How to quickly and securely transfer all data from one Xiaomi phone to another

Moving to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but data porting often becomes a headache. Contacts, photos, messages, apps, and even screen settings all need to be saved to keep from starting from scratch. Fortunately, Xiaomi has several built-in tools and third-party solutions that make it easier to migrate. In this article, we will break down all the current ways, from the official Mi Mover to manual transfer via the cloud or cable.

It's important to understand that the choice of method depends on the amount of data, the model of phones and even the version of MIUI. For example, to transfer 100 GB of photos and videos better use cable, and to synchronize contacts and notes will be enough cloud service, we will also take into account nuances that are rarely mentioned in standard instructions, from the limitations on file size to compatibility with older versions of Android.

If you move from an iPhone or another brand to Xiaomi, some of the methods will still work, but with reservations. For owners of Redmi, POCO or Black Shark, all the instructions are relevant - these sub-brands use the same MIUI ecosystem.

1.Official method: Mi Mover – fast transfer without cloud

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary solution for migrating data between devices to MIUI, built into the firmware and doesn’t require any additional applications to be installed, and it copies almost everything from contacts to call history, but there are limitations on file size and types.

To use the Mi Mover, both phones must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network (or create an access point on an old device). Importantly, on the new Xiaomi smartphone, this tool is only available during the initial setup, and if you have already completed the installation, you will have to reset the phone to factory settings or use alternative methods.

• 📱 Step 1. On the new phone, when you first turn on, select Data Transfer» → «Mi Mover».
• 🔗 Step 2. On your old phone, open Settings → The phone. → Mi Mover (or find it through search).
• 📡 Step 3. Scan it. QR-code from a new device or connect via Wi-Fi Direct.
• 📁 Step 4: Select data types to transfer (contacts, messages, photos, apps) and confirm.

The speed of the transfer depends on the amount of data and the stability of the network. For example, 20 GB of photos and videos can be copied from 30 minutes to 2 hours. If the process is interrupted, it can be resumed, but some data (for example, progress in games) may not recover.

Charging the battery of both phones > 50%|Both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.|The new phone has not completed the initial setup|On the old phone enough free space (at least 10% of the amount of data transmitted)-->

2. Transfer via OTG cable or adapter - for large volumes

If you have tens of gigabytes of photos, videos or music, wireless methods may be too slow, and direct cable connectivity will help, requiring a USB-OTG adapter (or Type-C to Type-C cable, if both phones are modern).

The advantage of this method is speed (up to 40 MB/s) and no dependence on the Internet. However, there are nuances: not all system application files (for example, messages in Mi Messages) can be copied manually, and you will have to restore applications yourself through Google Play or Mi App Store.

• 🔌 Step 1 Connect your old phone to your new phone OTG-Adapter. On the new device, select "File Transfer" mode» (MTP).
• 📂 Step 2: Open the file manager (such as Mi File Manager) on your new phone and find the connected device.
• 📤 Step 3. Copy the folders you want (DCIM for photos, Download for downloads, WhatsApp for messenger backups).
• 🔄 Step 4: For applications, export listings through Settings → Annexes → Exports/Imports (not available on all models).

Note that when you manually copy the Android/data folder (where the application data is stored), you may not be able to transfer correctly due to Android restrictions on access to other people's files, in which case only backing up through Google Account or Mi Cloud will help.

Mi Mover| OTG| Cloud (Mi Cloud/Google Drive)|Bluetooth/Wi-Fi Direct|Another way-->

3. Cloud Services: Mi Cloud, Google Drive and Alternatives

Cloud storage is convenient for transferring small amounts of data (up to 10-15 GB) or synchronizing individual file types (contacts, calendars, notes). Xiaomi offers its service - Mi Cloud, but it has a limitation: only 5 GB is available for free. For comparison, Google Drive gives 15 GB, and Yandex Disk - 10 GB.

Before you upload data to the cloud, check: 1. Both phones use the same account (Mi Account or Google). 2. The sync settings include the necessary options (for example, Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud → Contact Synchronization). 3. Internet speed is sufficient for downloading / downloading (for example, 10 GB over a mobile network can “eat” all traffic).

* When using Telegram Premium, the limit is increased to 4 GB per file.

⚠️ Note: If you use Mi Cloud to transfer photos, check the compression settings. By default, the service can reduce the resolution of images to save space. To disable this, go to Settings Mi Cloud → Photo Photo → Quality of loading → Original.

4. Applications and their data portability: what works and what doesn’t

One of the most difficult aspects of migration is saving these applications, such as progress in games, the history of chats in messengers or settings in banking programs, not all applications support backup, and some (such as WhatsApp) require additional actions.

Here's what you can do: 1. Apps from Google Play: List of installed programs can be exported through Settings → Annexes → Application management → Export (not available on all models). On a new phone, import the list and install the apps again. 2. App data: Use built-in backup features (e.g. WhatsApp is Settings). → chat → Backup). 3. Games: Many games (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile) are linked to a Google Play Games or Mi Account. Sign in on a new phone and progress will be automatically picked up.

• 🎮 Games: Link to a developer account (e.g. HoYoverse for Honkai: Star Rail).
• 💬 Messengers: Telegram and Viber chat history synced through the cloud, WhatsApp needs a local backup.
• 🏦 Banking applications: Most (e.g. SberBank Online) require re-authorization.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as TikTok or Instagram) block backups via Mi Mover or Google Account, in which case the only way to save information is to use built-in export features (such as downloading an archive of stories on Instagram).

5. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct: When there are no other options

If you don't have access to the Internet or cable, you can use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct, which are suitable for transferring small files (up to 1-2 GB), because the speed is limited (maximum 10-15 MB / s), for example, it is so convenient to transfer contacts in.vcf or multiple photos.

To transfer over Wi-Fi Direct: 1. Activate the feature on both phones (Settings → Connection and Sharing → Wi-Fi Direct). 2. Connect devices to each other (code confirmation may be required). 3. Use the file manager to send data (Mi File Manager has the option “Send” → “Wi-Fi Direct”).

For Bluetooth: 1. Turn on Bluetooth on both phones and pair them. 2. Select files in the file manager and click Share → Bluetooth. 3. Confirm reception on the second device.

• ⚡ Pros: No need for internet or cable.
• ⏳ Cons: Slow speed, file size limits (usually up to 1GB).
• 🔋 Nuance: When transferring a large number of files, the battery is discharged.

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If you want to transfer contacts via Bluetooth, export them to.vcf via Contacts → Settings → Export/Import → Export to your device, so they will be transferred without loss, including profile photos.

6.Moving from iPhone to Xiaomi: features and pitfalls

If you're switching from an iPhone to Xiaomi, standard methods like Mi Mover won't work. Apple uses a closed ecosystem, so you'll have to combine several ways: 1. Contacts and calendars: sync through iCloud or Google Account. 2. Photos and videos: use Google Photos or iCloud for Windows (download files to your PC, then transfer them to Xiaomi). 3. Music: if you bought tracks from iTunes, they can't be transferred directly. Use Apple Music on Android or download files via third-party programs.

The hardest part is to transfer messages from iMessage. There is no official way, but you can try: - Use paid programs like iMazing or Backuptrans to export history to.csv or.html. - Manually take screenshots of important correspondence (inconvenient, but works for critical dialogue).

⚠️ Warning: When transferring from your iPhone, turn off iMessage in the settings, otherwise messages from other iPhone users may not reach the new number. → Communications → iMessage.

7.Pre-transfer data check: what could have gone wrong

Even if the migration process was successful, some data might not have been moved or damaged, and this is what you need to check first:

• 📞 Contacts: Open the Contacts app and make sure all numbers are in place. especially check groups (e.g., Favorites or Workers»).
• 📸 Photo and video: Go to the gallery and scroll to the oldest files. Sometimes metadata (date of shooting, geotagged) disappears).
• 🎵 Music and downloads: Check Download and Music folders – some files may not have been copied due to restrictions on the way.
• 📱 System settings: The theme of the design, wallpaper, labels on the desktop — all of these things can reset. MIUI There is a feature "Themes" where you can restore the previous style.

If something is missing: – For contacts: check sync with Google Account or Mi Cloud in Settings → Accounts. - For photo: look in the folder MIUI/Camera or Pictures/Screenshots — Sometimes files are distributed to different directories. – For applications: try to restore from a backup of Google Drive (Settings) → System system → Backup).

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If the phone is slowing down after the transfer, check the animation settings in Settings → Special features → Eliminating animation delays. Sometimes migration resets the system optimization.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability to Xiaomi