How to Transfer All Data from Xiaomi to Xiaomi via Mi Cloud: Full Guide

Why use Mi Cloud to transfer data?

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but data porting can become a real headache if you do not know the proven ways. Xiaomi’s Mi Cloud service offers one of the most reliable solutions for synchronizing information between devices. Unlike manually copying through cable or third-party applications, this method ensures that data is safe even when there are failures in the transfer process.

The main advantage of the Mi Cloud is automation. You don't have to manually choose which files to copy: it detects critical data (contacts, messages, photos) and transfers it in the background, all files are stored in encrypted form, which eliminates the leakage of personal information. And if you've ever lost your phone, you know how important it is to have a backup in the cloud.

But there are nuances, too: Mi Cloud doesn't support transferring some system settings (like fingerprints or a pattern lock), and free storage is limited to 5GB. If you have thousands of high-resolution photos or videos, you'll either have to clear the cloud of unnecessary data or buy extra space, and we'll go into all of these details later.

Preparing the old Xiaomi smartphone for data transfer

Before you start syncing, make sure your current Xiaomi smartphone is ready for the process. First and most important, check the MIUI version. Cloud features may vary depending on the firmware, so it’s best to upgrade to the latest stable version. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone → System Update.

Then you need to activate Mi Cloud and link your Xiaomi account. If you are not already registered, do it in advance - the process takes no more than 5 minutes. Importantly, use the same account that you will specify on the new device, otherwise the data will not sync.

• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version through Settings → Updating the system
• 📱 Make sure the phone has enough charge (at least 50%) or plug in the charger.
• 🌐 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network – mobile Internet may not cope with a large amount of data
• 🔒 Check that the device does not have locks from antivirus or optimizers that can interrupt sync.

⚠️ Note: If the old smartphone enabled the function Save traffic in the settings SIM-This can limit the loading of data to the Mi Cloud, which will lead to incomplete synchronization.

Step-by-step: how to make a backup in Mi Cloud

Now, to the most important thing, backup, which is going to take anywhere from 10 minutes to a few hours depending on the amount of data, here's a detailed guide.

1. Open the Mi Cloud settings: Go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Select data to back up: click Device Backup, then Create a backup. The system will prompt you to select data types: contacts, messages, photos, apps, etc. We recommend leaving all ticks except for unnecessary files (for example, application cache).
3. Start the process: press Start reservations. Don't interrupt your Internet connection or turn off your phone.
4. Wait until it's finished: the progress bar will appear on the screen, and you'll receive a notification after it's finished.

If a backup copy is not created, check:

• 📶 Internet connection stability (Wi-Fi is preferable to mobile network)
• 📱 Is there enough free space in the Mi Cloud (clean old copies if necessary)
• 🔄 Is the synchronization interrupted by an optimizer or antivirus?

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi with custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS), the backup function in Mi Cloud may not work properly, in which case it is better to use alternative methods, for example, through the use of the Mi Cloud. ADB Backup.

Set up a new smartphone Xiaomi to restore data

When the backup is ready, you can start configuring the new device. Importantly, don't miss the initial setup step when you first turn on, and that's where the system will suggest you recover data from the Mi Cloud.

If you've already done the initial setup, don't worry, you can recover the data later.

1. Open your Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud
2. Select Restore from backup.
3. In the list of available copies, select the latest (by date of creation).
4. Tick the types of data you want to recover and click Restore.

The process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, at which time it is not recommended to:

• 📵 Use your phone for calls or games
• 🔌 Turn off the charger (if the charge is below 30%)
• 🌐 Switching between Wi-Fi networks

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If some apps don’t open after recovery, try updating them via Google Play or Mi App Store, which is due to differences in the software versions on the old and new device.

What data is not transferred through the Mi Cloud and what to do?

Unfortunately, Mi Cloud doesn't support some types of data transfer, and here's what's left on the old phone:

• 🔐 Biometrics: fingerprints, facial recognition, and you're going to have to reconfigure them.
• 🎵 Local music files that are not synced to Mi Music or other cloud services.
• 📁 Files in folders not included in the backup (for example, downloads from the browser).
• 🎮 Save games if they are not linked to a Google Play Games or Mi Game Center account.

To transfer this data, use alternative methods:

• 📲 Local Wi-Fi Transfer: Through Settings → Additionally. → Transmit data (Mi Mover function).
• 🔌 Cable OTG Adapter: Connect the old device as USB-accumulator.
• ☁️ Third-party clouds: Google Drive, Dropbox or Yandex Disk for large files.

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi with an unlocked bootloader, some system settings (such as Developer Options options) may not be transferred even through the Mi Cloud.

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Mi Cloud is ideal for carrying basic data (contacts, messages, photos), but more tools will be needed to migrate fully.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following the instructions, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to solve them:

Another typical situation is that the user forgets the password from the Mi Account after resetting the phone, in which case you can restore access through the attached email or phone number. If you do not remember this data, contact Xiaomi with confirmation of purchase of the device.

To avoid most problems, follow a simple rule: check the backup immediately after you create it. Open the Mi Cloud on your old phone and make sure all the necessary data is displayed in the web version of the cloud (cloud.mi.com).

Alternative ways to transfer data between Xiaomi

If for some reason Mi Cloud is not suitable for you, consider other methods:

• 🔄 Mi Mover: built-in wireless data application, works without the Internet, but requires both phones to be close by. → Additionally. → Transmit data.
• 🔌 Cable USB OTG: Connect the old device to the new one like a flash drive, suitable for large files (video, music), but does not tolerate settings and applications.
• ☁️ Google Account: syncs contacts, calendar and some settings, less reliable for photos and messages.
• 📱 Third-party apps: SHAREit, Xender or Send Anywhere, which transfer files quickly, but may contain ads.

Each method has pros and cons. For example, Mi Mover is convenient for fast transfer, but does not always work correctly with large amounts of data (over 20 GB), and Google Account does not tolerate SMS and Mi Notes. The choice depends on your priorities: speed, reliability or completeness of the transfer.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions