How to transfer all data from the old Android to the new Xiaomi smartphone: 5 proven ways

Moving to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but the data transfer process often turns into a headache, and even if you’re a power user, the risk of losing important contacts, photos or app settings remains. It is especially difficult for those who are moving from devices of other brands – Samsung, Huawei or Google Pixel – to the ecosystem. MIUI, where many functions work in their own way.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of data transfer, from standard Xiaomi tools to universal solutions for any Android device, you will learn how to save not only media files and contacts, but also how to save your data. SMS, Call history, Wi-Fi passwords, even desktop settings, and how to avoid common mistakes that cause data to be lost or duplicated.

Spoiler: The most reliable method depends on what old phone you have (the same Xiaomi, the same Android, even the same iPhone) and what data you need to transfer, so we structured the material so that you can choose the best option without unnecessary action.

1.Preparation for transfer: what to do before the beginning

Before you rush to copy files, follow a few critical steps that can lead to data loss, slow operation of a new phone, or even locking your Mi Account.

First, check the space available on the new Xiaomi. If you carry tens of gigabytes of photos and videos, and the device is only 5-10 GB, the system can start to "glut." Optimally leave at least 20% of the free space of the total storage. → The phone. → Memory.

Second, update the firmware on both devices. MIUI Android may not support modern data protocols. MIUI 14 added an improved migration algorithm that works 2 times faster than in the MIUI 12.

• 🔄 Update your old phone: Settings → System system → Updating the system
• 📱 Update the new Xiaomi: the same way, but after connecting to Wi-Fi
• 🔋 Charge both devices to at least 50% – transfer “eats up” a lot of energy
• 📶 Connect to stable Wi-Fi (if you use cloud services)

⚠️ Note: If you are transferring data from your iPhone, turn off iMessage in Apple’s settings ID 24 hours before the migration. SMS And calls can come to the old device for another week.

Finally, make a list of critical data, and users often forget:

• 📁 Local notes (e.g. in Google Keep or Mi Notes)
• 🎵 Offline playlists in music applications
• 📊 Fitness tracker data (if you use Mi Band)
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords (not always exported automatically)

2.The official way: Mi Mover by Xiaomi

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary tool for transferring data between devices to the mobile phone. MIUI. It is faster than its peers (such as Samsung Smart Switch) and supports the transfer of almost all types of data, including:

• 📞 Contacts, call log, SMS/MMS
• 📷 Photos, videos, audio files
• 📱 Applications (with data storage if supported)
• 📡 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings
• 🎮 Preservation of certain games (e.g, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact)

However, the Mi Mover has limitations:

• ❌ It doesn’t work with iOS phones (Android only). → Android)
• ❌ Does not transfer data of certain third-party applications (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram)
• ❌ Requires physical cable connection (wireless mode is unstable)

Step-by-step:

1. Download Mi Mover on both phones from Google Play (on the new Xiaomi it is usually preinstalled).
2. On the old phone, select Send, on the new phone, Receive.
3. Connect the devices with a cable USB-C — USB-C (Or through an adapter if the connectors are different).
4. On the new Xiaomi, enter the confirmation code that will appear on the old phone.
5. Select data types to transfer and wait until it is completed (can take anywhere from 10 minutes to 2 hours).

Both phones are charged at least 50 times%|The new Xiaomi has enough free space|The cable supports data transfer (not just charging)|Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are disabled (they may interfere with transmission)-->

⚠️ Warning: If you have a "Disconnected" error during the transfer, try: Reconnect the cable (sometimes helps to flip it). USB on an old phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Additional → Use the original Xiaomi cable (cheap Chinese counterparts often do not support data transfer).

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Mi Mover is the fastest way to transfer data between Xiaomi phones, but requires cable connectivity and doesn’t support iOS.

3. Universal method: Google Account and synchronization

If you don’t have a cable or you are moving from iPhone/And the other Android, the best way is to sync through Google, and this method works on any device and saves the time:

• 📞 Contacts (including profile photos)
• 📅 Calendars and events
• 📝 Notes from Google Keep
• 📎 Files from Google Drive
• 📍 Location history (if included)

But there are nuances:

• ❌ Photos and videos are synced only if backup in Google Photos was previously enabled.
• ❌ SMS and the call log is not transferred (this requires a separate backup).
• ❌ Applications will be installed automatically, but their data (for example, save in games) will not be installed.

How to transfer data via Google:

1. On your old phone, open Settings. → Accounts. → Google and make sure that sync is enabled for Contacts, Calendar and other services.
2. If you need to move a photo, open Google Photos, click on the avatar. → Photo settings → Backup and sync and wait for the download to be completed.
3. On the new Xiaomi, when you first turn on, select Copy data from your old device → From the cloud and log in to the same Google account.
4. If the phone is already configured, go to Settings → Accounts. → Google and manually sync data.

How long does it take? Depends on the amount of data and the speed of the Internet:

• 📶 Contacts and calendars: 1-5 minutes
• 📷 Photo (10 GB): 30 minutes to 2 hours
• 📱 Appendices: 10–30 minutes (set in the background)

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If you have slow internet, connect your old phone to Wi-Fi before transferring and leave it on overnight charging so all data can be uploaded to the cloud.

⚠️ Note: If you used multiple Google accounts on your old phone, add them all to Settings on the new Xiaomi → Accounts. Otherwise, some contacts or emails may not show up.

4. Portability of photos, videos and documents: alternative methods

If Mi Mover or Google Photos are not suitable (for example, due to lack of space in the cloud), use these methods:

4.1 Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth transmission

Suitable for small files (up to 1-2 GB), the transfer speed is low, but does not require Internet.

1. On both phones, turn on Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth in the notification panel.
2. On your old phone, select files. → Send. → Wi-Fi Direct/Bluetooth.
3. Confirm acceptance on the new Xiaomi.

⚠️ Cons: Bluetooth cuts off photo quality, and Wi-Fi Direct often cuts the connection.

4.2. the use of a memory card or OTG-storage

Ideal for large data sets (10)+ GB).

1. Copy files to a microSD or flash drive via an adapter OTG.
2. Insert the drive into the new Xiaomi and transfer the data to internal memory.

🔹 Important: Memory card files may not appear in the gallery until you move them to the folder DCIM/Camera.

4.3 Cloud Storage (except Google Drive)

If you don’t have enough space in Google Photos, use the alternatives:

• 📁 Yandex Disk (Gives 10GB Free)
• 📁 Mega (20GB free, but slow download)
• 📁 Mi Cloud (5GB) is free for Xiaomi owners)

How to transfer via Mi Cloud:

1. On the old Xiaomi (if it's on) MIUI) Go to Settings. → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud → Backup.
2. Select the data to copy and click Start.
3. On the new phone, log in to the same Mi Account and restore the backup to Settings. → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud → Recovery.

5. Transfer of applications and their data

The hardest part is migrating installed apps along with their data (e.g., saves in games, chats in messengers, settings in social networks). Standard methods (Mi Mover or Google) do not cope with this well. Here's what to do:

5.1. backup via Titanium Backup (requires Root)

If you have an unlocked bootloader and a Root right, Titanium Backup is the best tool.

• 📱 APK-file
• 🗃️ Application data (cache, settings, logins)
• 📜 System settings (if necessary)

⚠️ Difficult to set up, and on new versions of Android (12)+) may not work.

5.2. Integrated application tools

Many popular applications have their own export/import features:

• 💬 WhatsApp: Settings → chat → Backup (saves to Google Drive)
• 📱 Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Exporting data (saves to file)
• 🎮 Games: Most synced via Google Play Games or Facebook

5.3 Transfer through APK Extractor + file-file

If Root is not available, you need to move the applications:

1. Install. APK Extractor to an old phone and export APK-file.
2. Move the folder to the new Xiaomi in any way (cable, cloud, SD-map).
3. Install. APK-Manual files (but application data will not be transferred!).

Important: Some applications (e.g. banking) prohibit transfers through the Internet APK They're going to have to be reinstalled from Google Play.

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Application data (saves, chats, settings) are almost never automatically transferred. For each messenger or game, you need to use a separate backup method.

6.Moving from iPhone to Xiaomi: features and life hacks

The transition from iOS to Android is a separate story. Apple makes it difficult to export data, but there are workarounds.

6.1 Official way: Move to Android by Google

Google’s Move to Android app portes:

• 📞 Contacts
• 📅 Calendars
• 📷 Photo and video (limited)
• 📱 Some settings

How to use:

1. On iPhone, install Move to Android from the App Store.
2. On the new Xiaomi, when setting up, select Copy Data → S iPhone/iPad.
3. Scan the scanner on Xiaomi scan QR-code that will appear on the iPhone.
4. Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network and select data to transfer.

⚠️ Note: If the transfer is interrupted, don’t start the process again — wait until Move to Android suggests to continue.

6.2. Photo transfer via iCloud

If you have a lot of photos on iCloud:

1. On iPhone, open Settings → [Your name] → iCloud → Photo and include iCloud Photo.
2. On your computer, go to iCloud.com, select photos and download them to the archive.
3. Move your archive to the new Xiaomi via cable or cloud.

6.3: Music transfer from Apple Music

Apple Music doesn’t have an official Android client, but there are workarounds:

• 🎵 Use Spotify or YouTube Music – they can import playlists from Apple Music through services like Soundiiz.
• 🎵 Download music to your computer via iTunes and then transfer files to Xiaomi.

Important: If you used iMessage, after transferring to Android, turn it off in Apple settings ID, otherwise SMS They will be in the old room for a week.

7. Post-transfer validation and optimization

When the transfer is complete, don't rush to drop the old phone.

7.1. Check the integrity of the data

• 📞 Open Contacts and make sure all numbers are in place (especially check groups).
• 📷 View photos in the Gallery – sometimes they may not show up due to the wrong paths to folders.
• 📱 Run key applications (messaging apps, games, banking) and check if data is saved.

7.2 Optimize the New Xiaomi

After the transfer, the phone may be slower due to:

• 🗑️ Duplicate files (e.g., same photos in Google Photos and Gallery).
• 📦 Unnecessary backups (e.g. old WhatsApp copies take up space).
• 🔄 Background synchronization (many applications start to update immediately).

What to do:

1. Go to Settings. → Memory. → Cleaning and removing unnecessary files.
2. Disable autosynchronization for unnecessary accounts in Settings → Accounts.
3. Use Files by Google to find duplicates.

7.3. Set up backup for the future

To avoid going through this again, set up an automatic backup:

• 📱 Mi Cloud: Settings → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud → Auto-reservation (only works on the MIUI).
• 📱 Google Drive: Settings → System system → Backup.
• 📷 Google Photos: Enable Backup and Sync.

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If you switch between phones often, create a settings template in Mi Cloud, so the next transfer you don't have to re-configure the wallpaper, sounds and brightness of the screen.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability to Xiaomi