How to transfer data from another phone to Xiaomi: the complete guide

Moving to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but the process of migrating data can seem complicated, especially if you change not only the model, but also the operating system (for example, from the iPhone to Android), in this article we will examine all the current ways of migration, from standard MIUI tools to universal cloud services and wired solutions.

It’s important to understand that the choice of method depends on three key factors: the type of source device (Android, iOS or even feature-phone), the amount of data (Gigabytes of photos vs. contacts only), and the availability of additional accessories (OTG cable, computer).

Before you start, check the battery power on both devices (recommended at least 50%) and make sure that Xiaomi has enough free space. If you are porting data from an iPhone, install the Move to iOS app beforehand (yes, it works backwards if set up correctly).

1. Data transfer via MI Mover (official tool of Xiaomi)

MI Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary solution, optimized for quick migration between devices to MIUI. It supports the transfer of contacts, messages, photos, videos, audio files, calendars and even some system settings. The main advantage is that it does not require a computer or cloud services, works directly over Wi-Fi.

To use MI Mover, follow the following steps:

• 📱 On the new Xiaomi, when you first turn on, select the option “Data Transfer” (if the device is already configured, find the application). MI Mover on the menu).
• 🔄 On the old phone, install it. MI Mover from Google Play (for Android) or use the built-in “Transfer Data” feature (for iOS via Move to iOS).
• 📶 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network or create an access point on Xiaomi.
• 🔑 On your old phone, select data to transfer and confirm the transfer.

The process can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the amount of data. MI Mover automatically optimizes photos and videos to save space, but the originals can be transferred later through the Gallery → Import.

Both phones are charged at least 50 times%|Xiaomi has enough free space|Stable Wi-Fi connection (or mobile Internet with unlimited traffic)|Power saving mode is disabled on the old phone-->

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If MI Mover can't see the old device, try restarting both phones and re-starting the search, sometimes turning off the VPN or firewall.

2.Moving from Android to Xiaomi via Google Account

If you use Google, most of your data is already synced automatically to the cloud, a method that can be used to transfer contacts, calendars, notes, emails, and even some app settings, and the main advantage is that you don't need to install additional programs.

Instructions for transfer:

1. On an old Android phone, open Settings → Accounts → Google and make sure that sync is enabled for all the data you need.
2. On the new Xiaomi, when you set up, select “Restore from backup” and log in to the same Google account.
3. Select the latest backup (the date of creation can be seen in the list).
4. Wait for the recovery to be completed – the process can take up to 30 minutes.

Please note that the following are not transferred via Google Account: SMS, call history, files from internal memory (photo/video), data from some applications (such as WhatsApp or banking programs).

3.Moving from iPhone to Xiaomi: bypassing Apple's restrictions

The transition from iOS to Android is always more difficult because of Apple’s closed ecosystem, but there are several proven ways to move data without loss, including Move to iOS, iCloud, and third-party programs like AnyTrans.

The most reliable method is to use iCloud:

• 🖥️ On your computer, open iCloud.com and log in.
• 📥 Select data for export (contacts, photos, notes) and save it on PC.
• 📎 Connect Xiaomi to your computer and copy files to the appropriate folders (DCIM For photo, Contacts for vCard).
• 🔄 Contacts can be imported via Google Contacts (export them from iCloud in.vcf format).

To transfer music and video, you’d better use programs like iMazing or Syncios, which can bypass the limitations of iTunes, but messaging is more difficult, and you’ll have to export it manually through iTunes Backup Extractor or similar tools.

Through iCloud|With Move to iOS|Direct Wi-Fi transmission|Through the computer|Another option-->

4. Wireless data transfer (via OTG or computer)

If you have one on hand. USB-cable OTG Or a computer, you can move data as quickly as possible and without depending on the Internet, and this method is suitable for large amounts of information (tens of gigabytes of photo / video) or when Wi-Fi is unstable.

Option 1: Direct OTG connection (Android→Xiaomi only):

1. Buy it. USB OTG-adapter (stands) ~200₽) Connect your old phone to your new one.
2. Xiaomi will receive a notification "USB-Device connected" - select "Send files".
3. In the Explorer (Files), open the folder of the connected device and copy the necessary data.

Option 2: Computer (universally for all devices):

• 💻 Connect both phones to the PC via USB (Use the original cables!).
• 📂 Copy data from your old phone to your computer (usually in folders) DCIM, Downloads, Pictures).
• 🔄 Transfer files to Xiaomi by placing them in the appropriate folders.

