How to transfer data to the new Xiaomi phone from an old Android device without loss

Switching to a new smartphone without a headache: what to know before transferring

Changing your phone is always exciting, especially when it comes to data preservation. Xiaomi Android smartphones offer several ways to migrate, but they are not all equally effective. The main mistake users make is trying to copy everything, which leads to duplicate files, malfunctioning applications and even loss of important data. For example, transferring the cache of messengers (like WhatsApp or Telegram) through the usual copying of folders often breaks the history of correspondence.

In this article, we will analyze 5 proven methods of data transfer, taking into account the features of firmware. MIUI. You will learn how to save not only photos and contacts, but also system application settings (such as Theme Store or Security), which often “fly off” when synced with a standard Google Account. OTG For transferring files larger than 30GB, data may be damaged due to file system limitations FAT32, And how to avoid it.

1.The official way: Mi Mover by Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a proprietary solution from Xiaomi that pre-installes on both phones (old and new).

• 📱 Contacts, messages (SMS/MMS) and call logs
• 📷 Photos, video and audio files (including Gallery albums)
• 📁 Annexes (APK-file + data if both devices are on MIUI 12+)
• 🔧 System settings (wallpaper, sound schemes, notification parameters)

How to use:

1. On the new Xiaomi, when you first turn on, select Data Transfer → Mi Mover.
2. On an old phone, download Mi Mover from Google Play (or the App Store if the old phone is on iOS).
3. Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network or create an access point on your old phone.
4. Scan it. QR-code from a new phone on an old one.
5. Select data categories for transfer and confirm the operation.

Charge both phones at least 50% | Make sure that the new Xiaomi has enough memory (minimum reserve - 10% of the volume of data transferred) | Disable VPNs and firewalls | Check the stability of Wi-Fi (speed not less than 5 Mbit / s)

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⚠️ Note: If your old phone has custom firmware installed (e.g. LineageOS), Mi Mover may not recognize some system files.

2. Sync through Google Account: pros and pitfalls

The method works if both phones are linked to the same Google Account, and it automatically syncs:

• 📇 Contacts (via Google Contacts)
• 📅 Calendars and Tasks (Google Calendar)
• 📎 Notes (Google Keep)
• 📂 Photos and videos (if you have autoloaded in Google Photos)
• 🎮 Game data (via Google Play Games)

How to turn on synchronization:

1. On your old phone: Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync → Enable all the necessary items.
2. On the new Xiaomi: when you first start, log in to the same Google Account or add it to Settings → Accounts.
3. Wait until synchronization is complete (it can take up to 24 hours for large data sets).

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If you see duplicates in Google Contacts after syncing, use the merge tool: go to contacts.google.com, select Duplicates → Combine.

⚠️ Attention: Google Photos compresses images when downloading free (quality High). To transfer photos in the original resolution, select Source Quality (requires storage over 15 GB) option).

Mi Mover|Google Account| OTG/PC Cable | Cloud Services (Yandex Drive, Dropbox) | Another way-->

3. Transfer over OTG cable or computer: when you need "manual" control

This method is relevant if:

• 🔌 You don’t have stable Wi-Fi (for example, when moving).
• 📥 We need to move the files. >50 GB (Mi Mover Limitation).
• 🛠️ Selective copying is required (for example, only folder) DCIM/Camera).

Step-by-step instructions for transfer via PC:

1. Connect your old phone to your computer through USB-cable (select File Transfer Mode (MTP)).
2. Copy the desired folders (DCIM, Download, WhatsApp/Media, etc.) to the hard drive of the PC.
3. Turn off your old phone, plug in a new Xiaomi and transfer the files back.
4. For applications: copy the Android/obb folder (game data) and Android/data (cache of some applications).

⚠️ Warning: Do not copy the folder Android/data for applications that encrypt data (e.g. banking apps or Telegram with secret chats), this can lead to account locks on suspicion of hacking.

4. Cloud services: Yandex Drive, Dropbox and others

Cloud storage is convenient for transferring small amounts of data (up to 20 GB) or when phones are in different locations.

• 📁 Yandex Disk: 10 GB free, there is an automatic download of photos.
• 📦 Dropbox: 2GB free, but reliable sync.
• ☁️ Mega: 20GB free (with traffic restrictions).
• 🌐 OneDrive: 5GB free, Microsoft 365 integration.

How to transfer data through Yandex Drive:

1. Install the Yandex Drive app on both phones.
2. On an old phone, upload files to the cloud (select folders and click Download).
3. On the new Xiaomi, download files from the cloud to internal memory.

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Cloud services are ideal for backup, but are not suitable for porting applications or system settings. Use them as an add-on to your Mi Mover or Google Account.

5. Data Application Portability: Why It’s Difficult and How to Get Around the Limits

The hardest part of migration is saving these applications (e.g., game progress, Viber or 1Password settings), and standard methods (like Mi Mover) often fail to do this.

For games and applications with cloud synchronization:

• 🎮 Games: Use the built-in Google Play Games or Facebook binding.
• 🔐 Password Managers: Export the database (e.g. to the 1Password It's the settings. → Exports).
• 💬 Messengers: in WhatsApp or Telegram, back up to the cloud (Settings) → chat → Backup copy).

For applications without cloud:

1. Use ADB Backup (requires debugging over USB and PC):
2. Restore on the new phone:

⚠️ Attention: ADB Backup does not work with applications that prohibit backup (such as some banking applications). Before using, check the list of supported applications with the command: adb shell pm list packages -f | grep -E "backupAgent|allowBackup" What to do if data is not transferred or corrupted Typical problems and their solutions: Problem Possible cause Solution Photos displayed without thumbnails Damaged cache Gallery Clear the data of the Gallery application in Settings → Appendices Not moved SMS There is no backup in Google Drive Use SMS Backup & Restore from Google Play Apps crash after porting Version Incompatibility APK Reinstall apps from Google Play manually Mi Mover hangs on 99% Weak Wi-Fi connection or large files Connect to the network 5 GHz or use cable If none of the methods worked, try resetting the settings on the new phone and repeat the transfer. → The phone. → Resetting settings. Choose to erase all data. After rebooting, repeat the transfer from scratch. FAQ: Answers to frequent questions Can you migrate data from your iPhone to Xiaomi? Yes, but with limitations. Use Mi Mover (iOS supports) or Google Contacts/Calendars Account. Photos transfer via Google Photos or iCloud (download the archive to your PC, then to Xiaomi). Music and video will have to be copied manually. Why did some contacts disappear after the transfer? They probably weren't saved in Google Account, but in the memory of the phone or the phone? SIM-Check: On the old phone: Contacts → Settings → Imports/Exports → Exports to SD-Transfer the.vcf file to the new Xiaomi and import it. How to transfer data from phone to phone MIUI 11 on the new Xiaomi with MIUI 14? Versions? MIUI Mi Mover compatibility is not affected, but system applications may be affected (e.g. Themes or Security). In this case: Use Google Account for basic data. Move files manually over a cable or cloud. Update the firmware on your old phone to the latest available version before porting. Can you transfer data from a phone that has a broken screen? Yes, if the phone turns on and reacts to touch, plug it into the PC via a touch. USB And you can copy it manually. If the screen doesn't work at all, plug the mouse in. OTG-Adapter (if the phone supports) USB OTG). Use it. ADB for PC control (adb shell input tap x y for tap emulation) Contact the service center for data retrieval. 60 GB of data? Depends on the method: Mi Mover: 1–3 hourly (wi-fi) 5 GHz. Cable. OTG/PC: 20–40 minute (USB 3.0). Google Photos: up 24 hours (depending on the speed of the Internet). To speed up, turn off background synchronization of other applications and use a wired connection.