Changing your smartphone is always stressful, not only because you get used to a new MIUI or HyperOS interface, but also because you have to migrate your digital life. The most critical task for most users is to keep your correspondence history, media files and settings in WhatsApp. Fortunately, the Android ecosystem provides flexible tools, and Xiaomi smartphones have a number of features that make it much easier.
Before starting the procedure, it is important to understand that the transfer method depends on the version of the operating system and the presence of a Google account. Owners of Xiaomi Mi and Redmi are more fortunate than users of other brands, since the company’s built-in utilities often take the main work of cloning data.
In this article, we will look at all the current ways of migration, from classic recovery through the Google Drive cloud to direct copying of files to a memory card or internal storage. We will focus on the nuances of working with the MIUI shell, where standard procedures can have their own characteristics.
Preparing the old and new device for migration
The success of the operation depends on 90% of the preparatory stage, and on the old device from which the copying will be performed, you need to make sure that you have access to the device. SIM-map SMS, Because number verification is a must when you log in on a new gadget, it's impossible to retrieve your account without access to your phone number.
Both smartphones must be connected to a stable Wi-Fi network. Transferring large amounts of data, especially if there are a lot of photos and videos in chat rooms, can quickly exhaust the limit of mobile traffic. Also, make sure that both devices have the same Google account that will be used to sync backups.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure both devices have an up-to-date version of the WhatsApp app installed from the official Google Play Store.Using outdated versions or modified builds (such as GBWhatsApp) can lead to errors when reading backup files.
Charge the batteries of both phones to a minimum of 60-70%.The process of creating a backup, uploading it to the cloud and then downloading it to the new Xiaomi is energy-intensive.A sudden power outage at a critical moment can damage the message database.
☑️ Ready for transfer
Google Drive Method: The Classic Way for Android
The most reliable and officially supported way to transfer is to use Google Drive cloud storage, which is ideal if you have fast internet and enough free space in the cloud, and starts on an old phone, where you need to create a fresh backup.
Open WhatsApp settings, go to Chats and select Chat Backup. Check which Google account is listed for saving. Click Backup and wait until the process is complete. The status of the last copy should be updated to the current time.
Now, on to Xiaomi's new smartphone. Install WhatsApp from Google Play. When you first start, type in the same phone number you used before. The system will prompt you to find a backup in the Google Drive cloud. When the offer appears on the screen, click "Restore."
- 📲 The recovery process will take time, depending on the amount of data: from a few minutes to an hour.
- 📁 After restoring chats, the application will offer to restore media files, this can be done immediately or later.
- 🔒 Make sure you use the same Google account or you won’t find a copy.
If the recovery is successful, your chats will appear on the list, but it is worth considering that Google Drive does not save WhatsApp call history and privacy settings, they will have to be reconfigured manually.
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Before you start recovering on your new phone, free up space in your internal memory. Even if the copy weighs 2 GB, it can take up to 5-6 GB of free space to unpack and operate the system.
Local Copying: Transfer without the Internet
If the Internet speed is poor or the amount of data exceeds the available space in the cloud, you can use the local copy method. Android file system allows you to manually move the database. On the old phone, find the folder /sdcard/Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databases (the path may differ on older versions of Android: /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases).
You need a file called msgstore.db.cryptXX, where XX — You can also use msgstore-DATE.db.cryptXX files if you want to restore the archive for a specific date. Copy this file to your computer or transfer it to your new phone immediately via Bluetooth, Mi Share or USB-cable.
On the new Xiaomi, install WhatsApp, but don't run it yet. First, create a folder manually along the path /sdcard/Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databases and put a copied file there, msgstore.db.cryptXX. Rename the file, removing the date from the name, if there is one, leaving only msgstore.
⚠️ Note: When using the local method, the WhatsApp app on the new phone may not see the copy automatically if the paths to the folders on the old and new system differ.
Once you've placed the file, start the application. If you want to restore data from a local copy, you'll agree. This is a good method, because it doesn't depend on Internet speed, but it requires careful work with the file system.
What if WhatsApp doesn’t see a local copy?
Using Mi Mover to Clone Data
Xiaomi and Redmi owners have a powerful built-in tool, the Mi Mover, which is pre-installed on most MIUI devices and allows them to transfer contacts, messages, apps and program data between phones.
Run Mi Mover on both devices. Select "I'm the recipient" on the new phone; select "I'm the sender" on the old one. Scan. QR-code to create a connection. In the list of data types, be sure to select "Apps" and find in the WhatsApp list.
The utility will try to transfer not only itself APK-However, the efficiency of transferring the chat database through Mi Mover can vary depending on the version of Android. 11/12/13/14) Access to application data is limited and the transfer may be incomplete.
| Method | Speed. | Network dependency | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Drive | Medium | High (needs Wi-Fi) | Tall. |
| Local file. | Tall. | No. | Medium (requires skills) |
| Mi Mover | Very high. | No (local area network) | Medium/High |
If Mi Mover moved the app but the chats didn't show up, don't panic. That means the data was copied but not automatically recognized, and you'll still have to use the backup method through Google Drive, which is the most versatile.
Solving Common Problems in Transfer
Often, users are faced with a situation where the process is not going according to plan. One of the common problems is the mismatch of the application versions. If the old phone was a beta version or a modified build, and on the new Xiaomi you put the official version from the store, the recovery may not go through.
Another challenge is encryption, because the encryption keys are tied to your Google account and your phone number, and if you change your phone number, you can't restore your old chats from the cloud, and that's where the old local file-copying method works, and it doesn't guarantee success when you change the number.
- 🛑 The “failed to recover” error often occurs when the Internet is unstable during downloading.
- 🛑 If there is not enough disk space, Android can block the recording of recovered files.
- 🛑 Two-factor authentication: If enabled, you’ll need a 6-digit authentication PIN-code you have previously installed.
In some cases, Xiaomi’s smartphones help clear the cache of Google Play before you start installing WhatsApp: Go to your phone’s settings, select Apps, search for Google Play Services, and click Clear Data.
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The main reason for recovery errors is to try to log in to an account with a different phone number or use different Google accounts to create and download a backup.
Security setting and two-step authentication
After successfully migrating data to the new Xiaomi Mi, it is critical to take care of security.Two-step authentication is an additional layer of security that requires input. PIN-code when registering a number on WhatsApp.
If you have enabled this feature on your old phone, the system will ask for the code when you log in to the new one. If you forget the code, you will have to wait 7 days to reset it, which means temporarily blocking the ability to use old backups.
Also check your privacy settings. On the new device, they can reset to standard. Go to Settings → Privacy and reset your visit time, profile photo and status "Bet(s)".
⚠️ Warning: Don’t ignore the suggestion to create a new two-step authentication code if the old one has been deleted, which will protect your account from being stolen, even if your account is not stolen. SIM-map cloned by intruders.