How to Transfer Data to Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to Photos and Videos

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but data porting is often a headache. 5 years of photos, hundreds of contacts, saved passwords, application settings — all of this needs to be moved without loss, POCO Mi has built-in migration tools, as well as universal solutions that work on any Android.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to transfer data, from the official Mi Mover to cloud services and manual copying, how to avoid common errors (such as loss of photo quality when transferring), what file formats are supported, and what to do if smartphones “can’t see” each other, and for iPhone owners, we’ve added a separate section with the nuances of the transition to Xiaomi.

If you are in a hurry, use the automatic method through Mi Mover (section 2). If security is important, choose cloud transfer (section 3).

1. Preparation for data transfer: what to do before the beginning

Transferring data to Xiaomi requires prior preparation, which will save time and prevent the loss of important files. Start by checking device compatibility and free space.

On an old smartphone:

• 📱 Update your firmware to the latest version (especially if you use Mi Mover). → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔋 Charge both devices to at least 50%.Transfer data over cable or Wi-Fi drains the battery faster than usual.
• 📁 Clean up your files. It's a waste of time to carry gigabytes of memes and duplicate photos. Use the built-in Cleanup app or Files by Google.

On the new Xiaomi:

• 🔄 Reset to factory settings if the device has already been used, it will delete other people's data and prevent conflicts. → The phone. → Resetting settings.
• 🌐 Connect to Wi-Fi. Many transfer methods require internet (e.g., uploading to the cloud or downloading Mi Mover).
• 🔐 Disable the screen lock during the transfer. some methods (for example, through the OTG-cable may not work with the switched on PIN-code.

Critical error: If the old phone has data encryption enabled (in the security settings), the transfer over Mi Mover may fail, in which case use the cloud method or the computer.

⚠️ Note: If you are transferring data from your iPhone, pre-disable iMessage and FaceTime in Apple settings ID. Otherwise, messages can come to the old number even after activation of the SIM card in the new Xiaomi.

2. Mi Mover: the official way from Xiaomi (the fastest)

Mi Mover is a proprietary application for transferring data between Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO. It works on a point-to-point basis via Wi-Fi Direct or cable. OTG, Transmission speeds up to 10 GB/h (depending on model).

How to use:

1. Download Mi Mover on both devices from Google Play (if it is not in pre-installed apps).
2. On the new Xiaomi, select I am a new user, on the old one I am an old user.
3. Connect devices through QR-code (will appear on the screen of the new smartphone). The alternative is manual password entry.
4. Select data for transfer: contacts, messages, photos, videos, applications (without their data!) and system settings.
5. Press Start Transfer and wait until it's done. Don't interrupt the process or lock the screen.

Supported data:

Challenges and solutions:

• 🔌 Do the devices not connect? Check if both smartphones have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on. OTG, Try another connector (not all cables support data transmission).
• ⏳ Reset Mi Mover on both devices. If it doesn't work, use a different method (e.g., cloud).
• 📱 Lack of space? Mi Mover shows available space on a new device. Delete unnecessary files or transfer data in parts.

Charge both devices ≥50%|Install Mi Mover on both smartphones|Connect to a single Wi-Fi network (if not) OTG-cable)|Shut down. VPN firewalls|Make room for the new Xiaomi-->

⚠️ Note: If you transfer data from your iPhone via Mi Mover, the app will prompt you to install Mi PC Suite to your computer. It's a must-do step, without it, you can't transfer from iOS!

3. Cloud services: transfer without cables and PCs

If you don't. OTG-Cables or devices don't support Mi Mover, use cloud storage, and it works across brands (e.g. Samsung). → Xiaomi or iPhone → POCO).

Option 1: Google Account (for Android)

Syncing through Google Account carries:

• 📇 Contacts (from the Google Contacts app)
• 📅 Calendars
• 📧 Gmail mail.
• 📍 Data from some applications (e.g. Google Fit or Chrome)

How to set up:

1. On your old phone: Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync → Enable all the necessary items.
2. On the new Xiaomi: Add the same Google account to Settings → Accounts and wait for synchronization.

Option 2: Mi Cloud (for Xiaomi devices)

Mi Cloud is a proprietary cloud from Xiaomi that saves:

• 📱 Contacts, messages, notes
• 📸 Photos and videos (up to 5GB free)
• 🔧 System settings (wallpaper, sounds, Wi-Fi networks)

Instructions:

1. On the old Xiaomi: Settings → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud → Synchronization → Select the data and click Sync.
2. On a new device: Log in to the same Mi Account and enable synchronization.

Option 3: Google Drive (for large files)

If you need to transfer photos, videos or documents larger than 5 GB:

1. On an old phone: install Google Drive, click + → Download and select files.
2. On the new Xiaomi: download files through the Drive app or browser.

Speed and limitations:

• ⚡ Google Account: Instant contact sync, but doesn’t carry photos in original quality.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: Slower than Google, but retains Xiaomi’s customizations (e.g., themes).
• 📁 Google Drive: The Most Universal, But Requires Manual Download/Downloading.

⚠️ Note: If you are transferring photos through Google Photos, check the quality settings. By default, photos are compressed to 16 MP and videos are compressed to 16 MP. 1080p. To save the originals, select Original Quality (counted in the Drive quota).

4. Computer Transfer: Full Control of Files

If you need to selectively copy files or migrate data from devices that don't support Mi Mover (like an iPhone or feature phone), use a computer, which is the most reliable method, but takes longer.

Method 1: Through the conductor Windows/macOS

1. Connect your old smartphone to your PC through USB-Cable. Select file transfer mode (MTP).
2. Copy the desired folders (DCIM for photos, Downloads for downloads) to your computer.
3. Connect the new Xiaomi and paste the files into the appropriate folders.

