How to move from one Xiaomi smartphone to another: 5 proven ways

The transition to the new Xiaomi: why it’s not as easy as it seems

Changing one Xiaomi smartphone to another is a task that seems elementary at first glance, because both devices run on MIUI, have the same branded services and even look often similar. However, in practice, users face a lot of nuances, from incompatibility of MIUI versions when migrating through Mi Mover to loss of data when incorrectly synchronized through the cloud. This article will help to avoid typical errors and choose the best way to migrate depending on your situation.

The main problem when moving between Xiaomi devices is the variety of portability methods, each of which has limitations. For example, Mi Mover does not work between devices with different regional firmware (Global vs China), and cloud synchronization can “forget” the settings of some applications. We tested all the current methods and collected their pros/cons in the comparative table below. But first we will understand what exactly needs to be moved and what pitfalls await at each stage.

What you can and should transfer from the old Xiaomi

Before you start the migration process, make a checklist of the data you want to save. A typical Xiaomi user stores on a smartphone:

• 📱 Contacts and call logs (including linked accounts in messengers)
• 📷 Photos and videos (including hidden folders and albums in the Gallery)
• 🎵 Music and audio files (local tracks, voice assistant recordings)
• 📁 Documents and downloads (PDF, Excel, archives from the Download folder)
• ⚙️ System settings (wallpaper, sound schemes, control gestures)
• 📱 Applications and their data (saves in games, messenger cache)
• 🔑 Passwords and accounts (including data from Mi Account and Google)

Pay special attention to hidden data: for example, files from a folder MIUI In the root directory store the settings of the themes of design, and the folder Android/data This data is often ignored in standard porting, and check if you are using a second space (dual desktop function in the mobile port). MIUI) — its contents are transferred separately.

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If you are using Xiaomi Eu ROM or custom firmware, be sure to check the compatibility of MIUI versions on both devices before perenosom data via MIUI Downloads. The difference in the 2+ version can lead to crashes.

Method 1: Mi Mover is the official tool of Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a proprietary application from Xiaomi designed for wireless data transfer between the brand’s devices.It is pre-installed on all modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones and supports the transfer of most types of data, including:

• 📱 Contacts, SMS/MMS call-book
• 📷 Photos and videos (without loss of quality)
• 🎵 Music and audio recordings
• 📁 Documents from Download and Documents folders
• 📱 Installed applications (without data)
• ⚙️ Basic system settings (wallpaper, sounds, Wi-Fi passwords)

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

1. On both smartphones, open the Mi Mover app (on the new device, it may be called “Data Transfer”).
2. On the old phone, select “I am the sender” and on the new one, “I am the receiver.”
3. Scan it. QR-code from the screen of a new phone or connect via Bluetooth.
4. Select data types to transfer and confirm the start of the process.
5. Wait until the end (time depends on the amount of data).

Charge both devices at least to the 50%|Connect to a single Wi-Fi network|Release me. 10-15% memory on a new phone|Turn it off. VPN firewalls|Check the compatibility of versions MIUI-->

Important nuance: Mi Mover does not carry application data (for example, save in games or chats in messengers), as well as files from folders created by the user manually.

Method 2: Cloud synchronization with Mi Account

If you have a Mi Account (which you do if you've used Xiaomi), you can sync some of your data over the cloud, a method that's convenient because it doesn't require you to physically have an old phone, just log in to a new device, but it has some serious limitations:

To synchronize data through the cloud:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Enable synchronization for the desired data types (contacts, notes, gallery).
3. Wait for the download to be completed (may take several hours with a large volume).
4. Sign in to the same Mi Account on your new phone.
5. In the same cloud settings, turn on synchronization and wait for the data to download.

⚠️ Note: If you use two-factor authentication in Mi Account, add a backup confirmation method (email or phone) before changing your device, otherwise, you may be blocked by Xiaomi’s security system when you first sign in on a new phone.

Method 3: Manual copying via OTG or PC cable

For users who want to have full control of the process, manual file copying is the best option, which ensures that no file is lost or corrupted, but requires more time and technical skills.

• 🔌 Cable USB OTG (direct-to-phone connection)
• 💻 Computer with USB-Ports (alternative option)
• 📁 Flash drive or external hard drive (optional)

Instructions for copying via PC:

1. Connect your old smartphone to your computer in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Copy all important folders (DCIM, Download, Pictures, etc.) to your PC hard drive.
3. Disable the old phone, connect the new one and transfer the files back.
4. For applications, copy the Android/data folder (root rights required).

For direct copying between phones via OTG:

1. Connect. OTG-adapter.
2. Connect the old phone with a cable to an adapter.
3. On a new phone, open Explorer and select the connected old smartphone.
4. Copy the necessary files into the memory of the new device.

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Manual copying is the only way to transfer files from user folders (such as work documents or archives) that are ignored by automated tools.

Method 4: Transfer through Google Account

If you are actively using Google services, some of the data can be transferred through your Google account, a method that is particularly useful for:

• 📱 Contacts (if saved in Google, not in Mi Account)
• 📅 Calendars and reminders
• 📍 Google Maps Data (Selected Places, Visit History)
• 📱 Chrome settings (bookmarks, history, passwords)
• 🎮 Save in games (if the games support Google Play Games)

To transfer data via Google:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Enable backup and wait until it is completed (may take minutes to hours).
3. On a new phone, when you first turn on, select recovery from Google backup.
4. Log in to the same account and select the latest backup.

⚠️ Note: Google backups do not include SMS, Call log and media files, which will require other methods from this article to be used to transfer them.

Method 5: Specialized applications for migration

If standard methods do not work (for example, due to firmware incompatibility), you can use third-party applications.

Example of transfer via Clone Phone:

1. Install the app on both phones from Google Play or Mi App Store.
2. On the old phone, select "Send", on the new one - "Get".
3. Connect through QR-code or manually select files.
4. Confirm the transmission and wait for completion.

These apps are especially useful if you’re switching from Xiaomi to a different brand or vice versa, but remember that they may not port the system settings and data of some apps.

What to do after the transfer: check and set up the new Xiaomi

Even after the successful data transfer, the new smartphone requires additional setup.

Check Contact Sync in Contacts → Settings → Settings → Scholars Records | Update all apps in Google Play | Set up your fingerprint/face in Settings → Passwords and Security | Check App Permissions in Settings → Apps → Permissions | Activate Find Device to search for your phone-->

Pay particular attention to:

• 🔒 Security: Enable screen lock and set up Find Device (similar to Google's Find Phone).
• 📶 Networks: transfer the settings of the mobile Internet (APN) If you use a non-standard operator.
• 🔋 Battery: Calibrate the battery (discharge to 0% and charge to 100% without interruption).
• 🎯 Gestures: Set up Settings → Additionally. → Buttons and gestures for your habits.

If you notice that some applications are unstable after the transfer, try:

1. Clear the app cache in Settings → Apps → [Select App] → Storage.
2. Update the application to the latest version.
3. Reinstall the application (remove and install again).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Xiaomi Data Transfer