Syncing Xiaomi’s new phone with the old one: 5 proven ways to avoid data loss

Moving to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but transferring data from an old device can become a headache if you don’t know the nuances. Even experienced users have questions: how to save contacts, photos and app settings without losing anything along the way? In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of synchronizing – from the official Mi Mover tool to manual transfer through the cloud, taking into account the features of MIUI 12-14 firmware.

We’ll focus on common mistakes: why data sometimes doesn’t move completely, how to avoid duplicate files, and what to do if the new Xiaomi doesn’t see the old device, and how to sync not only media files, but also SMS, notes, and even call history, all of which make your smartphone truly “yours.”

Preparing devices for synchronization: what to do before data transfer

Before you start syncing, make sure both phones are ready for the procedure, which will save you from errors like “inadequate memory” or “version incompatibility.”

• 🔋 The battery charge on both devices is at least 50%. The data transfer can take up to 1 hour, and the discharge in the process will interrupt the synchronization.
• 📶 Stable Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network) 4G/5G). Cloud-based methods will require a high-speed channel.
• 📱 Same version MIUI (If you're on an old phone MIUI 12, and on the new one — MIUI 14, some Mi Mover features may not work properly.
• 🔐 Turn off the screen lock (PIN, This will speed up the process and prevent automatic locking.

Also clear the cache in Settings apps → Apps → Application Management → [Select App] → Clear the cache. This is especially important for Gallery, Contacts and Messages to avoid data conflicts.

⚠️ Note: If the old phone has data encryption enabled (Settings) → Additionally. → Confidentiality → Encryption, disable it in advance. Otherwise, Mi Mover won't be able to read some of the files.

For Xiaomi models with a Snapdragon chip (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro+ or POCO F4) and MediaTek (Redmi 10C, POCO M4 Pro), the preparation process is the same, but the transfer speed may vary.

Method 1: Mi Mover - official tool for quick transfer

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary solution for migrating data between devices to MIUI. It supports transferring almost everything from contacts and SMS to Wi-Fi settings and desktop wallpapers. The main advantage is that it works without the Internet, using direct Wi-Fi Direct or OTG cable.

Step instructions:

1. On the new phone, when you first turn on, select “Transfer Data from Old Device.” If the phone is already configured, open Settings → About Phone → Mi Mover.
2. On an old phone, install Mi Mover from Play Market (if it’s not in firmware) and launch the app.
3. Select the device role: new phone – “Recipient”, old – “Sender”.
4. Scan the scanner on your new phone QR-code that will appear on the old.
5. Select data to transfer (you can mark everything or select individual categories) and confirm the beginning of the process.

The speed of the transfer depends on the amount of data:

⚠️ Warning: If the transfer is stuck during the Preparation phase, restart both phones and try again, most often due to conflicting versions. MIUI or lack of memory on the new device.

POCO models (such as the POCO X5 Pro) and Black Shark may require additional manual permission confirmation. Go to Settings → Special Features → Mi Mover Resolutions and turn on all switches.

Same version MIUI both phones|Unplugged. VPN firewall|There is plenty of free space on the new phone.|All background applications closed-->

Method 3: Sync through the Xiaomi Cloud (Mi Cloud)

If you don’t have an OTG or Wi-Fi Direct cable that isn’t stable, use Xiaomi’s cloud, which is suitable for transferring contacts, notes, calendars and photos, but doesn’t support apps and SMS. The main advantage is that data is stored in the cloud and available on any device with your Mi Account.

Step-by-step:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Enable synchronization for the desired categories (for example, “Contacts”, “Gallery”, “Notes”).
3. Wait until the data is uploaded to the cloud (progress is displayed as a percentage).
4. On the new phone, log in to the same Mi Account and enable sync of the same categories.
5. Wait for the data to be downloaded to the new device.

Please note the limitations:

• 📁 The free Mi Cloud tariff only gives you 5GB of storage, and if you have more data, you'll have to buy extra space or move it in parts.
• 🔄 Photos are synced in original quality, but videos can be compressed to 1080p.
• 📱 Applications and their data (e.g. saved in games) are not transferred via Mi Cloud.

For the Xiaomi 13/14 series and Mix Fold, cloud synchronization is faster thanks to firmware optimization, but on budget smartphones (Redmi A2, POCO C55) it can take up to a day to fully load data.

Method 3: Transfer through Google Account (for contacts, calendar and mail)

If you use Google services, syncing through a Google Account may be easier than through Mi Cloud.

• 📇 Contacts (including groups and labels).
• 📅 Calendar and reminders.
• 📧 Gmail and email settings.
• 📍 Google Maps Data (Selected Places, Visit History).

How to sync:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Select your account and enable sync for the right categories.
3. On the new phone, add the same Google Account and enable sync.
4. Wait until the process is completed (usually 5-15 minutes).

An important caveat: if your old phone has contacts stored in your device’s memory instead of in your Google Account, you need to export them first.

1. Open Contacts → Settings → Contact Management → Export.
2. Select the.vcf format and save the file to a memory card or internal memory.
3. Transfer the file to a new phone and import contacts through the same section.

⚠️ Note: If you used two-factor authentication in Google Account, check before penos that you have backup codes.On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) After resetting settings, reconfirmation of identity may be required.

💡

If you’re migrating data from your iPhone to Xiaomi, use Apple’s Move to iOS app in reverse order: first install it on Xiaomi, then follow the instructions.This is the only official way to transfer contacts and photos from iOS to Android.

5. Method 4: Manual transfer via computer (for large amounts of data)

If you have more than 50GB of data, or want to migrate specific files (like save games or custom fonts), the best option is to use a computer as an intermediary, a method that works even if the phones can’t see each other over Wi-Fi.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows or macOS.
• 🔌 Two. USB-Cables (preferably original from Xiaomi).
• 📁 External drive (flash drive or flash drive) HDD) — Optionally, if there is a lot of data.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your old phone to your computer in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Copy the folders you want: DCIM for photos and videos. Downloads for downloaded files. Android/data for application data (for example, saving games); MIUI/Backup for backups of system settings.

new

Insert the copied files into the corresponding folders on the new device.

applications

APK-extractor

App Backup & Restore

.apk

To transfer SMS and call history, use the SMS Backup & Restore app:

1. Install it on your old phone and create a backup.
2. Copy the backup file (.xml) to your computer and then to your new phone.
3. Install the same app on your new phone and restore the data from the file.

For models with write protection (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) may need to unlock OEM-unlock in Settings → For developers. Without this, the computer will not be able to copy some system files.

💡

Manual transfer over a PC is the most reliable way, but it takes time, and use it if other methods have failed or you need to transfer more than 100 GB of data.

Method 5: Synchronization through third-party applications (for advanced users)

If standard methods don't work, you can use third-party tools that offer more flexibility, but require caution — some apps may collect your data.

Top.-3 verified synchronization applications:

• 📱 Clone Phone (from Xiaomi) – Mi Mover alternative with cross-platform transfer support (Android) → iOS and back).
• 🔄 Send Anywhere – transfer files over Wi-Fi without limiting the scope (generates 6-digit code for connection).
• 📎 Sharet – fast transfer of media files, but can show ads.

How to transfer data to Send Anywhere:

1. Install the app on both phones.
2. On an old phone, select files to send and click “Send”.
3. 6-digit code is generated or QR-code.
4. On the new phone, enter the code or scan the QR.
5. Confirm receipt of files.

Titanium Backup is suitable for data transfer applications (requires root rights):

• Create a backup of the apps on your old phone.
• Transfer the backup file to the new phone.
• Recover data through Titanium Backup.

⚠️ Note: When using Titanium Backup on phones with MIUI 14 may need to be disconnected MIUI Optimization in Settings → For developers, otherwise, the data recovery will fail.

For POCO and Black Shark models, some apps (like Clone Phone) may not recognize the device as Xiaomi, and use generic tools like Send Anywhere or LocalSend (open source).

7.Typical mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when following instructions, users face problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

If notifications from apps do not work on the new phone after transfer, check:

• 🔔 Permissions for applications in Settings → Notifications.
• 🔕 Do Not Disturb – It Could Be Turned On Automatically.
• 📵 Energy saving: some apps (e.g. Telegram) are blocked by background optimization MIUI.

For Xiaomi models with dual SIM-cards (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+), after the transfer, the pin binding to the SIM may be lost.

1. Open Contacts → Settings → Contact Management.
2. Select "Show contacts» → «SIM-map».
3. Reassign contacts to the right one. SIM-hand-card.

8. FAQ: Answers to frequent questions