How to copy everything from one phone to another Xiaomi: the complete guide

Buying a new smartphone from Xiaomi or Redmi is always a thrill, but it’s also an inevitable question of how to quickly and without loss transfer the data accumulated over the years from the old device. Fortunately, the MIUI and HyperOS ecosystem offers several powerful tools that allow you to clone information in minutes.

There are three main migration methods: using the built-in Mi Mover app, recovering through Google’s cloud service, or manually transferring files over a computer, each with its own characteristics and suits different use cases.

In this guide, we’ll go through all the ways in which you can choose the best option for your situation. Whether you’re changing your old Android to a new Xiaomi or switching from an iPhone, the process will be as simple as possible.

⚠️ Warning: Before any data manipulation, make sure that both devices are at least 60% charged. Interrupting the transmission process due to battery discharge may cause file damage or system malfunction.

Using the Mi Mover app for quick migration

The most efficient and quickest way to transfer all data between Xiaomi smartphones is to use the Mi Mover app, which is designed specifically for working in the “old phone – new phone” bundle and allows you to transfer contacts, messages, call history, applications, photos, music and even system settings.

The process starts with running the utility on both devices, and on the new smartphone you choose the Reciever role, and on the old one, the Sender. QR-When you code or connect to a Wi-Fi network you create, the devices synchronize. 20-40 MB/s, which is much faster than Bluetooth.

Importantly, Mi Mover can transfer not only files, but also the location of icons on the desktop, as well as passwords from Wi-Fi networks, which creates a “cloning” effect, where the new phone becomes an exact copy of the old one immediately after turning on.

If you use a third-party launcher or specific design settings, they can also be saved. However, it is worth remembering that versions of the operating systems must be compatible. For example, when you switch from a very old MIUI 10 to the latest HyperOS, some system settings may not apply automatically.

Transferring data through Google Account and Cloud Services

For users who value minimalism and don’t want to install unnecessary apps, sync through Google Account is the ideal solution.This method is especially relevant if you move from a device from another manufacturer to Xiaomi. All your contacts, notes, calendars and even passwords saved in Google Chrome will be automatically pulled up.

To activate this process, you have to go to the settings on your old phone and do full sync. The path usually looks like this: Settings → Accounts and sync → Google. Make sure that the ticks are in front of all the important points: Contacts, Drive, Calendar, Photos.

After that, the new Xiaomi just type in the same email address when you first set up, and the system will offer to restore the backup of applications and data, which can take longer than a direct transfer, because it depends on the speed of your Internet connection.

Google Photos is a special service, and if you have Autoboot and Sync enabled, your entire media archive is already in the cloud, and on the new device, you just need to install the app or log in to the browser version, and all photos will be available in their original quality (subscription) or in a compressed format.

Manual transfer of files through the computer and USB-cable

When it comes to transferring heavy files like video to 4K, huge document archives or messenger cache, the most reliable method is to use a PC. By connecting an old phone to a computer in file transfer mode (MTP), you get full access to the file system.

Copy the DCIM (camera photos and videos), Download, Documents and Pictures folders to your hard drive. Then plug in the new Xiaomi and move the data to the appropriate directories, which ensures that no bytes of information are lost due to network errors.

For advanced users, there is the possibility of using the command line ADB To create a full backup of the system, although in modern versions of Android, this feature is often limited. PC Suite or analogues for creating a backup.

When manually copying, it is important to keep the folder structure in mind, especially if you are manually transferring messenger data (although WhatsApp and Telegram are better off using their built-in backup features).Incorrect file placement can result in the gallery not seeing new images.

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Use a USB 3.0 cable and a USB 3.0 port on your computer for maximum speed copying of large amounts of data. Older cables can significantly slow down the process.

Transfer of WhatsApp and Telegram chats to the new Xiaomi

Messengers require a special approach, since their correspondence history is often stored locally or in specific cloud storages. For Telegram, everything is as simple as possible: thanks to the cloud architecture, you just enter a phone number and confirmation code, and all chats (except secret ones) will download automatically.

WhatsApp is a bit more complicated. Make sure to back up your phone to Google Drive before you upgrade. On your old device, open Settings → Chats → Backup Chats and click Create. Make sure the process is successful and you see the current date and time of the last copy.

When you first launch WhatsApp on the new Xiaomi, the app will detect the backup on the drive and prompt you to restore the history.If you use Mi Mover, it may also try to migrate WhatsApp data, but the method through Google Drive is considered more stable and official.

⚠️ Note: WhatsApp backup is linked to your phone number and Google account. Make sure you log in to the same Google account on the new device as the old one, otherwise you won't be able to recover.

To transfer secret chats to Telegram or secure folders in other applications, you will have to use the export function inside the application itself, if the developer provides this, and standard synchronization methods are often ignored for security reasons.

Common mistakes and ways to solve them

Despite the automation of processes, users often face problems, and one of the most common mistakes is to interrupt Wi-Fi connections when using the Mi Mover, which can occur if one of the phones is power-saving mode, which kills the background transmission process.

Another common problem is space shortage: Before you start migrating, always check the free space on your new device. If you copy 100 GB of data and only 80 GB is free, the process will either stop, or end up with an error, or only a fraction of the files will be copied.

Also worth mentioning is the issue with Android versions: When you switch from a very old version (like Android 6) to a new one (Android 13/14), some old application database formats may not be compatible, in which case the apps will install but require you to log in again.

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90% of data transfer problems are solved by simply updating the carrier application and checking the free space on the target device.

If the transfer is stuck at a certain percentage, try to exclude from the sample "heavy" or problematic files and transfer them separately through the computer.

Completion of the setup and verification of data integrity

Once the progress indicators are 100 percent, don't rush to use them immediately. Do a primary diagnostic. Check if all contacts are in place, if photos are opened in the gallery, if apps are working. Pay special attention to banking applications, which often have to be reconfigured for security reasons.

It is recommended to reboot the new smartphone, which will allow the system to correctly index all new files, the media library to update the databases, and applications to complete the background setting, after the restart everything should work like a clock.

Remember to delete old data from your old device only after making sure everything is stable for a couple of days on the new Xiaomi.This is your insurance in case any missing nuances are found.

Now your new smartphone is fully ready to go, storing all your digital life.The Xiaomi ecosystem ensures a smooth transition, making the change of gadget a pleasant event rather than a stressful situation with data loss.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)