Buying a new Xiaomi smartphone is always accompanied by a desire to start using the device as quickly as possible without spending hours setting up and installing programs. However, the most painful issue for most users is not just installing the software, but maintaining all authorizations, progress in games and customizations. Fortunately, the MIUI ecosystem and the new HyperOS offer powerful migration tools that allow you to clone an old phone almost one-to-one.
The transition to a new device has become much easier thanks to cloud technology and local data transfer methods, so you no longer need to manually enter passwords from dozens of accounts or search for two-factor authorization in old SMS. The key here is to choose the right transfer method, as standard installation methods are used. APK-Files often do not store cache and login data.
In this guide, we will discuss the most effective ways to ensure that applications are ported from Xiaomi to Xiaomi along with passwords.We will look at the work of the regular Mi Mover tool, the capabilities of the Mi Cloud account and manual methods for difficult cases when automation fails.
Preparing both devices for data migration
Before any copying procedure is started, make sure that both smartphones are ready to go. First of all, check the battery level on both devices: it should be at least 50-60%. The process of cloning the system can be energy intensive, and a sudden power outage can damage files or interrupt the transmission halfway, which will require a repetition of the entire operation.
The second critical step is to update the operating system on both phones to the latest available version. Developers are constantly improving data protocols, and older versions of MIUI may experience conflicts when trying to sync with the latest HyperOS. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and check for updates.
It’s also worth freeing up space on a new smartphone if it’s not entirely new. Although there’s usually plenty of space when you first set up, having 1.5-2 times the data volume of an old phone guarantees a smooth process without writing errors.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to interrupt data transfer or switch between applications during migration, this may damage your password database and you will have to log in again to all services.
Using the Mi Mover app for full cloning
The most reliable and official way to transfer applications from Xiaomi to Xiaomi is to use the built-in Mi Mover tool. This service is designed specifically for the brand’s devices and can transfer not only the installation files themselves, but also data inside the applications, including cache and saved sessions. To launch the application, find it in the Tools folder or through a search in the settings.
On the new smartphone, select "I'm the recipient" and on the old one, "I'm the sender." QR-code PIN-Once you connect, you'll be asked to select the types of data to transmit, and be sure to tick "Applications" and "Application Data" so that the system understands that you need to copy not only shortcuts, but also internal information.
Transfer speeds depend on the amount of data and support for Wi-Fi Direct standard by both devices. Xiaomi's current models support high-speed transmission, allowing tens of gigabytes of transfer in minutes. During the process, screens can go out, but do not lock the phones completely if the system requests confirmation of actions.
- 📱 Select the data type: tick "Applications" and "System settings" for maximum interface similarity.
- 🔒 Check the access rights: when you first start, Mi Mover will request permissions to access files and location – agree with all of them.
- 🔄 Wait for completion: progress indicator must reach 100% on both devices before disconnecting.
Sync with Mi Cloud and Google Account
If direct cable or Wi-Fi Direct transfer is not possible, cloud services come to the rescue. Google Account is the foundation for Android devices and stores a list of installed applications, contacts, calendars and passwords stored in the Google password manager. When you log in to the account on the new Xiaomi, the system will offer to restore a backup by automatically starting downloading applications from the Play Market.
However, for users of the Xiaomi ecosystem, Mi Cloud may be more effective. The service allows you to create full backups of the system, including the location of icons on the desktop, alarm settings, voice recordings and, importantly, data from some applications. To create a backup, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup.
It’s important to understand the difference: Google restores the list of applications, but often requires re-entry to them, while Mi Cloud, when fully restored from a local copy, can save the login status.
What to do if your passwords are not synchronized?
⚠️ Note: Cloud backup doesn’t always save data from bank apps and messengers with enhanced security (for example, WhatsApp requires a separate backup in Google Drive).
Transfer of data messengers: WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber
Messengers deserve special attention, as they store correspondence and media files in secure directories. Simply migrating an application through Mi Mover is often not enough to save your message history, especially on WhatsApp. For this messenger, it is critical to create a local backup or copy on Google Drive on your old phone before you switch.
In WhatsApp settings on your old device, go to Chats → Backup Chats and click “Create.” Make sure the copy is uploaded to the cloud. When you install WhatsApp on the new Xiaomi, the app will find the backup in Google Drive and prompt you to restore your message history. Without this step, you will get a “clean” messenger.
With Telegram, the situation is simpler: all data is stored on servers, so it is enough to simply log into the account by phone number. Secret chats (Secret Chats) are not portable, since they are tied to a particular device, but the usual dialogs will appear instantly. Viber also requires creating a backup through Google Drive or locally, which you need to restore in the first minutes of installing the application.
☑️ Checklist for messengers
Solving problems with banking applications and access keys
High-security banking applications and services (Google Pay, Mir Pay, bank customers) often block transferred data to protect against fraud. Even if Mi Mover copied the application, it may require a full re-registration of the device or a re-sign-in with SMS verification on its first run.
To work with contactless payment (NFC) on the new Xiaomi, you will need to add bank cards to Mi Pay or Google Pay services again. Old security tokens are not transferred between devices. Prepare plastic cards in advance or agree on a time when you can receive SMS for confirmation.
If you use Passkeys or hardware security keys, make sure you have physical access to them or backup recovery codes. It is not possible to transfer biometric data (fingerprints, facial scans) between different devices for security reasons – they will have to be reconfigured.
| Type of application | Data portability | Entry required | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social media (VK, OK) | Complete. | Often not required | The session can be saved via Mi Mover |
| Banks. | Partial | I'll be sure. | Re-binding of the device is required. |
| Games | Depends on the account. | Through Google Play/ID | Progress will be maintained when entering the profile |
| Messengers | Only with a backup. | By text. | It is important to make backup chats in advance |
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For banking applications that don’t work with Google Pay, take screenshots of your details or save them in a secure note to quickly find login details on your new device.
Configuring and checking after transfer
When you migrate, take your time to delete data from your old phone. Use the new device for the first day to check all the features. Pay special attention to notifications: sometimes after the transfer, permission settings are lost, and important messages from the applications may not come.
Check the biometrics and reconfigure the facial recognition or fingerprint, as this data is stored in a secure module of each particular smartphone and is not copyable, and it is also recommended to check the operation of NFC and geolocation, as the calibration of the sensors may differ.
If you notice that the battery of a new phone discharges faster than usual in the early days, do not worry. the system performs file indexing and optimization of ported applications in the background. Usually after 2-3 days of operation, the autonomy returns to normal values.
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Full system optimization after data transfer takes up to 48 hours of active use, so do not draw conclusions about the speed of work in the first hour.