Changing a smartphone often brings with it a headache of having to transfer the accumulated information. Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi devices are in a great position, as the MIUI and HyperOS ecosystem offers powerful built-in tools for migration. The copying process can take from minutes to an hour depending on the size of the files and the method chosen.
There are several proven ways to move to a new device without any pain, such as using cloud storage, local wireless or traditional cable, each with its own advantages: speed, autonomy, or selective transferability, and the choice of a specific algorithm depends on the status of the old phone and the availability of Internet access.
In this article, we will discuss how to send data from Xiaomi to Xiaomi as efficiently as possible. We will look at the Mi Mover application, work with Mi Account, sync through Google and alternative options.
Preparation of devices for information transfer
Before starting any copying procedure, you need to perform basic training for both smartphones: make sure that both devices are charged at least 50-60% of the battery. Active data transfer can significantly consume energy, and suddenly turning off one of the gadgets will cause a failure or damage to files.
Both phones must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network if you plan to use wireless methods. Connectivity stability directly affects the transfer speed. If the router is not at hand, many modern Xiaomi models are able to create an access point directly through the migration application, which is even faster than a conventional router.
💡
Before starting the transfer, clean the cache of junk files on the old smartphone – this will speed up the process and save space on the new device.
Also check for free space on the receiving device, the amount of free memory should exceed the size of the transmitted data with a margin of 10-15%, this is necessary for the correct operation of the file system and temporary buffers during copying.
☑️ Preparation for migration
Using the Mi Mover app for quick migration
The most efficient and quickest way is to use the Mi Mover app, which is pre-installed on most modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones. If you don't have it on your device, you can download it for free from the GetApps store or Google Play. The app creates a direct connection between devices, bypassing Internet traffic.
To start the process, open the app on both phones. On the new device, select Receiver and on the old device, Sender. QR-code or connect through device search. Once you have established the connection, you will see a list of data categories available for portability.
You can choose from specific file types: contacts, messages, call log, images, videos, music, documents, and even system settings. Note that some system applications may not be copied due to Android security limitations. The process is in the background, and screens may go out to save energy.
⚠️ Warning: Do not leave the Mi Mover app or lock your smartphone screens during the active data transfer phase. Interrupting the process may cause some files to remain underloaded or damaged.
Sync with Mi Cloud and Mi Account
The second most popular method is the Mi Cloud, which is ideal if you already have a Mi Account and have regular backups, and it allows you to recover not only media files, but also desktop settings, icons and passwords from Wi-Fi networks.
On your old phone, go to settings, select your Mi Account, and go to Mi Cloud. Click Sync for all important data categories. Make sure the indicators are green, which means the data is up to date in the cloud. After that, just log in to the same acca on the new device.
The main advantage of the method is independence from the physical presence of the old phone. You can set up a new Xiaomi anytime and anywhere where there is Internet. However, free storage is limited to 5 GB, so large volumes of photos and videos may require a subscription or archive cleaning.
| Type of data | The Mi Cloud (Free) limit | Recovery speed | Network dependency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts | No restrictions. | Instantly. | Tall. |
| Photo/Video | Up to 5GB | Medium | Tall. |
| System settings | Included. | Quickly. | Medium |
| Annexes | APK List | Depends on size. | Tall. |
For users who store a lot of media, storage expansion is important.Mi Cloud paid rates allow you to increase the limit to 200 GB or more, making cloud synchronization a complete replacement for local backups.
Transfer via Google Account and Google Drive
Google’s ecosystem is the standard for Android, and it’s not worth ignoring. When you first set up a new Xiaomi phone, it will offer to restore data from a Google Drive backup, a method that’s great for transferring contacts, calendar, notes, and installed app lists.
On the old device, open the settings, search for the "Google" section, and select "Backup." Click "Start Copy" or "Create a Copy." Make sure that the list includes application data and media. Once completed on the new phone, when you log in to the same Gmail account, you will automatically download.
What is not copied through Google?
Photos and videos are best synced through the Google Photos app. Turn on the “Outload” feature on your old phone and wait for the process to be completed. On the new device, just log in to your profile, and the entire gallery will be available in its original quality (or in space saving mode).
Alternative methods: Bluetooth and cable
If wireless methods don't work or the Internet isn't available, you can use classic Bluetooth, which is extremely slow for large files, but ideal for fast transfer of multiple contacts or documents, turn on Bluetooth on both devices, pair and send the file through the Share menu.
A more advanced option is to use a USB cable. Some Xiaomi models support data transfer via a USB-C to USB-C cable. Connect two phones directly. The system can offer a file transfer mode (MTP). Copy the contents of the DCIM, Download and Documents folders manually through the file manager.
You can also create a local backup on your computer. USB-Cable, select File Transfer mode, and copy the directories you want to send to your PC hard drive, then plug in the new phone and move the data back, and that's the most reliable way to archive terabytes of information.
⚠️ Note: When connecting your phone to a computer or other device USB Always select the "File Transfer" mode" (MTP), Not just charging, otherwise the computer will not see the internal memory of the smartphone.
Problem Solving and Data Recovery
Sometimes the transfer process can be interrupted or miss. If the Mi Mover freezes, try restarting both devices and turning off the power saving, and forget the Wi-Fi network on both phones and reconnect to reset the network settings.
In case contacts are not displayed after recovery, check the display filter in the Contacts app. Often, numbers are saved in the account. SIM-Maps or locally, and the phone only displays contacts from Google or Mi Account. Change the display settings to All Contacts".
If the apps aren't installed from a backup, check the Android version.When you upgrade from a very old version to a new one, some old ones APK-The files may not be compatible, so you'll have to download the latest versions from Google Play manually.
💡
The most reliable result is the combined method: contacts and photos through the cloud, and heavy files and videos through a direct connection Mi Mover or cable.