Changing your smartphone is often perceived as a stressful moment, especially when the old device has accumulated gigabytes of personal images. Owners of the Xiaomi ecosystem are in a better position, as MIUI and HyperOS offer built-in, fast and free tools for data migration.
The transfer process can take anywhere from minutes to an hour, depending on the size of your library, and we'll look at all the methods available, from an automatic cloud synchronizer to a classic cable connection, and choosing the right one will save you time and nerve cells.
In this article, we will go into detail about the algorithms for each method, point out the typical errors, and suggest how to avoid loss of image quality during transmission.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before you start any of the transfer tools, you need to do basic training, which ensures the stability of the connection and prevents the process from breaking down in the middle, and make sure that both smartphones are charged at least 50-60%.
Check for free space on your new device. If you plan to transfer 64 GB of photos and only 10 GB of free space on your new phone, you will end up in error, and it is also recommended to update the system software on both devices to the latest available version.
The Mi Account account is a special consideration, and most native tools will require you to log in to the same account on both devices, a key element of security and sync.
⚠️ Warning: Do not start transferring if one of the devices is connected to an unstable Wi-Fi network or is in power saving mode.
☑️ Ready for transfer
Method 1: Use the Mi Mover application
The fastest and most reliable way, designed specifically for Xiaomi and Redmi owners.Mi Mover app creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices, bypassing the Internet channel, which provides high speed transfer of large files.
To get started, open the app on both phones. On the old device, select the role "Sender" and on the new one, "Receiver." The system will automatically scan. QR-code and establish a secure connection.
Once you've connected, select Images or Photos, and you can select individual albums or tag them all at once, and it'll go automatically, and you can see how you're progressing in real time.
- 🚀 High speed transfer without using mobile traffic.
- 🔒 Lonely encryption of data during transmission.
- 📱 Saving folder structure and file metadata.
- 🔄 Ability to interrupt and resume transmission.
What if Mi Mover doesn’t find the device?
Method 2: Synchronize with Mi Cloud
The cloud service from the manufacturer is an elegant solution for those who appreciate automation. Mi Cloud allows you not only to transfer photos, but also to create a backup copy of them that will be available from any device, including your computer.
On your old smartphone, go to settings, select your Mi Account, and click on "Mi Cloud." Make sure the Sync Gallery slider is activated. Wait until all photos are completed.
On your new phone, log in to the same account, and the photos will show up automatically as you download, which is ideal if you have a stable and fast Internet connection.
It's worth remembering the limits of free storage. Usually, 5GB is available for free, and if your archive is larger, you'll either have to expand the tariff or use this method selectively.
| Parameter | Mi Mover | Mi Cloud | Bluetooth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed. | Very high. | Depends on the Internet. | Low. |
| We need the Internet. | No (locally) | Yes. | No. |
| Quality preservation | Original | Original (when set up) | Original |
| Difficulty | Low. | Medium | Tall. |
Method 3: Transfer via Bluetooth and ShareMe
If you don't have a Wi-Fi router on hand and you don't have much data, you can use classic Bluetooth, but for large photo volumes, it's not the most efficient method because of the low speed of the protocol.
A more modern version is the built-in ShareMe (formerly Mi Drop) feature, which works on the principle of Wi-Fi Direct. Open the gallery, select the desired pictures, click the "Share" button and select ShareMe.
The receiving device must also have an application running or a file reception interface open, and once the device is detected, confirm the request for transmission, and the speed will be significantly higher than that of conventional Bluetooth.
This is a good way to quickly transfer dozens of photos here and now, without having to log in to accounts or configure complex network settings.
- 📶 It works without internet access.
- ⚡ Up to 20 MB/s (in Wi-Fi Direct mode).
- 🌐 Cross-platform (you can send other brands to Android).
- 📉 It is not suitable for transferring thousands of photos at once.
⚠️ Note: When transmitted via Bluetooth or ShareMe, files may be saved to a separate Received or ShareMe folder, rather than the main camera tape.
Method 4: Transfer through a computer (USB-cable)
The most conservative, but guaranteed, method is that you'll need a USB cable and a computer. Connect your old phone to your PC, select File Transfer (MTP) mode in notifications.
Copy the DCIM folder (camera photos are stored here) and Pictures (screenshots, instant messenger photos) to your computer's hard drive. Then plug in the new phone and copy the data to the same directories.
This method allows you to audit files: while they are on the computer, you can delete duplicates, blur the excess and structure the archive before downloading to a new device.
Use an original cable or high-quality analogue with support for high data rates. Cheap charging cables can work unstable when transferring large amounts of information.
Structure of folders for copying:
/DCIM/Camera (Camera photo)
/Pictures/Screenshots (Screenshots)
/Pictures/WhatsApp (Photo from WhatsApp)💡
Using a PC is the only way to easily edit, sort and compress a photo archive during the transfer process, saving space on a new smartphone.
Method 5: Using Google Photos
Google's ecosystem offers another one-size-fits-all option: Google Photos is pre-installed on all Android smartphones, and it works in a similar way to Mi Cloud, but it's tied to Gmail.
Turn on sync on your old device and wait for the download. On the new phone, just log in to the same Google account, and the entire library will be available instantly, and you can also use the Partnership feature for fast transfer.
An important nuance: Google can compress photos by default to save space. To maintain original quality, select Original in the sync settings, which may require you to purchase additional space on Google One.
This method is especially useful if you plan to change your smartphone brand to Samsung or Pixel in the future, and your photos will remain in the single available cloud, regardless of the brand of the device.
- ☁️ Infinite storage (in saving mode).
- 🔍 Smart search by objects and persons in the photo.
- 📲 Access from any device via browser.
- 🗑️ Automatically free up space on the phone.
Typical problems and their solution
Even with automatic tools, there can be disruptions, and users often experience a situation where the transmission is 99 percent down, in which case you can try to turn off mobile internet on both devices, leaving only Wi-Fi.
If files are damaged or not opened after transfer, check the integrity of the file system. Sometimes it helps to clean the cache of the Gallery application on the receiving device through the application settings menu.
In rare cases, antivirus software can block mass file recording, try temporarily disabling security features or adding a portability process to exceptions.
⚠️ Note: If files are copied with an error when transferring via cable, try replacing them. USB-cable or use another port on your computer, and the problem is often the physical wear and tear of the connector.
💡
Tip: After transferring the photos, be sure to check the dates of the shooting. In some cases, the metadata may get lost, and the photo will be in the wrong chronological order in the gallery.