How to transfer all data from Xiaomi to Xiaomi via computer

Changing your smartphone is often stressful because it requires a huge amount of data to be transferred. Xiaomi ecosystem users are in a great position to provide powerful tools for data migration. Using a personal computer as an intermediary allows not only to copy files, but also to create a full backup of the system, which is critical when switching to a new model.

Unlike cloud services, local copying is done through the USB-And the cable provides the highest speed and complete privacy, and you don't depend on the speed of the Internet connection or the limits of free space in the cloud, and this is especially true if your media is in the tens of gigabytes and you want to be sure that it's safe.

In this guide, we will look at proven ways to synchronize devices of the same brand, focusing not only on standard methods, but also on the nuances of working with system files, and properly preparing equipment will avoid common errors and data loss during the migration process.

Preparation of equipment and software

Before starting the procedure, make sure all components are ready to work. USB-A cable that can transmit data, not just charge the battery, and cheap cables often cause connection interruptions and errors when reading memory sectors.

The computer must be installed Windows operating system version 7 or higher, or the current version of macOS. To correctly display all folders of the smartphone on the PC, it is recommended to install Mi PC Suite drivers or use the built-in system tools that automatically tighten the necessary components when you first connect.

• 🔌 Check the serviceability. USB-ports on the computer and the absence of dust in the connector of the smartphone.
• 💾 Free up a space on your PC hard drive equal to the amount of data on your phone, plus 10% of the reserve.
• 🔋 Charge both Xiaomi devices to at least 60% to avoid shutting down at a critical moment.
• 🔐 Unlock smartphone screens and confirm permission to access data when connected.

⚠️ Warning: When connecting your smartphone to your PC, select the mode of operation USB «File transfer» (MTP), Not Charge Only, otherwise the computer will not see the device’s internal memory.

An important step is to update the software on both devices to the latest available version of MIUI or HyperOS, which minimizes the risk of file system version conflict and ensures compatibility of backup formats.

Use of the built-in Mi Backup tool

The most reliable way to save data structure is to use the native utility Mi Backup, built into the MIUI shell. This tool creates an archive containing not only media files, but also system settings, a list of installed applications and even the location of icons on the desktop.

To start the process, go to the settings menu, select About Phone and click on Backup and Restore, where you need to log in via your Mi Account, as security requires proof of ownership before creating a backup.

Once you have selected the type of data to copy, the system will suggest you specify the way to save. By default, the backup is stored in internal memory, but we need to change this behavior. Select the option to save to an external drive or immediately connect the phone to the PC if the function allows direct output.

The backup process can take from 15 minutes to several hours depending on the amount of information. During operation, it is not recommended to use the smartphone for other tasks, so as not to load the processor and disk controller.

Once the backup is complete, the file will have a format that only Xiaomi’s shell understands.This ensures data integrity, but requires the same brand’s smartphone to recover information.

Direct copying of files through the Explorer

If your goal is to transfer only media files, documents and downloads, the easiest way to do this is to use MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) mode: connect your old smartphone to your computer, wait for the new drive to appear in My Computer, and copy the desired folders to your hard drive.

Special attention should be paid to the folder structure. Photos are usually stored in the DCIM/Camera directory, and downloaded files from messengers can be located in the Android/media folder or in the root directories with application names. Copying the entire structure of the Internal Storage folders will take longer, but ensures that you do not forget anything.

When copying large amounts of data (over 50 GB), it is recommended to break the process into steps: first transfer photos and videos, then documents, and only at the end - archives with applications, this will reduce the risk of file system error and allow you to monitor progress.

Once the data is on your computer, plug in a new Xiaomi smartphone, create a similar folder structure on it, or simply drag the contents to the root of internal memory, and the system automatically recognizes media files after rebooting or scanning the storage.

⚠️ Warning: Do not copy the folder Android/data It can be completely from the old phone to the new one without needing to. This can lead to conflicting versions of applications and errors in their work on the new version of Android.

Use the Insert with Replacement function only if you are sure that files on the new device are not needed. Otherwise, select Skip to save originals that may have been changed by the new system settings.

Working with contacts and messages

Contacts and correspondence history deserve special attention. Simple copying of files does not always correctly transfer the databases of messengers and SMS. For contacts, export in.vcf format is the best solution.

Go to the Contacts app, open the settings menu, and select Import/Export Contacts. Save the file to your computer, then import it on your new device. This method ensures that all numbers, email addresses, and additional fields are saved in readable form.

• 📞 Export contacts to.vcf file for maximum compatibility.
• 💬 For SMS Use the Mi Mover app or create local backups through settings.
• 📅 Sync calendar and notes with your Mi Cloud or Google account.
• 🔒 Passwords and access keys are better transferred through Google password manager or third-party services.

While specialized software can be used to carry SMS messages and call logs through a computer, Xiaomi's built-in tools are often more efficient. Message backup files are usually routed by MIUI/backup/AllBackup.

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Save the contact export file (.vcf) not only on your computer, but also send yourself an email, which will create an additional recovery point in case of hard drive problems.

If you use Google Contacts, make sure that the old phone is fully synced. On the new device, just type in the same Google account and all the records will appear automatically, regardless of the methods of copying through the PC.

Data recovery on the new Xiaomi

After successfully transferring files to your computer and connecting a new smartphone, the recovery phase begins. If you used the built-in Mi Backup backup, you need to place the backup file in the appropriate folder on the new phone.

The path to place the file is usually MIUI/backup/AllBackup. Once the file is placed, go to the settings of the new phone, select “Additional” → “Restore from copy” and specify the source. The system will prompt you to select the date of creation of the backup and the types of data to restore.

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Recovery from a local copy via a PC is the fastest way to clone a system, as it does not require Internet traffic and does not depend on the speed of the cloud server.

When you recover media files that have been copied manually, just wait until indexing is complete. Xiaomi’s new smartphone will automatically scan internal memory and add new photos to the gallery and music to the player.

In some cases, you may need to manually install missing apps: Go to Google Play Market or GetApps, go to the Library section and install the necessary programs. Data within apps can be pulled up automatically if you use a single account.

Common mistakes and ways to solve them

Users often face technical difficulties in migrating data, and one of the most common problems is interruption of the connection, which can be caused by faulty cables, drivers or energy saving. USB-port.

If your computer stops seeing your phone, try changing it. USB-port on the back of the system unit (for stationary PCs) or use another cable. It is also worth checking the Windows Device Manager for unknown devices with a yellow exclamation mark.

⚠️ Note: If the recovery process is delayed 99%, Don't be in a hurry to restart your phone. 10-15 minutes, as the system can complete background file indexing or database integrity check.

Another common mistake is the lack of space: Before you start transferring, make sure that the new device has more space than the backup weighs, otherwise the process will stop and you risk getting damaged files.

Access rights issues can occur if you try to copy system files without root rights. In the standard situation, only media files and documents are available to the user, access to system partitions is closed to avoid breaking the firmware.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)