Changing your smartphone is always an exciting process, coupled with the desire to start using a new device faster without losing your familiar digital environment. When you purchase the latest model from Xiaomi, you face the task of integrating it into your life as painlessly as possible, preserving all the accumulated data, settings and, most importantly, installed programs. Modern technology allows you to make this transition almost invisible to the user, but there are nuances that depend on the operating system of your previous gadget.
The migration process can range from auto-copying in a few clicks to manually configuring individual services, especially if you are switching from iOS or using specific banking applications. Understanding synchronization mechanisms and knowing the specifics of the MIUI or HyperOS shell will help you avoid losing important information. In this guide, we will detail all the available methods so that you can choose the best one for your situation.
Don’t underestimate the importance of getting the files properly prepared before they start transferring. A stable Wi-Fi connection and sufficient battery power on both devices are critical success factors. Ignoring these basic requirements can lead to interruption and damage to data archives that will take much longer to recover than the initial setup itself.
⚠️ Before starting any transfer operations, make sure that the new Xiaomi has more space than the backup on the old device takes up, otherwise the process will end in an error.
Use of the built-in Mi Mover application
The most effective and native way to migrate for Xiaomi device owners is to use the specialized Mi Mover tool. This application is pre-installed on most of the brand’s modern smartphones and allows you to transfer contacts, messages, call history, multimedia and, importantly for us, lists of installed applications. The algorithm works on the principle of creating a local Wi-Fi hotspot, which ensures high speed transfer without using Internet traffic.
To start the process on the new device, you need to go to the settings menu and find the Additional settings section where the desired utility is located. MIUI, The procedure will take a minimum of time, as the system will offer to scan. QR-In the case of using a third-party Android smartphone, the application will need to be downloaded from the Google Play store or through the built-in scanner. QR-codes on the new device.
- 📱 Run Mi Mover on both devices and select the roles “Sender” and “Receiver».
- 🔗 Scan it. QR-code the camera of the new phone to establish a secure connection.
- 📂 Select data categories, including “Apps”, and click the “Send” button».
It is important to note that system applications and some secure banking sector programs may not be copied directly for security reasons. In such cases, Mi Mover will create a shortcut or offer to download the current version from the official store. Once the transfer is completed, the installation process will begin on the new device, which may take some time depending on the amount of data.
Recovery through Google Account and Play Store
Google’s ecosystem offers one of the most reliable ways to save the list of applications and their data. When you first turn on the new Xiaomi system will prompt you to log into your Google account, which was used on the previous Android device. If you agree to restore from a backup, the Play Store will automatically start downloading all programs that were installed previously.
The good thing about this method is that it doesn't require both devices at hand at the same time, just log in, and Google Play will do the rest. However, it should be borne in mind that data inside applications is not always saved if the developer has not configured synchronization through Google Drive. APK-program.
Settings → Google → Backup → Check the time of the last copyTo manage the list of applications that are being restored, you can use the Google Play web version or the settings on the device itself, and you can selectively disable the download of unnecessary programs to avoid clogging the memory of your new smartphone, an approach that is especially relevant if you change your device infrequently and want to recreate an exact copy of your digital environment.
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Use the “Tune” feature in Google Play on your new device to hide apps you no longer need before starting a mass download.
Transferring data from iPhone to Xiaomi
Apple product owners who choose to switch to Android will need to use specialized tools, as direct migration through Google account is limited here, the main assistant in this process is the Move to iOS app (at the stage of setting up the new Android) or the Mi Mover mentioned earlier, which has an iOS mode.
When using Mi Mover from iPhone, you will need to download the app from the App Store to your old device. Once connected to the new Xiaomi Wi-Fi network, you will be able to transfer contacts, photos, videos and calendar. Unfortunately, the applications themselves (.ipa files) cannot be ported directly due to differences in the architecture of the operating system!
| Type of data | Transfer method | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Mi Mover / Synchronization of iCloud | Entry to iCloud is required |
| Photos and videos | Mi Mover / Google Photo | It might take a long time. |
| Annexes | Manual installation from Play Market | Direct transfer is impossible |
| Communications | Mi Mover | iMessage is not supported |
To install app analogs, you’ll have to re-find them in the Google Play store. Many popular services have versions for both platforms, but game progression or paid subscriptions may not be carried forward if they’re specifically tied to an Apple ID and don’t support a cross-platform account.
What to do with purchased apps from iPhone?
Manual transfer APK-file-setting
In situations where automatic methods fail or you need to migrate a particular version of a program that is no longer in the store, the manual method is used, which involves creating APK installation files on the old device and transferring them to the old device, and you can use file managers such as MI File Manager or third-party solutions like Send Anywhere.
The process is as follows: on an old phone, a copy of the installer of the desired program is created through the application manager, then this file is transmitted to the new Xiaomi via Bluetooth, USB cable or messenger, and after receiving the file, you must allow installation from unknown sources in the security settings.
- 📂 Open the File Manager and find the folder with APK-installer.
- 📤 Send the file to the new device in any convenient way.
- ⚙️ Allow installation from unknown sources when you first start the file.
⚠️ Note: By installing applications from unknown sources, you risk infecting your device with malware. Use this method only for verified files from your personal device.
This method is also useful for porting modified versions of programs or applications removed from the official store. However, it is worth remembering that such applications will not be automatically updated through the Play Store, and you will have to monitor their relevance manually.
☑️ Security check APK
Synchronization of data within applications
Even after successfully installing apps on the new Xiaomi, you may find that your data is not inside them: game progress, notes, chat settings. This is because many programs store data locally or in their own clouds, rather than in the system’s shared storage.
For social networks and instant messengers, you just need to log in to your account, and your correspondence history will be downloaded from the server (like in Telegram) or you will need to create a local backup on your old device (like WhatsApp). WhatsApp, for example, you need to create a backup in Google Drive on your old phone in advance, so that when you log in on a new device you can offer to restore the history.
Gaming apps often require logging in through Google Play Games, Facebook or a developer account. Without that, progress will remain on the old device. Check the settings of each important game and make sure it has logged in to profile before erasing data from your old phone.