Changing a smartphone is always a thrill, especially when an old device has accumulated gigabytes of valuable information. Owners of the MIUI ecosystem can breathe a sigh of relief, as the Chinese giant has provided many convenient tools for migration.
Modern methods allow you to transfer not only contacts and messages, but also passwords from Wi-Fi, home screen layout and even authorization in applications. IT-To perform this procedure, it is enough to follow the step-by-step instructions, the main thing is to choose a method that suits your current situation and the state of both gadgets.
In this article, we will take a look at all the options available, from embedded utilities to cloud services, we will look at the nuances of working with local storage and external servers, you will learn to avoid common errors that can lead to loss of files or duplicate entries in the phone book.
Use of the built-in Mi Mover application
The most efficient and quickest way to transfer information between Xiaomi devices is the regular Mi Mover app, which is pre-installed on all MIUI-enclosed smartphones and works at the system level, which ensures high data transfer speeds, and allows you to create a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices, bypassing the need for a router or mobile Internet.
To get started, open the settings menu and find the About Phone section, then go to Data Transport. If you have an older firmware version, the app may simply be called Mi Mover and be in the Tools folder. On the new device, select the Recipient role and on the old one, the Sender.
After the scan. QR-If you have code or connection through an access point, the system will ask you to select the types of data to copy, and you can migrate system settings, applications, media, and even Mi Account data. The process is fully automated, and interruption is extremely rare thanks to a stable transmission protocol.
☑️ Preparing for migration through Mi Mover
⚠️ Warning: Do not leave the Mi Mover app or lock smartphone screens while transmitting large amounts of data, as this may break the connection.
It's important to note that apps are ported along with their data, but in some cases, especially with banking customers, you'll need to re-authorize, because that's for security reasons. Once the process is complete, the new phone will be almost a complete copy of the old one, even keeping the icons on the desktop.
Transferring data through a Google account
Google’s ecosystem offers a universal backup that is relevant not only for Xiaomi, but for any Android smartphone, ideal if you are switching from a device from another manufacturer or if direct transfer is not possible for some reason. All data is stored in the cloud and synchronized when you log in.
To create a backup, go to your phone’s settings on the Google path. → Backup. You can activate the retention of contacts, call history, SMS-Messages and device settings. Also make sure that sync is enabled for Google Photos and Google Drives, where your documents are stored.
On the new Xiaomi smartphone, when it first starts, the system will prompt you to recover data from the Google cloud. You will just need to enter your account login and password. All contacts and application settings will load automatically in the background while you use the device.
| Type of data | Storage method | Free tariff limits |
|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Google Contacts | Unlimited (within the account) |
| Photos and videos | Google Photo | 15 GB (shared with mail) |
| Annexes | Google Play Store | Depends on the size of the applications |
| Documents | Google Drive | Included in the total 15 GB |
The main drawback of this method is the dependence on Internet connection speed and the limited amount of free cloud space, so if you have a lot of photos in original quality, 15 gigabytes can run out very quickly, in which case you either have to buy additional space or choose selective synchronization.
What to do if the synchronization is suspended?
Using the Mi Cloud
Xiaomi owners should look to their own cloud service, Mi Cloud, which is a deep integration with the MIUI shell, allowing you to create full casts of the system. Unlike Google, Mi Cloud can save the location of icons on the desktop, alarm settings and even a blacklist of numbers.
To activate the function, log into your Mi Account through the Settings menu → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud. You can sync your gallery, voice recorder, notes and messages here. Regular backups ensure that you don't lose anything when you lose or replace your phone.
When you set up a new Xiaomi device, just log in to the same account, and the system will offer to restore data from the cloud, which is especially convenient, since it does not require the old phone at hand when you set up a new one.
- 📸 Gallery: Automatic uploading of photos and videos in original quality.
- 📞 Contacts: Instantly synchronize phone book between devices.
- 📝 Notes: Access to recorder records and text files from any device.
Remember, the free space in the Mi Cloud is limited to 5 gigabytes, but for that amount, you can store thousands of contacts and notes, and a lot of system settings, and for photos and videos, you better use a combined approach with Google Photos or local copying.
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Use the “Clear Local Data” feature in Mi Cloud only if you are sure that the sync has been successful, otherwise you risk removing the photo from your phone without the possibility of recovery.
Transfer files via Bluetooth and ShareMe
When you want to flip a few files on the fly without having to set up a lot of things, wireless technology comes to the rescue. Every smartphone has standard Bluetooth, but it doesn't have much to offer. For larger files, it's much more efficient to use the ShareMe app (formerly Mi Drop), which uses Wi-Fi Direct.
ShareMe allows you to transfer files at up to 20 MB/s without using the Internet.It is ideal for sharing heavy video files or install packages of applications.The application works even between devices of different brands, if the second phone also has a ShareMe or compatible client.
The process is simple: select a file in a gallery or file manager, click Send and select a recipient from a list of nearby devices. No passwords need be entered, just confirm the file's acceptance on the receiving device. This is faster and more convenient than Bluetooth, and does not require a connection to one Wi-Fi network.
Unlike cloud-based methods, data is transferred directly between devices, which provides privacy. No one else has access to your file sharing. However, it is worth considering that when transferring large numbers of small files, the process can take longer because of the overhead of establishing a connection for each file.
Copying through USB-cable
A classic method that never fails in the absence of the Internet or unstable operation of wireless modules. USB-The cable provides the highest speed and reliability of transferring large amounts of data. You will need a computer and a serviceable cable, preferably original.
Connect your old phone to your PC, select file transfer mode (MTP) in the notification. Copy the desired folders (DCIM, Download, Documents) to your computer's hard drive. Then connect the new Xiaomi and transfer the data to the appropriate directories. The folder structure on Android is universal, so there will be no compatibility issues.
It also allows you to back up your data in a fully functional way, so you can archive old data and store it for years without taking up space in the cloud, and this is especially true for archives of photos and videos that are painful to delete, but you don't have to carry around all the time.
Recommended folder structure for copying:
/DCIM/Camera (Camera Photos and Videos)
/Download (Downloaded files)
/Music (Music)
/Documents (Documents)When using a computer, it is important to properly remove devices so as not to damage the file system. Once you have finished copying, always use the Safe Device Removal feature on Windows or macOS. This ensures the integrity of all the data transferred.
Transfer SIM-maps and contacts
The oldest, but still relevant way to transfer contacts is the use of the SIM-Although modern smartphones allow you to store thousands of numbers, SIM-The card often has a limit of 250 contacts and does not save additional fields (addresses, email, photos.
On your old phone, go to the Contacts app, select the menu and click Import/Export. SIM-After completion, insert the SIM into the new Xiaomi and select “Import with” SIM-All numbers will be stored in the memory of the phone or Google account.
However, when moving through SIM-The map often loses the formatting of numbers and additional data. Therefore, after importing, it is recommended to check the contacts and, if necessary, edit them.
⚠️ Note: When exporting to SIM-Long names may be cropped, and Russian letters in some old sims may be displayed incorrectly (Krakozyabres).
If you have a dual-sim phone, remember that contacts are usually copied from only one, the main one. SIM-Make sure you choose the right source when exporting, and it's much more convenient to use account sync in today's world, so you don't have to physically manipulate the chip.
Problem Solving and Frequently Asked Questions
Even with convenient tools, there are sometimes technical challenges, most often users are faced with space shortages, connection breaks or conflict versions of Android, understanding the causes of these problems helps to quickly eliminate them and complete the migration of data.
If the transmission is interrupted, check to see if one of the devices is power-saving, which can turn off the Wi-Fi module, and make sure that both phones have the current version of the system applications installed, sometimes it helps to simply restart both devices before the procedure.
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The most common mistake when you move is trying to copy data when you have already created accounts or filled up memory on your new phone, which causes conflicts, and it's better to start with a clean device.