How to transfer all data from the old Xiaomi to the new: 5 proven ways

The transition to a new smartphone Xiaomi is always exciting, but the process of data transfer can turn into a real nightmare if you do not know the key nuances. Many users lose hours manually copying photos, forget about saved passwords in the browser or face errors when restoring backup. This article will help avoid typical errors and transfer all data from the Internet to the Internet. SMS to screen settings - as quickly as possible and without loss.

We’ll look at both Xiaomi’s official methods (including hidden Mi Mover features) and alternative solutions for complex cases – when devices can’t see each other over Wi-Fi or need to transfer data to a model with a different version. MIUI. Particular attention will be paid to data transfer between devices with different processors (Snapdragon/Mediatek), where standard methods often fail.

1. Device Preparation: What to Do Before Data Transfer

Before migrating, there are several critical steps that need to be taken, and neglecting them can lead to data loss or malfunctioning of the new device.

First, check the versions. MIUI If the difference between them is more than 2 main versions (for example, MIUI 12 and MIUI 14), it is recommended to update the old device first, due to changes in the data protocols that may cause compatibility errors.

• 🔋 Charge both devices to at least 50% – the transfer process can take up to 1 hour with large amounts of data
• 📶 Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network (preferably 5GHz for stability)
• 🧹 Free up at least 20% of memory on your new device for temporary files during transfer
• 🔑 Make sure that the fingerprint/face lock is disabled on the old phone – it can interrupt the process.

Pay special attention to the developer settings. On some models (Redmi Note 11 Pro)+, Xiaomi 12T) You need to manually activate the "Debugging" option. USB" (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, even if you're using wireless portability. MIUI.

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If you are transferring data to a device with HyperOS (the new firmware of Xiaomi), pre-update the Mi Mover app to the latest version via Google Play – the old version does not support the new backup format.

2.Official method: Mi Mover without computer

Mi Mover is a standard application from Xiaomi for wireless data transfer, preinstalled on all devices with MIUI 9 and newer. This method is suitable for 90% of users and allows you to transfer:

• 📞 Contacts, call log and SMS/MMS
• 📷 Photos and videos (including Google Photos albums)
• 🎵 Music and audio files
• 📁 Documents (PDF, DOC, XLS)
• ⚙️ The main settings of the system (wallpaper, brightness, sound profiles)
• 📱 Installed applications (without data, only APK)

Step-by-step:

1. On the new Xiaomi, select Data Transfer when you first turn on (if your phone is already configured, start Mi Mover manually)
2. On the old device, open Mi Mover and select "I am the sender"
3. Scan it. QR-code from a new phone or connect via device search
4. Select data categories for transfer (we recommend leaving all ticks)
5. Confirm the start of the process on both devices

Average transmission speed is about 50 MB/min on Wi-Fi 5 GHz, to transfer. 64 GB of data will go about 20-25 Important: Don't interrupt the process, even if the screen is out, the transmission continues in the background.

3. Alternative method: backup via Mi Cloud

Cloud data porting is suitable for users who want to keep a backup for the future or face wireless transmission problems.

• ☁️ Data is stored in the cloud and is available for re-recovery
• 🔄 You can transfer data to several devices
• 🛡️ Encryption of data during transmission

Limitations:

• 🚫 Maximum free storage – 5 GB (to increase you need to buy a subscription)
• ⏳ Speed depends on your internet connection.
• 📱 Not all system settings are portable (e.g. Game Turbo settings)

Instructions for creating a backup copy:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud
2. Select "Backup" and click "Create a Backup"
3. Tag the desired data categories (be sure to turn on "System settings")
4. Start the process and wait until it is completed (may take anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours).
5. On the new device, log in to the same Mi Cloud account and restore data from the backup

4. Computer-assisted transfer: Mi PC Suite for complex cases

If wireless methods do not work (for example, on devices with damaged Wi-Fi module), the official Mi software will come to the rescue. PC Suite.This method is also indispensable for transferring data between devices with different processor architectures (Snapdragon). ↔ Mediatek, where compatibility errors may occur.

Download the latest version of Mi PC Suite from Xiaomi's official website (avoid third-party sources, they may contain viruses) has an important advantage: it allows selective transfer of data, unlike Mi Mover, where you have to copy everything at once.

Install the latest version of Mi PC Suite|Connect both phones with original cables|Enable debugging on USB both-device|Disable the screen lock during the transfer|Close all background programs on PC-->

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the old device to the computer and wait for its identification in Mi PC Suite
2. Select "Backup" and specify categories of data to save
3. After you complete the copy, disable the old device and connect the new one.
4. In the program, select "Recovery" and specify the backup created.
5. Confirm the recovery and wait for the process to be completed.

⚠️ Note: When transferring through Mi PC Suite on HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14) may require a pre-update to version 3.2.1 or later. Otherwise, system resetting will not be available.

5. Manual transfer: when automatic methods do not work

In some cases (outdated models, custom firmware, corrupted system files), automatic data transfer methods may not work, and then manual transfer through an external drive or direct file transfer will come to the rescue.

For this method you will need:

• 📁 Formatted microSD card (exFAT recommended for files) >4GB)
• 🔌 Cable OTG (If you move directly between phones)
• 📂 File Manager (e.g. Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer)

What data can be transferred manually:

• 📸 Photos and videos (DCIM, Pictures, Movies)
• 🎵 Music and Podcasts (Music, Podcasts)
• 📄 Documents (Documents, Downloads)
• 📱 APK-file (/data/app — requires root rights)

For the transfer of contacts and SMS backup:

1. Export contacts to the file VCF: Contacts → Settings → Exports/imports
2. For SMS use the app SMS Backup & Restore (Saves in the XML)
3. Transfer files to a new device and import them

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To transfer notes from the standard Mi Notes app, export them in.zip format via Settings. → Export. Import the archive on the new device, and all notes will retain their structure and tags.

6. Data transfer applications: games, instant messengers, banking programs

One of the most challenging tasks when changing a smartphone is to transfer data within apps. Unfortunately, Mi Mover can't copy game saves or chat history in instant messengers.

For popular applications:

• 🎮 Games: Use the built-in Google Play Games or Mi Account (for Xiaomi games, PPSSPP) carry the file /PSP manually.
• 💬 Messengers: WhatsApp: Backup to Google Drive (Settings) → chat → Telegram: All data synced to the cloud automatically Viber: Settings → Account. → Backup (saves to Google Drive)
• 🏦 Banking applications: Most Russian banks (Sber, Tinkoff, VTB) are tied to the device. You will need: Make a backup of data in the application itself (if available) Deactivate the application on the old phone Install on the new device and restore access through the new device SMS/ring

To save games without cloud sync (e.g. Genshin Impact, Honkai Star Rail) use:

1. Root access + Titanium Backup (for experienced users)
2. Swift Backup (works without root on some firmware)
3. Manual folder transfer /Android/obb game-cache

⚠️ Note: When transferring data from banking applications, NEVER use root methods or modified firmware.This may result in account locking on suspicion of fraud.

7.Hidden Data Transfer: What Users Often Forget

Even experienced users are missing out on some categories of data that are not carried over by standard methods.

• 🔐 Saved passwords: In Google Chrome: Settings → Passwords. → Export of passwords (saves in the CSV) Mi Browser: syncs with Mi Account if option is enabled
• 📍 Location data: Site history from Google Maps (Chronology) Save addresses in Mi Home (for smart home)
• 🎨 Interface settings: Themes from Themes (synchronized with account, but sometimes reset) Always On Display settings (not automatically portable) User gestures (Settings) → Additionally. → Gestures)
• 🔊 Sound profiles: Custom alarm clock tunes (/MIUI/ringtone) Equator settings in Mi Music

To transfer the settings of the smart home (Mi Home, Yeelight):

1. Make sure that the new device is linked to the same Xiaomi account
2. Open Mi Home and wait for automatic device sync
3. Some devices (such as Xiaomi Robot Vacuum) may need to be re-associated by pressing a button on the case.

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Before resetting your old phone, be sure to untie it from Xiaomi smart devices via the Mi Home. Otherwise, the new device will not be able to control gadgets without additional authorization.

8. Post-transfer validation and optimization

After the data transfer is completed, several important checks must be performed to ensure that the new device is working correctly.

First, check:

• 📞 Calling and SMS (Especially on devices with two SIM-map)
• 🌐 Connection to mobile network and Wi-Fi
• 🔋 Battery consumption in the first hours (abnormal consumption may indicate transfer errors)
• 🎵 Multimedia playback (check all formats: MP3, FLAC, MKV)

Then optimize the system:

1. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Manage applications and clear cache for all transferred programs
2. B Settings → Battery Configure Energy Saving for Critical Applications
3. Update all apps via Google Play (Moved) APK They may be outdated)
4. Reboot the device to stabilize the system

If you notice that:

• 🐢 The phone is slowing down – check the settings → Memory for duplicate files
• 🔥 Overheating – Turn off background activity for unnecessary apps
• 📵 Network catches poorly - reset mobile network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting settings)

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions