How to transfer all data from your old phone to your new Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Contents

• Why data migration is necessary and what can be transferred
• Preparing the old and new Xiaomi for the transfer
• The official way: Mi Mover from Xiaomi
• Transfer via Google Account (for Android)
• How to transfer data from iPhone to Xiaomi
• Manual methods: memory card, PC, cable OTG
• Frequent mistakes and how to fix them
• FAQ: Answers to popular questions

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always an exciting moment: you want all the photos, correspondence and settings to stay in place, but not lost on the road. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several ways to migrate data, and we have added proven life hacks to them. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of transferring from the official Mi Mover to manual methods via PC or flash drive.

It's important to understand that not all data can be transferred automatically, for example, Wi-Fi passwords and some application settings often stay on the old device, SMS, Photos and even phone records move without any problems, if you know the nuances, then we'll tell you how to prepare for the procedure, what programs to use and what to do if something goes wrong.

Why data migration is necessary and what can be transferred

Many users underestimate the importance of data portability until they experience a loss of valuable information. Imagine if you bought a new Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro.+, And all the vacation photos were left on the old phone that broke a week later, or worse, the contacts of the customers, if the phone was used for work, which is why migration should be the first step after unpacking a new device.

What can be done with the new Xiaomi:

• 📞 Contacts (including groups and notes to numbers)
• 📷 Photos and videos (in original quality or compressed)
• 💬 SMS and MMS (attachment)
• 🎵 Music and podcasts (if stored locally)
• 📁 Documents (PDF, Word, Excel, etc.)
• 🔧 System settings (wallpaper, sounds, brightness - partially)
• 📱 Installed applications (without data, unless you are using Titanum Backup)
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords (only via Mi Mover or manual export)

However, there are limitations, such as some applications (such as local save games or banking programs) that are not automatically portable due to security policies, and that you cannot migrate:

• ❌ Root-rights and custom firmware (repeated firmware will be required)
• ❌ Paid subscriptions (linked to the account) Google/Apple, not the device)
• ❌ Application cache (usually cleared when transferred)
• ❌ Some system settings (for example, control gestures in the MIUI)

⚠️ Note: If the old phone used a Mi Account with a link to the region of China, the new Xiaomi with global firmware may have problems with synchronization.

Preparing the old and new Xiaomi for the transfer

Before you start migrating, there are several critical steps that need to be taken, and neglecting them can lead to data loss, process freezes, or even file corruption.

Charge both phones at least to the 50%|Release. 10-15 GB of memory on the new Xiaomi|Update MIUI last-minute|Shut down. VPN firewalls|Connect to stable Wi-Fi (for Mi Mover)|Make a backup of an old phone-->

Let’s look at each item in more detail:

1. Battery charge. The transfer process may take 10 If the phone dies during the migration, it can damage the files. The optimal way to charge both devices is to charge them to the next level. 80-100%.
2. The new Xiaomi should have a minimum of space. 10-15 GB of free memory, otherwise the system may interrupt the transfer due to space shortage. → Memory.
3. Update MIUI. Outdated firmware versions may not support new data protocols. Update both phones via Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
4. Wi-Fi network. Mi Mover requires a single network connection. If you use mobile Internet, turn off background restriction in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Transfer of data.
5. Backup. Even if you're transferring data in the official way, backup it to the cloud or PC, and that's going to save you if something goes wrong.

Also check which data takes up the most space on your old phone.

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. Click on the category (e.g., "Apps" or "Multimedia").
3. Delete unnecessary files (cache, duplicate photos, old videos).

💡

If there is not enough space on your old phone, transfer photos and videos to your PC or cloud in advance (MTP) and copy the folders. DCIM and Pictures.

The official way: Mi Mover from Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a proprietary utility from Xiaomi that allows you to transfer data from one smartphone to another wirelessly. It is preinstalled on all devices with a mobile phone. MIUI 9 and newer. The main advantages of the method:

• ✅ No cables or PCs required
• ✅ Stores folder structure and file metadata
• ✅ Transfers Wi-Fi passwords and some system settings
• ✅ It works even between different brands (Android) → Xiaomi)

There are, however, downsides:

• ❌ Slower than cable transfer
• ❌ Not always correctly transfers the data of applications
• ❌ It can be used in large volumes (100).+ GB)

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Mi Mover on both phones. On the new Xiaomi: when you first turn on, select Data Transfer or find the utility in Settings → Additionally. → On an old phone: download Mi Mover from Google Play (if it's not Xiaomi) or find it in the settings.
2. Select the role of the device. On the new phone, click "I'm the new phone." On the old one, "I'm the old phone."
3. Scanner. QR-The new phone will appear on the new one. QR-Scan it with an old device. QR not readable, click "Connect Manually" and enter a 6-digit code.
4. Select data to transfer. Check what you want to transfer (contacts, photos, apps, etc.) Don't choose "Everything" - this can lead to errors. It is better to transfer data by category.
5. Start the transfer. Confirm the action on both phones. Don't interrupt the connection or block the screens! 5 minute 2-3 hours (depending on the volume).

Completion.

• After the end, a report on the transferred data will appear on the new phone.
• Reboot both devices.

⚠️ Note: If you are on an old phone MIUI with a regional reference (e.g. Chinese firmware), and the new Xiaomi has a global version, Mi Mover may not port Wi-Fi passwords and some system settings.

💡

Mi Mover is the easiest way for beginners, but it's not the most reliable way for big data. If you want to move more than 50 GB, you better use a cable. OTG PC.

Transfer via Google Account (for Android)

If you have both Android phones (not even Xiaomi), the most versatile way is to sync through a Google Account, which is more stable than the Mi Mover, but has limitations on the amount of free cloud storage (15 GB), but allows you to transfer:

• 📞 Contacts (in full, including avatars)
• 📅 Calendars and events
• 📝 Notes (if you use Google Keep)
• 🌐 Bookmarks and passwords from Chrome
• 📁 Photos and videos (via Google Photos, but in compressed quality)
• 🎮 Data of certain games (if linked to Google Play Games)

How to transfer data via Google:

1. On your old phone: Open the settings → Accounts. → Google. Select your account and enable sync for all categories (contacts, calendar, Chrome, etc.) For photo: open Google Photos, click on the avatar → "Photo settings" → "Backup and synchronization" → turn on.
2. On the new Xiaomi: When you first turn on, select "Recover Data" and log in to the same Google account. If the phone is already set up, go to Settings → Accounts. → Google and enable sync. For photos: install Google Photos from Play Market and wait for the media files to download.

Check:

• Open Contacts, Calendar and Google Photos to make sure everything has moved on.
• If there is no data, try to manually update sync (in the Google account settings, click "Sync Now").

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ It works between all Android devices
• ✅ Data is available on all devices associated with the account
• ✅ Automatic update (if you add a new contact on one phone, it will appear on another phone)

Disadvantages:

• ❌ 15 GB limit (you have to pay for Google One for original photos)
• ❌ Not tolerated. SMS, Wi-Fi call history and passwords
• ❌ You need a stable Internet connection for downloading / downloading

How to transfer data from iPhone to Xiaomi

Moving from iPhone to Xiaomi is a bigger challenge than migrating between Android devices. Apple doesn’t provide direct tools to export data, but there are workarounds. Consider two proven methods: Move to iOS (yes, it works the other way around!) and iCloud.

Method 1: iCloud (for photos, contacts, calendars)

1. Backup on iPhone: Connect to Wi-Fi. Open Settings → [Your name] → iCloud → Backup in iCloud. Click "Create a backup copy".
2. Export data to your PC (if necessary): Download iCloud for Windows from Apple's official website. Sign in to your account and select which data to sync (contacts, photos, calendars) and save files to folders on your computer.

Transfer the data to Xiaomi:

• Connect Xiaomi to your PC and copy the files manually.
• Or upload a photo to Google Photos and export your contacts via iCloud.com in vCard format.

