Switching to Xiaomi’s new smartphone: a complete guide to data portability and setup

Why Xiaomi Switching to Xiaomi Needs Preparation

Changing your smartphone is always exciting, especially if you're switching to a Xiaomi device for the first time. Even if you're staying in the brand ecosystem, every new gadget brings a change: a refreshed firmware. MIUI, Other specifications, and sometimes even a new chipset, and without proper preparation, the risk of losing important data or having a problem increases dramatically.

In this article, we will look at all the stages of the transition, from backing up an old phone to fine-tuning a new Xiaomi, focusing on transferring accounts from Google and Mi Account without login errors, as this is the most common user problem, and learn how to avoid common mistakes when migrating from iPhones or devices from other Android manufacturers.

Whether you’ve purchased the Xiaomi 14 Ultra flagship or the budget Redmi Note 13, the instruction is universal.The main thing is to follow the steps consistently and not miss the critical moments that we will warn you about in advance.

Step 1: Preparing your old smartphone for data transfer

Before you migrate, you need to get your current device in order, not only to free up memory, but also to check for data compatibility, for example, if you move from iOS to Android, some formats (such as notes or reminders) may not be automatically migrated.

Start by clearing the cache and unnecessary files. In Android, you can do this through Settings. → Warehouse → Clean up. On your iPhone, go to Settings. → Mainstream → iPhone storage, removing duplicate photos, old messengers and games you haven't used in a long time, will speed up the backup process.

• 📱 For Android: Update your firmware to the latest version, which minimizes the risk of conflict when you move it.
• 🍎 For iOS: Disable iMessage and FaceTime to avoid shipping issues SMS new-room.
• 🔒 For both: Make sure there are no root rights or jailbreak on the device - this blocks some migration ways.
• 📡 Network: Connect to stable Wi-Fi. Airborne data transfer can take hours.

⚠️ Note: If the old phone has two-factor authentication enabled (2FA) For accounts, turn it off temporarily or save backup codes. SIM-You may lose access to the cards. SMS-confirmation.

Step 2: Backup Data – Which Methods to Choose

The way you back up depends on what information you want to save. Xiaomi offers a few tools for migration, but there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

1. Cloud services

The most reliable way is to use Google Drive (for Android) or iCloud (for iOS). MIUI There is also its own Mi Cloud, but it is only suitable for transfer between Xiaomi devices:

• 📁 Google Drive: Freely available 15 GB Stores contacts, calendars, photos (compressed), SMS and some application settings.
• ☁️ iCloud: 5GB free. Portable photos, notes, contacts, but does not support some Android formats.
• 🔗 Mi Cloud: Up to 5GB free. Saves SMS, Calls, notes and settings MIUI, But it doesn't work with iOS.

Local copying

If the cloud doesn’t fit, use a computer or external drive:

• 🖥️ Through PC: Connect the phone to USB, Select the File Transfer Mode (MTP) and copy the folders. DCIM (Photos), Downloads, Music.
• 💾 On the flash drive: Use OTG-Direct copy adapter, suitable for large volumes (video, game backups).

⚠️ Note: If you are porting data from your iPhone, use the Move to iOS app (for portback) or Google One for backup. Direct porting over Mi Mover often crashes due to file system differences.

Contact list and call log

Photos and videos (including hidden folders)

Messages from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram)

Application data (game saves, passwords)

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Devices Settings-->

Step 3: Transfer data to the new Xiaomi – Step-by-step instructions

When the backup is ready, we start migrating. Xiaomi offers two main ways: through Mi Mover (for Android) and manual transfer (for iOS or incompatible devices).

Method 1: Mi Mover (for Android)

This is Xiaomi’s official wireless portable app. It only works between Android 5.0 devices.+.

1. Download Mi Mover on both phones from Google Play.
2. On the new Xiaomi, when you first turn on, select Data Transfer or manually launch the application.
3. On the old phone, select I give the data, on the new one, I accept.
4. Scan it. QR-code from the new device and confirm the connection.
5. Select data types for transfer (contacts, SMS, Photos, Appendices and Wait for the Complete.

