Transferring Data to Xiaomi via Google: A Complete Guide with Nuances

Why Google is the Best Way to Move Data to Xiaomi

The transition to Xiaomi’s new smartphone (whether it’s the flagship Mi 14 Ultra or the budget Redmi 12C) is always accompanied by the question: how to transfer all the important data from the old device? Many users mistakenly believe that it requires cables, Bluetooth or third-party applications. In fact, the most reliable and versatile method is synchronization through a Google account, which works independently of the phone model, the MIUI version, and even if one of the devices is not from Xiaomi.

The benefits of migrating through Google are obvious: data is stored in the cloud, it can be restored on any Android device, and the process does not require the physical connection of phones. However, there are pitfalls: not all file types are synced automatically, and some Xiaomi settings (such as topics or notes in Mi Notes) will have to be moved separately. In this article, we will discuss how to correctly copy contacts, photos, messages, applications and even passwords without loss, and also talk about hidden features of Google, which many people do not know.

Important: If you use POCO or Black Shark, the instruction is the same – these brands run on the same MIUI firmware (or modifications thereof) as the main Xiaomi models, the only difference is that some versions may not have the Mi Mover branded app, but that doesn’t prevent you from using Google services.

What to Move Through Google: The Complete Data List

Not all files and settings are synced through a Google account, but here is a complete list of data that can be transferred to the new Xiaomi:

• 📇 Contacts (including groups, contact notes and profile photos)
• 📅 Calendars (events, reminders, tasks from Google Calendar)
• 📸 Photos and videos (via Google Photos, with or without quality restrictions)
• 📱 Applications and their data (list of installed programs and part of their settings)
• 🔑 Passwords and Autocomplete (from Google Password Manager)
• 📝 Notes (from Google Keep, but not from Mi Notes!)
• 🎵 Music and podcasts (if uploaded to YouTube Music or Google Play Music)
• 📍 Locations and history of visits (from Google Maps)

Here is what you can’t do via Google:

• 💬 SMS and MMS (You need a separate backup via Mi Mover or third-party apps)
• 📞 Log (not automatically synchronized)
• 🎮 Game saves (depending on the game, often requiring an account in the game itself)
• 📁 Files and documents (except those downloaded manually to Google Drive)
• 🔧 Xiaomi settings (themes, gestures, energy saving modes, etc.)

Critical detail: if the old phone used not a Google account, but an account of another manufacturer (for example, Samsung Account or Huawei) ID), The data from it will not be automatically transferred. It must first be exported manually.

Preparing for the transfer: 5 mandatory steps on the old phone

Before you start syncing, you need to configure your old device correctly, and skipping at least one of these steps can lead to data loss!

1. Check your internet connection. Google sync requires stable Wi-Fi or mobile internet. Xiaomi recommends using Wi-Fi, as background sync over the mobile network can be limited by traffic saving settings.
2. Update Google Services. Go to Play Store → My Apps → Updates and install all available updates for Google, Google Photos, Google Drive and Google Contacts.
3. Turn on automatic sync. Go to Settings → Accounts → Google → [your account] → Sync your account and activate all the switches. Contacts, Calendar and Drive are especially important.
4. Upload photos and videos to Google Photos. Open the Google Photos app, go to Settings → Backup and Sync and enable the feature. Select quality ("Original" or "High") and wait for the download to complete.
5. Export SMS and call log (if necessary) using the Mi Mover app (if both phones are Xiaomi) or third-party utilities like SMS Backup & Restore.

Attention! If there is not enough space on your old phone, sync may be interrupted. Before you start transferring, make sure that the device has at least 1-2 GB of free space for temporary files.

Wi-Fi connection checked|Updated Google Services|Account synchronization enabled|Uploaded photos in Google Photos|Exported. SMS (if necessary)-->

Step-by-step: how to transfer data to the new Xiaomi

Now, let's get to the process. Follow the instructions carefully, the order of the action is important.

Step 1: Set up the new Xiaomi

When you first turn on a new phone, the system will suggest that you restore the data from the backup.

1. Select a language and region, connect to Wi-Fi.
2. On the Data Copy screen, click on Copy Data → From Cloud Storage.
3. Log in to the same Google account that was used on the old phone.
4. Select a backup (usually one with the last sync date).
5. Check the data types for recovery (contacts, applications, settings, etc.) and click Restore.