This method is more complicated, but allows you to transfer:

• 📞 Contacts
• 📷 Photos and videos (but not in original quality)
• 📅 Calendars
• 🌐 Safari bookmarks

⚠️ Note: When transferring from iPhone to Xiaomi will not be able to migrate: 💬 iMessage and Call History (Taxed to Apple) ID) 🎵 Music purchased on iTunes (DRM-defence) 📱 iOS settings (gestures, wallpaper, etc.) 🔑 Wi-Fi Passwords (to be entered manually) For music, use Apple Music on Android or transfer files via PC.

Manual methods: memory card, PC, cable OTG

If the automatic methods don't work or you want to have full control of the process, the manual methods are your choice. They take longer, but ensure that all files are transferred without loss.

1. Transfer through a memory card (microSD)

The easiest way to do photos, videos and documents:

1. Put the memory card in your old phone.
2. Transfer files manually (for example, folder) DCIM photo).
3. Remove the card and paste it into the new Xiaomi.
4. Copy the files into internal memory.

Pros: Quick, no need for internet.

Cons: applications, contacts and SMS.

2. Transfer over PC (Windows/Mac)

Suitable for large data volumes (100)+ GB):

1. Connect your old phone to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode).
2. Copy the required folders (DCIM, Downloads, Pictures, etc.) to the computer.
3. Turn off your old phone, connect a new Xiaomi.
4. Move the files back.

For contacts and SMS:

• Use Samsung Smart Switch (works with other brands) or MyPhoneExplorer.
• Export contacts to a.vcf file and import on a new phone.

3. Cable transfer OTG

If you don’t have a PC, but you do. OTG-adapter:

1. Buy a cable. OTG (USB-C → USB-A or micro-USB → USB-A, port-dependent).
2. Connect your old phone to your new one via OTG.
3. On the new Xiaomi, open Explorer (or Files) and select the connected device.
4. Copy the files you want.

💡

If you're transferring data over a PC, use Teracopy instead of the standard Windows Explorer, which speeds up the copying of large files and checks for errors.

Frequent mistakes and how to fix them

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions.

1 Mi Mover does not find the device

Causes and solutions:

• 🔌 Different Wi-Fi networks: both phones must be connected to the same network. If you use mobile Internet, turn off background restriction.
• 📱 Old version MIUI: Update the firmware on both devices.
• 🔒 firewall/VPN: turn off VPN Antiviruses (for example, Avast or Kaspersky can block the connection).
• 📡 Wi-Fi problems: Restart your router or connect to another network.

2.The transfer is interrupted at half

What to do:

• 🔋 Low Charge: Charge both phones to 100% and plug in to charge while transferring.
• 📂 Too much: transfer data in parts (for example, first photo, then video).
• 📶 Unstable Wi-Fi: Use a cable OTG or PC for large files.
• 🗑️ Memory Lack: Free up space on the new Xiaomi (remove unnecessary apps or transfer files to a memory card).

3. no contact is transferred or SMS

Decisions:

• 📇 Contacts: Export them to.vcf file via Contacts → Settings → Export.Transfer the file to a new phone and import.
• 💬 SMS: Use it. SMS Backup & Restore (Saves Messages in the Reservations) XML Or export it to your PC via MyPhoneExplorer.

4.Apps are not restored

What to do:

• 📱 Google Play: Open Play Market → "Library" → "Established" → Press "Update everything".
• 🔄 Mi Mover: If apps are ported but not working, uninstall and reinstall them.
• 💾 Titanium Backup (root): If you have root rights, this app will transfer your program data.

5.Photos and videos in poor quality

Causes and solutions:

• 📷 Mi Mover compressed files: transfer media via PC or memory card.
• ☁️ Google Photos compressed images: in Google Photos settings, select “Original Quality” (but this will take place in the cloud).
• 🔍 Damaged files: Check them on your old phone before transferring them.

⚠️ If after transfer on the new Xiaomi lost passwords from Wi-Fi, they can be restored so: