How to transfer all settings and data from the old Xiaomi to the new phone

Buying a new Xiaomi smartphone is always an exciting experience, but the joy is often overshadowed by the need to transfer all the data from the old device. Photos, contacts, messages, apps and even small things like wallpaper or alarm settings are all things you want to save. Fortunately, the MIUI ecosystem offers several ways to migrate, and we will analyze them in as much detail as possible so that you do not lose a single byte of information.

Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to simply copy files to a flash drive or to the cloud, but this only works with media. System settings, application data and accounts require a separate approach. In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for all versions of MIUI (including MIUI 14 and HyperOS), as well as solutions to typical problems, from synchronization errors to firmware incompatibility.

If you're moving from Xiaomi to Xiaomi, the process is simplified with the built-in Mi Mover and MIUI Backup tools. But even if your old phone is a different brand device, we'll show you how to move as much data as possible without losing it.

1. Preparing an Old Xiaomi Phone for Data Transfer

Before you start migrating, make sure your old Xiaomi is ready for the procedure.Start by checking the free space – it will take at least 1-2 GB on an internal drive to create a backup. SD-Also make sure the battery is at least 50% charged – interruption due to discharge can cause data loss.

An important step is to update the firmware. If an older phone has an outdated version of MIUI, some portability features may not work properly. Check the relevance of the software in the Settings menu → About the phone → System update. This is especially critical when switching to devices with HyperOS - the new shell requires the latest versions of Xiaomi Cloud services.

Don't forget your Mi Account. Without it, you won't be able to use the cloud backup.

• 🔑 You remember the login and password from the account (linked phone number or email).
• ☁️ In the account settings synchronization is enabled (Settings) → Mi Account → Synchronization).
• 📱 The new phone does not have another Mi Account attached (this can block the transfer).

⚠️ Note: If the old phone has enabled the function Data Protection (encryption), before transferring it must be disabled in Settings → Additionally. → Confidentiality → Data protection. Otherwise, the backup can create an unreadable file.

2. Methods of data transfer: which one to choose?

There are three main methods of data migration between Xiaomi smartphones: through MIUI Backup, using Mi Mover (direct transfer over Wi-Fi) and through Google Account. Each option has pros and cons. Let's look at them in detail in the table:

Which way to go? If you want to migrate all your data, including your system and application settings, MIUI Backup is the best option. Mi Mover is the best way to move media and contacts quickly. If you're moving from a non-Xiaomi device, combine Google Account for contacts and manual file transfer.

3. Step-by-step instruction: transfer via MIUI Backup

This is the most reliable way to migrate fully, but it requires prior preparation.

1. Create a backup on an old phone: 📱 Open the Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backups. 🔄 Click Backup and select all the necessary items (we recommend marking everything except the App if they take up too much space). ⏳ Wait until the process is complete. The backup file will be saved in the folder. MIUI/backup/AllBackup.
2. Transferring the backup file to a new phone: 📁 Copy the AllBackup folder to your new phone (via cable, Bluetooth, or cloud). 📂 Place it in the root directory of internal memory (not in the folder). MIUI!).

Recovery on the new phone:

• 🔙 Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backups.
• 📄 Select the backup file (it should be displayed automatically).
• 🔄 Click Restore and Confirm Action.
• ⏳ Wait until the transfer is complete. At the end, press Ready on both devices.

Note: Mi Mover does not port installed applications, only their data (for example, save in games), the applications will have to be installed again from Google Play or GetApps.

• 🔕 System settings (wallpaper, sounds, brightness).
• 📁 Files from folders not manually marked.
• 🔒 Data from some apps (e.g. WhatsApp requires a separate backup).

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If Mi Mover doesn’t see the second phone, check to see if both devices have Developer Mode → USB Debugging enabled (sometimes this helps stabilize the connection).

5. Google Account Transfer and Alternative Methods

If you’re switching from a device other than Xiaomi (like Samsung or iPhone) or want to use a universal method, Google Account sync is a good option, which is not as comprehensive as MIUI Backup, but is reliable and works on any Android device.

What exactly is synchronized:

• 📇 Contacts (via Google Contacts).
• 📅 Calendar and reminders.
• 📧 Posts and Notes (Google Keep).
• 📸 Photos (if Autoboot is enabled in Google Photos).
• 🎮 Data from some games (via Google Play Games).