Method 2: Manual transfer (for iOS or other cases)

If Mi Mover is not suitable, use a combination of cloud services and local copying:

1. Contacts and calendars: Export through Google Account (on iPhone: Settings) → Contacts → Accounts. → Add Google).
2. Photos and videos: Upload photos to Google or copy to your PC, then transfer to your new phone.
3. Messages: Use Settings for WhatsApp → chat → Backup copy. SMS — apps SMS Backup & Restore.
4. Apps: Reinstall them from Google Play or the App Store, transfer game data through accounts (Google Play Games, Facebook).

Step 4: First Setup of the New Xiaomi – What to Do Immediately

After the data transfer, we start to set up the basics. Even if you've used Xiaomi before, new versions are available. MIUI They can have changed menus and functions:

1. Authorization in Mi Account: Without this, you will not be able to use branded services: Mi Cloud, Themes, Smart Home. Go to Settings → Xiaomi account and log in or create a new account. If you forget the password from your old Mi Account, restore it to you - after resetting your phone, it's harder to do this.
2. Fingerprint and Face Unlock settings: In Settings → Password and security add biometrics. flagships (e.g. Xiaomi 14) support 3D-face-scan.
3. Battery Optimization: Go to Settings → Battery and turn on Adaptive Charging (extends battery life). disable AutoRun for unnecessary applications.
4. Setting up notifications: In Settings → Notifications disable spam from system applications (e.g. Mi Video or GetApps).

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If, after transferring data, applications constantly request permissions, go to Settings → Confidentiality → Permissions and reset settings for all applications, which will eliminate access rights conflicts.

Step 5: Optimize performance and clean up the system

Xiaomi’s new smartphones often come with software pre-installed that isn’t always useful, and may leave temporary files or duplicates after the migration.

Removal of bloat (preinstalled annexes)

Some apps (Mi Pay, Mi Credit, Games) cannot be removed by standard means, but they can be disabled:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Select Unnecessary] → Disable

Complete removal will be required ADB-Teams (for experienced users only!).

2. Cleaning up cache and garbage

Use the built-in Cleanup tool (Settings) → Warehouse → Cleaning) or third-party utilities like SD Maid, pay attention:

• 🗑️ Cache of applications (especially messengers and social networks).
• 📂 Download folder – there are often unnecessary folders APK-file.
• 🎵 Duplicate music and video (check out Google Files).

3. Auto-start setup

Many applications run in the background, consuming battery. Turn off auto-start for unnecessary services:

Settings → Battery → Battery Consumption Management → Auto Start

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Regularly cleaning the cache and turning off background processes can increase battery life by 15-20%.

Step 6: Transfer specific data (messengers, games, passwords)

Some of the data need special attention because they're not standardized, and we'll go through the most complicated cases.

1. WhatsApp and other messengers

To transfer chat history to WhatsApp:

1. On your old phone, back up your Settings → chat → Backup copy.
2. Install WhatsApp on the new Xiaomi and log in with the same number.
3. When you offer to restore the story, confirm.

Telegram just needs to log in, cloud chats will be automatically downloaded, and local secret chats will have to be exported manually.

2. Game saves

If you are playing mobile games (Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile, link your account to:

• 🎮 Google Play Games (for Android games).
• 🌐 Facebook or email (universally).
• 🔗 Your own gaming account (e.g., miHoYo for Genshin).

3. Passwords and browser data

If you've used Google Chrome or Mi Browser, sync your data through your Google account (1Password, Bitwarden: Install the app on your new phone and log in to your account.

⚠️ Note: If you have used a built-in password manager MIUI (In Settings → Passwords, export them to the file before resetting the old phone. otherwise, the data will be lost!

Step 7: Checking the performance and troubleshooting

After setting up, check all the critical features of the new smartphone. Often users face problems that can be solved in a few minutes:

• 📶 No network: Restart your phone or check your settings APN (Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN)).
• 🔊 No sound: Make sure not to activate Do Not Disturb or Sound Effects MIUI.
• 🔋 Fast discharge: Calibrate the battery (discharge to 0% and charge to 100% without interruptions).
• 📱 Overheating: Check if resource-intensive processes are running in the background (Settings) → Battery → Battery utilization).

If the problem is not solved, reset to factory settings (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings, but only after all data has been saved!

FAQ: Frequent Questions When Switching to Xiaomi