Transition from an old smartphone HTC It's always exciting to go to a new Xiaomi, but it can be a tricky process to migrate data, especially if you've been saving photos, saving important messages, or setting up contacts with unique tags for years. Fortunately, Xiaomi has its own migration tools, and universal solutions like Google Account or cloud services work independently of the brand.
In this article, weโll look at all the current portability methods, from the official Mi Mover app to manually copying your computer, how to save your call history (which is often lost when you change Android devices), why some apps donโt automatically port, and how to avoid synchronization errors via Wi-Fi Direct, and what data is better to manually transfer so you donโt lose important information.
It doesn't matter if you're moving on HTC U12+ Xiaomi 14 Ultra or from the old HTC Desire on Redmi Note 13 โ the instructions below are suitable for any model, the main thing is to prepare both devices correctly and choose the best method depending on the amount of data.
1. Preparation of devices before data transfer
Before you start migrating, make sure both smartphones are ready for the procedure, which will save you from making mistakes like breaking the connection or losing some files.
On HTC:
- ๐ Battery charge of at least 50% (when transferred over Wi-Fi, the device can discharge faster).
- ๐ถ Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (if you plan to use cloud services or Mi Mover).
- ๐ Unlock the screen and turn off energy saving in the settings.
- ๐ฑ Update your firmware to the latest version (some portability features may not work on older versions of Android).
On Xiaomi:
- ๐ฆ If the phone is new, don't set it up until the end.
- ๐ Make sure the device has enough memory for the data it receives (clear space if needed).
- ๐ ๏ธ Install the latest version of Mi Mover from Google Play (unless the app is preinstalled).
โ ๏ธ Attention: If HTC Encryption of data (Settings) โ Security โ Encryption, some transfer techniques may not work, in which case you can use manual copying via a computer or cloud.
2. Method 1: Mi Mover โ official solution from Xiaomi
Mi Mover is a proprietary application from Xiaomi that allows you to transfer data directly between devices over Wi-Fi Direct. It supports most data, including contacts, messages, photos, videos and even some system settings.
โ Pluses:
- ๐ฒ Does not require a computer or cables.
- ๐ Stores folder structure and file metadata.
- ๐ Transfers call history (which is rare for third-party utilities).
โ Cons:
- ๐ซ Not all applications are portable (only) APK-files, no data).
- ๐ข Slower than cable transfer (especially for large volumes).
- ๐ It may not work on very old models. HTC (Android 6.0).
Step-by-step:
- On Xiaomi, run Mi Mover (if the phone is new, select the option when you first set up).
- Nana HTC Download Mi Mover from Google Play and open it.
- On both devices, select I the sender (on both devices). HTC) And I'm the recipient (on Xiaomi).
- Scan it. QR-code from the screen Xiaomi on HTC.
- Select data types to transfer and confirm the start of the process.
Shut down. VPN both-device|Make sure there is enough space on Xiaomi|Close background annexes|Do not lock the screen during the transfer-->
| Type of data | Transferred through Mi Mover? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Contacts | โ Yes. | Including groups and tags |
| Communications (SMS/MMS) | โ Yes. | No attachments (photos/videos in messages are transferred separately) |
| Photos and videos | โ Yes. | Creation date and albums are preserved |
| Annexes | โ ๏ธ Partially. | Only APK-files without data (for example, saving in games) |
| Notes and calendar | โ No. | Use Google Account to sync |
Method 3: Transfer through Google Account (most reliable)
If you have used Google services on HTC, And most of the data is already in sync with the cloud, and this is a method that works for contacts, calendars, notes, some settings, even some applications.
What is automatically transferred:
- ๐ Contacts (from the Google Contacts app).
- ๐ Calendars (Google Calendar).
- ๐ Notes (Google Keep).
- ๐ต Music and movies (if you bought it on Google Play).
- ๐ฑ Some system settings (Wi-Fi networks, wallpaper, etc.).
How to move:
- Nana HTC Check that synchronization is enabled: Settings โ Accounts. โ Google โ [your account] โ Synchronization Make sure all the necessary items are ticked.
- On Xiaomi, when you first turn on, select Restore from a backup and log in to the same Google Account.
- Select the latest backup (usually created automatically).
- Wait for the recovery to be completed (it can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the amount of data).
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If you donโt remember if sync is enabled on your old phone, check it at myaccount.google.com under โData and Personalization.โ โ Backup copies".
โ ๏ธ Attention: If HTC a third-party contact application (e.g., a contact application) was used, HTC Sense, they may not sync with Google. In this case, export the contacts to the.vcf file manually: Contacts โ Menus. โ Imports/Exports โ Exports to memory card
Method 3: Transfer over a cable OTG computer
If you have a lot of data (for example, tens of gigabytes of photos and videos), wired connection will be the fastest and most reliable way.
- ๐ Cable USB OTG (If you move directly between phones).
- ๐ป Computer with USB-Ports (if you use PC as an intermediary).
