Changing your smartphone, especially the Xiaomi ecosystem, is often accompanied by concerns about privacy. The most valuable asset for most users is digital images that capture important moments in life. The migration of a gallery may seem complicated, but modern technology offers many ways to solve this problem without loss of quality.
There are several proven ways, each with its own advantages depending on the amount of data and the speed of your Internet connection: you can use cloud services, direct Wi-Fi connection or even good old cable. It is important to choose the method that will be most convenient in your situation, given that the weight of one modern photo can reach 10-20 MB.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the current portability options, including the use of the Mi Mover application, which is a native tool for MIUI and HyperOS devices. We will also touch on the nuances of working with Google Photos and manual copying through a computer so that you can guarantee your media library.
Using the Mi Mover app for quick migration
The most efficient and quickest way to transfer data between smartphones, especially if both devices are running Android, is to use specialized software from the manufacturer. Mi Mover is a utility that creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices, allowing you to transfer files at high speed without using Internet traffic.
To get started, you need to install the app on both devices, and on the new Xiaomi, it's often pre-installed in the Tools folder, and on the old phone, you can download it from Google Play or scan it. QR-code that will appear on the screen of the new gadget after the program launches. After installation, open the application and select the role of the device: "I am the recipient" in the new one and "I am the sender" in the old one.
⚠️ Note: During the data transfer process, do not turn off smartphone screens or leave the application, as this can break the connection and interrupt the copying of large files.
The synchronization process is as follows: a new device generates a new synchronization. QR-The code that reads the old phone. After you connect to the "I'm the sender" menu, select the "Images" or "Gallery" category. The system automatically analyzes the files available. You can select specific albums or tag all the photos at once.
☑️ Check before launching the Mi Mover
The main advantage of this method is to preserve the structure of folders and metadata of images. EXIF-data, such as date, time and geolocation, remain unchanged. 20-40 MB/s, which allows you to move 100 GB of data in about an hour, which is much faster than cloud methods.
💡
Mi Mover is the best choice for full gallery cloning when you first set up the new Xiaomi, as it doesn’t compress images and works without the internet.
Sync through Google Photos and Cloud Services
If you have a stable Wi-Fi connection, the most convenient way to do this is to use cloud technology. Google Photos is deeply integrated into the Android operating system and is often the primary storage for users. This is ideal if you want to not just transfer files, but also back them up.
On an old device, make sure that the Google Photos app has Autoboot enabled. To do this, go to the app settings and select the download quality. The Storage option allows you to upload photos in original quality while taking up space in your Google Account, whereas the Save Space option compresses pictures but does not limit storage (for older accounts) or uses a 15GB quota.
- 📸 Open Google Photos on your old phone and wait for all albums to sync.
- ☁️ Log in to the same Google account on the new Xiaomi via the Settings menu → Google.
- 🔄 Run the Gallery or Google Photos app on your new device and the pictures will appear automatically.
In addition to the Google ecosystem, Xiaomi owners can use the Mi Cloud service, which allows you to synchronize the gallery between the brand’s devices, but it is worth considering that free space is limited to 5 GB, so for large archives you will have to buy a subscription or use this method selectively for the most important frames.
What to do if the photos are not synchronized?
Transfer photos via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct
When there is no cable at hand and the Internet connection is missing or unstable, short-range wireless technologies come to the rescue. Standard Bluetooth is suitable for transferring several pictures, but its speed is extremely low (about 1-2 MB / s), so this method will not be effective for hundreds of photos.
A more advanced alternative is Wi-Fi Direct technology or fast sharing features like Quick Share (formerly Nearby Share). Unlike classic Bluetooth, it uses a wider data channel. On Xiaomi devices, this feature is called "Mi Drop" or integrated into standard exchange.
To transfer via Quick Share, do the following: turn on Bluetooth and geolocation on both phones. Select the desired images in the gallery of the old smartphone, click the share button and find your new Xiaomi in the list of available devices. Confirm the file acceptance on the receiving side.
| Method | Average speed | Do I need the Internet? | Better for you. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 1-2 MB/s | No. | 1-10 photos |
| Wi-Fi Direct / Quick Share | 20-50 MB/s | No. | Big albums. |
| Google Photos (Cloud) | Depends on the tariff. | Yes. | Background synchronization |
| Mi Mover | 30-60 MB/s | No. | Full transfer. |
It is important to note that when using wireless methods without a router (P2P connection), the batteries of both devices discharge faster than usual.
Copying files through USB-cable
A classic method that never fails when dealing with huge amounts of data, using a PC as an intermediate buffer allows you not only to transfer photos, but also immediately sort them into folders, removing duplicates or debris. USB-A cable compatible with your old phone.
Connect your old smartphone to your computer. In the notification on your phone screen, select USB File Transfer (MTP) mode. On your computer, open "My Computer," find the device, and go to the DCIM → Camera folder. This is where the pictures are usually stored. Copy the folders you want to use to your PC hard drive.
💡
When copying large amounts of data through USB use the ports USB 3.0 (usually blue) on a computer for maximum speed. USB-hubs without additional power.
Then connect the new Xiaomi to the same computer. Also select File Transfer mode in the notification curtain. Open the phone's internal memory to your PC and paste the previously copied folders with photos. The system automatically recognizes new media files, and they will appear in the gallery.
The advantage of this method is the lack of compression and the ability to recover data in case of a failure during transfer, since the originals remain on the computer until the verification is completed. In addition, through the File Manager Explorer on Xiaomi, you can hide the system folders so as not to clog the gallery with unnecessary thumbnails.
Transfer from iPhone (iOS) to Xiaomi
The transition from the Apple ecosystem to Android often raises the most questions, but the procedure for transferring photos is long overdue. the Move to iOS app here will not help, as it only works one way. For migrating from the iPhone to Xiaomi, the best way to use the Mi Mover app, available on the App Store, again.
Install Mi Mover on your iPhone and your new Android smartphone. Run the scan. QR-Unlike Android-Android bundles, the interface here may be slightly different. You'll be asked to choose the types of data to transmit. Make sure you choose Photo and Video».
- 🍎 On iPhone, allow access to the media library when you first start the application.
- 📶 Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network or use the hotspot created by the new phone.
- 📁 Formats HEIC (iPhone standard can be automatically converted to compatible JPG In the transfer, which will save space.
The alternative is to use the iCloud cloud: install the iCloud app for Windows on your PC, log in, download photos and upload them to Xiaomi via cable. You can also use Google Photos on your iPhone: back up, and then log in to your account on your new device.
Frequent problems and their solution
Despite the simplicity of the methods described, users may encounter technical difficulties. One common problem is the lack of space on the new device. Before starting the transfer, always check the free space in the Settings menu → About phone → Memory.
If the process is stuck at a certain percentage, try turning off the power saving on both devices. Aggressive MIUI optimization settings can kill the background data transfer process, considering it to be energy-consuming. Add a transfer application to the battery exceptions.
⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to interrupt the copying process with extraction SIM-card or reboot if the progress indicator does not move for more than 15 minutes. it is better to wait for the connection timeout to avoid damage to the file system.
In case photos are displayed in black squares or not opened after transfer, there is likely file corruption when writing.Try clearing the Gallery app cache or use a third-party image viewer, such as Google Photos or Simple Gallery, to check the integrity of files.