How to transfer data from your phone to Xiaomi: a complete guide to Android and iPhone

Moving to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but transferring data from an old device can be a real headache, especially if it comes to years of accumulated contacts, high-resolution photos or important messages. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of data migration – from standard tools to tools. MIUI Universal cloud services that work even when switching from iPhone to Redmi or POCO.

The main problem for most users is data loss when porting incorrectly, for example, when using third-party applications, geolocation tags often fly off from photos, and contacts are duplicated or lose their associated social media accounts. MIUI 14/15 And they have given them the assurances. 100% Preservation of data structure and meta-information (including albums in Google Photos and call histories).

We will pay special attention to the hidden nuances: why transfer via cable USB may take 3 Time is twice as long as Wi-Fi Direct, how to circumvent the iCloud export restriction and what to do if the new Xiaomi doesn't see the old device in the migration menu. 2022-2026 years, including Xiaomi lineups 13/14, Redmi Note 12/13 and POCO F5/X6.

1.The official way: Mi Mover by Xiaomi

The Mi Mover built-in solution is the most reliable way to transfer data between Xiaomi devices, but with important caveats. MIUI 9+ It supports Wi-Fi Direct migration (without the Internet), and the main advantage is to preserve the folder structure, including hidden files of system applications.

To take advantage of the Mi Mover:

• 📱 On the new Xiaomi, when you first turn on, select Data Portability from the settings menu. If the device is already configured, find the Mi Mover app in the Tools folder"
• 🔄 On an old phone, install Mi Mover from Google Play (for Android) or use the web version for iPhone (limited functionality)
• 📶 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network or activate Hotspot on your old phone
• 🔍 On the new Xiaomi scan QR-code that appears on the screen of the old device

The Mi Mover limitations that Xiaomi doesn’t warn about:

• ⚠️ When transferring from the iPhone, notes and reminders from standard Apple apps are lost
• ⚠️ Files larger than 500 MB (e.g. video in the 4K) They are only transferred when connected to the socket.
• ⚠️ WhatsApp and Telegram messages don’t migrate – they need separate backups

Charge both phones at least to the 60%|Release. 10-15% memory on the new Xiaomi|Shut down. VPN both-device|Check the compatibility of versions MIUI (difference 2 version)-->

The speed of transfer depends on the amount of data:

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If the Mi Mover is stuck on 99% — Don't interrupt the process. 10-15 You can reboot both phones for a minute, and the data will be saved, but you may need to re-transfer only new files.

2.Moving from Android to Xiaomi via Google Account

For users who are actively using Google services, this method will be the easiest, suitable for transferring contacts, calendars, mail, Keep notes and even some application settings, the main advantage is that synchronization occurs in the background without blocking the use of the phone.

Step instructions:

1. On your old phone, check that sync is enabled: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Account synchronization Make sure that the "Contacts", "Calendar", "Gmail", "Disk" items are active"
2. On the new Xiaomi, when you first turn on, select “Restore from backup” and log in to the same Google account.
3. If the phone is already configured, go to: Settings → The phone. → Backup and reset → Data recovery

What is transferred and what is not:

If you used multiple Google accounts on your old phone, log in to the new Xiaomi first, then add the rest through Settings. → Accounts, otherwise the data may be mixed.

Mi Mover (Official Xiaomi App)|Google Account|Cloud services (Google Drive, iCloud)|Cable OTG/adapter|Other-->

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

The transition from iPhone to Xiaomi is a separate story with its pitfalls. Apple deliberately complicates the export of data, so standard methods like iCloud or iTunes work with limitations. 3 working methods that are tested on iOS 16/17 and MIUI 14/15:

Method 1: Move to iOS (Reverse port)

Yes, Apple’s Move to iOS app can be used “back-to-back”:

• 📱 Install the Move to iOS app from Google Play on Xiaomi (yes, it works both ways!)
• 🔄 On iPhone, reset the settings to factory (Settings) → Mainstream → Transfer or discharge)
• 📶 When setting up your iPhone, select “Data Transfer from Android” and enter the code that appears on Xiaomi.

Minus.

Method 2: iCloud + Google Drive

For full transfer:

1. On iPhone, export contacts to vCard via iCloud.com → "Contacts" → gear → "Exports vCard"
2. Upload photos and videos to Google Photos (iOS app) with original quality
3. Export messages via iMazing or AnyTrans (paid PC programs)

It's important.

WhatsApp

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When migrating from iPhone to Xiaomi, be sure to disable two-factor authentication iCloud for 24 hours – this will speed up data export and avoid blocking.

4. Alternative methods: cable, PC and cloud

If the standard methods are not suitable (for example, you have a device without a device). MIUI Slow Internet, consider these options:

Cable transfer OTG/adapter

For phones from USB-C lightning:

• 🔌 Buy a two-way one. OTG-Adapter (e.g., Xiaomi Type-C to Type-C for Android-Android transfer)
• 📁 Connect the old device as USB-drive (in the developer settings, turn on "Debugging by" USB")
• 📂 Use a conductor. MIUI (Files) for manual copying of data

Advantage

480 Mbps

Shortcoming

Transfer over PC (Windows/Mac)

To take full control of the process:

1. Connect both phones to your computer and enable file transfer mode
2. Copy data from an old phone into a folder on your PC (for example, D:\Xiaomi_Transfer)
3. For transfer SMS Use MobileTrans or Dr.Fone (paid)
4. For applications export APK through APK Extractor (only for Android)

Cloud services (for large volumes)

Comparison of popular solutions:

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To speed up the loading to the cloud, turn off automatic synchronization of photos on the old phone and download data in packs on the Internet. 2-3 GB.

5. Transfer of specific types of data

Not all data is equally well-transferred. Let's look at the nuances for each type:

Photographs and videos

✅ Best Way: Google Photos with Original Quality (Free Up to 15GB).

⚠️ Problem: when transferring through Mi Mover, albums and facial tags are lost.

🔧 Solution: Before transferring the albums to the JSON Google Takeout.

Communications (SMS/MMS)

✅ For Android: Use it SMS Backup & Restore (free app with export to the UK) XML).

✅ For iPhone: only through iMazing or AnyTrans (paid).

⚠️ Important: Messages from messengers (WhatsApp, Viber) are transferred only through the built-in functions of these applications!

Annexes and their data

✅ The list of applications is transferred through Google Account, but the APK-files.

✅ Application data (e.g., game progress) is only synced if the developer supports Google Play Games or its own cloud.

⚠️ Exception: Some Xiaomi apps (Mi Fit, Mi Home) transfer data automatically when logged in to the same Mi Account.

Calls and call history

📞 The only reliable way to export is through Call Logs Backup & Restore (Android app).

📱 On iPhone call history is not exported – you will have to save screenshots or keep records manually.

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even when following the instructions, users face problems, and we have collected the TOP-5 errors and ways to fix them:

Mistake 1: Mi Mover can't see the old device

🔹 Reason: Different versions MIUI or Wi-Fi Direct is disabled.

🔧 Decision:

• Update Mi Mover on both devices
• Enable Wi-Fi Direct manually: Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi Direct
• Reboot both phones and try again.

Mistake. 2: Transfer interrupted by 50-70%

🔹 Reason: Lack of memory on the new Xiaomi or battery drain.

🔧 Decision:

⚠️ If the transfer is interrupted, do not start it again immediately! 10 minutes, free up 5-10 GB of memory on the new device and then repeat the procedure. otherwise the data may be duplicated.

• Remove unnecessary files through Settings → Memory.
• Connect your phone to charge.
• Use cable instead of Wi-Fi for larger volumes

Error 3: Contacts are lost after transfer

🔹 The conflict between Google and Mi Accounts.

🔧 Decision:

• Check which account is selected as the main one: Contacts → Settings → Default account
• Import contacts manually from VCF-file (if you were backup)
• Turn off Mi Account sync for contacts

Error 4: Applications are not portable

🔹 The reason: Mi Mover doesn't copy APK-Files due to Google Play Protect restrictions.

🔧 Decision:

• Download. APK Extractor on your old phone and export your installed apps
• Move it. APK-files on the new Xiaomi and install manually (allow installation from unknown sources)
• Use the Aurora Store to download apps without Google Play

Error 5: Photos without date and geometry

🔹 Cause: Mi-mover or cloud transfer failure.

🔧 Decision:

⚠️ Note: If photos have lost metadata, you can only recover them through specialized programs like ExifTool or Acdsee!

• Move photos through Google Photos with metadata synchronization enabled
• Use Digikam (PC) to recover EXIF-data

7.Optimize the new Xiaomi after the transfer

Data portability is only half the battle, and to make your new smartphone run fast and lag-free, follow these steps:

Cleaning duplicates

After migration, there are often repeated files:

• 📂 For photos, use Google Photos → "Utilities" → "Clear the place"
• 📋 For contacts: Contacts → Settings → Combine duplicates
• 🎵 For music: Poweramp or Musicolet have built-in take-finding tools

Synchronization setting

To avoid future data loss:

• 🔄 Enable automatic sync for Google Account and Mi Account
• ☁️ Set up backup in Settings → The phone. → Backup (select "Daily")
• 📱 For WhatsApp and Telegram, enable cloud backup in messenger settings

Optimizing Xiaomi memory with MIUI have aggressive memory management:

• 🗑️ Clear the cache: Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache
• 🚫 Turn off autoloading of unnecessary apps: Settings → Annexes → Auto-start
• 🔋 Activate "Performance Mode" in Settings → Special opportunities → Performance mode

Personalization MIUI

The new shell may seem uncomfortable:

• 🎨 Install a launcher (like Nova Launcher or Hyperion)
• 🔊 Set up a sound profile in Settings → Sound and vibration
• 🌓 Activate a dark theme and set up a schedule in Settings → Screen. → Dark mode.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions