Previous articleBought a new phone: how to transfer data from the old Xiaomi in 15 minutes

You just unpacked a new Xiaomi smartphone, and you have a burning challenge: how to transfer all the important data from the old device? Contacts, photos, messages, apps and even settings – all of which can be moved quickly and without loss, if you know the right tools. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to migrate devices to MIUI 14/15 and Android 13/14, including branded solutions from Xiaomi and universal methods from Google.

The main mistake most users make is trying to move data manually through the cloud or flash drive, which takes hours and often leads to losses. Meanwhile, Xiaomi offers built-in tools that copy the entire system almost one-to-one in 10-15 minutes. And if you have devices of different brands, cross-platform services like Google Drive or Smart Switch (yes, it works not only for Samsung!).

1.Preparation for transfer: what to do before the beginning

Before you start migrating, follow the mandatory preparatory steps that will save time and prevent disruptions.

• 🔋 Charge both devices to at least 50%. The data transfer can take up to 30 minutes, and discharging in the process will interrupt the operation.
• 📶 Connect to Wi-Fi (preferably the same network on both phones) and wireless transmission will require a stable connection.
• 🗃️ Clean up unnecessary files on your old phone: remove duplicate photos, app cache and old downloads.
• 🔐 Remove the screen lock (if any) or remember the pattern lock – it will be required to confirm on the new device.

On the new Xiaomi phone:

• 📱 Complete the initial setup until the system prompts you to move the data (usually the "Copy Data" step!
• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version through Settings → The phone. → Update the system, which ensures compatibility with the transfer tools.

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If your old phone has less than 2GB of free storage, the transfer may slow down or interrupt. Make room in advance by moving heavy files (video, games) to a memory card or PC.

⚠️ Note: If the old phone has data encryption enabled (check Settings) → Additionally. → Encryption and accounts, some portability techniques may not work, in which case use Mi Mover or backup in Google Drive.

2. Method 1: Mi Mover – Xiaomi’s official tool for fast transfer

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary app that is installed by default on all MIUI devices, and it allows you to migrate almost all data, including system settings, SMS, call logs, and even desktop wallpapers — something that other services don’t copy. It works on both cable and Wi-Fi.

How to use:

1. On the new phone, during the initial setup, select Data Transfer. → Mi Mover.
2. On your old phone, open the Mi Mover app (you can find it in the menu or through search).
3. Select a role: on the new phone, "This is the new phone," on the old one, "This is the old phone."
4. Scan it. QR-code from the new phone old (or connect via Wi-Fi Direct).
5. Select data to transfer: contacts, messages, photos, applications, etc. Click "Move".

The speed of transmission depends on the amount of data:

• 📷 5G photo + contact → ~10 minutes on Wi-Fi
• 🎮 20 GB (photo) + applications) → ~25-30 cable-way

Both phones are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.|There is enough space on the old phone (at least 1 GB free)|Disabled. VPN and energy-saving regimes|Mi Mover app updated to latest version-->

⚠️ Warning: If the new phone already has a Mi Account account, an old device, log out on both phones before the data perenosom.

Method 2: Backup via Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

If you can’t connect your phones directly (for example, an old smartphone broke, but it still turns on), use Mi Cloud, a cloud storage from Xiaomi. It provides 5 GB of free space, which is enough for contacts, messages and photos. For large volumes you will have to buy additional space (from 100 rubles / month for 50 GB).

Step instructions:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Enable synchronization for the data you need (contacts, notes, SMS, etc.).
3. To back up all data (including apps), click Backup and select the items to save.
4. On the new phone, log in to the same Mi Account and recover data from the cloud through Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Restore.

Advantages of the method:

• 🌐 It works remotely – you don’t need to connect your phones to each other.
• 🔄 Automatic synchronization of contacts and notes in real time.
• 📱 Suitable for porting to devices of other brands (if there is a browser to access Mi Cloud).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Volume limit (5 GB free).
• ❌ Not all applications are restored with data (e.g., games without saves).
• ❌ Slow download/unload speed with a large amount of data.

4. Method 3: Google Account – a universal method for Android

If you use Google services (Gmail, YouTube, Google Photos), most of your data is already synced to the cloud automatically.

• 📱 You have different brands of phones (e.g. Xiaomi) → Samsung).
• 🌍 You prefer the Google ecosystem and don’t want to depend on the Mi Cloud.
• 🔄 You only need to transfer basic data (contacts, calendar, mail).

What exactly is synced through Google:

How to transfer data:

1. On your old phone, check that sync is enabled: Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync.
2. Make sure that all the necessary data is ticked (contacts, calendar, Chrome, etc.).
3. On the new phone, when you set up, select “Copy Data” → “From the Cloud” → Google.
4. Log in to the same Google account and wait for the sync to complete.

To transfer photos and videos, use Google Photos separately:

• 📸 Install the app on your old phone and turn on "Backup and Sync".
• 🖼️ Choose quality ("Original" or "High" - the latter is free and unlimited).
• 📱 On the new phone, log in to the same account – photos will appear automatically.

⚠️ Note: If you have used High Quality in Google Photos, if you exceed the 15GB limit (from June 2021), new photos will stop downloading. Check the occupied space on drive.google.com and if necessary, clear or buy additional space.

5. Method 4: Transfer over an OTG cable or computer

If wireless methods are not suitable (for example, there is no Wi-Fi or the data is too large), use a wired connection. This is the most reliable way, but you will need additional accessories:

• 🔌 Cable OTG (Directly connecting phones to each other).
• 💻 Computer with USB-Ports (for intermediate copying).
• 📁 Memory card (if both phones support microSD).

Option 1: Direct connection via OTG

1. Buy a two-way one. OTG-adapter (Type-C) → Type-C or Micro-USB → Type-C, depending on the connectors).
2. Connect your old phone to your new phone via an adapter.
3. On the new phone, select the "File Transfer" mode" (USB-modem).
4. Open Explorer on a new phone and copy the files you need from the old device.

Option 2: Computer-assisted

1. Connect your old phone to your PC and copy the data (photos, videos, music) to the folder on your computer.
2. Turn off the old phone, plug in a new one.
3. Transfer files from your PC to your new smartphone.
4. For contacts and SMS, use programs like MyPhoneExplorer or Samsung Smart Switch (works with Xiaomi).

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Direct copying via OTG or computer is the only way to transfer files that are not synced to the cloud (such as saving games or custom fonts).

Advantages of the wired method:

• ⚡ Maximum speed (up to 480 Mbit / s at USB 3.0).
• 🔒 Security – data is not transmitted via the Internet.
• 📂 Selective transfer – you can only copy the necessary folders.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Requires additional accessories (OTG, cable).
• ❌ System settings and data of some applications are not transferred.

Method 5: Transfer applications with data (for games and instant messengers)

Conventional transfer methods (such as Mi Mover or Google Account) only copy the apps themselves (.apk files), but not their data. For example, in games, saves will be lost, and in WhatsApp, chat history. To migrate applications with data, use specialized tools.

For messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber):

• 💬 WhatsApp: Back up chats on your old phone via Settings → chat → Backup. On your new phone, install WhatsApp and restore data from Google Drive.
• 📎 Telegram: All chats and media files are synced automatically through the Telegram cloud.
• 🔄 Viber: Backup to Settings → Account. → Backup (save to Google Drive or iCloud).

For games and other applications:

• 🎮 Use Helium (a data backup app) Requires root rights on older versions of Android.
• 🖥️ For games with cloud-based storage (e.g. Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile) Link your account to Google Play Games or social networks.
• 📲 Samsung Smart Switch (works with Xiaomi): porting data to some apps, but not all.

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If the game does not support cloud-based saves, try manually copying the data folder (usually located in /Android/data/name.packet) to a new phone, which requires wired connection and access to hidden folders (turn on the display of hidden files in Explorer).

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems.-5 mistakes and their solutions:

If none of these methods worked:

• 🔄 Reboot both phones – it solves 30% of connection problems.
• 📱 Update. MIUI on both devices until the latest version.
• 🛠️ Reset network settings on your old phone: Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Resetting network settings.
• 📧 Contact Xiaomi via official website or chat in Mi Community.

8. FAQ: Answers to popular questions