Buying a new smartphone is always a pleasant thrill, but the process of data migration often causes users to panic. Owners of the Xiaomi ecosystem are in a better position, as the company has developed powerful tools to automate this task.
There are several proven ways to perform this operation, each with its own advantages depending on the situation: you can use the built-in Mi Mover app, Google cloud services or Mi Cloud, as well as third-party solutions. It is important to choose the method that best suits your current conditions and the technical condition of both devices.
In this article, we will take a look at all the options available so you can choose the best one. We will look at the nuances of working with different versions of MIUI and HyperOS, and also discuss how to avoid losing important contacts or photos. Full charging of both devices before starting the procedure is a prerequisite for successful completion of the process without failure.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before you run any copying tool, make sure both smartphones are ready to go.This is not just a formality, but a critical step that prevents 90% of possible errors.Make sure both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, as most methods rely on wireless connectivity.
Check for free space on your new device. The amount of memory available should exceed the size of the data you plan to transfer. If you are not sure about the exact volume, it is better to look in advance at the settings of the old phone's storage through the Settings → Memory menu.
☑️ Ready for transfer
It’s also worth checking the operating system version. While Xiaomi’s current tools are smart enough to work between different versions of Android, having the latest updates reduces the risk of software conflicts. If an old phone has a very old version of the system installed, you may need to update it first.
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Use original cables and chargers during preparation to avoid sudden power outages due to unstable accessory operation.
Using the Mi Mover app for local porting
The most efficient and quickest way is to use the Mi Mover app, which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones, and can be downloaded from the app store for other brands, creating a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices, which allows for high transfer speeds without using Internet traffic.
Run the app on both devices. On the new phone, select "I'm the recipient" and on the old phone, "I'm the sender." QR-code that will appear on the screen of the new device, and then the scan will start the connection process.
- 📱 Select data types: contacts, messages, call log, applications.
- 🖼️ Mark media files: photos, videos, music, documents.
- ⚙️ Check the system settings: wallpaper, alarm clocks, notes.
It's important to keep the screens on, and Mi Mover can restore folder structure so your files will be exactly where they were before, and once the transfer is complete, the new phone may need to be rebooted to apply some settings.
What if the Mi Mover can’t see the device?
Sync with your Google account and Mi Cloud
Cloud technology allows you to move data without physical proximity of devices, which is convenient if the old phone is already sold or lost, but the backup is preserved.The main emphasis is on Google Drive and Mi Cloud. First, log into your Google account on the old device and make sure that the sync is complete.
Go to Google Settings via Settings → Google → Backup. You can start backup manually. This will include contacts, application history and some system settings. Use Mi Cloud, which specializes in Xiaomi ecosystem data, for more in-depth copying.
| Type of data | Google Drive | Mi Cloud | Local copy. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Yes. | Yes. | Yes. |
| Photos and videos | Yes (Google Photo) | Yes. | Yes. |
| SMS messages | Limitedly. | Yes. | Yes. |
| Wi-Fi passwords | Yes. | No. | Yes. |
On a new phone, just log into the same account when you first set up or in the settings menu, and the system will offer to restore data from the last available copy, which is ideal for those who value automation and do not want to mess with cables or manual selection of files.
Transfer WhatsApp, Viber and other messengers
Messengers are worth special attention, as they often store the most important correspondence. Standard copying methods may not save the history of messages inside applications for security reasons. WhatsApp needs to use a built-in backup feature.
Go to WhatsApp settings on your old phone, select Chats → Chat Backup. Make sure the copy is uploaded to Google Drive. On the new device, when it first starts, the messenger will prompt you to restore your story from the cloud. A similar algorithm works for Viber and Telegram (although Telegram stores everything in the cloud automatically).
⚠️ Note: When transferring via Mi Mover, the instant messenger applications themselves are copied, but the history of correspondence may not be transferred without first creating a backup inside the application itself.
If you use two-factor authentication, make sure you have access to your phone number or recovery codes. Without a number confirmation, it will be impossible to restore the archive of messages even with a backup file in your hands.
Solving problems and errors when copying
Even the best tools can get out of hand, and often users are faced with a situation where the transmission is 99 percent stuck or interrupted in the middle, most of the time due to an unstable connection or energy-saving algorithms of the system.
Try disabling the Wi-Fi Assistant option or smart network switching so your phone doesn't try to get on the mobile Internet, and rebooting both smartphones before you try again helps. If specific files are the problem, try to reduce the amount of data you're transferring by choosing the most important thing.
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Connection stability is more important than speed: it is better to transfer data slowly but without breaks than to try to speed up the process at the expense of communication quality.
In some cases, antivirus programs or third-party launchers may block the work of system copy services. Temporary switching to a standard interface and disabling protection can solve the problem.
Data security after transfer
After a successful migration, don't get rid of your old device right away. Check your new phone: open a gallery, contacts, notes. Make sure all apps work correctly and require login only where you need to.
Remember to log out of all accounts on your old device and perform a full reset to factory settings (Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset) to ensure that your personal data does not fall into the wrong hands. Deleting files through the file manager is not enough, it is the system reset that is needed.
- 🔒 Check active sessions in your Google and Mi Account.
- 🗑️ Run Factory Reset on an old device.
- 🔐 Change the passwords of important services if you suspect a leak.
Now your new Xiaomi smartphone is fully ready to go, storing all your digital memories and settings.A competent approach to data transfer saves hours of time and preserves the nervous system.