Changing your smartphone, especially the upgrade to modern Xiaomi Redmi models, is always accompanied by a pleasant anticipation of new features, but also the inevitable stress of the need to transfer data. The most valuable asset of the user is usually personal photos that have accumulated over the years. Losing them or spending hours on manual pumping is a scenario that does not suit anyone. Fortunately, the Android ecosystem and proprietary MiUI utilities offer several effective ways to solve this problem.
The migration process can vary depending on which operating system your old device is equipped with. If you switch from another Android smartphone, the procedure will be as smooth and fast as possible. iPhone owners also do not need to worry, since Xiaomi tools provide cross-platform data exchange.
In this guide, we’ll break down the most reliable ways, including using the built-in Mi Mover app, cloud services, and direct cable connection. You’ll learn how to avoid common mistakes like loss of image quality or interruption of transmission. Getting your devices ready before you start will save you time and nerves.
Using the Mi Mover app for quick migration
The most efficient and preferred way for Xiaomi app owners is to use the native Mi Mover app, which is designed specifically to create a direct Wi-Fi channel between devices, allowing you to transfer large amounts of data without using Internet traffic and at high speed. The app is already pre-installed on all new Redmi and Poco smartphones, and for the old device it can be downloaded for free from the Google Play store or GetApps.
The process is run simultaneously on both gadgets. On the new Xiaomi, you need to choose the role of the data recipient, while the old device will act as the sender. QR-A code or password to connect to, after scanning the code with the camera of the old phone, a secure connection is established and synchronization begins. It is important that the screens of both devices are active throughout the process.
- 📲 Install the Mi Mover app on both devices if it is not on the default system.
- 🔌 Connect both smartphones to a power source, as the process can consume a significant battery charge.
- 📶 Make sure both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules enabled for detection.
- 🖼️ In the data selection menu, tick the category "Photo" or "Gallery" for selective transfer.
☑️ Preparation for transfer via Mi Mover
One of the key features of the Mi Mover is the ability to select specific file types: you can migrate not only photos, but also contacts, messages, system settings and even a list of installed applications. If your old phone runs Android version below 6.0, the functionality may be limited, in which case it is better to consider alternative methods, such as using cloud storage.
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When transferring via Mi Mover, do not block smartphone screens, as this can interrupt Wi-Fi Direct connection and stop file transfer.
Sync through Google Photos and Cloud Services
For those who prefer wireless methods without installing additional software, Google Photos is the ideal solution. This method is especially convenient if you plan to use cloud storage not only for transfer, but also for backup. The algorithm of actions is simple: on an old phone you need to log into your Google account and activate the autoboot and sync function.
Once all the photos are uploaded to the cloud, just log in to the same account on the new Xiaomi Redmi. The gallery will fill up automatically as you download thumbnails. The main advantage of this method is independence from physical proximity devices — you can prepare a new phone even a few days before you buy it, just by uploading the photo in advance.
⚠️ Note: When using the free version of Google Photos, images can be compressed to save space. If it is important to keep the original quality without loss, make sure that the settings select the "Original" mode, which requires free space in Google One.
In addition to the Google ecosystem, users can use the Mi Cloud service, if Xiaomi was also on the old phone, logging into the Mi Account will instantly restore all data. For users of other brands, installing the Mi Cloud app on the old device will allow you to upload photos there and then download them to the new Redmi, which creates an additional layer of data backup.
Direct connection via USB-cable OTG
If your photo gallery is tens of gigabytes long and your internet connection is unstable, the most reliable option is a physical connection, which requires a USB-OTG (On-The-Go) cable or a standard cable if both phones support data transfer via a connector. Modern Xiaomi models have USB Type-C ports, making it easier to find compatible accessories.
Connecting your old phone to your new phone via cable will give you a notification of the connection. USB-In the Redmi file manager, the old device will appear as an external drive. You just have to copy the folder. DCIM Or Pictures into the internal memory of the new device, which guarantees maximum transmission speed and is independent of the quality of the radio signal.
It is worth considering that not all older phones support host or client mode when connected, and some manufacturers install their own shells that can block direct access to the file system through the server. USB. In such cases, the system will be used to MTP-A mode that also allows you to manage files, but can run slower.
- 🔗 Use a quality cable with data transfer support, not just charging.
- 📂 Look for photos in folders DCIM/Camera and Pictures for a full transfer.
- 📱 Unlock the screen of your old phone immediately after connecting the cable to confirm access.
What if the phone can’t see the cable?
Transferring data from iPhone to Xiaomi Redmi
Switching from iOS to Android has long been considered a difficult process, but it is now as automated as possible. When you initially set up the new Xiaomi Redmi, the system will suggest importing data from the iPhone. This will require a Lightning to USB-C cable or adapter. The Move to iOS application is not required here, since MiUI has built-in drivers to work with Apple equipment.
During the migration process, you will be able to migrate not only photos and videos, but also contacts, calendar events and even some free apps, if they are available on Google Play.Photos will be saved in original quality., iMessage messages and some iOS system settings can not be moved due to the closed Apple ecosystem.
If you have a wireless connection, you should use a cable. Connect your iPhone to Xiaomi, enter the confirmation code that appears on the screen, and wait for the data analysis to be completed. Then select "Photos" in the list to transfer. The process can take time if you have an optimized version of the photo in iCloud - in which case you first have to download the originals on the iPhone.
| Method | Speed. | Internet dependency | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover | Tall. | No. | Low. |
| Google Photo | Medium | Yeah (high) | Low. |
| USB-cable | Very high. | No. | Medium |
| Bluetooth | Low. | No. | Low. |
Solving and eliminating errors
Despite the simplicity of the procedures, users may encounter technical difficulties. Often the problem lies in the lack of free space on the new device. Before you start transferring, make sure that the amount of free memory on Xiaomi exceeds the amount of data transferred. If there is little space, you can temporarily transfer only the most important albums, and the rest can be downloaded later.
Another common mistake is to interrupt Wi-Fi Direct in the Mi Mover app, which can be due to energy-saving modes that kill background processes, temporarily disable power saving mode on both devices, and make sure that your old phone doesn’t run heavy applications that consume network life.
⚠️ Note: When transferring via Google Photos, make sure you do not use the “Traffic Saving” mode on the mobile network, otherwise downloading the originals may stop or only occur over Wi-Fi, which will delay the process.
If you find that some video or photo formats are not displayed on a new phone, Redmi may not have the necessary codec, which can help install a third-party player, such as VLC, or update the gallery through the GetApps store. MiUI regularly receives updates that improve compatibility with media files.
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The most common reason for stopping the transfer is that the screen of the old phone goes out and breaks the Wi-Fi connection.
Organization of the gallery after the transfer
Once the migration is completed, a file audit is recommended. Duplicate photos that may have been created by multiple sync attempts will take up valuable space. Xiaomi's built-in tools or third-party apps like Files by Google will help find and remove duplicate images. This will free up space for new images taken with your new Redmi's high-resolution camera.
Also worth checking your cloud sync settings on your new device. Make sure Google Photos or Mi Cloud is activated so that your new photos are automatically saved to the cloud in the future. This will protect you from data loss in the event of a breakdown or loss of your phone. Regular backups are the best habit of a modern smartphone user.
Remember to remove the Mi Mover app or other temporary utilities from your old phone if you plan to sell or give it away. Clearing your personal data is an important step in completing your device. With the new phone, you can set up automatic sorting of photos by date and location, making navigation around the gallery even more convenient.