How to transfer data from your old phone to Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: the complete guide

The transition to a new smartphone is always exciting – especially when it comes to saving valuable data. Xiaomi Redmi Note 8, despite its age (the model was released in 2019), remains a popular choice due to balanced characteristics and support. MIUI. But how to transfer all the contents from the old device to it without losing contact, photos or saves from games?

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods for data migration – from standard tools to the Internet. MIUI You will learn what is right for your case (for example, if your old phone is on Android or iOS), how to avoid typical errors and what to do if the transfer is interrupted. And in the end – answers to frequent questions and life hacks to speed up the process.

1.Preparation for transfer: what to do before the beginning

Before you rush to copy files, follow 3 mandatory steps to avoid data loss or crashes:

• 📱 Check the battery power on both devices, it should be at least 50%, and it can take 10 minutes to an hour to transfer data, and discharging in the process will lead to errors.
• 🔌 Connect both phones to Wi-Fi (preferably the same network). For wireless methods, stable connection is critical, as the communication breaks, the process will start again.
• 🧹 Clean up memory on the new Redmi Note 8.Remove unnecessary apps or files if there is less than 10 GB of free space – this is a reserve for temporary data when migrating.

Pay special attention to the old phone:

• 🔒 Unlock the screen and disable the fingerprint/face lock – some transfer methods require constant confirmation of actions.
• 📁 Backup your important data to your computer or cloud, and even if the transfer is successful, backup will never be superfluous.

⚠️ Note: If your old phone is running Android 5.0 or lower, some methods (such as Mi Mover) may not be supported.In this case, use a Google Account or wired connection.

2. Method 1: Mi Mover is the official tool from Xiaomi

Mi Mover is built into the MIUI An application designed specifically for transferring data between Xiaomi devices:

• 📞 Contacts, messages and call logs
• 📷 Photos, videos and audio files
• 🎮 Application Data (including game saving)
• ⚙️ System settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, sound profiles)

How to use Mi Mover:

1. On Redmi Note 8, go to Settings → The phone. → Data Transfer (Mi Mover).
2. On an old phone, install Mi Mover from Google Play (if it’s not Xiaomi).

Mi Mover automatically optimizes files for a new phone — for example, reduces the resolution of photos if the Redmi Note 8 does not have enough memory.

⚠️ Note: If the old phone has custom firmware installed (not official) MIUI), Mi Mover may not work properly, in which case use alternative methods.

Battery charge >50% on both devices|

Disabled screen lock by fingerprint/face|

Both phones are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.|

On the new Redmi Note 8 enough free memory (minimum 10 GB)-->

3. Method 2: Transfer through Google Account (universal method)

If your old phone is running Android 6.0+, The most reliable way is to sync with your Google Account, which is even suitable for transferring data from your iPhone (partially:

• 🌐 It works on all devices (not just Xiaomi)
• 🔄 Automatic update of data when changing
• 📱 No need to physically connect your phone

Instructions for transfer:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings. → Accounts. → Google and enable sync for: Calendar Contacts Photos (via Google Photos) Notes (if you use Google Keep)

Settings → Accounts → Google → Synchronization

Redmi Note 8

Google Account

Settings → Accounts → Add an account

Turn on synchronization and wait for the data to load.

To transfer photos and videos, use Google Photos:

1. Install the app on your old phone.
2. Enable Backup and Synchronization in the settings.
3. On Redmi Note 8, install Google Photos and log in to the same account – all media files will download automatically.

Option 1: Direct phone connection (via OTG)

1. Connect. USB-OTG adapter for Redmi Note 8.
2. Connect your old phone to an adapter via USB-cable.
3. Redmi Note 8 will be notified "USB-Device is connected" - click on it and select "File port".
4. Use any file manager (such as Mi File Manager) to copy data.

Option 2: Copying through a computer

1. Connect your old phone to your PC and copy all the files you need to your computer folder.
2. Turn off your old phone and plug in the Redmi Note 8.
3. Transfer files from your PC to your new smartphone.

What data can be transferred in this way:

• 📁 All media files (photos, videos, music)
• 📄 Documents (PDF, Word, Excel)
• 🎮 APK-Application files (but not their data!)

What can not be transferred by wire:

• 📞 Contacts, messages, call logs
• ⚙️ System settings
• 🎮 Save games and application data

⚠️ Note: When connecting through USB-OTG Redmi Note 8 could get hot if temperatures exceed 45°C, turn off the cable and let the phone cool down.

5. Method 4: Moving from iPhone to Xiaomi Redmi Note 8

If you're switching from an iPhone to a Redmi Note 8, standard methods like the Mi Mover won't work. Instead, use a combination of:

• 🍎 Move to Android (official app from Google)
• 🌥️ iCloud for Contacts and Photos
• 🎵 iTunes for Music (optional)

Step 1: Transfer contacts and calendar

1. On iPhone, go to Settings → [Your name] → iCloud and enable Contact Sync.
2. On your computer, open iCloud.com, log in to your account and export your contacts to the.vcf file.
3. Send this file to Redmi Note 8 (by mail or messenger) and import it to Google Contacts.

Step 2: Transfer photos and videos

• 📱 Install Google Photos on your iPhone and enable backup.
• 📲 On Redmi Note 8, log in to the same Google account – photos will be automatically uploaded.

Step 3: Transferring Music

• 🎧 If you buy music from iTunes, use Apple Music for Android.
• 💿 For local tracks, copy them to your computer via iTunes, and then transfer them to the Redmi Note 8 via the iTunes. USB.

Step. 4: Deferral of communications (SMS/iMessage)

Unfortunately, it is impossible to transfer the history of iMessage to Android. SMS Use third-party applications like iSMS2droid (Requires backup of iTunes).

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To transfer data from your iPhone to Xiaomi, always start with sync via iCloud or Google Account – this is the most reliable way to save contacts and media files.

6. Method 5: Cloud Services (Mi Cloud, Yandex Drive, Dropbox)

If you prefer to store data in the cloud, you can use Mi Cloud (from Xiaomi) or universal services like Yandex Drive or Dropbox.

Mi Cloud

• 📱 Suitable only for Xiaomi devices.
• 🔒 Offers 5GB for free (can be expanded to 100GB for a fee).
• 📁 Synchronizes contacts, messages, notes, photos and records.

How to use:

1. On the old Xiaomi-telephone go to Settings → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on synchronization for the desired data.
3. On Redmi Note 8, log in to the same Mi Account and wait for the data to load.

Yandex Drive / Dropbox / Google Drive

• 🌍 They work on any device.
• 📤 Allows you to upload files manually or automatically.
• 💾 Free space: Yandex Drive – 10 GB, Dropbox – 2 GB, Google Drive – 15 GB.

Instructions:

1. Install the cloud service app on your old phone.
2. Upload the necessary files to the cloud (photos, videos, documents).
3. On Redmi Note 8, install the same app and download the files.

The advantages of cloud services:

• ✅ Access to data from any device.
• ✅ Automatic backup.
• ✅ No dependence on physical connection.

Cons:

• ❌ Slow loading speed with large data.
• ❌ Limited free seat.
• ❌ Not all services sync contacts and messages.

7.What to do if the data transfer is interrupted or failed

Sometimes the transfer process can end up with an error, and here are the typical problems and solutions.

If none of the methods worked:

1. 🔄 Reboot both phones and try again.
2. 📱 Check if the Redmi Note 8 has enough memory (minimum 5GB of free space).
3. 🔧 Update both devices to the latest version.
4. 📞 Contact Xiaomi Support if the problem is repeated.

⚠️ Note: If the data on the new phone is not displayed correctly after transfer (for example, characters instead of Cyrillic), check the file encoding. UTF-8 (For example, Solid Explorer).

8.Redmi Note 8 Optimization After Data Transfer

After a successful data migration, it is recommended to follow several steps to optimize the performance of the new phone:

• 🧹 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Warehouse → Clean and delete unnecessary temporary files.
• 🔋 Battery calibration: Fully discharge and charge your phone 2-3 times for the battery to function properly.
• 🛡️ Security setting: Enable Application Locking and Virus Scanner in Settings → Security.
• 📶 Network optimization: In Settings → SIM-Maps and mobile networks select the preferred network type (e.g, 4G).

To speed up the system:

• Turn off window animation in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Click 7 times on the version, then go to the Developer Settings → Scale of animation).
• Install Lite versions of apps (e.g. Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite) if memory is scarce.

Useful applications for a new phone:

• 📂 Files by Google – for file management and memory cleaning.
• 🔒 AppLock – to block applications with a password.
• 📊 CPU Monitor – to track the load of the processor.

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After transferring the data, be sure to check the sync settings in Google Account and Mi Account – this will prevent information loss in future updates.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8