Changing your smartphone, especially to the more modern Xiaomi Redmi Note lineup, always comes with the need to transfer a huge amount of user data. While photos and contacts are often synchronized automatically, the history of correspondence in a standard messaging app requires special attention. Losing important confirmation codes, work tasks or personal correspondence can be an unpleasant surprise after the first activation of a new device.
The Android operating system on which the MIUI shell is based provides several built-in and third-party tools for data migration. The choice of the specific method depends on whether you are switching to a new Xiaomi phone or a device of another brand. In both cases, the process requires pre-preparation and backup to eliminate the risk of information loss.
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of conservation. SMS-From Mi Cloud cloud services to local backups and third-party utilities, you’ll learn how to set up syncs and how to quickly restore dialogs on a new gadget without losing the structure of correspondence.
Preparation for the transfer of messages and important nuances
Before you start technical manipulation, you need to make sure that both devices are ready for the procedure. First of all, check the battery power: both smartphones should have at least 50-60% charge, since the process of creating a backup and restoring it can take a long time, and it is also recommended to connect to a stable Wi-Fi network, especially if the volume of the correspondence is large.
Make sure that the device from which the copying will be made has the current version of the MIUI shell installed. Older versions of the firmware may contain bugs in the system application "Messages", which will lead to incorrect data retention. System updates often include security fixes and optimization of synchronization services.
⚠️ Note: Before you start any data transactions, make sure you remember the password from your Mi Account. Without authorization, it will be impossible to restore data from the cloud, and the security system can block access to backup copies.
Message formats are particularly important. Standard SMS can be easily portable, but MMS multimedia messages may require a separate approach or additional space in the cloud. If you have a lot of pictures sent via SMS/MMS, backup volume can grow significantly.
It’s important to understand the difference between transferring to a phone of the same brand and a device of another manufacturer: Xiaomi’s ecosystem allows for native tools (Mi Mover) that work faster and more reliably, and you will have to rely on universal Google tools or third-party apps when switching to other brands.
Using Mi Cloud to synchronize SMS
The most convenient and reliable way for users of the Xiaomi ecosystem is to use the Mi Cloud service, which allows not only to transfer messages to a new phone, but also serves as insurance against the loss or breakdown of the current device, data is stored on the company's servers and is available at any time after authorization.
To activate the function, you need to log into your system settings. Find the partition that controls your account and make sure you're logged in. Account binding is key to cloud sync, and without that step, the data will only remain in your phone's memory.
The adjustment process is as follows:
- 📱 Open Settings and go to the top section with your Mi Account name.
- ☁️ Select Mi Cloud and find Messages in the list of applications.
Once synchronization is enabled, the system automatically backs up all the dialogs that are available, and on the new phone, just log in to the same account and enable message synchronization, the system will pull all the data from the cloud itself, which takes time depending on the speed of the Internet connection and the amount of data.
Local backup via MIUI settings
If the cloud is not available due to lack of internet or unwillingness to upload data to servers, you can use a local backup. the built-in MIUI backup allows you to save the SMS to a file, which can then be transferred to your computer or new phone via cable or Bluetooth.
The good thing about this method is that it doesn't depend on the speed of the Internet connection or the cloud storage, and all the data is stored in the device's memory in a special secure partition, but it's important to remember to copy the backup file you created to an external storage before resetting the old phone.
The algorithm for creating a local copy:
- 🛠 Go to Settings. → About the phone (or Advanced settings).
- 💾 Select Backup and Restore Item.
- 📂 Click on Mobile and enter the screen lock password to confirm.
- ✅ Tick System Data and specifically Messages, then click Start Backup.
Once the process is complete, the backup file will be located on the MIUI/backup/AllBackup path in internal memory. To transfer this file (or folder) to a new device, you need to copy it to a similar directory on the new phone, and then restore it through the same settings menu.
| Parameter | Mi Cloud | Local backup | Third-party annexes |
|---|---|---|---|
| We need the Internet. | Yes (for download) | No. | Depends on the method. |
| Storage area | Xiaomi server | Phone memory | Google Drive / Memory |
| Difficulty | Low. | Medium | Medium |
| Speed. | Depends on the network. | Tall. | Medium |
☑️ Checking before the backup
Data transfer using the Mi Mover application
Mi Mover is a specialized tool from Xiaomi designed to quickly migrate data between smartphones.It is especially effective if you are switching to a new Redmi Note or POCO. The utility creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices, which provides high speed transfer without using Internet traffic.
On a new phone, the app is often pre-installed. If it's not available, you can download it from GetApps or Google Play. When you start, the app will suggest you choose the role of the device: "Sender" (old phone) or "Receiver" (new phone), which is necessary to properly configure the connection.
The procedure for working with Mi Mover:
- 📲 Run the app on both devices and select the appropriate roles.
- 📡 Scan on your old phone. QR-code displayed on the screen of the new device.
- 📂 In the data list for transmission, be sure to select Messages (SMS).
- 🚀 Click the “Send” button and wait until the process is over.
⚠️ Warning: Do not turn off smartphone screens or leave the Mi Mover app during data transfer. Interrupting the connection can damage the backup file and inability to restore messages.
The main advantage of this method is to preserve the structure of folders and metadata, messages will appear in the Messages app in the same form as they were on the old device, while saving dates and statuses of reading.
Use of Google Drive and Third-Party Apps
In situations where Xiaomi’s native tools don’t fit (such as when switching to a different brand phone or when you have problems with your Mi Account), Google’s solutions come to the rescue.The Android operating system has a built-in backup mechanism that is often activated by default.
Check the settings of the Google backup in Settings → Google → Backup. This shows the date of the last copy and the list of data that will be saved. Make sure the switch opposite the SMS is active. Restore will occur automatically when you first set up a new Android smartphone.
If standard tools are not enough, you can use trusted third-party utilities, such as: SMS Backup & Restore is a backup app. XML-A file with all messages that can be saved to Google Drive or sent to your own mail.
Advantages of using specialized applications:
- 📄 Ability to view backup contents on your computer.
- 🔄 Flexibility: Only certain dialogues can be saved.
- 💾 Brand Independence of a New Phone (Works on Any Android).
When using third-party software, it is important to give the necessary permissions, the application must have access to SMS and storage, without these permissions, the program will not be able to read messages or save a copy file.
Message recovery on the new Xiaomi Redmi Note
The recovery process depends on the copying method you chose, and if you used Mi Cloud, it is easy to sync your account on the new device, and messages will appear automatically as you download.
When using a local backup or Mi Mover, data is usually recovered during the initial setup of the phone (the “Help” step).If the phone is already set up and you want to recover data later, use the Settings menu → About Phone → Backup and Restore.
The sequence of actions for local recovery:
- Open the backup menu in the settings.
- Select the Mobile Phone or Computer tab (depending on the source).
- Find the date of creation of the copy.
- Mark Messages and click Restore.
Once the process is complete, it is recommended to restart the device, so that the system correctly indexes the new data and displays it in search and notifications. If the messages do not appear immediately, wait 5-10 minutes - the system takes time to process the database.
⚠️ Note: When you restore from a full backup, you may experience duplicate contacts or messages if you sync with your Google account earlier.