cables can be used by connecting phones directly if the computer is only an intermediary, or using a Type-C cable. OTG-adapter.
⚠️ Note: When manually copying through Windows Explorer, do not violate the structure of the Android system folders. Copy data should only be in user sections (Internal Storage.
There is also the option of using the Media Transfer Protocol (MTP) to communicate directly between phones without a PC, as long as both devices support USB Host. By connecting them with a cable, you can see the internal memory of one phone as an external drive on the other. This provides a top speed comparable to copying to a flash drive.
Transfer of WhatsApp messages and messengers
Special attention should be paid to transferring the history of correspondence in messengers, as they are often not included in the standard dataset when synchronizing contacts. WhatsApp has a regular backup mechanism. On an old phone, go to the chat settings, select “Backup” and create it on Google Drive (for Android) or iCloud (for iPhone).
When you first launch WhatsApp on the new Xiaomi, the app will detect the presence of a backup in the cloud and offer to restore the history. Google/iCloud, It's the same as the old device. Without it, recovery will be impossible.
For Telegram, it's simpler: all the data is stored on the messenger servers, just install the app and log in, and all the secret chats won't be transferred, because they're tied to a particular device and they're not stored in the cloud, and you'll have to recreate the secret chats.
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WhatsApp history is only restored when you first install the app, and if you have already created an account without a recovery, you will have to delete the app and register again to have the Restore button appear.