How to transfer data from a smartphone to a Xiaomi smartphone: a complete guide

Why migrating data to Xiaomi requires a special approach

Moving to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always an exciting moment, but many users face unexpected difficulties when trying to transfer data from an old device. Unlike the iPhone, where the Apple ecosystem offers a single Quick Start tool, or pure Android with Google Backup, Xiaomi devices have their own nuances. MIUI, Modifies standard backup and recovery processes.

The main problem is that Xiaomi is actively using Mi Cloud services and local tools like Mi Mover, which are not always compatible with other vendors’ solutions. For example, when migrating from Samsung or Huawei, you can lose your call history or app settings if you do not know the specific tricks, this article will help you avoid typical mistakes and choose the best way to migrate depending on your situation.

Preparation for transfer: what to do before the start

Before you start transferring data, make sure both devices are ready for the procedure.

• 🔋 Battery charge - at least 50% on both devices (when using cable transfer, the discharge can reach 20-30% process)
• 📶 Stable Internet connection – cloud methods will require Wi-Fi at speeds of 10 Mbps
• 📱 Free space – the new Xiaomi should have at least 20% more space than the data taken up by portable data
• 🔑 Accounts – Sign in to Mi Account on your new device in advance if you plan to use Mi Cloud

Pay special attention to security settings. on Xiaomi with MIUI 14+ By default, you have data protection enabled, which can block the transfer over the cable:

1. Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Protection of data transmission
2. Deactivate the slider Blocking transmission through USB
3. Confirm the action with the password unlock the screen

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If you transfer data from your iPhone, pre-disable iMessage in Apple settings ID — This will prevent delivery problems. SMS new Xiaomi.

Method 1: Mi Mover is the official tool of Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a proprietary application from Xiaomi, optimized for transferring data between devices on the Internet. MIUI. It supports the transmission:

• 📞 Contacts and call histories
• 💬 Communications (SMS/MMS)
• 📷 Photos and videos (including Google Photos albums)
• 🎵 Music and documents
• 📱 System settings (wallpaper, sounds, brightness)
• 🔧 Installed applications (without application data!)

For use with Mi Mover:

1. Install the app on both devices (on the new Xiaomi it is pre-installed).
2. On the old phone, select I am the sender, on the new phone, I am the receiver.
3. Connect devices to a single Wi-Fi network or use a direct connection via a Wi-Fi network QR-code
4. Select data categories for transfer and confirm the start of the process

Download the latest version of Mi Mover on both devices|

Disable VPNs and firewalls |

Make sure there is enough space on the new Xiaomi|

Close all background applications |

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⚠️ Warning: If you experience an error "Unconnected" during the transfer through Mi Mover, check if your router is blocking data transfer between devices on the local network.

Method 2: Transfer over Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

The Mi Cloud service allows you to back up your data on your old device and restore it to the new Xiaomi, which is especially useful if:

• 📱 You already have a Mi Account with an old device tied
• 🌍 You transfer data from another Xiaomi or Redmi
• 🔄 You need to move data gradually, not in one session.

Instructions for creating a backup copy:

1. On the old device, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud
2. Select Backup and click Create Backup
3. Mark the data categories you want (maximum size per copy is 15GB for free accounts)
4. Wait until the process is complete (can take anywhere from 20 minutes to several hours).

To recover on the new Xiaomi:

1. When you first turn on, select Restore from backup
2. Log in to the same Mi Account that was used to create a copy
3. Choose the most recent backup from the list
4. Confirm the recovery and wait for completion

⚠️ Note: When you restore from Mi Cloud, all current data on the new device will be deleted. If you have already used your smartphone, first create a local copy of important files.

Method 3: Transfer from Android to Google Account

If your old smartphone runs on Android (not necessarily Xiaomi), the most versatile way is to use a backup in a Google Account.

• 📇 Contacts (synchronized with Google Contacts)
• 📅 Calendars and reminders
• 📱 Wi-Fi settings and devices
• 🔧 Some system settings (language, date/time)
• 📲 Data from some apps (if they support backup to Google)

How to set up synchronization:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings. → Accounts. → Google
2. Select your account and activate sync for all categories
3. Wait for the synchronization to be completed (check in Settings). → System system → Backup)
4. On the new Xiaomi, when you first turn on, select Copy data from your old device → From the cloud → Google
5. Log in to the same account and select data for recovery

Mi Mover (official Xiaomi app)|

Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud) |

Google Account|

Cable connection (via PC)|

Other ways-->

Limitations of this method:

• ❌ Not tolerated. SMS Call history (a separate application is required, such as: SMS Backup & Restore)
• ❌ Music and video are not automatically synced.
• ❌ Applications are restored without stored data (for example, progress in games)

Method 4: Transfer from iPhone to Xiaomi

The transition from iOS to Android is always fraught with additional difficulties due to the closed Apple ecosystem. To transfer data from iPhone to Xiaomi, you will need:

1. Move to iOS (installed on Xiaomi)
2. Mi Mover app (alternative)
3. Lightning-to-USB-C Cable (for direct connection)
4. Computer with iTunes (for backup)

Step-by-step instructions through Move to iOS:

1. On iPhone, back up your iCloud or iTunes
2. On the new Xiaomi, when you first turn on, select Data Transfer from iOS
3. Download Move to iOS on Xiaomi from Google Play
4. On iPhone, open Settings → Reset → Transfer to Android
5. Follow the instructions on the screen by entering the connection code with Xiaomi

What's successfully transferred:

• 📞 Contacts and calendars
• 📷 Photo and video up to 10 GB)
• 🎵 Music (without music) DRM-defense)
• 📍 Safari bookmarks (converted to Chrome bookmarks)

What's not tolerable:

• ❌ Apps (you need to install manually from Google Play)
• ❌ iMessages (only) SMS)
• ❌ Application data (e.g. game saving)
• ❌ Settings of the iOS system

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To transfer notes from iPhone to Xiaomi export them to PDF via the Notes app and then import to Google Keep or Mi Notes.

Method 5: Manual transfer via computer

If you need to transfer large amounts of data (over 20 GB) or prefer full control of the process, manual transfer over a PC is the most reliable option.

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS
• 🔌 Two. USB-cables (preferably original)
• 📁 Enough free space on the hard disk

Step-by-step process:

1. Connect your old smartphone to your computer in File Transfer mode (MTP)
2. Copy all the necessary files (photos, videos, documents) into a separate folder on the PC
3. Disable the old device and connect the new Xiaomi
4. Transfer files from the folder on your computer to the appropriate directories on your new smartphone:

Photo and video → /DCIM/ or /Pictures/


Music → /Music/




Documents → /Documents/ or /Download/

For the transfer of contacts and SMS:

1. Export contacts to.vcf file via Contacts app
2. Use the app. SMS Backup & Restore to backup.xml messages
3. Transfer these files to the new Xiaomi and import them through the same apps

⚠️ Note: When you connect Xiaomi to your computer for the first time, you may need to unlock access to files in the developer settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times, then in Settings. → Additionally. → For developers and enable debugging by USB.

Solving problems in data transfer

Even if you follow the instructions, you may encounter errors, and here are the most common problems and solutions.

If none of these methods worked, try alternative solutions:

• 🔄 SHAREit or Xender – for wireless file transfer
• 🔌 OTG-Adapter – for direct copying from a flash drive or other phone
• ☁️ Dropbox/Google Drive – for temporary storage of large files

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions