How to transfer data from Sony to Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Switching from Sony Xperia to Xiaomi is not just about changing the brand, but also the need to transfer all the important data: contacts, photos, messages and even app settings. Many users fear this process, fearing losing valuable information or spending hours manually restarting files. In fact, transferring data between these devices can be done quickly and without loss — if you know the right tools and sequence of actions.

In this article, we’ll break down 5 working ways to migrate data from Sony to Xiaomi, including official utilities from manufacturers, cloud services, and alternative methods for advanced users. We will pay special attention to the nuances of compatibility between operating systems (for example, if your Xperia runs on an old version of Android, and the new Redmi or the new one). POCO — on MIUI 14+). You will also learn how to avoid common errors that may cause data to stay in place or get damaged.

Whether you’re swapping the Sony Xperia 1 V for Xiaomi’s flagship 14 Ultra or moving from the budget Xperia model L4 On the Redmi Note 13, this guide will save you time and nerves, and let's start with the preparation of the devices, which is the most important step that many people miss.

1. Preparation of devices before data transfer

Before migrating, there are several critical steps to follow on both smartphones, and neglecting preparation can lead to data loss, slow transmission, or even disruptions to the new device.

On the Sony Xperia:

• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 50% – transfer data can take from 10 minutes to several hours depending on the volume.
• 📁 Free up space: delete unnecessary files (cache, duplicate photos) using the built-in utility Storage in the settings.
• 🔄 Update your firmware to the latest version through Settings → System system → Software updates. This will eliminate possible compatibility bugs.
• 🔒 Turn off the screen lock (PIN, pattern lock) for transmission time – some methods require unlocked device.

On Xiaomi:

• 📱 Go through the initial setup before the desktop appears (but don’t connect accounts). Google/Mi while!).
• 🌐 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network – many transfer methods require an internet connection.
• 📌 Make sure there is enough space on the device for the data to be received (check in Settings). → Memory).

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi has already been in use, reset to factory settings (Settings) → The phone. → Reset settings) before transfer. This will eliminate conflicts with previous data.

Also prepare:

• 🔌 Cable USB-C — USB-C (Or an adapter, if you're on Sony's microUSB connector, and the original cables are faster at transmitting data!
• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS (You will need to back up your Xperia Companion or Mi PC Suite).
• ☁️ Google (required!) and Mi (recommended) accounts make syncing easier.

2.The official way: Mi Mover by Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a proprietary utility from Xiaomi, designed for painless transfer of data from Android devices (including Sony) to smartphones running MIUI. Application supports transmission:

• 📞 Contacts (including call history)
• 📸 Photo and video (in original resolution)
• 💬 Communications (SMS and MMS)
• 🎵 Music and documents
• 📱 Some system settings (wallpaper, brightness, sound profiles)

How to use Mi Mover:

1. Download the app on Sony from Google Play.
2. On Xiaomi, open the built-in Mi Mover app (usually available at the first setup stage).
3. Select on both devices the option “I’m the sender” (on Sony) and “I’m the recipient” (on Xiaomi).
4. Scan it. QR-code from the screen Xiaomi camera Sony for pairing.
5. Select data types to transfer and confirm the start of the process.

The speed of transmission depends on the amount of data:

⚠️ If the Mi Mover can't see the Sony device, check it out: 🔌 Whether the original cable is used (not all) USB-cables support data transmission). 📶 Is File Transfer Mode Enabled (MTP) in Sony's connection settings. 🔄 Reboot both devices and try again.

Charge both devices|Install Mi Mover on Sony|Connect to a single Wi-Fi network|Shut down. VPN/firewalls|Make room for Xiaomi-->

3. Transfer through Google Account (for contacts, calendar, mail)

If you only need to move your contacts, calendar events, notes, and email, the most reliable way to do this is to sync through your Google Account, which works even if you don’t have physical access to your old phone (for example, it’s broken).

Instructions:

1. On Sony Xperia, open Settings → Accounts. → Google.
2. Select your account and enable synchronization to: 📞 Contacts 📅 calendar 📧 Gmail 📝 Notes (if you use Google Keep)

Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Synchronization

Xiaomi

Settings → Accounts and Synchronization

Turn on sync for the same data – contacts and calendar will appear automatically.

Important: If Sony used the standard Contacts app (not Google Contacts), export the contacts to the file. VCF Before synchronization: Open "Contacts" → ⋮ → "Imports/exports" → "Export to device".

Advantages of the method:

• ☁️ Data is stored in the cloud – it can be restored on any device.
• 🔄 Automatic update when changing contacts.
• 📱 No need for cables or special applications.

⚠️ Note: Photos and videos through Google Account are synced only if they were uploaded to Google Photos manually before transfer. Automatic upload to the cloud must be enabled in advance!

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If contacts are duplicated after the transfer, use the Contacts Optimizer app (available on Google Play) to clean the list.

4. File transfer via cable USB (for photo, video, music)

If you need to transfer large amounts of media (photos to the Internet) RAW, video 4K, Music, the fastest way is to connect directly through USB-This method is independent of the speed of the Internet, and allows you to selectively copy only the right folders.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Sony to your computer via USB-cable.
2. On your phone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the connection notification.
3. On your computer, open either This computer (Windows) or Android File Transfer (macOS) and a Sony device will appear there.
4. Copy the necessary files from folders: DCIM — Photos and videos from the Pictures camera - downloaded Music images - Downloads music tracks - uploaded files

Xiaomi

Tips for speeding up the process:

• 🖥️ Use it. USB 3.0 (blue connector) for maximum speed (up to 5 Gbps).
• 🗃️ Archive the folders in ZIP before copying – this will reduce the number of I/O operations.
• 🔍 Check hidden files (turn on display in Explorer) to avoid missing important data.

5. Alternative methods: cloud services and third-party applications

If standard methods don't work (e.g., no cable or computer), you can use cloud services or specialized applications. Let's look at the most reliable options.

🌥️ Google Drive / Google Photo

To transfer photos, videos and documents:

1. On Sony, install Google Photos and enable Backup and Sync.
2. Wait for all media files to be uploaded to the cloud (check in the web version of photos.google.com).
3. On Xiaomi, log in to the same Google account and wait for sync.

Restrictions: 15GB is available free (common for Gmail, Drive and Photos) and you will need a paid subscription for large volumes.

📱 Cloning applications: Clone Phone, Shareit

Popular utilities for wireless transmission:

• Clone Phone (from Xiaomi) is an analogue of Mi Mover, but with support for iOS. Download to both devices and follow the instructions.
• SHAREit – transfers files over Wi-Fi Direct at speeds up to 20 MB/s.
• Send Anywhere – generates 6-digit code for pairing devices.

☁️ Cloud Storage: Dropbox, OneDrive, Yandex Drive

If you already have an account on one of the services:

1. Upload files from Sony to the cloud through the app.
2. Download them to Xiaomi after authorization.

Comparison of services:

⚠️ Note: When using third-party applications (e.g. SHAREit), turn off mobile internet on both devices – the transmission is via Wi-Fi Direct and no traffic is consumed.

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Cloud services are convenient for small amounts of data (up to 10 GB), and for transferring tens of gigabytes, it is better to use cable or Mi Mover.

6. Transfer of applications and their data

Unfortunately, apps and their settings are not automatically portable in any of these ways, but there are workarounds:

📱 Reinstallation via Google Play

On Xiaomi:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Tap on the profile avatar. → Application and Device Management.
3. Select Installed → Not installed – all the apps that were on Sony will be displayed here.
4. Click Set next to the right ones.

☁️ Backup of application data

Some applications (such as WhatsApp, Telegram, games) allow you to save data to the cloud:

• WhatsApp: Settings → chat → Backup (saves history in Google Drive).
• Telegram: Cloud chats are synced automatically when you log in to your account.
• Games: If the game supports Google Play Games, saves sync to the cloud.

🔧 Manual copying of application files (for advanced applications)

If the application stores data locally (e.g., Kivy, Notion), you can manually copy its folders:

1. On Sony, connect to your PC and find the app folder in /Android/data/[name packet] or /Android/obb/[packet].
2. Copy it on Xiaomi in the same directory.
3. Install the app on Xiaomi and check the integrity of the data.

⚠️ Note: Not all applications support this transfer! Some (e.g. banking) store data in encrypted form and require re-authorization.

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To transfer passwords from Chrome browser: on Sony export them to file CSV through chrome://flags/#Password-export and import via Xiaomi chrome://settings/passwords.

7. Post-transfer validation and optimization

After the data migration is complete, several checks must be performed to make sure that everything has been transferred correctly and the new smartphone is working optimally.

🔍 What to check first:

• 📞 Contacts: Open the Contacts app and make sure all numbers are in place (including those linked to social media accounts).
• 📸 Photo/Video: Check the gallery for all media files, especially in folders DCIM and Pictures.
• 💬 Messages: in SMS-The application should display the history of correspondence (if transferred through Mi Mover).
• 🎵 Music: Open the player and check that all tracks are played.
• 📅 Calendar: sync events through Google Account.

⚙️ Optimizing Xiaomi after the transfer

To make the new smartphone work quickly:

• 🧹 Clear the cache: Settings → Annexes → Clear the cache.
• 🔋 Calibrate the battery: discharge the phone to 0% and charge to 100% without interruptions.
• 📵 Set up autoboot: Settings → Battery → Auto-Run Applications (Disable Unnecessary Applications).
• 🛡️ Update. MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

🚨 Typical problems and their solutions

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If after transfer to Xiaomi lost space, check the folder /MIUI/Backup — Sometimes temporary files are copied there that can be deleted.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data transfer from Sony to Xiaomi