Changing a mobile device is often stressful not because of the loss of the gadget itself, but because of the risk of losing the data accumulated over the years. Especially painful parting with important correspondence that may contain working agreements, personal memories or confirmation codes. Owners of the Xiaomi ecosystem are in a favorable position, as the company has provided several built-in mechanisms for seamless migration of content.
The process of transferring messages depends on the version of the MIUI operating system or the new HyperOS, as well as the type of data stored. Standard SMS and MMS require the same approach, while messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram use their own cloud protocols or local backups. Understanding these differences will allow you to avoid losing critical information when you first turn on a new smartphone.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all available synchronization methods, starting from the Mi Mover standard tool and ending with manual export through the Internet. SIM-You will learn what nuances arise when switching between different versions of Android and how to guarantee 100% security of dialogues without using paid software.
Using the Mi Mover app to migrate fully
The most efficient and native way to transfer data is to use the pre-installed Mi Mover app, which is designed specifically for the Xiaomi ecosystem and allows you to transfer not only contacts and photos, but also the entire array of text messages. The main advantage of the method is to create a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices, which provides high speed transfer without the consumption of mobile traffic.
To start, you need to open the app on both smartphones. On the new device, select the Recipient role, and on the old one, the Sender. QR-And then you can use the code or search for the devices, and then you can sync the interfaces, and you can see a list of the categories of data that you can copy.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure both devices are connected to a power source or have a charge of more than 50%, as the active transmission of large amounts of data can quickly consume battery power.
In the list of selectable data, make sure to check Messages. If you plan to transfer media attachments, make sure that the appropriate permission is chosen. The process can take from a few minutes to an hour depending on the size of the archive, do not interrupt the connection or switch to other applications during the migration.
☑️ Checklist before Mi Mover launch
Once the process is complete, the new phone will suggest importing data into the system’s message store, a method that is most reliable for users who change devices within a single brand, as it retains folder structure and read statuses.
Sync with Mi Cloud and Xiaomi account
The Mi Cloud cloud service is an alternative method that does not require both devices to be physically present at the same time, ideal if an old phone has already been sold, lost or broken, but has previously been synchronized on it, data is stored on the company's servers and can be restored at any time after authorization.
To activate this feature, go to your account settings via the Settings menu. → Mi Account: In the cloud, you need to find the text and activate the sync switch, and the system automatically uploads text messages to secure storage, and you have 5GB of free space, which is enough for thousands of text messages.
- 📲 Open the settings on the new device and log in to the same Xiaomi account.
- ☁️ Go to the cloud services section and select Restore from the cloud».
- 📥 Check the category “Messages” and start the download process.
An important advantage of using Mi Cloud is the ability to selectively restore, you can decide whether you need to save old SMS or just new contacts, and the cloud is a great backup in case of sudden system failure or loss of your phone.
What to do if the synchronization is suspended?
Keep in mind that recovery from the cloud requires a stable Internet connection. With a large amount of data, this process can take a considerable time, so it is recommended to use a Wi-Fi network with good bandwidth.
Transfer over Google Drive and Android system backup
Google’s ecosystem offers a universal backup that works on all Android devices, regardless of the manufacturer’s shell.This method is especially relevant if you are switching from another brand to Xiaomi or vice versa.
On the old device, you need to go to Google Settings via the Settings path → Google → Backup. Make sure the Messages switch is activated and there is a mark of the last successful synchronization. When you first set up a new Xiaomi smartphone, the system will prompt you to restore data from the selected Google backup.
| Parameter | Mi Cloud | Google Drive | Mi Mover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet is required | Yes (for download and unload) | Yes (for download and unload) | No (works over a local network) |
| Speed. | Depends on the channel. | Depends on the channel. | Maximum |
| Preservation of MMS | Partially. | Yes. | Yes. |
The main nuance of Google’s method is that recovery only occurs when the device is initially set up, and if the phone is already set up and in use, just logging in will not be enough – you will need a full reset to factory settings (Wipe Data) to activate the restore wizard.
⚠️ Note: When you recover from Google Drive, current messages on your new phone may be overwritten, only on a clean device or if you are sure you don’t need the new data.
This is good for its versatility, but less flexible in managing specific dialogues compared to Xiaomi’s native tools.However, having a copy in Google Drive is a must-have minimum of digital hygiene for any Android user.
Use of third-party applications for exporting SMS
In situations where regular funds fail or you need to migrate messages in a specific format (for example, to archive on a computer), third-party solutions come to the rescue. The most popular and time-tested tool is the SMS Backup & Restore application, which allows you to create local backup files that can be easily transferred in any convenient way.
The principle of such programs is to create XML-A file containing all text messages, dates and sender numbers. Once you install the app on both phones, you back up the old device, transfer the resulting file to the new phone (via Bluetooth, SHAREit or cable), and perform a recovery.
- 📂 Install the app SMS Backup & Restore for both devices from Play Market.
- 💾 On your old phone, click “Create a copy” and select only SMS (or).
- 📤 Transfer the created archive file to the new device by any file sharing device.
- 📥 On the new phone, launch the application, select “Restore” and specify the path to the file.
The advantage of this method is that it doesn't require root rights and works on almost any version of Android, and you get a physical file that you can save on your computer or USB drive for perpetual storage, which is the only way to guarantee that you can save your SMS forever without being tied to cloud services, which depend on company policy.
However, be careful when restoring: some applications may not display read/not read status or delivery time correctly if the time zones on the devices differed greatly.
Manual copying on SIM-map
Although this method is considered outdated, it remains the only working option if the smartphone is not fully functional. SIM-The card is intact, or if you want to quickly transfer some important codes to a button phone. SIM-The cards have a limited amount of memory and usually support text storage only without multimedia.
To implement this method, open the standard Messages app on your Xiaomi device. Using the settings menu (usually three dots in the corner) select Settings. SIM-maps” or “Management SIM». The option “Copy on” will be available here. SIM-Select the desired messages or use the "Select all" function».
Once you copy, remove the map and paste it into the new phone. In the new device's message menu, also find control. SIM and select "Import with" SIM-Remember that a single message is limited to 160 characters, so long text messages can break into several parts or be cut off.
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When copying on SIM-The card is stored only text and sender number, time, date and attachments (pictures, audio) will be lost.
This method is suitable only for emergencies or transferring a small amount of critical text data, and is not recommended for full migration of correspondence history due to the low memory limit of the card and the lack of support for modern formats.
Transfer of the history of correspondence in messengers
Special attention should be paid to the issue of transferring messages from popular messengers such as WhatsApp, Viber and Telegram. These applications use their own encryption and storage mechanisms, so standard methods of copying SMS do not apply to them.
WhatsApp uses a backup mechanism through Google Drive. On an old phone, go to Settings → Chats → Backup Chats and click Create. When you install the app on a new phone, after you type in the number, the system will prompt you to restore the story from the cloud. It is important to use the same Google account.
Telegram works differently: it stores all the history on the messenger servers, and you just need to install the app on a new phone and log in to your number. All secret chats, however, are not portable, because they are tied to a particular device and are not stored in the cloud.
⚠️ Note: To move WhatsApp through QR-The code (without Google Drive) should be close to both phones, and both should have WhatsApp installed with the same version of the software.
Viber also has local or cloud backups available. In the app settings, look for Account and select Backup Viber. Once you create an archive and transfer it to a new device (or download it from Google Drive), start recovery when you first log in.
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Messengers require a separate data transfer procedure, different from system SMS. Do not rely on Mi Mover for a full WhatsApp migration without first checking the settings of the application itself.
Compliance with these rules will allow you to keep a complete communication history on all the services used. Remember that two-factor authentication may require you to enter the code sent via SMS, so make sure that you have a complete communication history. SIM-The card is already active in the new phone before the recovery of messengers.