Buying a new smartphone always brings mixed feelings: the joy of owning a modern gadget and a slight anxiety about the upcoming setup. The owner faces a difficult task – how to quickly and without loss to throw all the information from the old device. Fortunately, the Xiaomi ecosystem offers powerful built-in tools that make this process as simple and understandable as possible even for beginners.
There are several proven migration methods, each with its own features and use cases: you can use the Mi Mover app, sync through a Google account or Xiaomi Cloud storage, and the specific method depends on your old phone’s operating system and personal preferences.
In this article, we'll take a look at each of the options available so you can choose the most appropriate one, and a smart approach to the question will help you keep important contacts, correspondence history and app settings safe and sound. Let's start with the most popular and versatile method.
Using the Mi Mover app for quick migration
The most efficient way to transfer information between Xiaomi smartphones is to use the Mi Mover app, which is pre-installed on all the company’s devices and optimized to transfer large amounts of data over a local Wi-Fi network without consuming mobile traffic. Transfer speeds can reach tens of megabytes per second, allowing you to copy gigabytes of photos in minutes.
The process starts with running the program on both devices, and the new phone needs to select the Recipient role, and the old phone needs to select the Sender role, and the application automatically creates a secure access point that the second device needs to connect to. To confirm the connection will need to scan QR-camera-code.
What if Mi Mover is not found?
Once the connection is established, the user has full control over what is transferred. The system offers to select specific categories of data, which is especially convenient if you want to clear space or not carry system debris. The interface is intuitive and contains visual progress indicators.
- 📱 Contacts and messages: A full copy of the phone book and SMS-archive.
- 🖼️ Multimedia: Photos, videos and music tracks from internal memory.
- 📲 Annexes: Installed programmes and, in some cases, their data.
- ⚙️ System settings: Wi-Fi passwords, alarm clocks and interface configuration.
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Mi Mover allows you to transfer data even from iPhone to Android using a special iOS mode, which makes it a versatile solution when changing the platform.
Setting up through Google Account: Cloud Sync
If you already have an account in the Google ecosystem, the process of setting up the new Xiaomi will be even faster. When you first turn on your smartphone, the system will prompt you to log into your profile, then the data recovery mechanism will automatically start, which is ideal for those who regularly made backups in the cloud.
The main advantage of this method is that it restores not only files, but also the structure of your digital space. Google Play will automatically start loading all previously installed applications, placing them on desktops in the same order as on the old device, which creates the feeling that you just rearranged the hardware, preserving the familiar environment.
It is important to note that successful synchronization requires a stable Internet connection, preferably via Wi-Fi. The mobile network may not be able to handle the amount of data being transmitted, especially if you have a lot of high-resolution photos. The process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours depending on the connection speed.
☑️ Checking before synchronization
Passwords should be mentioned separately. If you used password saving in Google Chrome or Google's password manager, they will automatically be pulled into the browser on a new phone once you log in, eliminating the need to remember complex character combinations for each site.
⚠️ Note: Application data that does not support cloud reservations (such as some banking clients or unaccounted games) may not recover.
Transferring data from iPhone to Xiaomi
The transition from iOS to Android has long been considered a difficult process, but modern Xiaomi tools have minimized these difficulties.The Mi Mover app has a special mode for working with Apple devices, which allows you to transfer basic user data without losing important information.
To start, you need to install the Mi Mover app on the iPhone through the App Store. After starting and selecting the sender mode (iOS), the phone will offer to scan. QR-It is important to give all requested permissions to access contacts and photos, otherwise the transfer will be incomplete.
The process of transferring data from an iPhone takes longer than between two Android devices, due to the peculiarities of the Apple file system.
- 📸 Photo and Video: Transferred in original quality to the gallery.
- 📒 Contacts: Automatically distributed across fields in the phone book.
- 📅 Calendar: Events and reminders are synced through Google account.
- 🎵 Music: Tracks are transferred to the corresponding player.
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Paid apps purchased from the App Store are not portable to Android, but you will have to re-purchase them on Google Play or search for free apps, as the licenses are tied to the store.
Comparison of methods of information transfer
To make it easier for you to decide on how to migrate, we have prepared a comparative table that will help you weigh the pros and cons of each method, depending on your current situation and technical capabilities.
| Method | Speed. | We need the Internet. | What's transferable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover | Very high. | No (locally) | Everything (photos, apps, settings) |
| Google Account | Medium | Yes (required) | Contacts, applications, calendar |
| Xiaomi Cloud | Depends on the tariff. | Yes. | Photos, contacts, notes, dictaphone |
| Computer (USB) | Tall. | No. | Files only (photos, videos, documents) |
As you can see from the table, Mi Mover is the leader in functionality and speed, as it does not depend on the speed of your ISP. However, if the old phone is already lost or broken, but the data was in the cloud, then Google accounts and Xiaomi Cloud will be the only salvation.
Using the computer through USB-cable is an old school thing that is still relevant for carrying heavy video files if wireless transmission is unstable for some reason.
Solving Common Problems When Copying
Despite the automation of processes, there are sometimes failures, and users often experience a situation where the process hangs at a certain percentage or some files do not open on a new device, and in most cases, the problem lies in the incompatibility of Android versions or lack of space.
If the transmission is interrupted, don't panic. Make sure the screens of both smartphones are on and the Mi Mover app runs in the background without energy saving restrictions. MIUI aggressively optimizes the battery and can kill the transfer process if it finds it too energy-intensive.
⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to interrupt the copying process by turning off the screen or closing the application.This can damage the contact or message database files and can be extremely difficult to recover.
And it's also worth remembering encryption. On modern versions of Android, data is often encrypted. When you migrate to a new device, some applications may request a re-entry to the security system. PIN-account code.
Completion of the setup and verification of results
Once the download indicator reaches 100%, do not immediately delete data from the old phone. Take time to thoroughly check the new gadget. Walk through the gallery, open a few random albums, check the availability of all contacts and the performance of messengers.
Pay special attention to the applications of banks and government services, which, for security reasons, never carry login data, you will have to re-sign in to Sberbank Online, Tinkoff or Gosuslugi, confirming the login via SMS or biometrics, a mandatory procedure that cannot be automated.
Once you make sure that all the important files are in place and all the services are working correctly, you can start cleaning your old device. Now your new Xiaomi is fully ready to work and personalized to your needs. Enjoy the speed and new features!
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Fully checking the health of all services before resetting your old phone is the golden rule that will save you from losing access to important accounts.