How to Download All Data from Xiaomi to Xiaomi: Complete Methods

Changing your smartphone is always a little stressful, with the risk of losing important contacts, photos or app settings. However, if you move from one Xiaomi device to another, the migration process is as smooth as possible thanks to the deep integration of MIUI services. Owners of this ecosystem have the unique ability to clone the system almost one-to-one, even keeping the icons on the desktop.

There are several proven ways to move information, from using the built-in Mi Mover app to Google and Mi Cloud services. The choice of the specific method depends on the amount of accumulated files, the speed of the Internet connection and how accurately you want to copy the structure of the old system. Below we will discuss each option in detail so that you can choose the best one for your situation.

Before any manipulations, you need to prepare both devices, make sure that the old and new phones are charged at least 50-60%, as the process of transferring large amounts of data can be energy intensive, and also check the availability of free space on the new gadget – it should be more than the amount of memory occupied on the old device.

Preparation for data portability

Successful migration begins long before you actually copy files, and the first step is always to review the contents of your old smartphone, remove unnecessary cache, duplicate photos, and apps you haven't used in a long time, which will reduce the time you've been doing the work, and free up space on your new device.

The second important step is to update the software. Check if the current version of MIUI is installed on both devices. Differences in the firmware versions can sometimes cause conflicts when you migrate system settings or passwords from Wi-Fi networks. Go to Settings → About the phone and check for updates.

The third thing you need to do is to back up your critical data manually, and while automated tools are reliable, manually saving your important documents to an external medium or to a cloud storage is never a superfluous thing, and it's your insurance policy for unforeseen failures.

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If you have important messages in messengers, make a separate backup copy inside the applications themselves (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram) before starting a general transfer.

Use of the Mi Mover app

The most efficient and quick way to transfer all data from Xiaomi to Xiaomi is to use the Mi Mover application, which is designed specifically for the MIUI ecosystem and allows you to transfer information over a direct Wi-Fi connection without using the Internet, which ensures high speed.

The process starts automatically when you first turn on a new phone, but it can also be activated manually through settings. On an older device, the app is also usually pre-installed; if it is not, it is available in the GetApps store or Google Play. The main advantage of the method is the ability to port not only media files, but also system settings, including passwords and desktop layout.

To get started, open the app on both devices. On the new phone, select "I'm the recipient" and on the old one, "I'm the sender." After scanning. QR-code or manual connection to the created Wi-Fi network, the system will prompt you to select categories of data to copy.

• 📱 Contacts and messages – carried along with the history of correspondence.
• 📸 Gallery - all photos and videos in original quality.
• ⚙️ System settings – including Wi-Fi hotspots and alarm clocks.
• 📲 Applications themselves APK-files and, in some cases, their data.

⚠️ Note: When transferring applications via Mi Mover on a new phone, separate logins to accounts (banks, social networks) may be required for security reasons.

It's important to keep the phone screens on, and the transfer speed depends on the number of files, but it's usually much faster than when you use cloud services, and once you've finished copying, the new phone will restart or suggest you do it to apply all the changes.

Synchronization with Mi Cloud

Xiaomi’s cloud service offers a convenient way to synchronize key data without the need for physical proximity devices, ideal if an old phone has already been sold or damaged, but you have access to a Mi Account account.

To use this method, you need to go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud on your old device, and you need to activate synchronization for the desired partitions: Contacts, Messages, Notes, Recorder, Gallery and Browser. Once synchronization is enabled, the data will automatically upload to the cloud when you connect to Wi-Fi.

On the new smartphone, just log in to the same Mi Account, and the system will offer to restore data from the cloud during the initial setup or later through the settings menu, which allows you to instantly access contacts and notes, not even including the old phone.

However, there are limitations to this method: only 5GB of free space is available to the user, which may not be enough to fully back up high-resolution photos and videos, and for larger volumes you will have to buy a subscription or use a hybrid method.

Transfer through Google Account

Google's ecosystem is the standard for Android, and Xiaomi is no exception. When you first activate a new smartphone, the system will offer to restore data from the Google Drive backup. This method is good because it is universal and does not tie the user rigidly to the brand, although Xiaomi works well on Xiaomi, too.

On an old phone, make sure that the Settings → Google → Backup feature is activated. Here you save app lists, call history, SMS (on newer versions of Android) and some device settings. Photos are separately synced through Google Photos.

When you log in to your Google account, the new device will automatically download a list of previously installed apps, download them from the Play Market in the background, which is convenient, but requires a stable and fast Internet connection, as traffic goes through external servers.

The main disadvantage of the method is that it does not retain the desktop structure and widgets as accurately as the Mi Mover. You will have to regroup icons and configure weather or watch widgets. In addition, files stored in memory but not in the Google cloud (for example, downloads from the browser) will remain on the old device.

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Google Account is best used as an additional method for keeping contacts and calendars, but not as a primary way to fully clone Xiaomi’s system.

Manual copying via PC

For users who are used to controlling every byte, or with a huge amount of media files (hundreds of gigabytes of video), manual copying through a computer is the best option. USB-cable and free space on the hard disk of the PC.

Connect your old phone to your computer and select File Transfer Mode (MTP) in the USB Connection Notification. Copy the required folders (DCIM, Download, Documents, Music) to your hard drive. Then plug in the new phone and move the files to the appropriate directories.

This method ensures that the original quality of photos and videos does not suffer from the compression that sometimes occurs in messengers or clouds with a poor connection, and you can immediately audit files on your computer, removing the excess before downloading to a new device.

• 🖥️ Full control of the file system.
• 💾 The ability to create an archive on the outside HDD.
• ⚡ High speed when using USB 3.0.

⚠️ Note: When manually copying, do not move system folders with names like Android/data or MIUI, If you are not sure about their content – it can disrupt the application.

Frequent Questions and Challenges (FAQ)