How to transfer all files from your phone to Xiaomi: the complete guide

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but the process of data transfer can turn into a real headache if you do not know all the nuances. Even experienced users sometimes get lost when you need to quickly and without loss move tens of gigabytes of photos, contacts, messages and applications. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways, from the official Mi Mover tool to little-known life hacks using cloud services and local network.

Xiaomi devices are unique in that they offer unique data migration solutions that are not available on other brands, for example, only here you will find the built-in Mi Mover app that can even transfer your phone history and system settings. But what if you have a phone of a different brand? Or if the data volume is more than 100 GB? We tested all the methods on models from Redmi Note 12 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra — and we are ready to share the results.

Importantly, not all methods are equally effective, like Bluetooth is only good for transferring multiple files, and the OTG cable may not work with some iPhone models, and to avoid wasting time, we have compiled a comparative table of speed and reliability of each method to help you choose the best option for your situation.

1. Official method: Mi Mover app

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s signature tool, which is installed by default on all new smartphones of the brand. Its main advantage is the ability to transfer not only files, but also system data: contacts, messages, call history, Wi-Fi settings and even some application parameters. However, it works only when transferring data from Android to Android (for iOS you need a workaround).

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

• 📱 Install the Mi Mover app on both phones (if it’s not on the system, download it from Google Play).
• 🔗 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network (or create an access point on the new Xiaomi).
• 📤 On the old phone, select the role of “Sender” (Sender), on the new one – “Receiver” (Receiver).
• 🔍 Scan it. QR-code from the screen of a new phone or enter PIN-pairing.
• 📋 Select data types to transfer (photos, videos, contacts, etc.) and confirm the transfer.

Important nuance: Mi Mover does not carry passwords from Wi-Fi and data from some applications (for example, bank or messengers with encryption). Also note that when transferring a large amount of data (more than 50 GB), the process can be interrupted due to the limitations of RAM, in which case we recommend breaking the transmission into parts or using alternative methods.

Charge of both phones > 50% |Free ≥ 10 GB of memory on the new Xiaomi| Connect to stable Wi-Fi (5 GHz preferable) | Disable VPN and firewalls | Close background apps on both devices-->

2.Moving from Android to Xiaomi via OTG cable

If you don’t have Wi-Fi or need to move data as quickly as possible, a direct connection via an OTG cable is the best solution, which works with all Android smartphones (including Samsung, Huawei, Realme) and provides transfer speeds of up to 40 MB/s (5-10 times faster than Wi-Fi), but it will require a special USB-C to USB-C cable or OTG adapter.

Instructions for connection:

1. Connect the OTG cable to the new Xiaomi (USB-C port).
2. Connect the second end of the cable to the old phone.
3. The new Xiaomi will display a USB-connected notification on its screen, tap it and select File Transfer.
4. Open Explorer on a new phone – the old smartphone will appear as an external drive.
5. Copy the files you need to memory Xiaomi (we recommend using DCIM folders for photos, Downloads for documents).

💡

If the OTG cable is not detected, try rebooting both phones or using a USB 3.1 cable (usually blue).Some Xiaomi models (such as the POCO X5) require you to enable USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times).

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Maximum transfer speed (up to 480 Mbit / s per USB 3.0).
• 🔒 No dependence on the Internet or Wi-Fi.
• 📁 You can selectively copy files and folders.

Disadvantages:

• 🔌 Purchase of cable required OTG (cost 200 to 1,000 ₽).
• 📱 It doesn’t work with iPhone without additional software.
• 🔋 Quickly drains the battery on both devices.

Mi Mover|Cable OTG|Cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud)|Bluetooth/Wi-Fi Direct|Another option-->

3.Moving from iPhone to Xiaomi: workarounds

Transferring data from iPhone to Xiaomi is one of the most difficult tasks because of the closed Apple ecosystem.The official Mi Mover does not support iOS, and standard methods like AirDrop only work between Apple devices.

Method 1: Through iCloud and Mi Cloud

This method is suitable for transferring contacts, calendars and notes:

1. On iPhone, go to Settings → [Your name] → iCloud and enable sync for the data you want.
2. Export your contacts to the.vcf file via iCloud.com (Contacts section).
3. Upload the file to Xiaomi via email or messenger, then import it into the Contacts app.

Method 2: Mediation programmes

To transfer photos, videos and music, use:

• 📱 Move to iOS (reverse port): While the app is designed to migrate from Android to iPhone, some users are adapting it to be transferred back through cloud services.
• 🖥️ iMazing or AnyTrans: paid programs for the PC/Mac, Those who can export data from iPhone in a format compatible with Android.
• ☁️ Google Photos: Upload media files to the cloud from your iPhone, then download them to Xiaomi.

Note: when you transfer photos from your iPhone to Xiaomi, metadata (date of shooting, geolocation) is lost. To save them, use Google Photos with the Save Originals feature enabled.

4. Cloud services: pros and cons

Cloud storage is a universal way that works on any device, including iPhone, Android, and even Windows Phone. The main advantages are that you don't depend on cables, you can move data gradually, and files are stored in backup. But there are pitfalls: volume limitations, download speeds, and potential security risks.

Compare popular services:

Algorithm of transfer through the cloud:

1. Install the application of the selected service on both phones.
2. On an old phone, upload files to the cloud (for example, in a folder). Transfer_to_Xiaomi).
3. On the new Xiaomi, download files from the cloud to local memory.
4. For contacts and calendars, enable synchronization in your account settings.

💡

Cloud services are ideal for carrying small amounts of data (up to 15GB) or when you don’t have physical access to both phones at the same time. For large archives (like video collections), it’s better to combine the cloud with other methods.

5. Local area network: Wi-Fi Direct and FTP-server

If you don't have an OTG cable, but you have Wi-Fi, you can organize data transmission over a local area network, which is faster than Bluetooth and doesn't require Internet access. Let's take two options:

Option 1: Wi-Fi Direct

Wi-Fi Direct allows you to connect devices directly without a router, and transfer speeds reach 20-30 MB/s.

• 📶 Enable Wi-Fi Direct on both phones (Settings) → Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi Direct).
• 🔗 Connect to the sender device from the new Xiaomi.
• 📤 Use any file manager (for example, ES Conductor) for data transmission.

Option 2: FTP-phone-side

A more flexible way to start is to start FTP-Server on an old phone and connect to it with Xiaomi.

1. Install an FTP Server application (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer) on your old phone.
2. Start the server and write down the address (e.g. ftp://192.168.1.5:2221).
3. On Xiaomi, open Explorer → FTP and enter the server address.
4. Copy files as if from a regular storage device.

Attention: when used FTP-Disable mobile Internet on both devices to avoid traffic leakage.We also recommend that you turn on a password to access the server (set up in the application). FTP).

6. Computer Transfer: Reliable but Long

If other methods are not suitable (for example, when transferring data from a damaged phone), you can use the computer as an intermediary, which is universal, but requires additional equipment and time, suitable for any device, including iPhone, Android and even feature-phones.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your old phone to your computer via USB and copy all files to a folder on your hard drive.
2. Turn off your old phone and connect a new Xiaomi.
3. Transfer files from the folder on your computer to the memory of your smartphone.
4. For contacts and calendars, export them in.vcf or.ics format via Outlook or Google Contacts.

Advantages of the method:

• 🖥️ It works even with faulty phones (if they are defined as a drive).
• 📂 You can edit files before a perenos (e.g., convert video).
• 🔄 Suitable for mass data transmission (e.g. transferring a music library).

Disadvantages:

• ⏳ It takes a lot of time (especially with a lot of data).
• 💻 A computer with a computer is required USB-port.
• 🔌 iPhone needs iTunes or iMazing to access files.

7. Transfer of applications and their data

Transferring the apps themselves (.apk files) from one phone to another is technically possible, but not recommended for several reasons:

• 🚫 Violation of license agreements (many apps are linked to an account).
• 🔧 Risk of version incompatibility (the application may not work on the new version) MIUI).
• 🛡️ Security Threat (.apk port may contain malicious code).

Instead, use the following methods:

For standard applications:

• ☁️ Sync through your Google or Mi Account (e.g. Contacts, Calendar, Notes).
• 📲 Reinstall apps from Google Play or GetApps (Xiaomi official store).

For games and applications with data:

• 🎮 Use the built-in backup function (for example, in Helium or through Settings) → Annexes → Backup copy).
• 🖥️ For cloud-based games (such as Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile) link your account to the social network.

Warning: Some apps (e.g., banking or messengers like WhatsApp) block data transfers because of security policies, and you'll have to reconfigure them.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with proven methods, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to solve them:

If none of these methods worked, try:

• 🔄 Reboot both phones.
• 📶 Use another Wi-Fi network (e.g., a mobile access point).
• 🔧 Update MIUI Up to the latest version (Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions