How to transfer all data to the new Xiaomi phone: a complete guide with instructions

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but the process of data transfer can turn into a real nightmare if you do not know the key nuances. Even with the use of proprietary tools like Mi Mover, users often face problems: some contacts are lost, photos are duplicated, and applications refuse to synchronize. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of transfer, from official solutions to alternative methods for iPhones and older Android devices.

We pay special attention to hidden restrictions. MIUI: Why some data is not transferred through Mi Account, how to bypass the limit on the amount of files transferred (5 GB in Mi Mover), and what to do if the new Xiaomi does not see the old device over Wi-Fi Direct.

1.Preparation for the transfer: what to do before buying a new Xiaomi

Many users only start thinking about data portability after unpacking the new phone, which is a major mistake. You should start preparing beforehand, even at the stage of choosing a model.

• 📱 Version. MIUI on an old and new device, if the difference is greater than 2 versions (e.g, MIUI 12 → MIUI 14), there may be problems with Mi Mover compatibility.
• 🔌 Type of connector. New Xiaomi (starting with the 12T Pro) often lacks 3.5 mm audio jack and may have USB-C Micro-USB is the only way to choose a direct transfer cable.
• 📡 Wi-Fi 6 support: If your old phone doesn’t support modern Wi-Fi standards, wireless data transfers will take 2-3 times longer.

Also prepare in advance:

• 🔋 Chargers for both phones (the process can take up to 2 hours).
• 📶 Stable Internet connection (for cloud methods) or Wi-Fi router with support for 5 GHz (for Mi Mover).
• 🔐 Passwords from Mi Account, Google and Apple ID (If you transfer it from your iPhone).

💡

If you buy Xiaomi from hand, be sure to reset to factory settings (Settings) → The phone. → Reset settings) BEFORE data transfer, otherwise there may be files of the previous owner that will block synchronization.

Pay special attention to the volume of data. If you have more than 100 GB of photo/video, it is better to use physical transfer through the Internet. OTG-Cloud services like Google Drive or Mi Cloud have limitations:

2.Official method: transfer via Mi Mover (step-by-step instruction)

Mi Mover – a proprietary solution from Xiaomi for wireless data transfer between devices on the Internet MIUI. It works on all models since the Redmi Note 5 (2018), but there are nuances:

• ✅ Supports: Contacts, messages (SMS/MMS), Photos, videos, music, documents, system settings.
• ❌ Does not support: apps (only their data), Wi-Fi passwords, call history on some models.
• 🔄 Limitation: maximum volume – 5 GB per session.

Instructions for transferring from Android to Xiaomi:

1. On the new Xiaomi, select Data Transfer when you first enable it → Mi Mover. If your phone is already set up, go to Settings. → Additionally. → Mi Mover.
2. On your old phone, install the Mi Mover app from Google Play (for non-Xiaomi devices).
3. Select a role: New phone - I'm new, old - I'm old.
4. Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network or use Wi-Fi Direct (click Without Wi-Fi and follow the instructions).
5. On your old phone, select data to transfer and confirm the start of the process.

Charging both phones >50%|Both devices are connected to the same network.|On the old phone enough free space (minimum 1 GB)|Disabled. VPN firewalls|-->

If the Mi Mover can't see the old device:

⚠️ Note: Some Poco and Black Shark models have Mi Movers that are unstable due to custom firmware. MIUI In Settings → If version is below 12.5, update the software.

3.Moving from iPhone to Xiaomi: bypassing Apple's restrictions

The transition from iPhone to Xiaomi is complicated by Apple’s closed ecosystem, the official way is Google’s Move to Android app, but it has critical flaws:

• 🚫 Cannot handle: call history, notes, passwords from iCloud Keychain.
• ⚠️ Limits: photos are transmitted in compressed form (max. 2048px long-sided).
• ⏳ Duration: the process can take up to 3 hours with the amount of data >30GB.

Alternative method for complete transfer:

1. Download the iPhone Phone Transfer (from MobileTrans).
2. Connect both phones to your computer via USB.
3. In the program, select iOS → Android and tick the data you need (including WhatsApp and Viber).
4. Press Start Transfer and wait until completion (average speed — 1 GB/10 minute).

To transfer music from Apple Music:

⚠️ Note: Files downloaded through Apple Music are protected DRM Use Apple Music Converter's TunePat program to convert tracks to MP3 before transfer.

