Owning a Xiaomi smartphone often involves an ecosystem of devices, and the need to transfer photos, videos or contacts to a new device occurs regularly. Changing a gadget is always stressful, associated with the risk of data loss, but modern technology allows you to make this process almost invisible to the user. Owners of Redmi and POCO devices are more fortunate than others, since the shell of MIUI and HyperOS offers built-in tools that work faster than standard Android solutions.
There are many synchronization methods, from time-tested Bluetooth to cloud storage and specialized applications. The choice of the particular method depends on the amount of information transmitted and the availability of Internet access. In this article, we will discuss in detail each option available so that you can choose the most suitable for your situation.
Donโt underestimate the importance of getting the data right before you start migrating. Even the fastest file transfers can run into problems if the devices arenโt configured accordingly. Weโll look at not only the technical steps, but also the nuances that are often overlooked when you first set up a new smartphone.
Using the Mi Drop app for instant transfer
The most efficient way, developed specifically for the Xiaomi ecosystem, is to use the built-in Mi Drop app (in newer firmware versions it may be called ShareMe), which is powered by Wi-Fi Direct technology, which allows you to achieve transfer speeds of up to 40 MB/s, which is ten times faster than standard Bluetooth.
To get started, you need to open the application on both devices. On the phone that will be sending files, click the "Send" button and select the desired media files or documents, the system will automatically generate a list of recipients within range of the wireless module.
- ๐ฑ Open the Mi Drop app on both smartphones.
- ๐ Select files that need to be moved to a new device.
- ๐ก Click โSendโ and wait for the avatar of the receiving device to appear.
- โ Confirm the reception of data on the target smartphone.
It is important to note that when transmitting large amounts of data, such as video in 4K resolution, the connection can be unstable if one of the devices is in power saving mode. The Wi-Fi Direct protocol used by Mi Drop requires the wireless module to be constantly active, so turn off the "Savings of Energy" mode before starting the procedure.
โ ๏ธ Note: When transferring files via Mi Drop, the screens of both devices must be turned on. If the screen of the transmitting phone goes out and goes into sleep mode, the transmission may interrupt or the speed will drop to a minimum.
Standard Bluetooth: When Speed Is Not Important
Despite the advent of high-speed alternatives, classic Bluetooth remains the universal standard found in any mobile device, a method ideal for transferring small files such as business cards, links to websites or individual photos when installing additional software is impossible or impractical.
The process of pairing devices in the MIUI shell is standardized. You need to activate the module in the notification curtain or through the Settings โ Bluetooth menu. Once the device is found in the list of available, you should enter the confirmation code or click Accept on both screens.
The main disadvantage is the low transfer speed, which rarely exceeds 2-3 MB/s in real-world conditions. Transfer of a 1 GB video file can take more than 10 minutes, making the method unsuitable for migrating large archives.
- ๐ Enable the visibility of the device in Bluetooth settings.
- ๐ Perform the conjugation by confirming PIN-code on both screens.
- ๐ค Select a file in the gallery and click "Shareยป โ ยซBluetoothยป.
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To speed up your Bluetooth device search, temporarily rename your phone in the settings menu to easily find it in the general list of available gadgets.
Cloud services Google Photos and Google Drive
Using cloud technology is the most modern approach to data synchronization, without requiring physical proximity of devices. Google Photos and Google Drive are deeply integrated into the Android operating system, providing automatic backup. This means that once you log in to an account on a new Xiaomi phone, all your data will appear automatically.
To implement this method, you need to make sure that the old device is synchronized. In the Google Photos app, this is done through the profile menu, where you need to activate the autoload and sync item. The quality of the photos you upload can be adjusted: the original quality takes up space in storage, and the Saving Space mode allows you to store an unlimited number of photos in a compressed format.
The main limitation of the method is the dependence on the speed of the Internet connection and the amount of free space in the cloud. Google's free tariff provides 15 GB, which is divided between mail, disk and photos. If your archive exceeds this limit, you will either have to subscribe or selectively download data.
| Parameter | Google Photo | Google Drive | Mi Cloud |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free volume | 15 GB (total) | 15 GB (total) | 5GB |
| Type of data | Photos, Videos | Documents, Archives | Photo, Contact, SMS |
| Speed. | Depends on Wi-Fi. | Depends on Wi-Fi. | Depends on Wi-Fi. |
| Integration | Systemic | Systemic | Built into MIUI |
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Cloud sync is the best way to keep data secure, but requires a stable and fast internet connection for the initial download.
Wired connection and PC managers
When wireless methods are not available or terabytes of data are required, good old-fashioned cable comes to the rescue. USB-The interface allows you to use the file manager to copy directly, and unlike wireless protocols, the cable provides a stable speed that is independent of interference in the air.
When connecting a Xiaomi phone to a PC, you need to select USB mode. By default, the device can only charge. To access files, lower the notification curtain, click on the โCharge via USBโ notification and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
For users who prefer a graphical interface, Xiaomi offers desktop snails, although in recent versions of MIUI their functionality is often duplicated by the standard Windows Explorer. Direct copying of the DCIM and Pictures folders manually gives full control over the data structure on the new device.
โ ๏ธ Note: Use only original or certified cables. Cheap "charging only" cables have no data lines and will not allow the computer to see the phone.
What to do if your computer canโt see your phone?
Apps: Send Anywhere and Shareit
If the built-in tools for some reason do not work or cross-platform solutions are required (for example, transfer from iPhone to Xiaomi), you should pay attention to third-party software. Applications like Send Anywhere or SHAREit use a similar principle to Mi Drop, creating a local access point.
Send Anywhere is unique in that it uses six-digit code for devices. You don't have to search for a device in the list; just type in the code displayed on the screen of the receiving phone and the transfer will start automatically. This is convenient when there are many Wi-Fi networks and devices in range.
However, third-party applications often contain ads and require permission to access all files on the device, which can raise questions about the security of personal data, and they can conflict with the aggressive MIUI energy saving system, which can โkillโ the transfer process in the background.
- ๐ฅ Install the app on both devices from Google Play.
- ๐ Enter the security key or scan it. QR-pairing.
- ๐ Run the transfer and make sure that the application does not curl up.
โ๏ธ Preparation for transfer of large files
Frequent errors and transmission problems
Even if all instructions are followed, users can experience technical failures, one of the most common problems is the interruption of transmission at the last percent, often because the Android system tries to optimize the network and closes the background process of the application.
Another common mistake is file formats or paths mismatching. When migrating from iOS to Android, photos may be in HEIC format, which older versions of Xiaomi Gallery may not open without converting, and there may be access rights issues if you try to copy system files or secure application data.
You can use built-in logs to diagnose problems or simply reboot both devices. Often, simply resetting network settings or cleaning the Mi Drop app cache solves the problem of โhangingโ during the device search phase.
โ ๏ธ Note: Do not attempt to transfer executable files (.apk) from unknown sources via Bluetooth unless you are sure of their security.
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The stability of data transfer depends on the firmware version and the status of the wireless module; if there are constant failures, try resetting the network settings.