How to set up:

1. 🔗 On your old phone, open Settings. → Accounts. → Google and enable sync for all the right items.
2. ☁️ Wait for sync to complete (check in Google Drive that the data is downloaded).
3. 📱 On the new Xiaomi, add the same Google account when you first enable or through Settings. → Accounts.
4. 🔄 Enable synchronization and wait for data to load.

To transfer WhatsApp and other messengers, use their built-in backup features:

• 💬 WhatsApp: Settings → chat → Backup (saves history in Google Drive).
• 📱 Telegram: Cloud synchronization works automatically.
• 💬 Viber: Settings → Account. → Backup copy.

6.Setting up the new Xiaomi “for yourself”: the restoration of trifles

Even after the data transfer is complete, the new phone may feel different, because it's about little things that don't always stick in the backups, and here's what you need to check and manually adjust.

System settings:

• 🔊 Settings → Sound: alarm clock volume, notification melodies, vibration.
• 🌙 Settings → Display: brightness, automatic adjustment, color temperature.
• 🔒 Settings → Screen lock: type of unlock (print, pattern lock), auto-unlock.
• ⚡ Settings → Battery: energy saving modes, optimization for individual applications.

Applications and services:

• 📱 Reinstall apps that haven’t moved (check the Download folder on your old phone – there may be some). APK-file).
• 🔔 Set up notifications for each application in Settings → Annexes → Management of notifications.
• 🌐 Restore your bookmarks in your browser (if you used Mi Browser, export them through Settings). → Bookmarks → Exports).

Additional chips:

• 🎨 Move the wallpaper: copy images from the folder DCIM → Wallpapers on an old phone.
• 🔄 Restore gestures and hotkeys in Settings → Additionally. → Gestures.
• 📡 Configure Double Apps (if used) in Settings → Annexes → Dual annexes.

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Do not forget about the security settings: after transferring the data, be sure to update your fingerprints and PIN-codes in Settings → Screen lock: Old data may conflict with new sensors (e.g. fingerprint scanner).

Typical problems and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions accurately, you can get errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them:

Problem 1: MIUI Backup is not recovering on a new phone.

• Reason: Incompatibility of MIUI versions or corrupted backup file.
• Solution: Check the MIUI version on both phones (should match or differ by no more than 1 large version); Recreate the backup on the old phone by disabling encryption; copy the backup file on your PC and verify its integrity (should not be 0 bytes in size).

Problem 2: Mi Mover doesn't see the second phone.

• Reason: Wi-Fi network conflict or firewall blockage.
• Solution: Turn off mobile internet on both phones. Reboot both devices. Manually connect to the new phone's hotspot (password displayed in Mi Mover). If you use a VPN, turn it off.

Problem 3: SMS or contacts are not portable.

• Reason: Synchronization is disabled or data is tied to SIM-map.
• Solution: For SMS: use the app SMS Backup & Restore (available on Google Play) For contacts: export them to file VCF via Contact → Settings → Check if the contacts are still in place SIM-card (transfer them to the phone memory).

Problem 4: Apps are reset after recovery.

• Reason: Application or data version conflict.
• Solution: Update all apps on Google Play. Clear the cache of problematic apps in Settings → Apps → App Management. If the bug persists, uninstall and reinstall the app.

⚠️ Warning: If the new phone starts to brake after data transfer, check Settings → Annexes → Autorun. Maybe too many background processes have recovered. Turn off autorun for unnecessary applications.

8.Optimize the new Xiaomi after data transfer

After successful data migration, it is recommended to follow several steps to optimize the performance of the new phone, which will help to avoid lags and extend the battery life.

1. Cleaning of cache and unnecessary files:

• 🧹 Go to Settings. → Warehouse → Clean and delete unnecessary files (cache, temporary data).
• 🗑️ Check the Download folder – outdated files often accumulate there.

Battery setup:

• ⚡ Enable Adaptive Charging in Settings → Battery (prolongs battery life).
• 🔋 Turn off battery optimization for critical applications (messengers, alarm clock).

Update of firmware:

• 🔄 Check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📲 If an upgrade to HyperOS is available, install it – it will improve compatibility with new apps.

Safety:

• 🔒 Update your fingerprints and facial scan in Settings → Screen locking.
• 🛡️ Include malware protection in Settings → Confidentiality.

Also check if apps have been removed due to incompatibility with the new MIUI version.