How to transfer data to the new Xiaomi smartphone: 5 proven ways

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting. But with the joy of updating the gadget comes a headache: how to transfer all the important data from the old device? Contacts, photos, messages, apps and even settings — it is impossible to lose. Fortunately, Xiaomi has several built-in tools for painless migration, as well as universal solutions that work on any Android device.

Many users mistakenly think that data transfer is a long and complex process that requires technical skills. In fact, even a beginner can do it in 10-30 minutes if he chooses the right method. The main thing is to prepare both devices in advance and take into account nuances, such as the volume of data transmitted or the compatibility of models. In this article, we will discuss 5 ways of transferring, from the official Mi Mover to manual copying via computer, and also explain how to avoid typical errors.

If you upgrade from one Xiaomi to another (like the Redmi Note 11 to Xiaomi 14), the process will be as simple as possible thanks to branded tools, but when you switch from an iPhone or a device of another brand (Samsung, Huawei), you will have to use universal methods. Don't worry, we covered all the scenarios.

1.The official way: Mi Mover by Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a Xiaomi-branded app that automatically transfers data between the brand’s devices, pre-installed on all new Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, so you don’t have to download anything, and the main advantage is that you keep the folder structure and the MIUI settings that third-party services don’t provide.

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

1. Turn on your new smartphone and go to the “Data Transfer” stage (appears after selecting the language).
2. On an old Xiaomi phone, open the Mi Mover app (you can find it in the menu or through search).
3. Select a role: on the new device - "Recipient", on the old - "Sender".
4. Scan it. QR-code from the screen of a new phone or connect via Wi-Fi Direct.
5. Select data types for transfer (contacts, messages, photos, applications) and confirm the beginning of the process.

The speed of the transfer depends on the amount of data, for example, 10 GB of photos and videos will be transferred in 15-20 minutes with a stable connection, and it is important that both devices are charged at least 50%, when the battery is discharged, the process can be interrupted.

Charging both phones > 50%|Free space on the new device (at least 20% more data volume transferred)|Power saving mode is off|Stable Wi-Fi or mobile internet (for downloading Mi Mover if it is not available)-->

⚠️ Note: If you have an old phone MIUI 12 or older, and on the new — MIUI 14+, Some settings (such as gestures or themes) may not be moved due to changes in the firmware, in which case they will have to be manually adjusted.

2. Transfer through Google Account (universal method)

If you use Google services (Gmail, Drive, Photos), most of the data is already synced to the cloud automatically, which is a way to move from other brands' iPhones or Android devices.

• 📇 Contacts (from the Google Contacts app»)
• 📅 Calendar and reminders
• 📧 Letters and Notes (from Gmail and Keep)
• 📸 Photos and videos (if sync is enabled in Google Photos)
• 🎮 Data of certain games (if linked to Google Play Games)

To activate synchronization:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Select your account and enable sync for the desired categories (contacts, calendar, drive, etc.).
3. On the new Xiaomi, when setting up, select “Restore from backup”
4. Confirm the recovery of data from the last copy.

Note: apps are not portable via Google, only their data (e.g. game progress). APK-You will have to re-instal your files from the Play Market, and Google Photos compresses your media files with free sync (original quality is only available by subscription).

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Before transferring, check if there is enough space in Google Drive. 15GB is available for free, but "high quality" (compressed) photos are not counted in this limit.

3.Moving from iPhone to Xiaomi: features and life hacks

The transition from iOS to Android is always more difficult because of the closed Apple ecosystem. However, Xiaomi offers a special application Mi Mover for iOS, which simplifies the process.

Algorithm of action:

1. Install Mi Mover for iOS on your iPhone.
2. On the new Xiaomi, when setting up, select “Move from iPhone”.
3. Scan it. QR-code from the screen Xiaomi through the camera iPhone.
4. Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network.
5. Select data for transfer (contacts, photos, videos, notes) and confirm the beginning.

Unfortunately, some data from the iPhone cannot be transferred:

• 🚫 iMessages (they are tied to Apple) ID)
• 🚫 Notes from Apple Notes (if not synced to Gmail)
• 🚫 Music from Apple Music (tracks) DRM-protected)
• 🚫 WhatsApp backups (you need to save chats in iCloud first, and then restore to Android using the official method)

⚠️ Note: If the iPhone enabled two-factor authentication for Apple ID, It will have to be disabled while the data is being transferred through Mi Mover, otherwise the connection will be blocked.

