The acquisition of a new smartphone from Xiaomi is always a joyous event, but often overshadowed by the need to transfer a huge amount of data, especially in the media library: photos and videos that occupy a significant amount of memory and represent valuable memories of life events. Data migration between devices of the same ecosystem is usually much faster and painless than in a brand change, thanks to the deeply integrated tools of the MIUI and HyperOS system.
There are several proven ways to do this, each with its own advantages depending on file size and Internet connection speed: You can use the built-in Migration app, which runs on Wi-Fi Direct, or use cloud services to automatically sync, depending on whether you need to transfer only a couple of albums or completely clone the gallery of an old device.
In this article, we will take a closer look at each option available, with a focus on nuances that are often overlooked by ordinary users. We will look at Mi Cloud, computer transfer and third-party cloud storage. It is important to understand that direct Wi-Fi Direct transmission via Mi Mover is the fastest way to transfer tens of gigabytes of data without using traffic, and this method will be the most attention.
Using the Mi Mover app for fast transfer
The most efficient and preferred way for Xiaomi app owners is to use the regular Mi Mover app, which is pre-installed on most devices and allows you to create a direct Wi-Fi connection between two smartphones, providing high data transfer speeds without the involvement of a router. The algorithm is simple and does not require the presence of the Internet, making it an ideal solution for transferring large amounts of information.
To start, you need to open the app on both devices, and on the new smartphone, select the role "I am the recipient" and on the old one, "I am the sender." QR-And if you have code or manually connected to the network, you'll start to analyze the data, and you can select specific file types, in this case, images and videos, so you don't have to overload the new phone with unnecessary garbage.
Transfers can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour, depending on the number of gigabytes. Device screens may go out during operation, but it is not recommended to interrupt the connection. The application interface shows real-time progress and approximate remaining time, which allows you to monitor the situation.
☑️ Preparing for migration through Mi Mover
It is worth noting that the app retains the folder and album structure, which is critical for those who are used to a certain order in the gallery.The metadata of files, such as the shooting date and geolocation, is also stored in full.
⚠️ Warning: Do not open the gallery or try to edit the photo during the migration process, this may cause the application to freeze or damage the transmitted files.
Synchronization through the cloud Mi Cloud
The second most popular method is the use of the Mi Cloud, which requires a Mi Account account and a stable connection to the Wi-Fi network. The main advantage of the method is its automation: once you set up sync, your photos will be available on any device where you log in.
To activate the function, go to your phone's settings and select the Mi Account section. Next, find the Sync option and activate the switch opposite the Gallery. The system will prompt you to choose the quality of the photos you upload: Original or Optimized. To maintain maximum quality, choose the Original, but remember that this will exhaust the free limit of 5 GB faster.
On the new phone, it’s easy to log in to the same account, and photos will start uploading automatically as you watch them or in the background, a technique that makes it easier to use the old device after you successfully boot them if you turn on the “Clear Memory” feature.