Today’s users often face the challenge of migrating all information from an old device to a new one or creating an accurate backup for security. Xiaomi smartphone owners are looking for an answer to how to make a copy of their phone so they don’t lose important contacts, photos, and app settings, a process that’s not as complex as it might seem if they know the right tools and sequence of actions.
The MIUI ecosystem offers many built-in synchronization features, but many users still rely on manual file copying, which is time-consuming. In this article, we’ll look at all the available ways to clone data, from cloud services to deep cloning of applications within the system, and learn how to create a full copy of a Xiaomi phone without losing important data and settings.
It is important to understand the difference between simple file transfer and full-fledged cloning of the system: the first allows you to save media files, the second allows you to transfer even Wi-Fi passwords and placement of icons on the desktop.
Use of the built-in Mi Mover application
The easiest and most efficient way to migrate data is to use the Mi Mover branded tool, which is pre-installed on all modern Xiaomi smartphones and allows you to transfer data over Wi-Fi Direct without using Internet traffic, while transferring speeds are much faster than using Bluetooth or cloud storage.
To get started, you need to run the app on both devices, and on the old phone, select the role of "Sender" and on the new phone, "Receiver." The system automatically creates an access point to which you need to connect, and the data protocol in Mi Mover is encrypted, which guarantees the security of personal information during cloning.
Once you connect the devices, you'll see a list of categories to transfer, you can select only contacts and messages, or you can make a complete copy of the system, including the installed applications and their data, which is completely automated and does not require constant user intervention.
- 📱 Supports the transmission of contacts, messages, calls and notes.
- 📸 Allows you to clone photos, videos and music in their original quality.
- ⚙️ Transfers system settings, alarm clocks and Wi-Fi passwords.
- 📲 Works between Android and iOS devices with restrictions.
It's worth noting that when they migrate apps, they may need to re-authorize themselves, which is a standard security measure, especially for banking customers and instant messengers, but the folder structure and the data inside the apps (such as game cache) will be saved.
Cloning of applications within the system
Application Cloning (App Twin) function MIUI It allows you to run two accounts of the same app at the same time, which is ideal for those who use two numbers. SIM-Cards and wants to have separate copies of WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber for work and personal life.
To activate this feature, go to the settings menu and find the corresponding section. Here you will see a list of supported applications. Just switch the slider opposite the desired messenger, and a copy of it with a characteristic icon will appear on the desktop.
It's important to understand that an app clone is not just a shortcut, but a full-fledged second instance of a program with its data and cache, and it takes up extra space in the memory of the device and consumes the CPU resources, and if you delete the main application, the clone may stop functioning correctly.
What applications support cloning?
For some users, it may be critical to notify a cloned application in sleep mode, so to avoid this, you need to configure autorun and permissions for a copy of the application separately from the main one.
- 🔒 Complete data isolation between the main application and the clone.
- 🔔 Ability to receive notifications from both accounts at the same time.
- ⚡ Small increase in battery consumption during active use.
Backup through Mi Cloud
The Mi Cloud is an integral part of Xiaomi’s ecosystem, allowing you to back up key data and store it on the company’s servers, providing access to information even in the event of a physical device being completely lost or broken.
To set up sync, you need to log into your Mi Account through your phone settings. In the "Mi Cloud" section, you can choose which data will be copied automatically, usually contacts, SMS, call history, notes, voice recorder and system settings.
Free storage is limited, so a full copy of the phone may require a subscription, but for critical data such as contacts and notes, a basic tariff is usually sufficient.
⚠️ Note: When you reset your phone to factory settings and then activate it via your Mi Account, the data from the cloud will recover automatically.
Mi Cloud also allows you to find a device on a map, lock it remotely, or erase data in the event of a theft, making cloud service an important security element, not just a backup tool.
Local backup to memory card
If you don’t trust cloud services or don’t have a stable internet, Xiaomi offers a local backup feature, and you can save a copy of the system to internal memory or a microSD card if it’s supported by a smartphone model.
You can find this feature by Settings → About Phone → Backup and Restore. Here, the system will suggest you create a new backup. You can select the system components, applications and their data. The copy creation process takes time depending on the amount of information.
☑️ Local backup checklist
Once the process is complete, the backup file will be stored in a hidden folder in the system. Accessing it through the computer may require a file transfer mode (MTP) connection and displaying hidden elements. The path to the file usually looks like MIUI/backup/AllBackup.
The main advantage of this method is the speed of recovery. You don't have to download gigabytes of data from the Internet, everything happens locally, but if the phone is lost along with the memory card, the data can not be recovered.
Comparison of data cloning methods
The choice of copying method depends on your goals and current situation. Mi Mover is the best choice for a quick phone change; Mi Cloud is the best choice for daily contact protection; and local redundancy is the best choice for creating a full system snap before the firmware experiment.
The table below compares the main characteristics of the different ways to create a copy of a Xiaomi phone, which will help you choose the best option for your use case.
| Method | Speed. | We need the Internet. | Completeness of data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover | Tall. | No. | Complete (including annexes) |
| Mi Cloud | Medium | Yes (required) | Basic (contacts, settings) |
| Local backup | Tall. | No. | Complete (system + data) |
| Google One | Low. | Yes. | Medium (depending on the application) |
Don't rely on just one way to store data; combining local copies and cloud sync ensures maximum reliability; and making regular backups is a habit that can save your data at a critical moment.
Recovery of data from backup
The process of data recovery is as important as its creation: When you first set up a new Xiaomi smartphone, the system will suggest restoring data from the cloud or a local file, and if you missed that point, you can manually run the procedure.
To recover from local copy, go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Restore. Select the Mobile Device or Computer tab, find the right backup file, and click Restore. The system will warn that current data may be overwritten.
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Before restoring a full copy of the system from the old file, it is recommended to make a fresh backup of the current state to be able to roll back in case of errors.
Recovery from Mi Cloud is done through an account, and when you log in to your Mi Account on a new device, data will start to load automatically, and applications may require manual confirmation of downloads from the GetApps store or Google Play.
⚠️ Note: Android version and MIUI The device that backup is made from and the recovery device must be compatible, and trying to recover data from the old version to the new one can lead to errors in the application.
Once the recovery process is complete, it is recommended to restart the device, which will allow the system to correctly index the files and start all the background services again, check for all contacts and photos in the gallery.
Frequent questions and problems with cloning
Users often encounter errors when transferring large amounts of data or when cloning specific applications, and below we will discuss the most common problems and ways to solve them, so that the process goes smoothly.
One of the common problems is interrupting Wi-Fi Direct when using Mi Mover, which can be due to energy saving. To avoid this, make sure that the screens of both phones are on and the power saving mode is off for the duration of the transfer.
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The stability of the cloning connection is more important than speed. Don't use your phone while you're transmitting data, so you don't have to break the connection.
Also of concern is the cloning of banking applications, where most banking customers prohibit the operation of rooted devices or do not allow their clones to be created through standard system tools, and where such cases are isolated, there are special spaces.
- 🛑 “Not enough space” error: Clean your memory before you start making a full copy.
- 🔄 Process freeze: restart both devices and try again.
- 📉 Slow speed: Remove other devices from the Wi-Fi Direct hotspot.
If none of these methods work, the problem may be that the file system is corrupted, in which case it is recommended to check the disk for errors through the computer or reset the network settings.