How to transfer data from an old phone to Xiaomi Redmi Note 10: a complete guide with pictures

Buying a new smartphone is always a joy, but transferring data from an old device can be a headache if you don’t know the nuances. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 offers several built-in tools for migration, but their effectiveness depends on the model of the previous phone, the version of the operating system and even the amount of data transferred. For example, iPhone owners will face different difficulties than users of Android based on MIUI 12 or earlier versions.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of transferring data from the official Mi Mover app to manual copying via the cloud or computer, and pay special attention to the hidden limitations of MIUI when transferring data from iOS, which the manufacturer does not advertise, but can block some files, and learn how to avoid loss of quality photos during transfer and why some applications (such as WhatsApp or Viber) require a separate backup procedure.

1. Preparation of telephones before data transfer

Before you start migrating, there are a few critical steps to follow, and skipping at least one of them can cause crashes, data loss, or even locking your Mi Account (for cloud syncs) start by checking:

• 🔋 The battery charge on both devices is at least 50%, and the data transfer can take up to 2 hours, and the discharge during the process will interrupt it without the possibility of restarting.
• 📶 Stable Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network) 4G/5G). For cloud services (Mi Cloud, Google Drive) download speed should be at least 5 Mbit/s.
• 📱 Free space on the new Redmi Note 10 is at least 10% of the volume of data transferred. For example, for 30 GB of photos, you need 3-4 GB of free space.
• 🔄 Software Updates: Make sure both phones have the latest version installed MIUI (for Xiaomi or Android/iOS (other-brand).

If you are transferring data from your iPhone, check:

• 🔓 Is iCloud unlocked? If Find iPhone is enabled, you'll have to shut it down temporarily.
• 📂 Is there a backup in iTunes or iCloud? Without it, you can't carry messages and notes.

⚠️ Note: If the old phone used a Mi Account but you don't remember the password, don't try to restore it during the transfer.This can block access to data for 24 hours.

2. Method 1: Mi Mover – the official app from Xiaomi

Mi Mover is an integrated tool in the Redmi Note 10 that allows wireless data transfer from other devices.

• 📞 Contacts, call logs.
• 📷 Photos and videos (without loss of quality)
• 💬 Communications (SMS/MMS, but not messengers)
• 🎵 Music and documents
• 📱 Some system settings (wallpaper, brightness, sound profiles)

However, there are limitations:

• ❌ Applications and their data (for example, saves in games or chats in Telegram) are not portable).
• ❌ iPhone only works for photo/video and contacts.
• ❌ Maximum transmission volume – 100 GB per session.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Redmi Note 10 and select the language. On the Data Transfer screen, click Next.
2. On an old phone, install the Mi Mover app from Google Play (for Android) or the App Store (for iOS).
3. Open the app and select I sender (on the old phone) and I receive (on the new one).
4. Scan it. QR-code from the screen of a new phone or connect via Wi-Fi Direct.
5. Select data types to transfer and confirm the start of the process.

Install Mi Mover on your old phone|Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network|Charge devices to 60%+|Free up space on the new Redmi Note 10|Shut down. VPN (can block the connection)-->

⚠️ Warning: If the transfer is interrupted during the Prepare Files stage, do not restart the process immediately. Wait 5-10 minutes - the system can restore the connection automatically.

Method 3: Transfer over Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

If you already have a Mi Account, syncing through Mi Cloud can be the easiest solution.

• 📞 Contacts, notes, calendars.
• 📷 Photos and videos (up to 5 GB free, then - paid subscription)
• 📱 Device settings (Wi-Fi networks, wallpaper, sounds)

How to transfer data:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Mi → Mi Cloud Account.
2. Turn on synchronization for the desired categories (contacts, gallery, etc.).
3. Wait until the download is complete (time depends on the speed of the Internet).
4. On the new Redmi Note 10, log in to the same Mi Account and enable sync in Settings → Mi Account.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ No need to physically connect your phone.
• ✅ Data is available on any device with a Mi Account.
• ✅ Automatic updates when changes occur.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Limiting Free Storage (5GB).
• ❌ Photos are uploaded in compressed format (quality up to 16 MP).
• ❌ Not all types of data are supported (e.g. messages or applications).

💡

If you have a lot of photos, then you can sort them into folders before you upload them to Mi Cloud, and the system keeps the directory structure, so you don't have to disassemble thousands of files in one pile.

4. Method 3: Move from iPhone to Xiaomi Redmi Note 10

The transition from iOS to Android is always fraught with difficulties due to Apple’s closed ecosystem. There are two working methods for the Redmi Note 10:

Method A: The application "Move to iOS"

Yes, it's an Apple app, but it works backwards (with limitations) and you can use it to transfer:

• 📞 Contacts
• 📷 Photos and videos (without Live Photos)
• 📅 Calendars
• 🎵 Music and books (without music) DRM)

Instructions:

1. On your iPhone, install the Move to iOS app (despite the name, it supports reverse porting as well).
2. On Redmi Note 10, when you first turn on, select Data Transfer → With iPhone/iPad.
3. Generate the code on your new phone and type it into your iPhone.
4. Select the data to transfer and wait for completion.

Method B: Manual transfer via iCloud and Google Account

If the first method failed (for example, due to the “Unconnected” error), use the workaround:

1. On iPhone, export contacts to iCloud → Contacts → Export vCard.
2. Send the.vcf file to the mail or upload it to Google Contacts.
3. On Redmi Note 10, add the same Google account – contacts are synced automatically.
4. For photos, use Google Photos: upload them from your iPhone to the cloud, then download them to your new phone.

⚠️ Note: If your iPhone has two-factor authentication enabled for iCloud, turn it off temporarily before transferring data, otherwise the system may block access to backups for 1-3 days.

5. Method 4: Transfer over a computer (USB-cable)

If wireless methods are not suitable (for example, due to slow Internet or a large amount of data), use a computer as an intermediary.

• 📱 Android (including Samsung, Huawei, Realme)
• 🍎 iPhone/iPad
• 🖥️ Outdated phones on Symbian or Windows Phone

Step-by-step instructions for Windows:

1. Connect your old phone to your PC via USB-Cable. Select file transfer mode (MTP).
2. Copy the necessary files (photos, videos, music) into a folder on your computer.
3. Turn off your old phone and plug in the Redmi Note 10.
4. Transfer files to the appropriate folders: Photo/video → Internal Storage → DCIM Music → Internal Storage → Music Documents → Internal Storage → Documents

To transfer contacts and messages from Android:

1. On an old phone, export contacts to.vcf via Contacts → Settings → Export.
2. Copy the file on your PC, then transfer it to the new Redmi Note 10.
3. Open the file and the contacts will be added automatically.

Universal advice for all applications:

Before transfer:

1. Check if the app has a data export function (for example, Telegram can download chats to.json).
2. Take screenshots of important screens (e.g., statistics in fitness apps).
3. Write down the usernames/passwords from your accounts in the apps (use Google Password Manager or KeePass).

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:

If none of the methods worked:

• 🔄 Reboot both phones and try again.
• 📱 Check if the transfer is blocked by antivirus or firewall (on PC).
• 📞 Contact Xiaomi via the chat app in Mi Community.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions