Replacing an old smartphone with a new model is always an exciting process, often overshadowed by the need to transfer accumulated data. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices face the challenge of migrating not only photos and contacts, but also an entire ecosystem of installed programs. Fortunately, the developers of the MIUI shell and the Android operating system have provided several effective mechanisms to automate this process, minimizing manual labor.
There are several proven migration methods, each with different features depending on the state of the devices and the version of the operating system: you can use the Mi Mover proprietary tool, which is built into the shell, or rely on Google cloud services, and you can also manually install through APK files if the automatic methods for some reason do not work or cause synchronization errors.
In this detailed guide, we will take a look at all the available methods, focusing on the nuances of data transfer of banking applications and instant messengers. The right sequence of actions will allow you to start working on a new device almost instantly, preserving the usual digital environment. We will look at both wireless methods and options using cable, so you can choose the most suitable for your situation.
Use of the built-in Mi Mover tool
The most efficient and quick way to migrate data between devices of the same brand is to use the Mi Mover utility, which is pre-installed on all smartphones with the MIUI shell and HyperOS, making the process as simple as possible. The application creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between the old and new phone, allowing you to transfer data at high speed without using Internet traffic.
To get started, you need to open the app on both devices. On the new phone that will receive the data, select Reciever and on the old one, Sender. QR-It is important that the screens of both devices are turned on during the entire process, as energy savings can interrupt the connection.
Once you have established the connection, you will be asked to choose the types of data to transfer, you can copy not only the applications themselves, but also their data, system settings, images, music and messages. The Mi Mover algorithm is optimized so that the folder structure on the new device is fully consistent with the old one.
⚠️ Note: When transferring large amounts of data (over 50 GB), make sure both devices are at least 60% charged. interruption of the process due to battery discharge can lead to file corruption or incorrect installation of applications.
Banking programs and corporate clients often have additional layers of security that block the direct transfer of login data. In such cases, Mi Mover will transfer the application file itself, but you will have to login again, entering a username and password or using biometrics.
Synchronization through Google account
The classic method that works on any Android device, regardless of manufacturer: If you’re switching from a different brand to Xiaomi, or you don’t have the ability to use Mi Mover, syncing through Google Play will be a reliable solution.
The essence of the method is that the list of all applications you have ever installed is tied to your Google account. When you first turn on a new smartphone or log in to the Google Play settings, the Store will prompt you to restore data from the backup.
Unlike Mi Mover, standard Google sync often doesn’t keep the internal folder structure and data inside apps (cache, logins, game level settings) unless the app developer uses Google Play Games or cloud services to save progress.
- 🔄 Open the settings on your new phone and log in to the same Google account as your old one.
- ☁️ In the Backup section, select the last available copy of your old device.
- 📥 Wait for the background download of the list of applications from the Play Market to be completed.
- 🔐 Separately check your sync settings for important services such as Google Photos and Google Contacts.
For users who are actively using the Google ecosystem, this method is basic: it ensures that all your contacts, calendar events and notes appear on the new device immediately after you connect to the network, and the applications will be installed in the background, allowing you to use the phone already during the boot process.
What to do if applications are not installed?
Preparing devices for data migration
Successful data transfer depends on the correct preparation of both smartphones. Before starting the procedure, you need to make sure that the software of both devices is up to date.Outdated versions of MIUI or Android may contain bugs that prevent migration tools from working correctly.
Free up space on the receiving device. Even if you plan to port only applications, they require space to install and decompress data. It is recommended to have a minimum of 20% free storage of the data transferred. Check the available space in the Settings → Memory menu.
It is also critical to ensure a stable power supply: the cloning process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours depending on the amount of information, connect both phones to power sources or make sure that they are at least 70-80% charged.
☑️ Checklist for transfer preparations
Be sure to check your security settings. Some models with enhanced security may require unlocking the screen or confirming your fingerprint during transmission. Make sure you know the unlock passwords for both devices, as the system may request them to confirm access rights.
Transfer of data messengers and social networks
A separate and very careful approach requires messengers such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber and WeChat. These applications store the history of correspondence locally or in their clouds, and simply transferring an application file through Mi Mover often does not save chats.
In the case of WhatsApp, the most reliable way is to back up Google Drive on an old phone. Go to WhatsApp chat settings, select Backup and click Create. On the new phone, when you first log in, the app will prompt you to recover your message history from the cloud.
For Telegram, the situation is simpler: the entire history of correspondence is stored on the messenger servers. You just need to install the application and log in to your acc.
All chat rooms, except secret chats, will be automatically downloaded, secret chats are tied to a specific device and cannot be moved.
| messenger | Method of conservation | Do I need the Internet? | Whether media files are retained |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Drive (locally) | Yes (for download) | Yes, if it's on. | |
| Telegram | Server cloud | Yes (constantly) | Yes (cached) |
| Viber | Google Drive / Viber Backup | Yes. | Depends on the settings. |
| Internal portability (PC/Mobile) | Yes. | Only through PCs often |
⚠️ Note: Two-factor authentication (2FA) In the messengers may require a code from SMS or an authenticator application. SIM-The card is installed on a new phone or you have access to recovery codes, otherwise you may lose access to your account.
Manual installation of applications via APK files
In situations where automatic methods do not work, or you need to move modified versions of applications that are not in official stores, the manual installation method is used. APK-This method requires a deeper understanding of the Android file system, but gives you complete control over the process.
To implement this method, you will need a file manager, such as built-in Explorer from Xiaomi or a third-party File Manager. On an old phone, you need to find installer files. They can be located in the /data/app folder (root access required) or exported through special application exporter snails.
After copying. APK-files on a new phone (via Bluetooth, cable or cloud), you must allow installation from unknown sources. MIUI has strict security settings, so when you try to install, you will be prompted to go to the settings and give permission to a specific application (such as Explorer) to install programs.
💡
Use the APK Extractor app on your old phone to quickly create installation files for all your programs and transfer them to a new smartphone in one archive, faster than manually searching for files.
The main disadvantage of the manual method is the lack of data. You install a "clean" application that requires logging in and setting up from scratch, and it is not suitable for system applications, as their incorrect installation can lead to unstable shell operation.
Solving problems in transfer
Even when following instructions, users may encounter technical difficulties, and one of the most common problems is the "Not enough space" error when transferring, even though the memory seems to be free, because temporary files require extra space when cloning, in which case it is recommended to transfer data in parts: first applications, then media files.
Another common problem is that the process freezes at a certain percentage, often when you transfer a lot of small files or corrupted data to an old device, and if it takes more than 15 minutes, it's best to interrupt it, restart both smartphones, and try again, selectively eliminating problematic data categories.
Also worth mentioning is the banking application issue: Once migrated to the new Xiaomi, banks may require the device to be re-assigned or not launched due to security checks (Root rights, unlocked bootloader), in which cases it is often helpful to clean the application data or completely reinstall it from the official bank website.
Why do some apps not open after the transfer?
Can I transfer apps from iPhone to Xiaomi?
Will the game progress after the transfer?
In conclusion, it’s worth noting that regular backups are the best insurance against data loss. Don’t wait for a new phone to try backup tools for the first time. Set up automatic synchronization of important data right now, and in the future, the transition to a new Xiaomi device will be absolutely painless for you.