The acquisition of a new smartphone from Xiaomi is always accompanied by pleasant emotions, but often overshadowed by the need to transfer the accumulated over the years of information. The owner of the device faces the task of re-creating a digital environment identical to the one on the old gadget, a process that requires care, because it depends on the comfort of further operation.
There are several proven methods to migrate applications from Xiaomi to Xiaomi as quickly and without loss as possible. The choice of the specific method depends on the version of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system, the amount of data and the availability of a stable Internet connection.
Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to simply log into your account to make all programs fall into place, and in practice, restoring a backup requires the right sequence of actions for banking applications and instant messengers to work correctly.
Preparing for data migration and settings
Before starting the procedure, make sure that both devices are ready to work, charge the old and new phone to a minimum of 60-70%, as the data transfer process can be energy intensive, and it is also recommended to check the availability of free space on the receiving device.
Make sure both smartphones have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled. The best way to keep system utilities running is to use the same Wi-Fi network, although modern transmission protocols often create their own local area network.
⚠️ Note: Before starting the transfer, be sure to back up important data to an external medium or to the cloud to eliminate the risk of information loss in the event of a failure.
If the older device has an outdated version of MIUI installed, the system may suggest updating system components before starting the migration procedure. Ignoring updates to Google Play system services may cause some applications to display incorrectly after the migration.
Use of the Mi Mover application
The most effective and native way is to use the built-in Mi Mover tool. This utility was developed by Xiaomi engineers specifically for migration between brand devices and allows you to transfer not only the products of the brand. APK-files, but also settings, Wi-Fi passwords, alarm clocks and call schedules.
To start the process, find the application in the menu or go to the Settings section. → The phone. → Mi Mover: Select Receiver on the new device, and Send Sender on the old one. Scan QR-The code will automatically create a secure communication channel.
The interface allows you to flexibly configure filters. You can select only certain categories, such as System Data and Applications, excluding gallery or music if they are already copied in another way.
Once the copy is complete, the new phone will automatically install the apps, which can take 10 to 40 minutes depending on the number of programs, and will distribute the shortcuts to desktops and folders, keeping the structure as the user is familiar with.
☑️ Checklist before Mi Mover launch
Migration through Google Account and Play Market
A classic method that works on all Android smartphones, including Xiaomi, where the first time you set up a new device, it will prompt you to log in to your Google account, and if you choose to restore from a backup, you will start downloading the app list.
It is important to understand that Google Backup often restores only the installation files of applications, but not their internal data (cache, logins, saves in games).
To check what is stored in the cloud, go to Settings → Google → Backup on your old phone. Here you can see a list of applications that are allowed to save data. Make sure the switches are active for important programs.
The installation process can be in the background. You can use the phone while the status bar displays download icons. However, for heavy gaming and graphics editors, it is best to wait for the full installation before launch to avoid verification errors.
| Parameter | Mi Mover | Google Account | Hand-mounted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed. | High (local Wi-Fi) | Depends on the Internet. | Low. |
| Transfer of application data | Partially (depends on the software) | Rarely (settings only) | No. |
| Preserving folder structure | Yes. | No. | No. |
| The Internet's Demand | No (local area network) | I'll be sure. | I'll be sure. |
Transfer of banking applications and authorization
Financial applications and instant messengers require special attention, and for security reasons, banking programs (Sberbank, Tinkoff, Alpha, etc.) never carry authorization data and cache, but must be re-installed and logged in.
Messengers like Telegram or Viber have their own backup mechanisms. Telegram will restore the history of correspondence automatically when you log in to your account, since everything is stored on the server. For WhatsApp and Viber, it is critical to backup Google Drive on an old device in advance.
⚠️ Note: When transferring messengers to a new number or device with a changed security configuration (Root rights, unlocked bootloader), the application may block the ability to restore chats.
For WhatsApp, the algorithm is this: on an old phone, Settings → Chats → Backup Chats → Save. On a new phone, install the app, enter a number, and agree to restore from a copy of Google Drive if requested. Without this step, your message history will be lost.
What if Google Drive doesn’t see a backup?
Manual installation of APK and file transfer
In some cases, automatic methods fail, or you need to migrate a specific version of the application that is not available in the Play Store. APK-This requires the pre-installer training.
You can use a file manager, for example, MIUI File Manager or Total Commander to find APK-But with standard Android tools, you can just copy the installed software. APK folder /data/app It's not possible without Root rights.
To extract APK, use the Backup feature in MIUI settings or third-party utilities like APK Extractor. Transmit the installation files created via Bluetooth, Quick Share or USB cable to the new device and start the installation.
This method is convenient for transferring modified versions of applications or programs removed from official stores, but it does not transfer user data, only the executable program file itself.
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Use the “Send” function in the app menu MIUI: Press the application icon on the desktop, select "More" → "Send, and the phone will create QR-code for quick installation on another device.
Solving typical transfer problems
Often users are faced with a situation where the application is installed but does not open or crashes.This can be due to a conflict of Android versions on the old and new device. If the new phone runs on a newer version of the OS, the old applications may require an update.
Another common problem is space shortage. Even if it seems like there is memory, the system partition can be overflowing with temporary files, in which case clear the cache through Settings → Memory → Clean before migrating.
If the process is stuck in the "Data Recovery" phase, try restarting both devices and repeating the procedure by selecting only mission-critical applications, rather than the entire array at once.
⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the application installation process immediately after the desktop appears. Background services can continue indexing and setting, which temporarily increases battery consumption and housing heating.
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The most common cause of errors is an unstable Wi-Fi connection or energy-saving mode that breaks the connection when the screen is fading.