Method 2: Via Mi PC Suite (for Windows)

Mi PC Suite – the official utility from Xiaomi, which simplifies the transfer of data from iPhone or other Android devices.

• 🖥️ Download Mi. PC Suite from the official website.
• 📱 Connect both devices to the PC.
• 🔄 In the program, select Backup for the old phone, then Restore for the new one.

Method 3: Through ADB (for power users)

If you need to transfer application data (for example, save in games), use ADB (Android Debug Bridge):

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab


adb restore backup.ab

This team creates a full backup (including the APK-files and application data) and restores it to the new device. USB-debugging.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔍 Selective transfer: only the files you need can be copied (for example, only photos from 2023).
• 🛡️ Security: Data is not transmitted via the Internet.
• 🔄 Suitable for any device, including iPhone (via iTunes or iMazing).

💡

If you're porting music, create a folder in the root directory on the new Xiaomi Music, and many players (such as Mi Music) automatically scan it when they launch.

5.Moving from iPhone to Xiaomi: features and pitfalls

The transition from iPhone to Xiaomi is nuanced by the closedness of the Apple ecosystem.

What's easy to carry:

• 📇 Contact: iCloud (export.vcf) or Google Account.
• 📸 Photos and videos: Google Photos or Mi Mover (Mi required) PC Suite).
• 🎵 Music: Copy files on PC, then on Xiaomi (or use Apple Music for Android).

What comes with the difficulties:

• 💬 iMessage: Officially untransferable. Use third-party utilities like iMazing or Backuptrans (paid).
• 📱 Apps: you will have to install Android versions manually. Some apps (such as GarageBand) are not available on Android.
• 🔐 Passwords and Keys: Export from iCloud Keychain to Google Password Manager or Bitwarden.

Step-by-step instructions for transferring from the iPhone:

1. 📱 Turn off iMessage: Settings → Communications → iMessage (turn off).
2. ☁️ Sync contacts with Google Account: on iPhone add Google account to Settings → Passwords and accounts and enable contact synchronization.
3. 🖥️ Move your photo to Google Photos or iCloud for Windows (download photos on PC, then on Xiaomi).
4. 🎮 Move app data (if possible): Some games (like Genshin Impact) support cross-platform sync through your account.

What can't be done:

• ❌ Transfer iTunes backup directly to Xiaomi.
• ❌ Sync Apple Watch with Xiaomi (they are incompatible).
• ❌ Use AirDrop to transfer files to Android.

💡

To transfer notes from iPhone to Xiaomi, export them from Apple Notes to the PDF, Then import to Google Keep or Mi Notes.

6. Transfer of specific data types: instructions for each case

Not all data is transferred the same way. Here are detailed instructions for different types of files.

📇 Contacts

• 📱 From Android to Xiaomi: Use Google Account or export to.vcf file (via Contacts) → Exports).
• 🍎 From iPhone to Xiaomi: sync with Google Account or via iCloud (export.vcf).

📸 Photos and videos

• ☁️ Cloud: Google Photos (original quality) or Mi Cloud (up to 5GB free).
• 🖥️ Computer: Copy folders DCIM and hand-pictures.
• 🔌 Mi Mover: Transfers without loss of quality, but slower than through cable.

🎵 Music.

• 📁 Local files: copy the Music folder to a new smartphone.
• 🎧 Streaming: install Spotify, Apple Music or Yandex Music and log in to your account.

📱 Annexes and their data

• 📥 APK-Files: Mi Mover only portable applications, no data. Use data backup ADB Titanium Backup (root required).
• ☁️ Cloud sync: Many apps (like WhatsApp, Telegram) store data in the cloud. Just log in to your account on your new device.

🎮 Game saves

• 🖥️ Account-related: Games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile sync via Google Play Games or Facebook.
• 📁 Local saves: copy the folder Android/obb Or use Helium (requires a PC).

📍 Maps and offline navigation

• 🗺️ Google Maps: Offline maps are not portable. Download them again on a new device.
• 🚗 Yandex.Navigator: log in to your account – saved routes and favorites are synchronized automatically.

7.Typical mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

❌ Problem: Devices can't see each other in Mi Mover

• 🔌 Check the cable: use the original USB-C or OTG-cable (cheap cables often do not support data transmission).
• 📶 Turn it off. VPN Firewalls – they can block the connection over Wi-Fi Direct.
• 🔄 Restart Mi Mover on both devices and reconnect via QR-code.

❌ Problem: The transfer hung on 99%

• ⏳ Do not interrupt the process – it sometimes takes up to 30 minutes to complete (especially if the video is ported).
• 📱 Check the space available on the new Xiaomi. If not enough, delete unnecessary files or transfer data in parts.
• 🔋 Make sure the battery is not running out. Connect the devices to charge.

❌ Problem: Photos are transferred in low quality

• ☁️ If you used Google Photos, check the quality settings: it should be original quality, not high quality (compressed).
• 🖥️ When transferring via PC, do not open the photo for preview – this can change their resolution.

❌ Problem: No messages moved (SMS)

• 📱 In Mi Mover, make sure the Message tick is included.
• 🔧 If you use a third-party application for SMS (For example, Textra, export messages manually through the application settings.

❌ Problem: Apps have not recovered after the transfer

• 📥 Mi Mover only carries the APK-Install apps manually from Google Play, then restore data from the backup (if you have one).
• 🔄 For some applications (such as WhatsApp), you need to manually copy the folder. /sdcard/WhatsApp.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)