Changing your smartphone is always accompanied by stress related to data loss or the need to reconfigure your workspace. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices are in a better position thanks to the developed MIUI ecosystem and the new HyperOS. These operating systems offer built-in tools that allow you to copy not only contacts and photos, but also the applications themselves along with their data.
The migration process can be very different depending on which device you are switching from: from another Android smartphone, from an iPhone, or you just change one Xiaomi to another. Understanding the nuances of each method will help avoid mistakes when banking applications require re-authorization after transfer, and games – re-download gigabytes of resources.
In this guide, we will go into detail all available methods, paying special attention to the Mi Mover tool, which is often ignored by users in favor of third-party solutions. We will also touch on the compatibility of processor architectures and Android versions, since these factors are the most common causes of failure when trying to clone a system.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before running any copying software tool, you need to make sure that both devices are in good condition and ready to transfer large amounts of information. A critical parameter is the battery level: the process can take from 15 minutes to several hours, and discharging one of the smartphones in the middle of the operation will cause file damage.
It’s also worth freeing up enough space on your new device, and even if you only port apps, their installation files and cache can take up tens of gigabytes, and it’s recommended that you have at least 20 percent free storage of the data you’re carrying.
- 🔋 Charge both smartphones to a minimum of 60-70% Or connect them to power supplies.
- 📶 Make sure that Wi-Fi modules are working correctly, as transmissions often go over a local network.
- 🗑️ Clear the cache of unnecessary apps on your old phone so you don’t drag “garbage” to your new one.
- 🔒 Remove the screen lock (PIN-code, pattern lock) for the time of transmission, if the system issues access errors.
⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the data transfer process even if the smartphone screens are gone.Forced closure of the application or turning off the screen can cause applications to be transferred incorrectly ("broken" shortcuts).
The issue of updates deserves special attention. Before starting the migration, it is advisable to check for system updates on both devices. Different versions of Android or shells may conflict when transferring system settings of applications.
Using the Mi Mover app for Android
The main tool for owners of Xiaomi equipment is the built-in Mi Mover application. It is preinstalled in the system and optimized for working with the shells MIUI and HyperOS. This method is ideal for switching from any Android smartphone, as the application is available for download in Google Play for devices of other brands.
Starting the process starts with opening the app on both devices, and on the new smartphone you choose the Recipient role, and on the old one you choose the Sender role, and the system creates a Wi-Fi hotspot that the second device needs to connect to, and the transmission speed is usually higher than through Bluetooth, and it reaches 10-20 MB/s.
Once connected, the interfaces sync up, and you'll see a list of categories to migrate, and the most important parts for our task are the Applications and Application Data sections, and it's important to note that the system applications of the new phone can overwrite data from the old one if the software versions are different.
☑️ Algorithm of Mi Mover operation
It is worth considering that some secure applications (banks, government services) may not transfer their login data for security reasons. In such cases, Mi Mover will copy the shortcut, but you will need to re-enter your login and password when you first run.
Transfer applications through Google Account
The classic method that works on any device with Google services, regardless of the shell, is that it links the list of installed applications to your digital identity, not to a particular hardware. When you first log in to the new Xiaomi, the system will suggest restoring the backup.
The mechanism is simple: on the old device, the Google Drive settings enable synchronization of these applications. After logging into the same account on the new smartphone, the Play Store will automatically start downloading all previously installed programs. However, there is a caveat: the data inside the applications (game progress, logins) is stored only if the developer used Google Play Games or cloud storage.
| Parameter | Mi Mover | Google Account | Hand-mounted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed. | High (locally) | Depends on the Internet. | Low. |
| Data within applications | They're often preserved. | Only with cloud support | Not preserved. |
| Network dependency | Not required (Wi-Fi Direct) | A stable Internet is required | Internet is required |
| Compatibility | Android + iOS | Any Android | Any smartphone |
To activate this method, you need to go to Settings → Google → Backup on your old phone and make sure the switch is activated. On the new device, when you first set up (or after you reset), you need to select Restore from the Cloud.
What if apps are not restored from Google?
Migration from iPhone (iOS) to Xiaomi
The transition from the Apple ecosystem to Android is always fraught with difficulties due to the closedness of iOS. the Mi Mover app has an iPhone version available in the App Store, which allows you to transfer the basic data set: contacts, messages, photos and videos.
But the situation is different with applications, because of the differences in operating system architecture, it's possible to directly migrate the installed applications (APK-Files from iPhone to Xiaomi are not possible. iOS apps simply can’t run Android. In this case, Mi Mover acts as an analyst: it scans your iPhone, compiles a list of installed programs and then helps find their counterparts in the Google Play Store or Mi GetApps.
- 📱 Install Mi Mover from the App Store on iPhone.
- 🔗 Connect to the access point created by Xiaomi.
- 📋 Select data to transfer (applications will be displayed as a list for subsequent download).
- ⬇️ After the list transfer, Xiaomi will begin automatic download of Android-versions of programs.
It is important to understand that game progress and in-app data are also not directly transferred unless the game supports cross-platform sync via an account (e.g., login via Facebook or email), in which case the data will remain on the game servers and will be available after logging in to the account on the new device.
⚠️ Note: Paid apps purchased from the App Store don’t automatically go to Google Play, you’ll have to re-subscribe if the developer doesn’t have a single subscription system on all platforms.
Manual transfer APK-file and memory
For advanced users who want to migrate specific versions of applications (such as older modifications or versions removed from the marketplace), there is a method of manually copying APK installation files.
Application files are usually in hidden system partitions, but they can be extracted using special extractor utilities available from Mi GetApps or third-party stores. APK-The file is copied to a new phone via USB-cable, Bluetooth or cloud storage.
adb pull /data/app/com.example.app/base.apk./backup.apkThe above command, ADB (Android Debug Bridge), demonstrates how you can pull an application file directly if you have root or USB debugging rights. However, for the average user, it is easier to use file managers with the function “Extract APK”.
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Use the file manager Explorer from Xiaomi or Total Commander. Find the desired application in the installed list, click More → Create an installer shortcut or Copy APK. This will create an installation file in memory that can be easily transferred.
When installing applications manually (not through the marketplace), the HyperOS security system can block the process. You will need to allow installation from unknown sources in the settings of the specific application through which you run the file (for example, through Explorer or Telegram).
Decision and possible errors
Even when following instructions, there may be failures, and one of the common problems is that there is not enough memory, even when there is space available, because temporary files require more than the size of the application to unpack and install.
Another common situation is that the process is stuck at a certain percentage, often indicating a conflict of Android versions, such as when you switch from Android 10 to Android 14, some old apps may not be compatible and block the overall migration process.
Why are apps opening but the data inside is gone?
Can I transfer applications from Xiaomi tablet to phone?
What if the Mi Mover can’t see the device?
In conclusion, the most reliable way for users of the Xiaomi ecosystem is a combination of methods: using Mi Mover for the bulk of data and manually checking critical applications (banks, instant messengers).
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The ideal migration scenario is to use Mi Mover for fast APK and data transfer, followed by mandatory manual check of banking applications and two-factor authentication.