Changing your smartphone is always accompanied by a slight panic associated with the safety of personal data, especially photos. Owners of the Xiaomi ecosystem are in a better position, as the shell MIUI and HyperOS offer powerful built-in tools for migration.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods, from cloud services to direct transmission over Wi-Fi, you will learn which method will be the fastest for thousands of shots, and which will be suitable for instant transfer of a couple of frames.
Use of the built-in Mi Mover application
The most efficient and native way to transfer data between devices of the same manufacturer is the Mi Mover utility. This application is preinstalled in the Tools folder on most Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones. Its main advantage is to work through a local Wi-Fi connection, which provides high speed transfer without using Internet traffic.
It starts with running the program on both devices, and on the old phone you choose the option "I'm the sender," and on the new phone you choose the option "I'm the receiver." QR-If you use a code or manual password, you can connect the devices to a single network, and you can then select the data types, and you can check "Gallery" or "Images" to transfer all the albums.
⚠️ Note: Do not block smartphone screens during the active phase of transferring large amounts of data, as this can interrupt the Wi-Fi Direct connection and stop the process.
Importantly, Mi Mover stores folder structure and file metadata, including the shooting date and geolocation, which is critical to properly sorting through the new device's gallery, and if you have a few gigabytes of photos, this method is preferable to cloud-based ones because of the lack of Internet speed restrictions.
Once the copy is complete, the system will automatically check the integrity of the files, and if damaged segments are detected, the program will prompt the program to repeat the transfer only for them, making the process as reliable as possible for users who value each image.
Sync with Mi Cloud and Google Photos
Cloud technology allows you to transfer photos from Xiaomi to Xiaomi without physical contact between devices.Mi Cloud service is deeply integrated into the system and allows you to configure automatic synchronization of the gallery.
The alternative is Google Photos, which is often the primary storage for Android users. When you log in to the same Google account on a new device, all images will appear in the gallery automatically. However, it is worth remembering the limits of free (15 GB for Google and 5 GB for the basic Mi Cloud), which may require you to buy additional space.
The advantage of the cloud method is that it's in the background, you don't have to control the process: just connect the phone to Wi-Fi and charging, and the system will upload all the new images, which is ideal for a gradual transition, when you use both phones in parallel for some time.
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Enable the “Sync only over Wi-Fi” setting in the cloud settings to avoid spending mobile traffic unexpectedly.
Keep in mind that when using the cloud, the original quality can be compressed if you don’t choose a full-size plan. Check the download settings to make sure you don’t lose in detail when transferring pictures.
Transfer files via Mi Drop (ShareMe)
Mi Drop (formerly known as ShareMe) is another powerful tool from Xiaomi developers, working on the principle of AirDrop. It allows you to transfer files of any size at high speed using direct Wi-Fi connection between devices. Unlike Mi Mover, which is sharpened for full migration, Mi Drop is convenient for selective transfer.
To get started, open the app on both smartphones. Create a group or select Send mode, find the photos you want in the gallery and press the transfer button. Device search is instantaneous, and speeds can reach 20-40 MB/s, which is much faster than Bluetooth.
A unique feature is the ability to transfer files to and from the PC, but in the context of the Xiaomi-Xiaomi bundle, this is the best way to quickly drop a particular album.The application does not require an Internet connection, running exclusively on the local network created by one of the phones.
| Method | Speed. | We need the Internet. | Better for you. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover | Tall. | No. | Full transfer. |
| Mi Cloud | Depends on the network. | Yes. | Autopreservation |
| Mi Drop | Very high. | No. | Selected files |
| Google Photo | Medium | Yes. | Backup |
Local transmission via Bluetooth and Nearby Share
Google’s Nearby Share feature is the standard for Android devices and works great on Xiaomi smartphones.This method requires no additional apps to install and is activated via the standard Share menu.It uses a combination of Bluetooth for detection and Wi-Fi Direct for data transfer.
To send a photo, select the image in the gallery, click the Share button, and select the Quick Sharing icon. The receiving device must have Bluetooth and geolocation enabled, and file transfers will begin on both screens after confirmation.
While this method is convenient for transferring 10-20 photos “here and now”, it may be less efficient for migrating thousands of images due to the need to confirm each group of files.
Why can't Nearby Share see the device?
Bluetooth in its pure form (without using Wi-Fi Direct protocols) is strongly discouraged from using for the transfer of the gallery due to the extremely low speed. One shot can be transmitted for several seconds, which will make the migration of the entire album torture.
☑️ Preparing for data migration
Direct connection via USB-cable (OTG)
For users who prefer physical connectivity and maximum reliability, a cable transfer method is available. You will need a USB Type-C cable (or an OTG adapter if the connectors don't match), which allows you to copy files directly to the file system, bypassing the software limitations of applications.
Connect two smartphones with a cable. You'll see a request for USB mode on the screen. Select File Transfer or MTP. Then the new phone's conductor will have an external drive, which is the memory of the old device. You can manually copy the DCIM/Camera folder to the new location.
The good thing about this method is that it doesn't depend on the operating system's status, as long as the phone is even partially functional, and it also ensures that no bytes are lost in transmission, since the USB protocol provides data integrity control.
⚠️ Note: Use only high-quality cables that support data transfer. Cheap "charging only" cables will not allow you to see the file system of another phone.
Once copied, be sure to check a few random files on the new device to make sure they are readable. Then you can safely turn off the cable via the notification menu by selecting Safe Retrieval.
Problem Solving and Frequently Errors
Users may encounter various difficulties in transferring data, and one of the common problems is the Mi Mover connection interruption, which often happens when one device is power-saving, which aggressively shuts down the Wi-Fi module, and it is recommended to temporarily disable the charge saving.
Another common situation is broken files or photos that don’t open after transfer, which may indicate damage to the memory sector on the old device, in which case try using another copying method, such as via a PC, to rule out application software errors.
If the new Xiaomi phone doesn't see the old one, check the operating system versions. On very old Android 6-7 models, the new Mi Mover versions may not work properly, in which case it's better to update the app through GetApps or use the universal method of Google Photos.
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The most common cause of port errors is an unstable Wi-Fi connection or an on flight mode at one of the setup stages.
Remember that some system folders and hidden albums may not be portable by standard methods for security reasons, and may require manual copying through a root file manager or PC connection to access them.
Comparative table of transfer methods
To make it easier for you to choose the right option, we've systematized the main characteristics of each method, and note the balance between speed and usability.
For a complete phone replacement, when an old device is scrapped or sold, complete solutions like the Mi Mover are best suited. If you just need to transfer a couple dozen photos to a friend with the same Xiaomi, then Mi Drop or Nearby Share will be much faster in organizing the process.