How to Transfer All Information from One Xiaomi to Another: 5 Ways to Transfer All Your Information

Introduction: Why Data Transfers to Xiaomi Need a Special Approach

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but the process of data transfer can turn into a headache if you do not know the nuances. Unlike the iPhone, where everything is synchronized through iCloud, or Samsung with the Smart Switch service, Xiaomi has its own unique tools — and its pitfalls. For example, not all users know that the standard feature of the Mi Mover works only on devices with MIUI 9 and newer, and for older models you will have to use workarounds.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 working ways to migrate data, from official tools to alternative solutions for complex cases, how to save not only contacts and photos, but also application settings, call history, SMS, and even game data (which is especially important for gamers), and why it sometimes takes hours to move, and how to avoid it.

Method 1: Mi Mover is the official tool of Xiaomi

Mi Mover is an embedded data porting application that Xiaomi has positioned as the primary solution, and it works point-to-point (from phone to phone) over Wi-Fi Direct, eliminating the need for cloud services or cables.

• 📱 Only devices with MIUI 9+ (Older firmware will have to be updated or used in other ways).
• 🔌 Both phones must be charged at least 50% or the process will be interrupted.
• 📶 Speed depends on the stability of Wi-Fi: in a room with thick walls there may be failures.
• 🚫 Some system settings (such as fingerprints or a pattern lock) are not portable).

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Data Transfer (Mi Mover).
2. On the new phone, select the same menu item and click I am a new user.
3. Scan the scanner on the new device QR-code that will appear on the old.
4. Select data types for transfer (contacts, messages, photos, applications) and confirm the beginning of the process.

⚠️ Warning: If the new phone already has a Mi Account, it will have to be temporarily deleted or Mi Mover won't start!

Charge of both phones >50% | Disable VPN on both devices | Make sure the new phone has enough memory | Sign out of Mi Account on the new phone (if any) | Check the stability of the Wi-Fi network-->

Method 2: Backup to Mi Cloud and Recovery

The Mi Cloud is another official way Xiaomi is using to move data from a distance (e.g., if the phones are in different cities), and the main advantage is that you don't need the physical presence of both devices.

• ☁️ Only 5GB of storage is available for free (this is often not enough for photos and videos).
• ⏳ Recovery of a large amount of data can take several hours.
• 🔒 Some applications (e.g. banking) are not backed up for security reasons.

Step instructions:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on synchronization for the desired categories (contacts, notes, calls, SMS).
3. To back up applications and their data, click Backup and select Create Backup.
4. On the new phone, log in to the same Mi Account and restore data from the cloud to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Restore.

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If you have a lot of photos, before backing up to Mi Cloud, turn on the option “Optimize photos” in the cloud settings, which will compress the images and save space.

Method 3: Transfer through Google Account (for contacts, calendar and email)

If you use Google services, you can transfer some of your data through your Gmail account, which is universal and works on any Android device, but only for:

• 📇 Contacts (synchronization with Google Contacts).
• 📅 Calendar (Google Calendar).
• 📧 Posts and Notes (Gmail, Google Keep).
• 🎮 Some games (if linked to Google Play Games).

How to do this:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Make sure that synchronization is enabled for the desired categories (contacts, calendar, etc.).
3. Add the same Google account on your new phone and wait for automatic sync.

The advantage of this is that data is available on any device, even if you switch from Xiaomi to a smartphone of another brand.

• 📱 Photos and videos are not automatically synced (you need to use Google Photos separately).
• 🔄 If the new phone already has contacts, they can be duplicated.
• 🔒 Some apps (such as WhatsApp) are not backed up through Google.

Mi Mover|Mi Cloud|Google Account|OTG/PC |Another way-->

Method 4: Transfer over an OTG cable or computer (for large amounts of data)

If you have to move tens of gigabytes of photos, videos or music, wireless methods may be too slow.

• 🔌 Cable OTG (Directly connecting phones to each other).
• 💻 Computer (as an intermediate storage).

Option 1: OTG (Type-C → Type-C or MicroUSB → Type-C) cable

1. Connect your old phone to your new one OTG-cable.
2. A notification will appear on the new phone USB-The drive is connected - click on it.
3. Select File Transfer Mode (MTP).
4. Use any file manager (such as Mi File Manager) to copy data.

Option 2: Computer transfer

1. Connect your old phone to your PC and copy all the files you need to your computer folder.
2. Turn off the old phone and connect the new one.
3. Transfer files from your PC to your new smartphone.

⚠️ Note: When copying through a computer, do not use disk formatting - this will delete all data from the phone, MIUI), so as not to disrupt the work of the firmware.

Method 5: Third-party applications (for advanced users)

If standard methods don't work (e.g., you need to migrate data from the old model to MIUI 8 or save the settings of specific applications), you can use third-party utilities.

• 📱 Clone Phone (from Xiaomi, but with advanced features).
• 🔄 Samsung Smart Switch (Yes, it works with Xiaomi!).
• 📲 Titanium Backup (requires root rights).
• ☁️ Swift Backup (an alternative to rootless backup).

Example of Samsung Smart Switch:

1. Install the Smart Switch app on both phones from Google Play.
2. On the old phone, select Send data, on the new phone, Receive data.
3. Connect your phones via Wi-Fi Direct or cable.
4. Select categories to transfer and wait until completion.

Third-party applications have the advantage of flexibility, such as Titanium Backup, which allows you to save even system application data, and Swift Backup works without root, but requires you to use the software. ADB-But there are risks:

• 🛡️ Some applications may request unreasonable permissions (e.g. access to the Internet) SMS).
• 🔧 Data transfer through ADB or root may disrupt the firmware.
• 📉 Free versions often limit the speed or amount of data.

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Third-party apps are convenient for transferring data between different brands (e.g., Xiaomi to Samsung), but require caution: always check reviews and permissions before installing.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even when using official tools, users are experiencing difficulties, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to correct them:

If none of these methods worked, try a combination approach:

1. Move your contacts and calendar through your Google Account.
2. Copy photos and videos through OTG-cable.
3. Recover SMS and calls from Mi Cloud backup.
4. Install apps manually from Google Play.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions