Changing your smartphone is always accompanied by a desire to transfer all the accumulated data to a new device as quickly and painlessly as possible. Owners of the Xiaomi ecosystem are in a winning position, since the manufacturer has provided several built-in tools for synchronization. The process of copying contacts, photos, music and applications takes minutes, if you know the correct sequence of actions.
There are many scenarios where data transfers are required, from buying a new model to losing an old phone or simply sharing files with a friend, depending on the amount of information and the type of data being transmitted, the user can choose the most appropriate method, and consider in detail each of the options available, their advantages and the technical features of the implementation.
Using the Mi Mover app to migrate fully
The most efficient and comprehensive way is to use the Mi Mover application, which is designed specifically for deep data migration between brand devices and allows you to transfer not only multimedia, but also system settings, keyboard layouts and even the location of icons on the desktop. To get started, you need to make sure that the application is installed on both smartphones; on modern versions of MIUI, it is built into the settings section.
The startup process is done via the Settings menu → About Phone → Mi Mover or by searching the application list. Once the program is opened, the sender role is selected on one device and the receiver on the other. Smartphones create a direct Wi-Fi connection, which ensures high transfer speeds without using Internet traffic.
Importantly, for Mi Mover to work properly, the screens of both devices must be turned on and the system must not go into power saving mode during the process.The application automatically sorts the data into categories, allowing the deselect user to unnecessary partitions before starting to copy.
- 🚀 Allows you to transfer system settings and passwords from Wi-Fi networks.
- 📱 It works consistently even with a large amount of data (more than 50 GB).
- 🔒 Uses a local secure connection without accessing an external network.
⚠️ Note: Do not interrupt the migration process or open other heavy applications, as this may damage the data archive or freeze the installation process.
☑️ Check before launching the Mi Mover
Transfer files via Mi Drop (Mi Share)
For fast transfer of individual files, photos or videos, Mi Drop technology, which in the new shells has transformed into Mi Share, is ideal, which is based on a combination of Bluetooth for handshake and Wi-Fi Direct for transferring the file body itself, which provides speeds comparable to wired connection.
To send a file, the user can open a gallery or file manager, select the desired items and click the "Share" button. In the list of available methods, choose Mi Share or Mi Drop. The system will automatically search for nearby Xiaomi devices authorized in the Mi Account or in visibility mode.
The main advantage of this method is that it's versatile for everyday use, so you don't have to set up complex connections or enter passwords every time, you just have to bring the devices closer together, but you have to keep in mind that Bluetooth and geolocation have to be activated to work.
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For maximum transfer speeds via Mi Drop, make sure that both smartphones are no more than 3-5 meters apart and there are no thick concrete walls between them.
The technology supports packet transfers of up to 2GB at a time, making it convenient for sharing heavy, high-resolution video files, and unlike cloud services, it does not require an internet connection, which saves traffic.
Sync with Xiaomi Cloud and Mi Cloud
The Mi Cloud is the foundation of Xiaomi’s ecosystem, allowing you to back up your contacts, messages, notes and photos in secure, remote storage, a method that is ideal for those who want to set up a new phone from scratch by simply logging in to their account.
To activate synchronization, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud. Here the user can select data categories for backup. Once the corresponding switches are turned on, the system will automatically upload data to the server if there is a Wi-Fi connection.
On the new device, just enter the same Mi Account, and the system will suggest recovering data from the last available backup, which is especially convenient for restoring contacts and calendars that are critical to everyday life.
| Type of data | Limit in the free version | Recovery speed | Network dependency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts and SMS | 5GB (total) | Instantly. | Required. |
| Photos | Enters 5GB. | Depends on the volume. | Required. |
| Recorder recordings | Enters 5GB. | Tall. | Required. |
| System settings | Not limited. | Medium | Required. |
It’s worth remembering that free storage is limited to 5 gigabytes, which may not be enough to fully back up photos and videos in original quality, and in such cases, it makes sense to purchase an extended subscription or use the cloud selectively.
Use of wired connection and PC
The classic method of transferring data through a computer remains one of the most reliable, especially when it comes to huge amounts of information or a damaged smartphone screen. By connecting both Xiaomi devices to a PC in turn, you can copy the contents of internal memory or a microSD card.
When connecting a USB cable, you need to select the mode of operation of File Transfer (MTP) in the notification curtain. The computer will determine the phone as an external drive, after which you can manually copy the folders DCIM, Download, Music and others into a separate directory on the hard drive.
Then, when you turn off the first phone, you plug in the second phone and copy the stored data to the appropriate directories, which takes longer to prepare, but gives you full control over the file structure and allows you to clear the memory before transferring it.
For users working with large 4K video archives, this is often the only viable option, as wireless protocols may not provide stable speeds over long distances.
⚠️ Warning: When copying via PC, always use the Safe Device Removal feature before disabling the cable to avoid file system damage or data loss.
Alternative methods: Bluetooth and Google Photos
If you don’t have a computer at hand, and the built-in Xiaomi services are not available for some reason, you can always turn to universal solutions. Bluetooth is present in every smartphone and allows you to transfer a small file without configuring complex networks, although the transfer speed remains extremely low.
A more modern analogue of cloud sync is Google Photos, which by installing the app on your old phone and enabling autoload, you can access your entire media library from any device that has logged in to the same Google account, eliminating the need to physically link your phones.
There are also third-party file sharing apps that work on the principle of P2P networks, which are often used to transfer data between devices of different brands, but in a bundle Xiaomi-to-Xiaomi inferior to native solutions for speed and integration with the system.
Why is Bluetooth slow?
Solving problems and optimizing the process
Sometimes the transmission process can run into technical hurdles, most often with an unstable Wi-Fi module or conflicting power saving settings. If the speed has dropped to zero, try turning off mobile internet on both devices, leaving only Wi-Fi.
It’s also worth checking if one of the phones has aggressive antivirus or memory cleaners that can block local network creation. In rare cases, resetting network settings through the Settings menu → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth helps.
Make sure there is enough free space on the receiving device.The system can start the process, but interrupt it if the place runs out by the end of the copy, leading to broken files.
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The fastest and most reliable way to completely replace your phone is the Mi Mover, and for a regular transfer of a pair of photos - Mi Share.