Step 2: Recovery of Photos and Videos

If you uploaded media files to Google Photos, they will automatically appear on the new device after you log in to your account to speed up the process:

1. Open the Google Photos app on the new Xiaomi.
2. Go to Settings → Backup and Synchronization and turn on the function.
3. Wait until the thumbnail download is complete (full files will be downloaded later when connected to Wi-Fi).

Step 3: Transfer applications and their data

Google is restoring the list of installed apps, but not all of their data, such as game progress or messaging settings, which may not be saved to minimize the loss of:

• 📥 Install applications manually from the Play Store (they will appear in the Library section»).
• 🔄 For games and social networks, log in to the same accounts you used on your old phone.
• ☁️ If the app supports cloud backup (like WhatsApp or Viber), recover data from it.

Attention! Some Xiaomi system applications (such as Mi Fit or Mi Home) require a separate login to Mi Account to synchronize data. Without this, the activity history in fitness bracelets or smart home settings will not be transferred!

💡

If the new Xiaomi doesn’t have enough space to recover all the data, temporarily delete unnecessary files or use a memory card.

Step 4: Checking the Results

After the process is completed, be sure to check:

• 📞 All contacts are in place (open Google Contacts).
• 📅 Have calendars been synchronized (check Google Calendar).
• 📸 Are photos available in the gallery or Google Photos.
• 🔑 Passwords saved in the browser or Google Password Manager.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

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

1. Data is not synchronized

If contacts, photos or other data do not appear on the new phone:

• 🔄 Check if synchronization is included in Settings → Accounts. → Google → [your account].
• 📶 Make sure your phone is connected to the internet (better via Wi-Fi).
• 🔄 Reboot both devices and try again.
• 📱 On your old phone manually run sync: Settings → Accounts. → Google → [your account] → Synchronize now.

2.There is not enough space in the Google account

Google One's free tariff only provides 15GB of space, which may not be enough for all photos and videos.

• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary files from Google Drive or Google Photos.
• 📦 Select “High” quality in Google Photos instead of “Original” (this will save space).
• 💳 Buy an extra seat (from 100 GB per ~139 ₽/month).
• 🔄 Use a temporary Google account only to transfer data.

3.Apps are not restored

If the list of applications is not restored:

• 📥 Check that the new phone has enabled the “Restore Apps” option in Settings → Google → Recovery and discharge.
• 🔄 Make sure that both phones use the same Google account.
• 📱 Manually install the necessary applications from the Play Store → Library.

Attention! If you used root rights or custom firmware on your old phone, some data (like saving games) may not be transferred due to the changed system paths, in which case you will have to use specialized backup utilities like Titanium Backup.

Alternative ways to transfer data to Xiaomi

If you cannot move through Google for any reason, use alternative methods:

1. Mi Mover app (Xiaomi only)

Xiaomi's proprietary solution for data transfer between brand devices, runs on Wi-Fi Direct without an internet connection.

1. Install Mi Mover on both phones (available from the Play Store or the iPhone App Store).
2. On the old phone, select “I am the sender” and on the new one, “I am the receiver.”
3. Scan it. QR-code from a new phone on an old one.
4. Select data for transfer (SMS, contacts, photos, applications) and confirm the transfer.

Pros: It works without the Internet, carries SMS and call log. Cons: slower than cloud porting, and requires the installation of an application.

2. Transfer via OTG cable or computer

Suitable for large amounts of data (e.g., high-resolution video).

• 📱 Connect your old phone to the computer through USB And copy the files to the folder.
• 🖥️ Connect the new Xiaomi and transfer the files back.
• 🔄 For contacts, export them to.vcf via Contacts → Settings → Exports.

3. Third-party applications (e.g. CLONEit)

Universal utilities for data transfer between Android devices:

• 📲 Install Cloneit or Send Anywhere on both phones.
• 🔗 Connect to a single Wi-Fi network or create an access point.
• 📤 On the old phone, select the data to send, on the new one – accept them.

💡

Google is the most reliable way to port, but for a full backup (including SMS and Xiaomi customization), it’s best to combine it with Mi Mover or manual copying.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions