Changing a smartphone, especially within the same ecosystem, is always an exciting process that many users fear because of the risk of losing important contacts or photos. Fortunately, Xiaomi has developed several effective mechanisms for cloning information, making the transition to the new model as painless as possible. Modern shells MIUI and HyperOS allow you to copy not only media files, but also the placement of icons on the desktop, passwords from Wi-Fi and even call history.
There are three main ways to do this: using the built-in Mi Mover app, recovering through a Google account, or syncing through Xiaomi Cloud. The choice of the specific method depends on the amount of information, the status of the old device, and the availability of a stable Internet connection. In this article, we will discuss each of the options in detail so that you can choose the most suitable for your situation.
Before you start active, make sure that both devices are at least 50-60% charged. The process of mass transfer of files can be energy intensive, and a sudden disconnection of one of the smartphones will interrupt the operation and possibly damage the archives. Also check the availability of free space on the receiving device, as the copy will take exactly the same gigabytes as it was occupied on the old phone.
Use of the built-in Mi Mover application
The fastest and most convenient way, which does not require the need for Internet, is to use the regular tool Mi Mover. This application is already pre-installed in the system, but if the old phone does not have it (for example, this device is another brand), it can be downloaded for free from the Google Play store or GetApps. The principle of operation is based on the creation of a local Wi-Fi network between two gadgets, which ensures high data transfer speed.
To start the process, you need to open the app on both devices. On the new smartphone, select the role of "Receiver" and on the old one, "Sender." QR-If you have code or manually connect to the network you've created, you can choose the types of data you want to migrate to. You can migrate all at once or selectively mark contacts, messages, gallery and installed applications.
☑️ Preparation for transfer via Mi Mover
It's important to understand that when you migrate apps, the programs themselves are copied, but you still have to log in to banking apps and messengers for security reasons. But Mi Mover will keep the folder structure and even the widgets on the desktop, recreate the familiar environment. If there's a mistake in the process, try turning off mobile Internet on both devices, leaving only the Wi-Fi module active.
⚠️ Warning: Do not break the connection or switch to other applications while copying large amounts of data, as this can lead to a process freeze and the need to start all over again.
Synchronization through Google account
The classic method, which works on any Android device, including Xiaomi, is ideal for those who already use Google services to store contacts, calendars and notes, and the essence of the method is that you back up on your old phone, and when you log in to the same account on a new device, the system automatically pulls up all the stored data.
To activate backup, go to your phone’s settings and search for Google → Backup. Here you can force current data to be saved. Special attention should be paid to the Photos and Videos section in the Google Photos app: make sure that sync is enabled and the process is complete, otherwise some media files may not appear on the new gadget.
Once you turn on your new smartphone and log in to your Google account, the system will suggest recovering data from the last stored copy, a process that can take anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours depending on the speed of the Internet and the number of applications, and the advantage of this method is its versatility and reliability of storing data in the cloud.
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Before buying a new phone, check the amount of space you have in Google One, as a free 15GB limit may not be enough to make a full copy of all high-quality photos and videos.
Working with Xiaomi Cloud and synchronization
Xiaomi Cloud allows you to synchronize specific system data that Google may miss: alarm settings, voice recordings, notes and even the location of icons on the desktop.
On the old device, go to the Mi Account settings and select “Cloud Sync.” Make sure the switches opposite the desired categories (Contacts, Messages, Gallery) are active. Once sync is complete, the new phone just logs into the same Mi Account and the data will start loading in the background.
What to do if the synchronization is suspended?
A distinctive feature of this method is the ability to selectively restore, for example, you can only synchronize contacts and messages by leaving photos in the old place or transferring them in another way, which makes Xiaomi Cloud a flexible tool for partial migration.
Manual transfer of files via computer
If media is in the hundreds of gigabytes, wireless methods can be too slow, and then the best solution is to use a personal computer as an intermediate buffer, which is also good because it allows you to audit files and clean the gallery of unnecessary debris before downloading to a new device.
Connect your old smartphone to your PC through USB-cable and select the notification menu mode "File Transfer» (MTP). Copy the required folders (usually this one) DCIM, Pictures, Download, Music) to a separate directory on your hard drive. Then plug the new phone in and copy the data to the corresponding folders of internal memory.
When copying manually, it is important to keep the folder structure in mind, especially if you want the music or ringtones to be correctly defined by the system, but this method will not transfer application settings or the history of correspondence in messengers, so it is better to combine it with other methods to fully cover data.
Comparison of data transfer methods
To make it easier for you to decide on a migration tool, we have prepared a comparative table that will help you quickly assess the pros and cons of each method, depending on your current conditions and needs.
| Method | Speed. | We need the Internet. | What's copying |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover | Very high. | No (locally) | All (including settings) |
| Google Account | Medium | Yes. | Contacts, photos, applications |
| Xiaomi Cloud | Depends on the network. | Yes. | System settings, contacts |
| PC (USB) | Tall. | No. | Files only (photos, videos) |
As you can see from the table, Mi Mover is the most comprehensive solution for Xiaomi owners: it does not require a connection to the global network, which is especially true when moving or a bad signal. However, it is always useful to have synchronization with cloud services to hedge critical data such as contacts and documents.
Typical errors and their solution
Despite the fact that things are fine, users often run into problems, and one of the most common is that devices can't see each other in Mi Mover, so you need to make sure that both phones are on GPS, because Android requires it to work with local Wi-Fi networks.
Another common problem is the “Not enough space” error when recovering from Google’s backup, which may be trying to recover apps that weigh more than free memory available, in which case restore only contacts and photos first, and download apps manually after clearing the space.
⚠️ Note: When transferring data from iPhone to Xiaomi via Mi Mover, call history and SMS It will not be copied due to the limitations of the iOS operating system.
If you transfer data from another Android smartphone (not Xiaomi), the functionality may be limited, for example, you can not copy the settings of alarm clocks or theme of the design, in such cases, you should focus on transferring media files and contacts, and reconfigure the interface.
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The combined approach (Mi Mover for apps and Photo + Google for contacts) gives the best result and ensures the safety of all data.