How to transfer photos from your phone to Xiaomi Redmi

Changing a smartphone is always stressful, not so much to get used to a new MIUI or HyperOS shell, but to keep all the important memories. A modern user's gallery can weigh tens of gigabytes, and manual file transfer seems archaic and inefficient. Fortunately, Xiaomi engineers have envisioned several migration scenarios, from cloud synchronization to direct cable connections.

In this article, we will discuss not only the standard tools, but also alternative methods that will help to maintain the quality of the original images. You will learn about the nuances of Wi-Fi Direct, the features of compression in cloud services and how to restore data if the process is interrupted. The right method will allow you to start using a new Redmi or Poco within 15 minutes after unpacking without losing any pictures.

Preparing devices for data migration

Before starting the procedure, you need to make sure that both devices are ready for active operation. On the old smartphone, you should clear the cache of junk applications, and on the new Xiaomi, you should make sure that there is enough free memory. Often users forget that some transfer methods require the same version of the operating system or certain access rights to work.

Be sure to check the battery level. The process of transferring a large amount of data, especially over wireless channels, consumes significant energy. If the device turns off in the middle of the operation, the integrity of the file system may be violated, and some of the photos will be damaged or lost forever.

⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to interrupt the transmission process by turning off the screen or running heavy games.This can cause the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth module to freeze, requiring both smartphones to restart.

You should also decide in advance what method you will use. If you do not have access to a stable Wi-Fi router, you should prepare it immediately. USB-cable or make sure that the old phone is enabled to create access point for iPhone owners will need to additionally install a special application, as will be discussed below.

Using the Mi Mover application for wireless transmission

The most efficient and native way for Xiaomi ecosystem is the Mi Mover utility, which is built into the system of new models or easily downloaded through GetApps. Its main advantage is the creation of a direct secure network between devices, which provides high speed copying without the involvement of the Internet.

To start the process, open the app on both smartphones. On the new Redmi, select Recipient, and on the old one, Sender. QR-You can either use a code or ask for a password from the network you're creating, and then you can scan the code and you can start to analyze the content, where you can select specific albums or tick the entire gallery.

The speed of transfer depends on the number of files and their size. 4K video will be copied longer than thousands of small shots. It is important to stay in the application and keep the screens on, as some Android models aggressively optimize background processes, which can break the connection.

⚠️ Note: If the transmission is suspended 99%, Don't panic. Often, the system just finalizes the indexing of files. 2-3 minutes before the compulsory closure of the application.

The feature of Mi Mover is the ability to transfer not only photos, but also desktop layout, contacts and even passwords from Wi-Fi. However, when switching from iOS functionality can be limited only to media files and contacts due to the closed file system Apple.

Sync through Google Photos and Cloud Services

Cloud technology has become the de facto standard for backups. Google Photos is pre-installed on all Xiaomi certified and offers unlimited (compressed) or paid storage in original quality.

The principle of operation is simple: on the old device in the Google Photos app, you need to click on the profile avatar and turn on “Autoload”. Once all the photos are uploaded to the cloud, just log into the same account on the new Redmi. Images will appear in the gallery automatically, while occupying a minimum of physical space thanks to the “Free space” function.

The main disadvantage of this method is the dependence on the speed of the Internet connection. 100 GB of data can take hours or even days to use mobile 4G/LTE. In addition, when compressed ("High Quality"), details in the shadows can be slightly trimmed by compression algorithms, which is critical for professional photographers.

Transferring data from iPhone (iOS) to Xiaomi

iPhone owners will have to do a little differently, because direct file transfers through the file system are closed to them, and the best solution is again the Mi Mover app, available on the App Store, which allows you to transfer contacts, calendar events and photos directly over Wi-Fi.

An alternative way is to use the iCloud cloud. If your iPhone is synchronized, you can access icloud.com from your computer, download the archive of photos and then upload them to Xiaomi via a web interface or PC, but this is a time-consuming process that requires a computer as an intermediary.

An important nuance: the HEIC photo format used by default on iOS may not open on older versions of Android. When migrating through Mi Mover, conversion often happens automatically, but if you copy files manually, you may need to install an additional codec or converter.

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Tip: Before transferring from your iPhone, go to Settings → Photos and select Leave Original or make sure that you convert to JPEG during transfer to avoid compatibility issues.

Also, keep in mind the iPhone Storage Optimization feature, if enabled, the full versions of the photos are stored in the cloud and the phone only has thumbnails, so Mi Mover may not see the originals until they are uploaded to the iPhone gallery, and make sure that all photos are uploaded to the device's memory before migrating.

Classical method: USB-cable

The most reliable, if not the fastest, way is to use a computer as an intermediary, which is indispensable if you need to transfer terabytes of data or if the wireless modules on one of the smartphones are unstable, you need a USB Type-C or Micro-USB cable and a file manager on a PC.

Connect your old phone to your computer, select the USB File Transfer (MTP) mode. Copy the DCIM/Camera folder to your hard drive. Then connect the new Redmi and transfer the files to the same directory. This method guarantees 100% metadata retention (EXIF), including shooting date, geolocation and lens settings.

If you use Windows 10 or 11, you can use your phone or your built-in Explorer for easier management. If you use a Mac, you will need to install the Android File Transfer or OpenMTP app, since macOS does not see Android devices natively.

⚠️ Note: When copying via PC, avoid using USB-Lack of current can cause the smartphone to shut down at the time of recording, which can lead to loss of files.

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Using a PC is the only way to guarantee the preservation of folder structure and hidden albums that can be ignored by cloud services.

Alternative methods and transmission over Bluetooth

Although Bluetooth is considered obsolete due to its low speed, it can still help in emergency situations when you need to throw a couple of documents or photos, and the Internet is not available. For large volumes, this method is not suitable: transferring 1 GB will take several hours.

More modern alternatives include apps like Send Anywhere or Xender, which are local networking-like Mi Mover, but often have a simpler interface and cross-platform, and you just generate 6-digit code on one device and type it on another.

Also, don’t forget the microSD card option. If both smartphones support this format (which is rare for new flagships, but the norm for budget Redmis), you can simply rearrange the card. It’s an instant transfer method that requires no settings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)