How to create a full copy of Xiaomi phone and transfer data

The current pace of life dictates its conditions, and often there is an urgent need to back up all the contents of the smartphone. Owner of a Xiaomi device may face a situation where you need not just to save contacts, but to make a full clone of the system or transfer all the data to a new gadget, this is true when selling an old device, its delivery for repair or just buying a more powerful model.

Creating an exact copy involves saving not only photos and videos, but also the folder structure, installed applications with their authorizations, system settings and even Wi-Fi passwords. This process requires careful attention, since an error can lead to the loss of confidential information. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available backup methods, using both built-in MIUI tools and third-party solutions.

It's important to understand that by "copy phone" users often mean things ranging from simply transferring files to creating a complete system image for later firmware. We'll look at the most secure and effective methods that will allow you to recreate the work environment on another device or quickly return everything to place after a reset.

Preparation of the device and selection of the cloning method

Before you start taking action, you need to audit the free space, and a copy of the data is a mirror image of the occupied space, so if you have 100 GB full, you should have at least as much reserved on your computer or in the cloud, and ignoring this rule will lead to interruption of the process and possible corruption of files.

There are several basic ways to do this: you can use local storage, Mi Cloud cloud services, or custom software for your PC, depending on your Internet connection speed and the amount of information you have, and for large data sets, local cable is the preferred method.

⚠️ Warning: Before any cloning operations begin, make sure that the battery is at least 50% charged.A sudden power outage during the creation of the system backup may result in the operating system not being loaded.

It is also worth checking the operating system version, preferably having the same or similar version of MIUI or HyperOS on the source and target devices, which minimizes conflicts when restoring settings and running applications.

Use of the built-in Mi Mover application

The easiest and most efficient way to transfer data or create a copy for a new phone is the Mi Mover utility, which is pre-installed on all modern smartphones of the brand and optimized for working with the Android file system. This tool allows you to transfer data over Wi-Fi Direct, which provides high speed without using Internet traffic.

To get started, open the app in the Tools folder or search it. You'll need to choose the role of the device: "I send" or "I receive." If you're making a copy on a computer, this method won't work, but cloning to another phone is the best solution.

• 📱 Click "I send" on your old phone and select the type of network you create (usually 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz).
• 📲 On the new device, select "I receive" and scan. QR-code that will appear on the screen of the old smartphone.
• 📂 After connecting, select the categories of data for cloning: contacts, messages, applications, photos, music and system settings.

It can take anywhere from 10 minutes to a few hours depending on the volume, and it's important not to break the connection and keep the screens on, and when you're done, you'll get a virtually identical clone of the work environment on the new gadget.

Local backup on PC via Mi PC Suite

For those who prefer to keep data under their control, creating a full copy on a computer is the gold standard. The official Mi PC Suite (or Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools for advanced users) allows you to make a full backup of the system, which is especially useful before you flash or get root rights.

Connect your smartphone to your computer through the original USB-In the notification menu, select "File Transfer" mode" (MTP). Run the program on your PC and wait for the device to be determined. In the interface, select "Backup" (Backup).

You'll be asked to select data types. To create a full copy of your phone, mark all items, including "System Data," which will save the icons, wallpaper, alarm clocks and call settings.

After selecting the settings, click "Start." The backup file is usually saved in a program-specific format or as an archive. Store this file on an external hard drive for reliability.

Sync with Mi Cloud and Google Account

Cloud technology allows you to create a virtual copy of your phone that can be accessed from any device, and Mi Cloud is deeply integrated into the shell, and allows you to save even details such as the location of widgets on your desktop, which is the most convenient way to make regular reservations.

Go to your phone's settings and select "Mi Account" section. Make sure sync is enabled. Here you can choose what to copy: gallery, voice recorder, notes, system settings. 5GB is free, but you can expand the volume.

In parallel, be sure to use Google One. This service saves passwords, Chrome history, contacts and a list of installed applications. When you first set up a new Android smartphone, just enter your Google account, and 90% of the data will return automatically.

⚠️ Warning: Cloud storage is not instant. Large files such as video in 4K, They can load for hours on slow internet. Always check the status of the last sync before selling or dropping your phone.

For a full copy through the cloud, it is recommended to manually start sync before critical actions. Click "Sync" in the Mi Cloud profile and wait for the message of successful completion.

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Tip: To save traffic and time, set up photo sync in Mi Cloud only over Wi-Fi. This will prevent the consumption of mobile traffic on trips when you take a lot of pictures.

Cloning of applications and split applications

The Dual Apps feature, which allows you to create a copy of an installed messenger or social network inside the same phone, is useful if you need two WhatsApp or Telegram accounts on the same device.

However, when it comes to transferring these clones to another phone, standard backup methods often only retain the main application.Cloned applications may not migrate with their data. To save them, use the built-in export function within the application itself (if any) or make a full backup system.

To create a clone of the app:

• 📲 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Cloning of applications.
• 🔍 Select from the list the social network you want to duplicate.
• ✅ Activate the switch. A second icon with a yellow icon will appear on the desktop.

When you transfer data to a new phone using Mi Mover, the system usually warns that cloned applications will be ported as normal and will have to be reconfigured, and the correspondence data can be lost if you do not make a separate backup chat.

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Dual Apps are not a full copy of the system and often require a separate authorization setting after transferring data to a new device.

Recovery of data from the created copy

The recovery process depends on which cloning method you choose. If you used a local backup via the Mi PC Suite, start the program, plug in your phone, and select "Restore." Specify the path to the backup file.

When you use Mi Mover on a new device, after the data transfer is complete, the phone will suggest rebooting. Once turned on, you will see the usual desktop. The initial setup process may take some time while the system indexes files and installs background updates.

It's important to remember security. If you're recovering data from a copy made on someone else's computer or from the cloud, make sure the source is reliable. Recovering system files from an unverified copy can lead to unstable operation or malware.

If some files are lost after recovery, check the MIUI/backup folder in the internal storage, which often stores local copies created by the system automatically or by the user manually through the standard Security application.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)