Android (Samsung, Huawei, etc.)|iPhone|Another Xiaomi|Feature phone (button-button)|Other-->

4.Move over Google Account: Pros and pitfalls

Google Account Sync is a universal method, but it doesn't work perfectly. Here's what's automatically transferred:

• ✅ Contacts (if saved in Google Contacts).
• ✅ Calendars and reminders.
• ✅ Gmail mail.
• ✅ Notes from Google Keep.
• ❌ Not tolerated: SMS, Call history, application settings.

How to set up synchronization:

1. On your old phone: Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync → Turn on all the switches.
2. On the new Xiaomi: When you first turn on, select Restore from a backup and log in to the same Google Account.
3. Wait until synchronization is complete (it can take up to 24 hours for large data sets).

If contacts are not moved:

⚠️ Warning: Check where your contacts are stored on your old phone, if they are stored in the device's memory or SIM-card, they must be manually exported in.vcf format through the Contacts app.

💡

Google Photos automatically compresses images if you run out of space in the cloud. To transfer the originals, use the "Free Space" feature on your old phone AFTER uploading all photos to the cloud.

5. Physical transfer: OTG-cable

If you have more than 50GB of data or slow Internet, physical portability is the most reliable option.

• 🔌 OTG-cable (USB-C → USB-C or USB-C → Micro-USB depending on ports).
• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS (backup).
• 📁 flash drive or external HDD (if >128GB).

Method 1: Direct transfer through OTG

1. Connect your old phone to your new one OTG-cable.
2. On the new Xiaomi, Explorer will open – select Transfer Files.
3. Select the folders DCIM (Photo/video, Downloads, Music and click Copy.
4. Insert files into the corresponding folders on the new phone.

Method 2: Transfer through a computer

1. Connect your old phone to your PC and copy all the data to a separate folder.
2. Install the Mi on the computer PC Suite (for Xiaomi).
3. Connect the new Xiaomi and through Mi PC Suite transfer files to the desired sections.

Advantages of physical transfer:

• 🔹 There are no limits on the amount of data.
• 🔹 The original quality of the files is maintained.
• 🔹 You can selectively transfer only the necessary folders.

💡

If you are connected through OTG Xiaomi doesn’t see the old phone, try changing roles: OTG To the old device and select the mode "USB-accumulator" (MTP).

6.Transfer applications and their data: what works and what doesn’t

It is possible to transfer the apps themselves (.apk files) between Android devices, but their data (save games, settings messengers) is often lost.

For the portability of applications:

1. On your old phone, install APK Extractor.
2. Export. APK-files of the necessary applications in the folder on the memory card.
3. Move the folder to the new Xiaomi and install the apps manually.

To transfer these games:

• 🎮 Use built-in sync through Google Play Games (configure in your game profile).
• 🔄 For non-cloud-saving games (such as Genshin Impact), use Helium (root rights required).

⚠️ Note: Some applications (banking, government services) are linked to IMEI Once they're transferred, they'll have to be reinstalled and verified again.

7 Post-transfer check: what could have gone wrong

Even after a successful transfer, the data may not work properly.

• 📞 Contacts: Open the Contacts app and check if the records are duplicated. If so, use the Unify function.
• 📷 Photo/Video: Enter the Gallery → Albums and make sure all files are opened (sometimes corrupted when transferring).
• 📶 Mobile Network: Check the settings APN In Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN).
• 🔊 Sound: Make sure that the volume settings and sound profiles are not lost (Settings) → Sound).

If something's not working:

• 🔄 Reboot the new Xiaomi (hold the power button for 10 seconds).
• 📲 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).
• 🛠️ Reset network settings (Settings) → Connections and sharing → Resetting network settings).

If the phone is slowing down after the transfer:

⚠️ Attention: New Xiaomi on Snapdragon 8 Gen 2/3 They can overheat when you first index big data. 12–24 Hours of optimization, avoiding games at this time.

8. Alternative methods: for experienced users

If the standard methods don’t work, try these advanced methods:

• 🐧 ADB (Android Debug Bridge: Allows you to transfer data at the system level. Requires you to enable Debugging by USB and knowledge of commands: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab adb restore backup.ab
• 🔗 TWRP + Nandroid Backup: Complete system image with all data. Requires unlocked bootloader and root rights.
• ☁️ Syncthing: Free of charge P2P-Solutions for synchronizing files between devices without cloud.

For the use of ADB:

1. Install Platform Tools on your computer.
2. Turn on the debugging. USB on both phones (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times click to unlock the developer menu).
3. Connect the phones to the PC and execute commands above in cmd.

💡

Methods like ADB or TWRP Appropriate use can lead to data loss or device "brick.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions