Buying a new smartphone, especially the popular Xiaomi Redmi, is always accompanied by a pleasant anticipation, which is often overshadowed by the need to transfer the accumulated digital baggage. The question of how to efficiently and without loss transfer data from phone to phone becomes critical in the first minutes of unpacking the device. Modern technology allows you to make this process as automated as possible, but it is important to choose the right tool for your situation.
There are several proven migration methods, from built-in MIUI utilities to cloud services to manual copying via your computer. The choice of the specific method depends on the operating system of your old device (Android or iOS), the amount of information and the availability of a stable Internet connection. In this article, we will discuss each option in detail so that you can save your contacts, photos, messages and application settings.
Don't rely on randomness or hope that everything will synchronize without your input. Competent preparation and understanding of backup processes will help avoid common mistakes, such as losing your correspondence history or reducing the quality of photos. Let's look at step-by-step algorithms that ensure that your personal data is successfully transferred to a new gadget.
Using the Mi Mover app for quick migration
The most effective and “native” way for Xiaomi smartphone owners is to use the Mi Mover app, which is designed specifically for the MIUI ecosystem and allows data to be transmitted over a local Wi-Fi network, which provides high transfer speeds and does not consume mobile traffic.
The process starts with the utility running on both devices, and on the new phone you choose the "I am a recipient" role, and on the old phone you choose the "I am a sender" role. QR-Once you've connected, the encryption algorithm will create a secure channel through which your information will flow, and you can choose what you want to copy: contacts, messages, calls, system settings, images, videos, music and even the applications themselves with their data.
⚠️ Note: If you transfer data from iPhone to Xiaomi, call history and SMS It may not be available for copying due to the limitations of the iOS operating system, in which case you should use additional synchronization methods.
It is important to note that when transferring large amounts of data (for example, more than 50 GB), the process can take considerable time. Make sure that both smartphones are charged at least 50% or connected to a power source. Connection stability in this method is critical: do not switch between applications on the old phone during transfer, so as not to interrupt the session. Once the process is completed, the new Redmi will report on the number of transferred files and installed applications.
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Mi Mover is the best choice for data transfer between Android devices, as it retains folder structure and most app settings without the need for re-authorization.
Transfer data through Google account and cloud sync
Google’s ecosystem provides one of the most reliable ways to save important data, such as contacts, notes and calendar. If you’re switching from any Android smartphone, chances are some of your information is already in the cloud. To activate this mechanism on the new Xiaomi Redmi, you just need to log into the same Google account during the initial setup or through the settings menu.
When you first start a new device, the system will offer to restore data from the backup of Google Drive. This method is especially convenient because it will automatically tighten the list of previously installed applications, passwords saved in Google Smart Lock, and photos if the function “Google Photos” was enabled. Contacts and calendar events are synchronized almost instantly after connecting to the Internet, regardless of the size of the database.
- 📱 Open the Settings. → Accounts and sync on your old phone.
- ☁️ Make sure the switches opposite Contacts, Calendar and Google Photos are active and the latest sync is done.
- 🔑 Enter your Gmail and password on the new Redmi to automatically restore your profile.
However, it should be noted that this method does not transfer media files (music, video, documents) stored in the device memory, unless they were downloaded to Google Photos or Google Drive separately. Free space of 15 GB may not be enough for a full backup, so large files will have to use other methods or expand storage. Google Sync is ideal for structured data, but not for heavy media files.
What to do if the synchronization is suspended?
Copying with Mi Cloud: Xiaomi ecosystem
Xiaomi device owners have access to their own cloud storage, Mi Cloud, which is deeply integrated into the MIUI shell. This is a great option for those who want to create a full copy of the system, including the location of icons on the desktop, alarm settings, voice recorders and system parameters. Unlike Google, Mi Cloud is sharpened specifically for the interface of Xiaomi.
To use this method, you need to create a Mi Account and log in on both devices. On your old phone, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud and select “Create a Backup.” Here you can set up automatic backup creation when you connect to Wi-Fi. On the new Redmi, you just need to log in to the same Mi Account and select “Restore from Mi Cloud.”
| Type of data | Support for Mi Cloud | Free tariff limits | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts and SMS | Complete. | 5 GB (total) | Instant synchronization |
| Photos and videos | Complete. | 5 GB (total) | Compression is not applied in its original quality. |
| System settings | Complete. | Included in limit. | Restores the desktop layout |
| Recorder recordings | Complete. | Included in limit. | Keeps the folder structure |
The main advantage of Mi Cloud is the ability to remotely search for a device and lock, but for storing large amounts of data, free space of 5 GB may not be enough. users have to either clean the cloud regularly or purchase a subscription. However, for backup settings, it is an indispensable tool that allows the new phone to become an exact digital copy of the old one.
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Use the Extended Cloud feature in Mi Cloud settings to optimize storage: original photos are stored on the device, and smaller copies remain in the cloud, which saves space.
Manual file transfer via computer (USB)
When it comes to throwing huge amounts of data, like movie collections, music albums or document archives, wireless methods can be too slow. USB-The cable to the computer remains the gold standard for reliability and speed, a method that is independent of the quality of the Wi-Fi signal and allows you to control every byte you move.
Connect your old phone to your PC with a cable and select File Transfer (MTP) mode from the notification menu. The computer will open a conductor window with the smartphone file system. Copy the required folders (usually DCIM for photos, Download for downloads, Music, etc.) to your computer's hard drive. Then connect the new Xiaomi Redmi and transfer the data to the appropriate directories.
☑️ Checklist for manual copying
When working with a file system, it is important to know the structure of Android folders. For example, WhatsApp photos usually lie along the path of Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Media, not just in the gallery. Direct copying ensures that files are not compressed or lost during transfer, which sometimes happens when using messengers to send files to yourself.
⚠️ Warning: When copying system folders or folders of application data manually, make sure you copy the content rather than trying to replace system files. Do not delete anything from the internal memory of the new phone before the process is complete to avoid conflicts.
Import of contacts through SIM-map VCF-file
Contacts are perhaps the most important piece of data that is not to be lost, and despite the abundance of cloud services, many users still store numbers on the Internet. SIM-There are several time-tested methods for transferring contacts to Xiaomi Redmi that work even without the Internet.
The easiest way is to export contacts to VCF-File. On an old device, go to the Contacts app, select the management menu, and click on Contact Export. Select.vcf and save the file. This file can be recycled any way you want (Bluetooth, messenger, USB) And open on the new Redmi. It automatically recognizes the format and prompts you to import all the entries into your phone book or Google account.
- 📇 Open Contacts on your old device and select Import/Export».
- 💾 Click Export to Storage to create contacts.vcf file.
- 📲 Pass the file to the new Xiaomi and tap it to start importing.
If you use SIM-The card as a carrier, the process is even easier, but has limitations. SIM-Cards often have a limit on the number of characters in the contact name and do not support the preservation of additional fields (addresses, email, photos). SIM-Maps to memory of the device or to Google account through the Settings menu → Contacts → Digitalize your contacts and keep them safe if your card breaks.
What to do if the contacts are displayed by “krakozyabr”?
Frequent problems and ways to solve them
Although processes are fine, data portability can be difficult, most often due to lack of space on a new device or software conflicts with Android versions, and understanding the nature of these errors can help to quickly resolve them without going to the service center.
One common problem is the “Not enough space” error when using Mi Mover, even if the new phone seems to have free space, because it requires a time space larger than the data itself to unpack and install applications, and clearing the cache and deleting unnecessary files before migrating will help avoid this situation.
Users also often find that some apps don’t port or open on the new Redmi, which may be because the app isn’t optimized for the new version of Android or the MIUI shell, in which case it’s recommended to remove the “broken” app and download it again from the Google Play Store.