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Wired transfer is the most reliable way for large amounts of data (from 50 GB), as it does not depend on the speed of the Internet and the limitations of cloud services.

iPhones require iTunes or programs like iExplorer to access the file system. Remember: Apple blocks direct access to some folders, so some of the data will have to be exported through backups.

5. Cloud Services: Google Drive, Mi Cloud and Alternatives

If you have slow internet or not cables, cloud storage is a good alternative. Xiaomi offers its own solution – Mi Cloud (5 GB for free), but for larger volumes more convenient than Google Drive (15 GB) or Yandex Disk (10 GB).

The following steps are provided for Google Drive:

1. On your old phone, install Google Drive and log in.
2. Press "➕ → Download and select files/folders for backup.
3. On Xiaomi, open Google Drive, find uploaded files and download them.

For Mi Cloud:

• 📱 On Xiaomi go to Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud.
• 🔄 Enable synchronization for the desired data (contacts, notes, photos).
• 📥 On your old phone, install Mi Cloud and log in to the same account, then download the data.

Comparison of cloud services for data transfer:

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If you are transferring your photos in their original quality, use Google Photos with the setting “High Quality” (unlimited storage) or “Original Quality” (counted from the Google Drive quota).

6. Transfer of applications and their data

The hardest part of migration is migrating installed applications and their data, and unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, because each developer stores information in their own way, but there are some general recommendations:

For social networks and messengers:

• 📱 WhatsApp: Use built-in backup to Google Drive (on Android) or iCloud (on iPhone). On your new phone, install the app and restore data when you first start up.
• 💬 Telegram: All chats and media files are synced through the cloud automatically – just log in to your account.
• 📘 VK/Instagram: log in again – the history of messages and publications will be saved.

For games and programs with local data:

• 🎮 Use Helium (old but works for some applications) or Swift Backup (requires root rights).
• 🔄 For cloud-based games (such as Genshin Impact or Clash of Clans), just log in to your account – progress will be automatically picked up.
• 📦 For other applications, check for the export/import function in the settings.

For banking applications and 2FA:

⚠️ Warning: Never transfer banking application data through backups or third-party programs! this could compromise your security:

1. Remove the app on your old phone after linking the new device.
2. On the new Xiaomi, install the app again and log in via SMS/biometry.
3. For Google Authenticator, export the codes through Settings → Export accounts (password required).

7. Transfer of specific data: SMS, call history, passwords

Some types of data require a special approach because they are not synchronized through standard cloud services.

SMS and call history:

• 📱 For Android: Use it SMS Backup & Restore (Saves in the XML Google Drive or Super Backup.
• 🍎 For iPhone: Export through iTunes (backup file) and convert using iSMS2droid.

Browser passwords:

• 🔑 Chrome: synced automatically when you log in to your Google account.
• 🦊 In Firefox: Export through Settings → Privacy → Passwords. → Exports (protected by master password).
• 🔒 For Safari (iPhone): Use iCloud Keychain and export via macOS.

Wi-Fi settings:

• 📶 On Android: Use WiFi Key Recovery (requires root) or take a photo manually QR-Network codes (Wi-Fi settings) → Share).
• 🍏 On iPhone: there is no direct way – you will have to enter passwords again.

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To transfer SMS from iPhone to Xiaomi, the only reliable way is to use an intermediate computer with iMazing or AnyTrans, since Apple does not provide direct exports.

8. Post-transfer validation and optimization

After the migration is complete, you need to follow several steps to make sure that everything has moved correctly and the new Xiaomi works optimally:

What to check first:

• 📞 Contacts: Open Contacts and make sure all numbers are in place (especially check groups and linked photos).
• 📷 Photo and video: in the Gallery, check that all media files are open and not damaged.
• 🎵 Music and Documents: Open a Few Files through Files or Music.
• 📱 Applications: Run key programs (messengers, banks, games) and make sure the data is downloaded.

How to optimize your place on Xiaomi:

• 🧹 Remove duplicate photos with the Gallery → Management → Search for duplicates.
• 🗑️ Clear the app cache in Settings → Annexes → Clear the cache.
• 🔄 Transfer the rarely used files to SD-card (if supported).

Synchronization for the future:

• 🔄 Enable automatic sync for Google Photos, Contacts and Mi Cloud.
• 📱 Set up backup in Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
• 🔐 Set a strong password for your Xiaomi account and enable two-factor authentication.

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If Xiaomi is slowing down after the transfer, check the active processes in Settings → Battery → Battery Use. Sometimes background data synchronization can load the system in the first hours after the migration.

⚠️ Note: If you have moved data from your iPhone, check your privacy settings in Settings → Privacy: Some application permissions (e.g., access to contacts or geolocation) may be blocked by default after migration.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability to Xiaomi