How to copy from one phone to another Xiaomi: all the ways

Changing your smartphone is always an exciting moment, especially when it comes to switching to a new Xiaomi or Redmi model. Owners often wonder how to quickly and painlessly transfer all the accumulated information to make the new gadget immediately become their own. Fortunately, the Android ecosystem and the Chinese manufacturer’s proprietary utilities offer several effective solutions for data migration.

The copying process can take anywhere from minutes to an hour, depending on the size of your gallery and the number of applications installed. Current methods allow you to do this wirelessly without requiring a computer connection or complex programming skills.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways, from using the built-in Mi Mover tool to Google cloud services, you will learn how to save the folder structure, Wi-Fi passwords and even the location of icons on the desktop, so that the transition to a new phone was as imperceptible as possible for your comfort.

Preparation of devices for data transfer

Before starting the cloning process, a number of preparatory steps must be taken to ensure connection stability and prevent errors in the middle of the procedure, when interruption can be critical. Make sure that both smartphones are at least 50-60% charged, as active data transmission over Wi-Fi Direct is significantly energy consuming.

Both phones should be unlocked and in close proximity to each other. If the old device is power saving mode, it is better to turn it off so that the system does not limit the background activity of the transmission application. Also check for free space on the new smartphone - it should be more than the amount of data you plan to copy.

⚠️ Note: Do not interrupt the data transfer process or switch to other heavy applications during the migration, this may cause file damage or system freeze.

For stable operation, it is recommended to update the system software on both devices to the latest available version. In the Settings menu → On the phone, check for updates. This is especially important if you are moving from a very old version of MIUI or HyperOS to a completely new one, as transfer protocols may differ.

Using the Mi Mover application for wireless transmission

The most efficient and quickest way is to use the Mi Mover app, which is built into the default MIUI and HyperOS shell, so you don't usually need to search and download it separately, and it creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices, which allows you to copy it at a high speed, independent of the quality of your home Internet.

Run the app on both smartphones. On the new device, select the role "I am the recipient" (or "New phone"), and on the old one, "I am the sender" (or "Old phone"). The system asks you to confirm the creation of the access point or connect to it. On the old phone screen, a list of available networks will appear where you need to select the name of your new smartphone.

Once you connect the devices, you'll see a data category interface, where you can flexibly configure what to copy, and the app's algorithm allows you to select specific items, like just favorite contacts or certain albums in a gallery, ignoring system debris.

• 📱 Contacts and Messages: Complete copy of the phone book, call history and SMS-correspondence.
• 🖼️ Multimedia: Photos, videos, audio recordings and documents from internal memory.
• 📲 Annexes: Lists of installed programmes (by themselves) APK-Files can be downloaded from the store if they are free).
• ⚙️ System settings: Wi-Fi passwords, alarm clocks, notes and desktop design.

When you make a choice, click the "Send" button. The progress bar will show you the status of the process. It's important not to unlock the device screens or go far away from them, although the connection is protected from short-term interference. When you complete the operation, you will receive a notification that you have successfully completed the operation.

Sync through Google Account and Cloud Services

An alternative and commonly used method is sync via Google account, which is ideal if you don’t have both phones on hand at the same time or if an old device has already been sold/lost but backed up, stored in the cloud and can be downloaded at any time when you sign in.

On your old phone, make sure sync is enabled. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google. Check the box to sync contacts, calendar, Keep notes and Chrome data. Photos and videos use a separate Google Photo service, which requires a separate “Shoot” feature.

When you first turn on the new Xiaomi system will offer to restore data from the backup of Google. If the phone is already configured, log into your account through the settings menu. After authorization, you will start background downloading contacts and installing applications that were on the previous device.

The advantage of this method is its versatility: it works even when switching from iPhones or other brands to Xiaomi. However, the speed depends on the tariff of your ISP, and large video files can be downloaded for a very long time.

Cloning through cable and computer

For users who prefer complete control of files or don't trust wireless protocols, there's a classic PC method. USB-This is a good way to create a physical copy of the data before transferring it.

Connect your old phone to your computer and select File Transfer Mode (MTP) in the notification curtain. Copy DCIM (photo and video), Download, Documents, and other important directories into a separate folder on your PC. Then connect the new Xiaomi and transfer this data to the appropriate internal memory sections.

For contacts and calendars, this method is less convenient, as it requires exporting to a.vcf file and then importing it on a new device. However, for heavy 4K video files, this is often the only quick option, independent of the speed of the Wi-Fi router.

Remember that when you copy through your computer, the folder structure may change a little, and some applications may not see their data files unless you copy hidden system folders that are restricted in newer versions of Android.

Transfer WhatsApp messages and application data

The history of correspondence in this application is not stored in the public cloud of Google in an open form, but requires a special backup inside the application itself. Without this step, you risk losing all important dialogues.

On your old phone, open WhatsApp, go to Settings → Chats → Chat Backup. Press Backup and wait until you finish downloading to Google Drive. Make sure you use the same Google account that will be on your new phone.

When you first launch WhatsApp on the new Xiaomi, the app will automatically detect a backup in the cloud and prompt you to restore it. Importantly, you can only restore chats when you first set up the app, and if you have already registered without restoration, you will have to delete the application and install it again.

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To transfer data from banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff, etc.), backup is not suitable for security reasons: you will have to re-link devices and receive confirmation codes via SMS.

Other apps, such as Telegram or Viber, have their own mechanisms. Telegram stores the entire history on the server, so it’s easy enough to enter a phone number. Viber also requires you to create a local or cloud copy in the settings before reinstalling.

Solving problems when copying

Even with automated tools, there may be disruptions, often when users are stuck on a certain percentage or some files are not opened on a new device, most of which are due to incompatible Android versions or lack of access rights.

If Mi Mover can't see the device, try temporarily turning off mobile internet on both phones, leaving only Wi-Fi. It also helps to reboot both smartphones before trying again. Sometimes antivirus or memory cleaner can block connection creation.

⚠️ Note: When transferring data from iPhone to Android via the “Move to iOS” app (or Xiaomi analogue), some file formats (for example, HEIC Photos) may require conversion for correct display in the gallery.

If you have errors when restoring apps from Google Play, check to see if they are hidden in the library.Some system applications from the old phone may not be compatible with the new hardware and simply won't install - this is normal system behavior.

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The most common cause of errors is an unstable Wi-Fi signal. For critical data, always use a direct Mi Mover connection or cable, avoiding public networks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)