Changing your smartphone, especially the new Xiaomi or Redmi model, is always accompanied by a desire to quickly and painlessly transfer all the accumulated information. Users often face the need to save thousands of photos, important documents, correspondence in messengers and application settings. Modern technology offers several effective ways to solve this problem, each of which has its advantages depending on the amount of data and access to the computer.
The copying process can range from simply using built-in system tools to applying specialized software for the PC. It is important to understand that backup is not just copying files, but also preserving the structure of your digital life. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the current methods that prevent loss of information when changing your device or after resetting the system to factory settings.
Don't rely on just one method, because in a critical situation, access to the Internet or cable can be limited. A combined approach combining cloud technology and local copying ensures maximum reliability. Here are proven algorithms of actions that will help you keep all important data safe and sound.
Using the Mi Mover app for quick migration
The most convenient and quick way to transfer data between smartphones is using the proprietary Mi Mover application. This tool is pre-installed on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices running MIUI or HyperOS shell. The main advantage of the method is that it does not require an Internet connection, as it creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between the two devices, providing a high transfer rate.
To start, you need to open the app on both phones, and on the old device, select the role "Sender" and on the new one, "Receiver." QR-The system will begin the process of analyzing data, and will ask you to select categories for transfer: contacts, messages, calls, applications, system settings, images, video, audio and documents.
☑️ Pre-migration checks
It is worth noting that some secure data, such as bank application passwords or biometric keys, cannot be transferred automatically for security reasons, which require re-authorization, and the app allows you to transfer data from other Android devices if they have a corresponding version of Mi Mover downloaded from Google Play.
⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the transmission process or turn off smartphone screens until the operation is complete. Communication interruption may cause file damage or malfunction of applications on the new device.
Backup through Mi Cloud and Google Account
Cloud technology is the foundation of modern digital security. Mi Cloud is deeply integrated into Xiaomi’s system, allowing you to synchronize contacts, notes, voice recorder, gallery and even desktop layout. To activate, you need to log into your Mi Account through the settings menu and enable synchronization of the desired partitions, which ensures that even if you completely lose your phone, your data will remain available after authorization on any other device.
In parallel with the Xiaomi ecosystem, it is recommended to use the capabilities of Google One. This service automatically backs up the list of applications, call histories, SMS-Unlike Mi Cloud, Google storage often has a greater free limit for photos (in compressed quality) and documents. → Google → Backup.
What to do if the cloud is out of place?
It is important to check the status of the latest sync regularly. Often users forget that automatic uploading of photos over Wi-Fi may not work due to a network failure. Make sure that the sync indicators are green or display the status "Everything is up to date".
Transferring data to the computer through USB-cable
The classic method of copying files through USB-cable remains one of the most reliable, especially when working with large amounts of data, such as video recordings in the Internet. 4K Use the original cable to connect your smartphone to your PC, preferably labeled. USB 3.0 or higher to ensure maximum transfer speed. After the connection, select the notification on the phone screen mode USB "File transfer” or "MTP".
The device will appear as an external drive on the computer, and you will have access to two main folders: Internal shared storage and, if available, an SD card. Key directories for copying include DCIM (camera photos and videos), Download (downloaded files), Documents, and folders of specific applications, such as WhatsApp or Viber.
When copying large amounts of data, the operating system can warn you of the duration of the process. Do not remove the cable abruptly; use the Safe Device Removal feature in Windows or the unmount command in macOS. This will prevent logical errors of the file system and the loss of the last written bytes.
| Type of data | Location in memory | Recommended method |
|---|---|---|
| Photos and videos | DCIM/Camera | USB-cable/cloud |
| Documents | Documents / Download | USB-cable |
| Contacts | System Base / SIM | Mi Cloud / Google |
| Music. | Music | USB-cable |
Cloning of applications and their data
One of the most challenging tasks is to migrate not only the app itself, but all of its data, including game progress, correspondence and settings. While standard Android tools allow you to restore the list of installed programs, the content often stays on the old device. To solve this problem, Xiaomi offers a Local Backup feature hidden in the developer menu or available through the standard Security app.
By creating a full backup of the system or individual applications to internal memory, you can copy the resulting file (usually located in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder) to a computer or a new phone. When you restore it to a new device, the system will suggest unpacking the archive and returning the applications to the state they were in when you created the copy, this is especially true for messengers that do not use cloud-based history synchronization.
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To fully clone WhatsApp, use the built-in Chat Transfer feature inside the app itself, not just system backup.
Note that the versions of the operating system on the old and new phone must be similar. Attempting to restore a backup created on Android 13 on an Android 11 device can lead to errors or failure to restore data.
Working with the file system and hidden folders
Advanced users often have to access hidden system folders that store cached data or specific application files. To manage such resources, Xiaomi is best to use a built-in Explorer or third-party solutions with advanced rights. When connecting to a PC, hidden files may not be visible by default; to display them, you need to enable the option “Show hidden files” in the Windows folder settings.
The Android/data folder is restricted for security reasons in recent Android versions, but for the procedure of fully copying data from certain applications (for example, offline maps or heavy games), access to this directory is necessary. Copying the contents of this folder manually may be the only way to keep progress in games that do not support cloud saves.
When working with a file system, be careful: deleting or moving system files can lead to unstable smartphone operation. Copy only user data and clearly understand the purpose of the transferred directories.
⚠️ Note: When copying system folders manually, make sure that the new device has the same version of the application for which the data is intended.
Frequent Copying Problems and Their Solutions
Users may encounter various technical difficulties in transferring data, and one of the common problems is that the connection is interrupted when using Mi Mover. This is often due to energy-saving modes that put the Wi-Fi module to sleep, and it is recommended to temporarily disable battery optimization for the carrier application and keep the device screens on.
Another challenge is the lack of space on the target device. Before starting a large-scale migration, always check the amount of free memory. If there is not enough space, the system can partially complete the process, leaving important files behind, in which case it is advisable to first transfer the most important documents and contacts, and to transfer the media files later or clear the gallery of duplicates.
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Use exFAT memory card formatting if you plan to carry files over 4GB, as the FAT32 file system does not support such volumes in a single file.
If your computer can’t see your phone, try replacing it. USB-The problem is often with drivers; installing them correctly may require an internet connection or installing official Mi software. PC Suite (or its analogues).