4. Manual copying via OTG cable or computer

If you don't have Wi-Fi or prefer "physical" data transfer, you can use an OTG cable (for direct phone connections) or a computer as an intermediary, a method that is suitable for transferring large amounts of files (for example, movies or archives).

Method 1: OTG Cable (for Android → Xiaomi)

• 🔌 Connect your old phone to your new one OTG-adapter (needs cable with connector) USB-C/USB-A model-wise).
• 📁 On the new Xiaomi, open “Conductor” and select a connected device.
• 📤 Copy the required files (folders) DCIM, Downloads, Music, etc.) for internal memory or SD-map.

Method 2: Computer (for any device)

1. Connect your old phone to your PC via USB and copy the data to your hard drive.
2. Turn off the old device and connect the new Xiaomi.
3. Transfer files from your PC to your smartphone (to the Internal Storage folder or to your smartphone) SD-map).

The advantage of this method is that you have complete control over files, so you can choose what to copy and what to leave behind.

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If you copy data through a computer, use the original USB-Xiaomi cables: Cheap cables may not be able to deliver large files in a stable manner.

5. Cloud services: Dropbox, Yandex Drive, Telegram

If you have slow or no cables, you can upload the data to the cloud and then download it to a new phone, which is universal and works even for switching from feature-phone to smartphone.

Popular cloud services for transfer:

• ☁️ Google Drive (15 GB free)
• ☁️ Yandex Disk (10 GB free, convenient for users from Russia)
• ☁️ Dropbox (2GB free, but fast sync)
• 📎 Telegram (you can send files to yourself in the "Saved Messages" without limiting the scope of the application)

Instructions for Yandex Disk:

1. On an old phone, install the Yandex Drive app and upload the files to the folder.
2. On the new Xiaomi, log in to the same account and download the data.
3. To speed up the process, use Wi-Fi instead of mobile Internet.

For Telegram:

1. Open the Save Messages dialog (click on your name in the top menu).
2. Attach files (up to 2GB at a time) and send them to yourself.
3. On your new phone, open the same dialog and download the files.

⚠️ Note: When uploading to the cloud, photos and videos may be compressed (for example, in Google Photos when selecting the High Quality option).If it is important to maintain the original resolution, use Yandex Drive or Dropbox in the Original Quality mode».

6. Transfer of applications and their data

The most difficult thing to do when changing your phone is to move your installed apps and their settings, and unfortunately, none of these methods guarantee 100% app migration, but there are ways to minimize the loss.

What can be transferred:

• 📱 List of applications (via Google Account or APK-backup)
• 🎮 Game progress (if the game supports sync with Google Play Games or social networks)
• 📊 Settings of some applications (for example, WhatsApp, Telegram, VK)

How to move applications:

1. On your new phone, open Play Market → Library → Installed. This will be a list of all the apps you installed on your old device.
2. Through APK-Backup: Use applications like APK Extractor (to create a backup) APK) Titanium Backup (requires root rights).
3. For games: Make sure the game is linked to Google Play Games, Facebook or another account. In Clash of Clans, for example, progress is synced via Supercell ID.

Some apps (such as banking) cannot be moved, they will have to be re-installed and logged in, and some games block progression between iOS and Android (such as Genshin Impact requires manual account transfer requests).

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Before removing apps from your old phone, check if they support data export. For example, WhatsApp can create a local copy of chats: Settings → Chat → Backup.

7. What to do after data transfer

When all the files and settings are finally in place, there are a few important steps left to make the new Xiaomi work perfectly:

Checklist after migration:

• 🔄 Update the firmware: Go to Settings → The phone. → Update the system and install the latest patches.
• 🔒 Set up security: Enable Face/File Unlock and check for permissions for apps.
• 📶 Check the mobile network: Make sure that SIM-The card is determined and the internet works (sometimes manual setting is required). APN).
• 🔋 Optimize the battery: Start a full charging cycle (0)→100%) for battery calibration.

It is also recommended that:

1. Delete duplicate files (such as photos that have been copied twice) and Files by Google will be the best option.
2. Personalize the interface: customize Themes, Gestures and Control Panel to suit you.
3. Check the operation of sensors (gyroscope, compass, NFC) using test applications such as Phone Tester.

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After transferring the data, reset the old phone to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Reset) and this will protect your personal information if you plan to sell or give the device away.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability to Xiaomi