Buying a new smartphone from the Redmi or POCO ecosystem is always a thrill, but it inevitably follows the routine task of transferring accumulated information. The owner of a Xiaomi device often faces the need to quickly and without loss transfer contacts, photos, correspondence and customization of applications to the new gadget. Fortunately, the company’s engineers have developed several effective tools to avoid manual installation of each application and manual dialing of phone numbers.
There are many ways to perform cloning, from using cloud storage to local copying via Wi-Fi. The choice of the specific method depends on the amount of data, the speed of the Internet connection and the version of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system installed on devices. In this article, we will discuss all the options available in detail so that you can choose the most suitable for your situation and save time.
Before you start the process, make sure that both devices are at least 50-60% charged.Sharp surges in voltage or battery discharge at a critical moment can cause files to be damaged or transfer interrupted, which will require a repeat of the entire procedure.
Preparing devices for data migration
The first step before any transfer operation is to properly prepare both smartphones, and check that the old and new devices have Wi-Fi enabled, as most current methods rely on wireless connectivity. Even if you plan to use a cable, system checks often require an active network connection to authorize accounts.
The Mi Account is a key element of the ecosystem that syncs not only contacts and notes, but also Wi-Fi passwords, browser history and even the location of icons on your desktop. Make sure you remember the password from your account, as a new phone may require proof of ownership.
⚠️ Note: If your old phone has two-factor authorization enabled, make sure that SIM-The card is active and capable of receiving SMS-codes, otherwise, login to the account on the new device may be blocked.
It is also recommended to free up space on the new device if it is not new. Delete the extra files or applications that you do not plan to use, so that the process of writing data goes faster and without errors of the file system. Check the availability of free space: the amount of free memory should exceed the size of the transmitted data by at least 10-15%.
☑️ Checklist of preparations
Using the Mi Mover app for local porting
The most efficient and quickest way to transfer data from Xiaomi to Xiaomi without using the Internet is the proprietary utility Mi Mover.This application is pre-installed in the default system and optimized for working with the shells MIUI and HyperOS. It creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices, providing high speed transfer of large amounts of data, such as 4K video or heavy games.
To get started, open the app on both phones. On the new device, select Recipient and on the old device, Sender. QR-code or connect to the access point you created. Once you have established the connection, you will see a list of data categories that are available for copying.
You can choose from specific file types: system settings, apps, images, music, videos, and documents. When you port apps, Mi Mover copies not only the APK installation file, but most of the user data inside them, including logins and game progress, if not protected by the security policies of banking applications.
What to do if the Mi Mover is frozen?
It is important not to turn off the device screens during the process, as some models can break the Wi-Fi connection to save energy when locked.
Synchronization through the cloud service Mi Cloud
An alternative to local porting is the use of Mi Cloud cloud storage, which is ideal for those who regularly back up, as it allows you to recover data even if the old phone is already sold or lost. Free of charge, the user is provided with 5 GB of space, which is enough for contacts, messages, notes and settings, but may not be enough for photos.
To activate sync, go to your phone settings, click on your account name at the top of the menu, and select "Mi Cloud." You need to activate the switches against the desired categories: Gallery, Contacts, Messages, Recorder, etc. Once turned on, you will automatically download data to the company's servers.
On the new smartphone, just log in to the same Mi Account and enable synchronization, all data will appear in the corresponding applications automatically when you have the Internet, which is the most lazy and secure way, without requiring the physical presence of both devices nearby.
It is worth considering that the recovery rate depends on the tariff of your ISP. If you decide to recover a few gigabytes of photos, it can take considerable time when using mobile traffic.
The role of Google Account in migration
Don’t forget the standard Android tool, Google Account. When you first set up a new Xiaomi smartphone, the system will prompt you to log in to your Google account. If you agree, the phone will automatically download a list of all previously installed apps, contacts, calendar events and passwords saved in Google Password Manager.
This method is especially good for restoring the structure of applications. The phone downloads shortcuts from the Play Market, and you just have to wait for them to download and log in. Photos can also be restored if the autoboot and sync function in the Google Photos app has been enabled.
However, there are limitations to this method: some applications’ local data, system settings, widget layouts, and download folders are not always transferred through Google, so it’s best to use this method as an addition to Mi Mover or for basic configuration.
| Parameter | Mi Mover | Mi Cloud | Google Account |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed. | High (locally) | Depends on the Internet. | Medium |
| We need the Internet. | Only for authorization. | I'll be sure. | I'll be sure. |
| Application data | Full data | Just settings. | List of annexes |
| Photos and videos | Yes, in the original. | Yes, in the condensed/original | Yes, through Google Photos. |
Transfer of messages and call history
One of the most sensitive topics for users is saving the history of correspondence in SMS and call logs. Google's standard methods of synchronization often ignore SMS, considering them local data, and here again comes Mi Mover, which correctly processes the databases of messages.
When selecting the type of data in the portable application, make sure that the item “Messages” is marked. The application will create a temporary backup file and transfer it to the new device, where it will be deployed to the system database.
⚠️ Note: Messages from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) are not transferred through system tools.
For WhatsApp, for example, you have to go to chat settings on your old phone, select "Backup" and save it to Google Drive. On the new phone, when you first start, WhatsApp will offer to restore a story from the cloud. Similarly, Telegram works, although it stores history on its servers, and just log in.
Solution: Errors and their elimination
Users may face various technical difficulties in migrating, and the problem often lies in the operating system version: if the old phone has an ancient MIUI 10 and the new phone has HyperOS, some system settings may not fit together, in which case the system will suggest migrating only the basic data.
Another common mistake is to break the Wi-Fi connection. This can happen if one of the devices goes into power saving mode. It is recommended to turn off energy saving and screen saver during the transfer. Also make sure that geolocation (GPS) is enabled on both devices, since in some versions of Android this is a requirement for LANs to work.
If the process is stalling in the Data Analysis step, try clearing the Mi Mover app cache on both phones via the Apps menu» → «All applications» → «Mi Mover» → «Clear the data. After a reboot, the problem usually disappears.
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Expert advice: Before selling your old phone, be sure to do a full reset only after you make sure all the data is working successfully on the new device.
In rare cases, you may need to manually copy folders through your computer, so connect your phone in File Transfer (MTP) mode and copy the contents of the internal memory to a folder on your PC, then transfer to a new device, saving the folder structure.
Completion of the setup and verification of results
Once the transfer process is complete, take your time to delete data from your old device. Do a thorough review of your new smartphone. Check for all contacts, open the gallery and make sure the photos are displayed correctly. Go to banking apps and messengers to re-authorize.
Please note that some applications, especially banking and enterprise applications, may require additional verification or re-sign-in for security reasons. ID device.
Now your new Xiaomi is fully ready to go, keeping all the usual settings and data. Properly executed migration makes you feel at home using the new gadget, without losing important information and having to re-configure every aspect of the phone.
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For a full and fast migration within the Xiaomi ecosystem, it is best to use the Mi Mover bundle (for files and applications) and Mi Cloud (for contacts and settings).