Phone Clone on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to Transferring Data from Android and iPhone

What is Phone Clone and why Xiaomi owners need it

Switching to a new smartphone Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO It's always associated with the problem of data portability, even if you're staying in the ecosystem. MIUI, Manually copying contacts, photos and settings can take hours, and this is where the Phone Clone app (formerly known as Mi Mover) comes to the rescue. It is a tool that allows you to transfer up to 90% of data from your old device to your new device without using cloud services or a computer.

The app supports cross-platform portability: you can migrate not only from one Xiaomi to another, but also from Samsung, iPhone, Huawei or any other Android device. The main advantage is the preservation of the data structure: folders with photos will remain in their original form, chats in messengers will not lose history, and applications will be installed automatically (if they are available on Google Play or the App Store).

It's important to understand that Phone Clone is not just a file copyer. It carries:

• 📱 Contacts (including groups and notes)
• 📷 Photo and video (with preservation) EXIF-data)
• 💬 Communications (SMS, MMS, WhatsApp, Telegram chats, etc.)
• 🎵 Music and audio files (including playlists)
• 📥 Applications (with settings, if supported)
• 🔧 System settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, sound profiles)

But there are limitations, for example, some banking applications (like SberBank Online or Tinkoff) can block a transfer due to security policies, and not all games keep progress, depending on their internal synchronization logic.

Preparing devices before using the Phone Clone

Before starting a migration, several critical steps must be taken, and neglecting them can lead to data loss, process stalling, or incomplete porting.

On the old device (source):

• 🔋 The battery must be at least 50% charged, and the process can be interrupted at low charge.
• 📶 Turn it off. VPN Ad blockers (such as AdGuard) can interfere with direct connection.
• 🗃️ Clear the cache in messengers (WhatsApp, Viber) if you want to transfer media files from chat rooms.
• 🔑 Unlock the device and don’t lock the screen during the process.

On the new Xiaomi (receiver):

• 📱 Go through the initial setup before the window appears with the suggestion to move the data. If you have already completed the setup, reset the smartphone to the factory (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings).
• 🌐 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (or make sure you have enough mobile traffic if you use an access point).
• 🔄 Update Phone Clone to the latest version via Google Play or App Gallery (for iOS).

⚠️ Note: If encryption is enabled on your old device (e.g. Samsung with Knox), some files may not be transferred, in which case use alternative methods such as Mi Cloud or manual copying via computer.

Step-by-step: how to use Phone Clone on Xiaomi

The data transfer process consists of 5 key steps, followed strictly in order to avoid errors.

Step 1: Install and start Phone Clone

On the new Xiaomi, the Phone Clone app is preinstalled. if it is not (for example, on the phone). POCO F5 With “Pure” Android, download it from Google Play:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.xiaomi.miclone

On the old device:

• For Android: Download Phone Clone from Google Play.
• For iPhone: Use the version from the App Store (Mi Clone).

Step 2: Selecting the role of the device

Launch the application on both devices:

• On the new Xiaomi, select This is a new phone.
• On the old device, select This is an old device.

On the screen of the new smartphone will appear QR-Scan it with an old device or enter a 6-digit code manually.

Step 3: Connecting devices

Phone Clone offers two options for connection:

1. Direct connectivity (Wi-Fi Direct) is the fastest method, but requires both devices to be close by.
2. Access Point – Suitable if Wi-Fi Direct is not working (e.g. on some iPhone models).

Once you've successfully connected, you'll see a list of data that you can transfer, and you can selectively note what you want to copy.

Step 4: Data Transfer

Click Start Transfer and wait until the process is complete.

• 📱 5-10 GB: ~15-30 minutes
• 📱 30–50 GB: ~1-2 hours
• 📱 100GB+: It may take up to 3-4 hours

Don’t interrupt the process or switch to other apps. On iPhone, the screen must remain unlocked or the connection will break.

Step 5: Completion and verification

After the transfer is completed:

• 🔄 Reboot the new Xiaomi.
• 🔍 Check the transferred data (especially chats and photos).
• 📥 Install the missing applications manually (unless they have been copied).

💡

If the transfer is 99 percent frozen, don't panic -- that's normal for big data. Wait 10 to 15 minutes, and if it's not moving, restart both devices and try again.

Compatibility table for Phone Clone with different devices

Not all smartphones work equally well with the Phone Clone, and the following is a compatibility table for popular brands and models:

If your device is not in the spreadsheet, try using alternative methods (cloud services or a computer).

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Even with the right training, users face problems, and we'll look at the most common mistakes and the ways to solve them.

Mistake: "I couldn't connect"

Causes and solutions:

• 📶 Unstable Wi-Fi: Switch to a mobile hotspot or use a cable OTG (if maintained).
• 🔒 Firewall/antivirus: temporarily disable protection on both devices.
• 📱 Older App: Update Phone Clone to the latest version.

Error: "Transfer is 0% or 99%"

What to do:

• 🔄 Restart both devices and try again.
• 🗃️ If you are 99% frozen, wait 15 minutes – sometimes the process is delayed.
• 📂 Reduce the amount of data you transfer (e.g., eliminate video).

Error: "There is not enough space on the new device"

Decisions:

• 🧹 Clear cache and unnecessary files on the new Xiaomi (Settings) → Warehouse).
• 📁 Transfer data in parts (first contacts and photos, then applications).
• 🔧 Use a memory card (if supported).

Error: "Applications are not moved"

This is normal for iPhones and some Android devices.

• 📥 Install apps manually from Google Play or App Store.
• 🔄 Recover app data through their internal functions (such as WhatsApp) → Settings → chat → Backup copy).

⚠️ Note: If you are transferring data from your iPhone, do not click “Erase iPhone” in the Phone Clone settings – this will delete all data from your iPhone without the possibility of recovery!

Alternative ways to transfer data to Xiaomi

If the Phone Clone failed, there are a few alternative methods:

1. via Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

Suitable for transferring contacts, notes, photos and some settings.

• 📱 On an old device: upload data to Mi Cloud (Settings) → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud).
• 📲 On the new Xiaomi: Sign in to the same account and sync your data.

2. via Google Account

Universal method for Android:

• 🔄 On an old phone: Enable backup in Google (Settings) → System system → Backup).
• 📲 On the new Xiaomi: Log in to the same Google account and recover data when you set up.

3. via computer (wired connection)

The most reliable, but longest way:

• 🖥️ Connect your old device to your PC and copy files to your folder.
• 📂 Connect the new Xiaomi and move the data back.
• 📱 For applications, use ADB Titanium Backup (requires root).

4. Through third-party applications

Popular alternatives:

• 📱 Smart Switch (from Samsung) – works with Xiaomi.
• 📱 Clone Phone (from Huawei).
• 📱 Sharet – for fast transfer of files over Wi-Fi.

Each of these methods has its pros and cons, for example, Mi Cloud does not carry apps, and Google Account may not keep the folder structure with photos.

💡

Phone Clone is the fastest portable way, but for a full migration (especially from the iPhone), it’s best to combine several methods: Phone Clone for media files. + Google Account for Apps + Mi Cloud for settings.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions about Phone Clone