The transition to a new smartphone is always exciting, especially when it comes to a powerful device like the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro with its Snapdragon 860, 120 Hz display and capacious battery. But even the most advanced features pale when you face the challenge of how to transfer over the years accumulated data β from contacts and messages to game saves and app settings β without loss and failure. Mistakes at this stage can be expensive: lost photos from vacation, lost chats in instant messengers or resets in banking applications.
In this article, we will discuss 5 current ways to migrate data to the Poco X3 Pro, taking into account the features of its MIUI firmware (including the global and Chinese versions), as well as the nuances of working with a Google account, local backups and third-party tools. You will learn what method is suitable for transferring 20+ GB photos, how to avoid duplication of contacts, and what to do if MIUI βdoes not seeβ an old smartphone through a cable. Separately, we will dwell on the hidden restrictions of Xiaomi when transferring data from Samsung, Huawei and other brands β this information will save you hours of nerves.
1.Penos Preparation: What to Do Before the Process Begins
Before you rush to search for cable or download apps, follow 4 critical steps that will save you from most problems:
- π Charge both devices to at least 50 percent. Data transfer is a resource-intensive operation, especially if you're talking about tens of gigabytes. X3 Pro with a discharged battery can interrupt the process or even turn off during transmission.
- π‘ Turn off battery optimization for system applications. Go to Settings β Battery β Optimizing the battery, find it. MIUI Backup, Google Play Services and Contacts, select βNo Limitsβ to prevent connection breakdown during transmission.
- π Make sure you're on Poco. X3 Pro is enough space. Go to the settings. β Memory and check the free space.WhastApp transfer with backup may require up to 3-4 multiples of the size of the chats (for example, for 5 GB chats need to be done. 15-20 GB of free space).
β οΈ Note: If you transfer data from a Huawei device (especially from a Huawei device) EMUI 10+), Pre-disable the Huawei Mobile Cloud feature in your account settings. MIUI Can block access to some files due to encryption protocol conflict.
Pay special attention to applications with two-factor authentication (banks, instant messengers, cryptocurrency wallets).
- π± Save backup recovery codes (e.g. Google Authenticator or Authy).
- π Check the linked phone numbers and email in the security settings.
- π³ Untie the old one. SIM-Service card (if you plan to change number).
Method 1: Official migration via MIUI Migration (recommended by Xiaomi)
The most reliable and fast method for Xiaomi owners, but with nuances. MIUI Migration is a built-in solution that transfers almost everything from SMS and calls to Wi-Fi settings and wallpaper, but it does not work equally well with all brands.
How to start:
- On Poco X3 Pro, select Data Transfer when you first turn on (if your phone is already configured, go to Settings β Additional β Data Transfer).
- On your old phone, download MIUI Migration from Google Play (for non-Xiaomi devices).
- Select the method of connection: π Cable OTG (The most stable, speed up to 40 MB / s). πΆ Wi-Fi Direct (convenient, but can break off on large volumes). π QR-code (contacts and photos only) limit of 5 GB).
Poco X3 Pro
| Type of data | Supported | Limitations | Transfer time (10 GB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts | β Yes. | Duplicate if synced with Google | 1-2 minutes |
| Communications (SMS/MMS) | β Yes. | Messages from messengers are not transferred | 3-5 minutes |
| Photos and videos | β Yes. | Max. 50 GB in one session. | 15-25 minutes |
| Annexes (+ data) | β οΈ Partially. | Not all APKs are supported (e.g., banking) | 10-40 minutes |
| System settings | β Yes. | Can be reset after the MIUI update | 2-3 minutes |
β οΈ Warning: If you're moving over Wi-Fi Direct, you're going to be 99 percent dead, don't force it to stop. Wait 10 to 15 minutes, often the system adds data in the background. If nothing changes after that time, restart both devices and try again with the device turned off. VPN (It can block the local connection).
For Samsung devices before the penos:
Disable Samsung Cloud in your account settings |
Allow installation from unknown sources (Settings β Biometrics and Security)|
Delete duplicate contacts through the βContactsβ app Samsung|
Disable energy saving for the application MIUI Migration-->
Method 2: Transfer through a Google account (universally but with limitations)
If you already have Google sync, it's a simple method, but it's not suitable for all types of data -- like SMS, calls, and some app settings -- but contacts, calendars, photos (via Google Photos), and some apps will be automatically restored.
Step-by-step:
- On your old phone, check that sync is enabled: Contacts: Settings β Accounts β Google β Contact Sync. Photo: Open Google Photos, check that the backup is enabled (cloud icon at the top). Apps: Settings β Google β Backup (enable βApp Data Backupβ).
Poco X3 Pro
Settings β Accounts β Google β Synchronization
Google Play
Application and Device Management β Library
Advantages of the method:
- β It works with any Android device.
- β Free and unlimited in volume (except Google Photos β there are 15 GB per account).
- β Data is available on any device after authorization.
Disadvantages:
- β No. SMS, call log, Wi-Fi settings.
- β Applications are restored without data (for example, game progress will be lost).
- β Photos in Google Photos are compressed if the High Quality mode is selectedΒ».
π‘
If you need to move SMS and call log separately, use the app SMS Backup & Restore: It stores data in XML-A file that can then be restored to Poco X3 Pro. The main thing is donβt forget to turn off battery optimization for this app!
Method 3: Local backup via MIUI Backup (for power users)
This method is suitable if you want to create a full copy of the old phone and restore it to the Poco X3 Pro. It is more complicated than previous ones, but allows you to transfer even system settings and data of some applications that ignore Google backup.
Instructions:
- On an old phone (if it's Xiaomi): Go to Settings β About Phone β Backup and Reset β Local Backup. Select backup data (we recommend marking everything except System Apps) Click Backup and wait until it's completed (may take up to an hour).
backup_*.zip
Poco X3 Pro
MIUI/backup/AllBackup
Poco X3 Pro
Settings β About Phone β Backup and Reset β Local Backup β Restore
β οΈ Note: If the old phone is not Xiaomi, use third-party tools like Titanium Backup (requires root) or ASUS Backup (runs without root, but not all data is recovered) X3 Pro needs to enable Developer Mode and allow Debugging USB.
Features of the method:
- π§ Transferred settings Wi-Fi, wallpaper, sound schemes.
- π¦ You can choose which apps to restore (unlike Google backup).
- β οΈ Not all apps support data recovery (for example, WhatsApp will have to be restored separately).
How to transfer WhatsApp with a backup to Poco X3 Pro
5. Method 4: Transfer over a computer (for large amounts of data)
If you have more than 50 GB of data (for example, a video collection in the 4K or RAW-The best option is to use a PC or Mac as an intermediary, which guarantees 100% control over the process and minimal risk of loss.
What you need:
- π₯οΈ Computer with Windows/macOS.
- π Two. USB-cables (preferably original).
- π Copying software (e.g. TeraCopy for Windows or rsync for macOS).
Step-by-step:
- Connect your old phone to your PC in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
- Copy all the folders you need: DCIM β Photos and videos. Download downloads. WhatsApp chats (if needed). Android/data β Data from some games (such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile).
Poco X3 Pro
Move the files to the appropriate folders on the new device.
.vcf
.xml
Advantages:
- β Maximum speed (up to 480 Mbit / s by USB 3.0).
- β No volume limit.
- β Only the necessary files can be selectively copied.
Disadvantages:
- β It takes time and attention.
- β Not all application data can be transferred (e.g., saving games in the cloud).
π‘
To transfer these games (for example, Genshin Impact or Honor of Kings), use the built-in account attachment function (Mi Account, Google Play Games or Facebook). Android/obb doesn't work!
Method 5: Third-party applications (for specific tasks)
If the standard methods don't work, we've tested 5 popular solutions and selected the best ones for the Poco X3 Pro.
| Annex | What's the point? | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloneit | Full portability (including WhatsApp) | It works without root, supports 20+ data types. | Limit 200MB in the free version |
| SHAREit | Fast file transfer over Wi-Fi | Speed up to 20 MB/s, no volume limits | Advertising, sometimes breaks the connection |
| Send Anywhere | Transfer of large files (video, backups) | Data encryption, cross-platforming | 10 GB limit per session |
| Samsung Smart Switch | Transfer from Samsung to Xiaomi | It works well with Galaxy devices. | It may not recognize the Poco X3 Pro as a target device |
For the Poco X3 Pro, we recommend Cloneit or Send Anywhere β they are best compatible with MIUI 12.5+. If you are transferring data from an iPhone, use the Mi Mover (built into the Poco X3 Pro when you first start).
β οΈ Note: When using SHAREit or Send Anywhere, disable Adaptive Battery and Network Optimization in the settings on both devices MIUI. These functions may interrupt transmissions if they are considered to be βbackground activityΒ».
7. Frequent errors and their solutions
Even if you follow the instructions, you may have a problem, and we have collected the TOP-5 problems when transferring data to the Poco X3 Pro and how to fix it:
- π« The error βI failed to connectβ to MIUI Check that both phones have the same version MIUI Migration (update via Google Play).Reboot both devices and try a different type of connection (e.g., from Wi-Fi Direct to cable). X3 Pro disable Double Space (Settings) β Special facilities β Double space).
- π± Applications are not restored from the backup Check if the option is enabled to Restore Application Data in Settings β Google β Backup: Some applications (banks, instant messengers) block data recovery for security reasons.
- π· Photos in Google Photos are not synced Go to Google Photos β Settings β Backup and sync and turn on the option. Check if Traffic Saving Mode is enabled in the settings MIUI.
- π Computer doesn't see Poco X3 Pro through USB Install Mi drivers PC Try another cable or port. USB (preferably USB On your phone, select File Transfer Mode (MTP) plug-in.
- π WhatsApp does not restore chats Make sure the file is msgstore.db.crypt14 copied /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases/. Check that the phone number is on Poco X3 Pro is the same as the old device. SIM, Leave only the one that is linked to WhatsApp.
π‘
If contacts are missing after transferring to the Poco X3 Pro, check if they are hidden in the Contacts app. Go to Settings β Show contacts and select All contacts instead of SIM-only.