How to transfer data from your phone to Xiaomi: the complete guide

Buying a new Xiaomi smartphone is always an exciting moment, which is overshadowed by one technical complexity: the need to transfer accumulated information. You do not have to manually type in hundreds of numbers or search for old photos if you know the right tools. Modern Mi and Redmi devices are equipped with powerful built-in utilities that automate this process to the state of “pushing a button”.

There are several proven migration methods, each with its own advantages depending on the original operating system and the amount of data you have.If you move from Android, the process will take minutes thanks to high-speed Wi-Fi Direct. There are also proven paths for iPhone owners, although they require a little more time to prepare.

In this guide, we will take a look at the Mi Mover app, Google’s cloud services, and manual copying methods, and learn which files are automatically transferred and where you need your intervention so that no important document gets lost when you change your device.

Using the Mi Mover app for quick migration

The most efficient way to transfer data from your phone to your Xiaomi phone is to use the native Mi Mover app, which is pre-installed on all devices with a MIUI and HyperOS shell, and for older phones available on Google Play. The utility creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between gadgets, which provides transfer speeds well beyond Bluetooth.

It runs on both devices, and on the new smartphone, you choose the Receiver role, and on the old one, you choose the Sender. QR-If you have a code or manual connection to the network, the system will tell you to select file categories.

⚠️ Warning: Make sure both smartphones are charged at least 50-60%. The process of cloning the system and heavy files can consume a significant amount of energy, and discharging at a critical moment will lead to failure.

The interface is intuitive, but it's worth paying attention to the System Settings section, which is where Wi-Fi passwords, desktop icons, and some personalization options are hidden. Make sure to tick this item so that the new Xiaomi behaves the same way as your previous device.

Sync through Google Account: database

The foundation of the Android ecosystem is a Google account that stores your contacts, calendar events and notes. Before you start the active phase of migrating to Xiaomi, make sure that the old device is forced to sync, which ensures that the cloud storage contains the latest versions of your records.

To check, go to your phone's settings, look for Accounts or Users and Accounts. Select your Gmail address and click the sync button. If you see the status "Sync is complete" or the time of last sync - the current minute, then the data is ready to be downloaded to the new device.

When you first set up a new Xiaomi, you will be prompted to enter the same account, the system will automatically tighten contacts and calendar, but it is worth remembering that photos stored only in local memory will not get to the cloud without enabling the autoload function in the Google Photos app.

• 📞 Contacts and phone numbers are stored instantly and are available immediately after entering.
• 📅 Google Calendar Calendar is now fully restored.
• 📝 Google Keep Notes and Tasks are synced automatically.
• 📸 Photos require separate setup and stable Wi-Fi to upload to the cloud.

This method is ideal for those who value reliability and want to make sure that even if a phone is lost, its digital shower will remain intact. Google Drive also allows you to back up lists of installed apps, making it easier to re-install them.

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If you have two-factor authentication, make sure that the second factor (such as the authenticator application) is also ported or you have backup access codes, otherwise you may be able to block your account.

Transferring data from iPhone to Xiaomi

Apple owners need not despair: it is easier to move data from iOS to Android thanks to improved compatibility. The Mi Mover app has an iOS version that allows you to transfer the bulk of user information. However, the iOS architecture imposes certain limitations on deep integration.

The process starts with installing Mi Mover on the iPhone from the App Store, and then the Android version is like scanning the code and selecting files. It's important to understand that the free apps that are on the App Store can be paid for on Android, and vice versa.

The history of WhatsApp correspondence on iOS and Android is stored in different cloud storages (iCloud and Google Drive, respectively). To transfer the history of chats, it is often necessary to use the “Data Transfer” function inside the WhatsApp application itself when you first install it on a new phone.

⚠️ Note: Apps purchased from the App Store are not portable to Android, you will have to purchase them again or search for free alternatives in the Play Market.

Manual copying via PC and Bluetooth

Sometimes automatic systems fail, or you need to transfer specific files with custom extensions, and in these cases, the classic method of connecting to a computer comes to the rescue. USB-cable, you access the file system as if it were a normal removable disk.

This method takes longer, as you will have to manually copy DCIM (photo and video), Download (download) and Documents folders, but it gives you complete control over what exactly gets to the new drive.

You can use Bluetooth to transfer small amounts of data, like multiple documents or a single video, and although the speed of this protocol is low, it has the advantage of being versatile -- it's on almost any device, even without Internet access. Turn on the device's visibility in the settings and pair.

• 🔌 USB-cable provides maximum speed and stability of connection.
• 💻 Working with files through a conductor Windows/macOS It allows you to structure the data.
• 📶 Bluetooth is easy to transfer single files without cables.
• 🗂️ You can create new folders on the fly to sort information.

When working through a PC, it is important to properly remove devices so as not to damage the file system. Use the Safe Device Removal feature in the computer operating system before disabling the cable.

Subtleties of transfer of messengers and applications

The most painful thing about changing phones is keeping your correspondence history. Telegram, Viber and WhatsApp use different backup mechanisms. Telegram stores all the history on its servers, so just type in your phone number and all the chats will appear as if nothing had happened. Cloud sync works flawlessly here.

WhatsApp is more complicated. On Android, you back up on Google Drive. You have to select Chatchats on your old phone in WhatsApp settings» → «Backup" and click "Create." On the new phone, when it first starts, the messenger will find this copy and prompt you to restore it.

For banking applications and government services, data portability is often impossible for security reasons. Sberbank Online, Public Services and other secure applications will require re-authorization and sometimes re-binding of the device via the Internet. SMS Or call the bank. SIM-card to receive confirmation codes.

⚠️ Note: Do not remove WhatsApp from your old phone until you have made sure that your email history is fully displayed and is working on your new device.

Some applications may not be supported on a new device due to differences in the architecture of the processor or the Android version, and in such cases, you will have to look for web versions of services or analogues.

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It is critical for messengers to use built-in backup features, not just system cloning, as databases are often encrypted by device-specific binding.

Completion of the setup and integrity check

Once the transfer process is complete, don't rush to give away or sell your old phone. Take the time to do a thorough check. Walk through the gallery, make sure all the albums are in place. Open the phone book and check for all the numbers, especially those recorded on the phone. SIM-Cards (sometimes imported separately via contact menu).

Check two-factor authentication. If you have used Google Authenticator or analogs, make sure that the codes are generated or that you successfully transferred the access keys. In some cases, you need to reset 2FA on service sites, indicating a new device.

Only after fully checking the functionality of the new Xiaomi can you start cleaning the old device. data/factory This ensures that your personal data does not fall into the wrong hands.

• ✅ Check for all photos and videos in the gallery.
• ✅ Make sure notifications from all important apps are working.
• ✅ Check the synchronization of alarm clocks and recurring events.
• ✅ Make sure that your bank cards (or their equivalents) are tied back to Google Pay.

Competent data transfer is the key to comfortable use of the new gadget from the first minutes. Xiaomi provides all the necessary tools to make this process smooth and lossless.