How to transfer all photos from Android to Xiaomi smartphone: the full guide

Porting photos between smartphones to Android is a challenge that every user faces when buying a new device. This is especially relevant for Xiaomi owners, whose phones often feature a custom MIUI file system and their own synchronization services. Unlike the iPhone, where the process of data migration is unified through iCloud, there are several alternative ways in the Android ecosystem, from classic cable connections to cloud services with unique nuances for Xiaomi.

The main problem when transferring photos is not so much in the technical implementation, but in maintaining the structure of folders, metadata (date of shooting, geotags) and the original quality of the images. For example, when using messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp, photos are automatically compressed, and cloud services like Google Photos can change the resolution when downloaded in “high quality”. In this article, we will discuss 5 portability methods optimized specifically for Xiaomi devices, taking into account their features: from the built-in Mi Mover tool to manual copying through the device. OTG-adapter.

1.The official way: Mi Mover by Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a proprietary application from Xiaomi, designed to migrate data between devices. It is pre-installed on all smartphones of the brand (starting with the first one). MIUI 9) It supports not only photos, but also contacts, messages, applications, and the main advantage is the preservation of folder structure (for example, the main advantage of the transfer of information, DCIM/Camera remain unchanged) and metadata EXIF.

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

• 📱 Install the Mi Mover app on an old Android smartphone (available on Google Play). The new Xiaomi already has it in the Settings section. → The phone. → Data migration.
• 🔗 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network (required! Mi Mover does not work over mobile internet).
• 📤 On the old phone, select the role of “Sender”, on the new Xiaomi – “Recipient".
• 🖼️ In the data list for transfer, tick the "Photos and Videos" tick (you can also select "Other Files" for the Download folder).
• ⚡ Wait until the process is complete (time depends on the amount of data, for example, 10 GB photo transmitted ~20-30 minute).

Important: Mi Mover does not support transferring photos from cloud services (for example, uploaded to Google Photos via automatic synchronization), and the application can “hang” during the connection stage, if the old phone is power saving mode – turn it off before migrating.

2.Transfer via OTG cable: maximum speed and reliability

Method by using OTG-adapter (or cable) USB-C to USB-C) — One of the fastest and most reliable, as it eliminates the dependence on Internet connection and data compression, which is especially relevant for Xiaomi, since many models (for example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ Xiaomi 13T) support USB 3.2 Gen 1, which speeds up transmission to 5 Gbps.

Instructions:

1. Buy it. OTG-Adapter (if you have different connectors on your phones, for example, Micro-USB on the old and the old ones). USB-C new Xiaomi).
2. Connect the adapter to the new Xiaomi, and to it – the old smartphone via cable.
3. The new Xiaomi will be notified "USB-Device connected. tap it and select "File Transfer".
4. Open any file manager (such as the built-in MIUI File Manager or Total Commander) and go to the DCIM folder on your old phone.
5. Copy your photo folders (Camera, Screenshots) into a similar directory on the new Xiaomi.

Check the compatibility of the connectors (Micro-USB/USB-C)

Turn off the power saving mode on both phones

Make sure there is enough space on the new Xiaomi (check in Settings → Memory)

Use the original cable (non-Chinese analogues may limit speed)-->

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Maximum speed (up to 40 MB/s per USB 3.0).
• 📁 The original folder structure and file names are maintained.
• 🔒 There is no risk of data breaches (unlike cloud services).

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g, POCO F5) at the first connection through OTG may need to be unlocked "USB-Debugging" in the menu for developers (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — tap 7 times).

3. Cloud services: Google Photos vs Mi Cloud

Cloud storage is convenient if you have slow internet or not on hand, but there are nuances to this method: Google Photos compresses images when uploading in High Quality (limit 15 MP), and Xiaomi’s Mi Cloud has a limit of 5 GB for a free account. Let’s consider both options.

Instructions for Google Photos:

1. Install the app on both phones.
2. On an old smartphone, turn on “Backup and Sync” in the Google Photo settings (select “Original Quality” if it is important to save the resolution).
3. Wait for all photos to be uploaded (check in the Photos → Devices section).
4. On the new Xiaomi, log in to the same Google account and download photos via Save to Device.

For Mi Cloud:

1. Register your Mi Account on both phones.
2. On your old phone, open Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Gallery and enable sync.
3. On the new Xiaomi, do the same thing – photos will be automatically uploaded.

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If you have a lot of photos, use Google Photos in Original Quality mode via your laptop: connect your old phone to USB, upload photos to photos.google.com via your browser, and then download them to the new Xiaomi.

4. Computer Transfer: For Full Control of Files

Using a PC or Mac is a good way to not only copy photos, but also sort them, delete duplicates, or convert formats (e.g. HEIC to JPG for compatibility), and it is the only way to transfer photos from a damaged phone that is not turned on, but is determined by the computer.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your old Android phone to your computer via cable and select File Transfer mode (some phones need to unlock the screen further).
2. Open the folder. DCIM (It is usually along the path of internal memory. → DCIM or SD-map → DCIM).
3. Copy Camera, Screenshots and others with photos to your computer (for example, to your desktop).
4. Connect the new Xiaomi and move the files to a similar DCIM folder.
5. Turn off your phone and update the gallery: Open the Gallery app and pull the screen down for an update.

To speed up the process, you can use programs:

• 🖥️ FastCopy (Windows) – Copies files into 2-3 times faster than a standard conductor.
• 🍎 Android File Transfer (Mac) – official software from Google for working with Android devices.
• 🔍 Duplicate Cleaner – Helps you remove duplicate photos before transferring them.

5. Alternative applications: ShareIt, Xender, Snapdrop

If standard methods are not suitable (for example, no cable or slow Internet), you can use third-party applications to transfer files over Wi-Fi Direct.

• 📲 ShareIt (up to 20MB/s, but a lot of advertising).
• ⚡ Xender (supports transmission without Wi-Fi connection, creates its own access point).
• 🌐 Snapdrop (works through the browser, does not require installation).
• 🔄 Send Anywhere (generates 6-digit code for connection).

A common algorithm for all applications:

1. Install the app on both phones.
2. On your old phone, select files to send (in ShareIt, it’s the “Send” button).
3. On the new Xiaomi, click “Get” and connect to the sender device via QR-code-drive.
4. Confirm the transmission and wait for completion.

⚠️ Note: Applications like ShareIt or Xender can request access to contacts, messages and location. Object to unnecessary permissions – memory and Wi-Fi are enough to transfer photos. Also avoid connecting to public networks (such as in a cafe) as the transmission is unencrypted.

6. Transfer photos from damaged Android to Xiaomi

If the old phone doesn't turn on, but it does respond to charging or is determined by a computer, there's still a chance of saving the photo.

Scenario 1: The phone is defined as a drive, but not turned on

• Connect your phone to your PC – if it appears as a “Removable Disk”, copy the data directly from it.
• Use recovery programs such as Recuva or EaseUS Data Recovery (if files have been deleted).

Scenario 2: Phone in a “brick” state (no response to buttons)

• If USB Debugging was enabled on your phone, try connecting via ADB: adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/ C:\Backup\Photos (where C:\Backup\Photos is the folder on your computer to save).
• For Samsung or Xiaomi with an unlocked bootloader, you can flash custom recovery (TWRP) and copy data through it.

If the phone is physically damaged (such as a broken screen or flood), contact a service center, and wizards can extract the memory chip (eMMC) and read the data directly through the programmer.

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If you damage your phone, the key is not to try to turn it on repeatedly, and every attempt can overwrite data and reduce the chances of recovery, it is better to connect it to your PC or take it to the service.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

Selection recommendations:

• 🔥 For maximum speed: OTG-cable.
• 🌍 For backup: Google Photos (original quality) or Mi Cloud.
• 📱 For Xiaomi devices: Mi Mover (saves folder structure).
• 🚀 For damaged phones: PC connection or service center.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring photos to Xiaomi