- ๐ Memory card (optional, for intermediate storage).
Option 1: Directly through OTG
- Connect. HTC Xiaomi through USB OTG-adapter.
- On Xiaomi, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
- Open Explorer on Xiaomi and copy the desired files from memory HTC.
Option 2: Computer-assisted
- Connect. HTC to the PC and copy the data to a folder on the hard disk.
- Turn it off. HTC, Connect Xiaomi and transfer files back.
- For contacts and messages, use specialized programs like MyPhoneExplorer or Samsung Smart Switch (yes, it works with other brands as well).
Which files are better not to be manually transferred?
| Type of data | How to transfer | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Photo/video | Copy folders DCIM and Pictures | The dates of creation will be maintained and EXIF-data |
| Music. | Copy the Music folder | Playlists will not be saved (use Google Play Music) |
| Documents | Copy Documents or Download folder | PDF, Word, Excel and Word are unaltered. |
| Communications | Export through SMS Backup & Restore | The application creates a.xml file, which is then imported to Xiaomi. |
5. Method 4: Cloud services (Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox)
If you do not have a cable or OTG-The main thing is to make sure that both devices have enough traffic (or connect to Wi-Fi) and the data needs to be moved urgently, cloud storage will be a good alternative).
Which service should I choose?
- ๐ Google Drive โ 15 GB free, Android integration.
- โ๏ธ OneDrive โ 5GB free, convenient for office files.
- ๐๏ธ Dropbox โ 2GB free, but fast download.
- ๐ฆ Yandex Disk โ 10 GB free, high speed in Russia.
Step-by-step:
- Nana HTC Upload files to the cloud through the official service application.
- On Xiaomi, log in to the same account and download files.
- For contacts and calendars, use export/import via.vcf and.ics files.
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Cloud services are ideal for carrying small amounts of data (up to 10 GB). OTG, So as not to waste time on loading.
โ ๏ธ Note: When uploading photos to Google Photos in High Quality mode, they are compressed to 16 MP. If it is important to keep the original resolution, choose Original Quality (but it takes place in the cloud).
6. Method 5: Transfer applications and their data
The hardest part about changing your smartphone is migrating installed apps and their data (such as game saves, messenger settings, or browser history). Unfortunately, no method guarantees 100% success, but there are proven solutions:
For apps from Google Play:
- ๐ฑ On Xiaomi, log in to the same Google Account as on HTC.
- ๐ Go to the Play Store. โ Library and install the necessary applications.
- โ๏ธ Some applications (such as WhatsApp, Telegram) sync data through the cloud automatically.
For applications with local data:
- ๐ฎ Use Helium or Titanium Backup (requires root rights).
- ๐ Manually copy the folders with the data (usually they are stored in the data). /Android/data/[packet]).
- ๐ง For some games (such as Genshin Impact) there is a built-in function of transferring an account through email binding.
Exceptions:
- โ Banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff, etc.) โ they must be installed again for security reasons.
- โ Annexes with DRM (Like Netflix, Disney.+) โ licenses may be reset.
- โ System utilities (e.g, HTC Sense - they are not compatible with MIUI.
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Before transferring applications, check if the new device supports the same processor architectures. HTC chip ARMv7, And Xiaomi โ ARMv8, Some old games may not be running.
7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
Even if you follow instructions, you can have problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to solve them:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover does not find the device | Wi-Fi Direct or VPN disabled | Restart both phones and check your network settings |
| Photos moved forward without dates | File system FAT32 does not support metadata | Use exFAT or transfer via Google Photos |
| Contacts are duplicated | Synchronization with multiple accounts | Combine the duplicates in Google Contacts |
| No applications installed | Incompatibility with the Android version | Check the application requirements in Google Play |
| Mi Mover is 99% frozen | There is not enough space for Xiaomi | Free up memory or transfer data in parts |
If none of these methods worked, try alternative tools:
- ๐ Cloneit โ supports transfer between different brands.
- ๐ฒ Samsung Smart Switch โ Despite the name, it works with other Android devices.
- ๐ฅ๏ธ MobileTrans โ paid software for a computer with wide capabilities.
8. What to do after the 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:
1. Check the integrity of the data:
- ๐ Open Contacts and make sure all numbers are in place.
- ๐ท View photos in the Gallery (especially check dates and albums).
- ๐ฌ Send a test. SMS, to ensure that the history of the messages is maintained.
2. Set up a backup:
- โ๏ธ Enable automatic sync with Google Drive or Mi Cloud.
- ๐ฑ Install. SMS Backup & Restore to save messages regularly.
3. Optimize the new device:
- ๐ Calibrate the battery (discharge to 0% and charge to 100% without interruptions).
- ๐ ๏ธ Update all apps in the Play Store.
- ๐ Set up Face Unlock/File in Settings โ Lock screen.
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After transferring the data, reset the settings on the old one. HTC, If you plan to sell it or give it away, it will delete all personal information: Settings โ System system โ Resetting settings.