How to transfer SMS from the old Xiaomi phone to the new one: all the working ways

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always an exciting moment, but along with the joy of updating the gadget comes a headache: how to save important messages from an old device? SMS with bank codes, registration confirmations or just valuable correspondence – you do not want to lose them. Fortunately, ecoistema MIUI offers several built-in tools for data transfer, and third-party solutions expand the possibilities to the maximum.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods of transfer SMS between Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO — From standard Mi Mover features to backup via Google Drive and physical transmission via SIM-We will pay special attention to the nuances: why some messages may not be transferred, how to avoid duplicates and what to do if a new phone is on a different operating system (for example, an iPhone).

Important: the transfer procedure depends on the version of MIUI (on new models like Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13, the algorithm may differ from the old Mi 9 or POCO F1). If your Released phone is before 2020, check the relevance of the firmware - some methods require updating to MIUI 12 and higher.

1. Transfer SMS over Mi Mover (official way for Xiaomi)

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary solution for migrating data between devices to MIUI, the most reliable method because it uses direct Wi-Fi transmission without intermediaries, but it has limitations: both phones must be from Xiaomi (or Redmi/POCO), and the MIUI version must be at least 9.

To transfer SMS via Mi Mover:

• 📱 Install the Mi Mover app on both phones (unless it's pre-installed) and on the newer models, it's called Data Transfer and it's in the Tools folder.
• 🔄 On the old phone, select I'm the sender, on the new phone, I'm the recipient. Confirm the connection via QR-code.
• 📤 In the data list for transfer, tick Messages (SMS). Other items (contacts, photos) can be removed if they are not needed.
• ⚡ Wait until the process is complete. Time depends on the number of messages (2 to 15 minutes).

Important: Mi Mover does not carry MMS and messages from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).

⚠️ Warning: If the new phone already has a Mi Account different from the old one, log out before transferring.

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2. Backup SMS through Google Drive

If you use Google, the most universal way is to sync messages through Google Drive, which works not only between Xiaomi phones, but also when you switch to Samsung, Pixel or even iPhone (with restrictions), the main condition is that the old phone must be linked to a Google account and sync is enabled.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Make sure the backup switch in Google Drive is active. Click Create Backup Now.
3. On the new phone, when you first turn on, select Restore Data from a backup and log in to the same Google account.
4. In the backup list, select the latest one (check the date of creation).

Important: If you use Xiaomi with custom firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu), check if Google services are disabled in the developer settings. Without them, backup will not work.

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Before you create a backup, clear the unnecessary SMS – this will speed up the process and save space in Google Drive.

3.Exports SMS on SIM-map (for older models)

If you have an older Xiaomi model (like Redmi) 4X or Mi A1), or a new phone not from Xiaomi, you can use the classic method - transfer messages to the SIM-This is a way to do it with a small amount. SMS (up to 250 pieces, as memory SIM limited.

How to export:

• 📌 Open the Messages app on your old phone.
• 🔍 Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Settings → Imports/Exports → Exports to SIM-map.
• ✅ Select messages for export (you can note all or only a select few).
• 📥 Put it in. SIM-card to a new phone and import messages via the same path: Settings → Import with SIM-map.

⚠️ Attention: SIM-Nano-SIM and eSIM cards do not support storage SMS. This method requires a standard micro-SIM or adapter.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 No investments (photos, videos) MMS).
• 📏 Maximum length of one SMS — 160 characters (long messages are cut off).
• 🔄 When importing to a new phone, messages can be displayed without contact names (numbers only).

4. Use of third-party applications (SMS Backup & Restore)

If the built-in methods don't work, like when you switch from Xiaomi to an iPhone, third-party tools come to the rescue, and one of the most reliable is SyncTech's SMS Backup & Restore, which stores messages to a.xml or.json file, which can then be transferred to any phone.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the app from Google Play to both phones.
2. On your old phone, click Backup → select SMS (you can also turn on MMS and Call Logs).
3. Save the file to the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox) or to a memory card.
4. On your new phone, open the application → Recovery → select the saved file.

Pros of the method:

• 🌍 Works between Android and iOS (iTunes is required for iPhone).
• 📁 Stores metadata (date, time, status read/not read").
• 🔄 Only the necessary messages can be selectively restored.

Cons:

• 🛑 iPhone. SMS Restore as a text file, not a standard application.
• 🔒 Some banking SMS They may not be exported due to security restrictions.

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The Backup & Restore SMS app is the only reliable way to transfer SMS from Xiaomi to iPhone, as Apple does not support direct migration of Android-SMS.

5.Move over Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

Mi Cloud is a cloud storage from Xiaomi that automatically syncs data, including SMS. However, this method works unstable: on some models (for example, POCO X3), message synchronization is disabled by default, and on phones with MIUI Global, you may need to manually configure.

How to enable SMS synchronization:

• 🌥️ Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud.
• 🔄 Make sure that the Slider Synchronization messages are active.
• 📱 Sign in to the same Mi Account on your new phone and wait until sync is complete (it can take up to an hour).

Important nuances:

• 📌 Messages are synchronized only if the Autosynchronization option is enabled on both phones (Settings). → Accounts. → Autosynchronization).
• 🚫 On the phones with MIUI China Mi Cloud may not support synchronization SMS.
• 🔄 If messages don’t appear on your new phone, try manually updating your data: Mi Cloud → Communications → Update.

Warning: Mi Cloud only stores SMS for 30 days from the last time you synced, and if you haven’t used your old phone for more than a month, your messages may have been removed from the cloud.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even when following the instructions, users face difficulties in transferring SMS. Consider typical errors and ways to fix them:

Additional advice:

• 🔋 If the transfer is interrupted due to battery discharge, connect both phones to charging and repeat the process.
• 📶 When using Mi Mover, turn off mobile internet – it can interfere with a stable Wi-Fi connection.
• 🔍 If messages are missing after transfer, check the Archive folder in the Messages app.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions