Why Data Transfers Between Brands Are Not Trivial
The transition from Xiaomi to Meizu is not just a change of gadget, but a migration between two ecosystems with different approaches to data storage. Unlike the transition within the same brand (for example, from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 13), where the Mi Mover standard tool works, when changing the manufacturer, the user has to face a number of nuances. First, Meizu uses its own Flyme Cloud, which is not compatible with Xiaomi’s Mi Cloud. Second, even standard protocols like MTP or PTP can work unstable due to customized firmware.
The key problem is that applications and their data (such as saving in games or setting up instant messengers) are not automatically transferred by any of the universal methods, which means that a full migration will require combining several ways, from cloud services to manually copying files. Next, we will analyze all the current methods, taking into account the specifics of the firmware MIUI and Flyme, and give recommendations for saving data that are often overlooked (for example, Wi-Fi settings or smart device data).
Method 1: Transfer through Google Account (the most universal method)
This method works for most data, except for apps and their internal files, and the advantage is that it doesn’t require additional programs or cables, but only works if both smartphones share the same Google account.
On Xiaomi:
- 📱 Open the Settings. → Google accounts → Synchronization.
- 🔄 Make sure you have synced for Contacts, Calendar, Notes (if you use Google Keep), Photos (via Google Photos) and Documents.
- ⏳ Wait for sync to complete (progress can be seen in the top notification bar).
On Meizu:
- 📱 When you first turn on, select the Recover Data option and log in to the same Google account.
- 🔍 In the recovery menu, tick all categories of data that need to be moved.
- ⚠️ Note: If Meizu is already configured, go to Settings → System system → Backup and run manual restoration.
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If no contacts are displayed after recovery, check Settings → Accounts to see if the sync for your Google account is disabled. Sometimes it gets lost after you change your device.
What is carried in this way:
| Type of data | Transferred? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Contacts | ✅ Yes. | Only if saved in a Google account, not in a phone memory |
| Photos and videos | ✅ Yes. | Google Photos (requires separate settings) |
| SMS messages | ❌ No. | Third-party software is required (see Method 4) |
| Annexes | ⚠️ Partially. | Only transferred from Google Play, no saves |
| Wi-Fi settings | ❌ No. | Not synced through Google |
Method 2: Use an OTG cable and file manager (for large volumes)
If you have a lot of photos, videos or documents (for example, more than 20 GB), transferring over the cloud can take hours or even days, in which case it is more reliable to use a direct connection via a USB-C cable - USB-C (or a USB-A - USB-C adapter if the ports are different).
Step-by-step:
- 🔌 Connect Xiaomi to Meizu via cable. On Xiaomi, select File Transfer Mode (MTP) plug-in.
- 📂 On Meizu, open any file manager (e.g., standard Files or Solid Explorer).
- 🔍 In the manager, find the Xiaomi folder (or the name of your model) — this is a connected smartphone. Copy the data you need to remember Meizu.
DCIM folder (photos and videos)| Download folder (downloads)| Documents folder (documents)| Pictures/Screenshots folder (screenshots)
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Important nuances:
- 🚫 Don’t copy the entire Android folder – it can disrupt the apps on the new device.
- 📁 For music, use the Music folder, not arbitrary directories, so that Meizu players correctly recognize them.
- ⚠️ Note: If Meizu has Flyme 9 or newer firmware installed, you may need to enable Developer Mode and allow Debugging to access root folders. USB.
Up to 5GB|5-20 GB|20–50 GB|More than 50GB-->
Method 3: Migration through cloud services (Yandex Disk, Mail.ru Cloud)
If you have slow internet or no cable, you can use domestic cloud services, which often offer more free space than Google Drive (for example, Yandex Drive gives 10 GB vs. Google’s 15 GB, but without restrictions on file types).
Algorithm of action:
- 📲 Install on Xiaomi application Yandex Disk or Mail.ru Cloud.
- 📤 Upload files to the cloud (you can select folders) DCIM, Download etc.).
- 📥 On Meizu, log in to the same cloud and download files.
Advantages of the method:
- 🌍 It works even if Meizu does not have Google services (relevant for Chinese versions of firmware).
- 🔒 Data is encrypted during transmission, which is safer than sending by email.
- 📅 You can break the load into parts if the volume is large.
How to speed up up the upload to the cloud?
Limitations:
⚠️ Warning: Free accounts on Yandex Drive and Mail.ru Cloud have a limit on the size of a single file (usually 2 GB).If you have a video or archive larger than this size, they will have to be split into parts or use a paid tariff.
Method 4: Transfer SMS, Calls, and Applications (Third Party Programs)
For transferring messages, logs and installed applications, standard methods are not suitable.
- 📱 MobileTrans (from Wondershare) – paid, but with a trial period.
- 🔄 Clone Phone (from Samsung, but works with other brands).
- 📲 Send Anywhere – Free, but requires manual file submission.
Let’s look at the example of MobileTrans:
- 💻 Install the program on PC (official website).
- 📱 Connect both smartphones to your computer through USB (On Xiaomi, turn on Debugging by USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (7 times press) → Additionally. → For developers).
- 🔄 In the program, select Phone Transfer. → Phone to Phone.
- 📤 Specify Xiaomi as the source, Meizu as the receiver, and tick the necessary data (SMS, applications, contacts).
What's important to know:
- 🔐 Some applications (such as banking) cannot be moved due to security constraints, but will have to be reinstalled.
- 📱 On Meizu, after transferring applications, they may need to be updated via Google Play.
- ⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi has a firmware installed MIUI Global, and Meizu is the Chinese version of Flyme, some system data (e.g. alarm settings) may not be transferred due to the difference in the OS architecture.
Method 5: Manual transfer of settings and data of smart devices
Many users forget that the smartphone is connected not only files, but also:
- 🔌 Smart home settings (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Home or Meizu LifeKit devices).
- 📡 Saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords.
- 🎵 Settings of sound uniformity in headphones (if you used Xiaomi Earbuds).
How to transfer this data:
- 🏠 For Mi Home: On Xiaomi, open the Mi Home app. Go to Profile → Settings → Backup data. Backup and save the file (e.g. Google Drive). On Meizu, install Mi Home, log in and restore the data from the file.
Wi-Fi passwords
- Use the WiFi Password Viewer app (requires root rights) or manually rewrite passwords from Settings → Wi-Fi to Xiaomi.
- On Meizu, connect to each network again.
However, to transfer SMS and call logs without a PC is not necessary - you will need one of the specialized applications (for example, MobileTrans).