Changing your smartphone, especially to Xiaomi devices, is often accompanied by a desire to keep a full history of communication in instant messengers. For many users, WhatsApp is the main communication channel where work correspondence, personal photos and important documents are stored. The process of migrating data can seem complicated, but modern methods allow you to do this quickly and without loss.
Mi and Redmi device owners often face questions about OS versions compatibility and features of the MIUI or HyperOS shell. Fortunately, the Android ecosystem provides reliable backup tools. You don't need to be a technician to successfully carry out the transfer of all data to a new gadget.
In this article, we will look at proven ways to ensure your digital history is safe, and we will look at both standard cloud methods and local file copying, which is especially important in the absence of fast Internet or the need to transfer heavy media files.
Preparing the old and new device for migration
Before starting the procedure, make sure that both smartphones are in good condition and ready to transfer a lot of data. On an old device, check that the Google account to which WhatsApp is attached is active and sync is working correctly. This is a critical step, since it is through Google Drive that the main backup is most often done.
The new Xiaomi phone also requires pre-configuration.Make sure the new device has the current WhatsApp app installed from the official Google Play store or GetApps.Don't try to use older installer versions as the encryption protocols may have changed.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure both devices have the same call and message app installed if you plan to port not only chats but call settings as well, even though WhatsApp itself works independently of the system call.
A stable Wi-Fi connection is another must. Backups can weigh several gigabytes, and using mobile traffic can lead to unexpected costs or download interruptions. Connect both smartphones to the same network for maximum transfer speed.
Create a full backup on old Android
The process starts with the old phone. You need to create a fresh restore point so that no message gets lost. Open WhatsApp, go to the settings menu and select the Chats section and then the Chat Backup. Here you will see the date of the last save.
Click the Backup button and wait for the process to be completed. Please note that the backup settings allow you to select the auto-update frequency and Google account for data storage. For reliability, manual copying is better immediately before moving.
If you plan to use a local method (which I'll talk about later), you'll need access to the file system, in which case you create a database file that is physically copied to the new phone, and the cloud method is simpler, but the local method gives you more control over the files.
☑️ Pre-copying check
It’s important to check what’s being copied. In the backup settings, you can eliminate large video files if there’s limited space in the cloud, but for full cloning, you’d better leave all the ticks active so that the new Xiaomi works like it did on the previous device.
Google Drive Method: The Standard Recovery Method
The most common and convenient way to transfer data is to use Google Drive cloud storage, which is integrated directly into the Android operating system and does not require cables or computer use, and is ideal for most users.
Once you have backed up on your old phone, take a new Xiaomi smartphone. When you first set up your system or on an already running device, log in to the same Google account. This is a must, otherwise the phone won't see the stored data.
Install WhatsApp from the app store. When you first start, the messenger will ask for a phone number. Enter the same number that was used on the old device. The system will send an SMS for confirmation.
Once the number is confirmed, the app will find a backup in Google Drive and prompt it to be restored. Click "Restore" and wait for the process to be completed. The speed depends on the size of the archive and the speed of the Internet connection.
| Parameter | Description | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Storage area | Google Drive (cloud) | Google account, Internet |
| Video files | Copyed optionally | It takes a lot of space in the cloud. |
| Speed. | Depends on the Wi-Fi network | Stable connection |
| Difficulty | Minimum | Automatic recovery |
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If recovery is 0% or 99%, try switching from Wi-Fi to mobile internet for a couple of seconds and then back again to upgrade the connection.
Local Transfer through File Manager
For users who prefer to keep data under control or don't have enough space in the cloud, there's a local copying method, which requires connecting your phone to your computer or using a file transfer function over the network, and is especially useful if you want to migrate huge media archives.
On an old Android smartphone, find a folder with WhatsApp data. In newer versions of Android, the path may look like Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp; in older versions, it's just WhatsApp at the root of internal memory. You need to copy the entire folder.
Move the copied folder to a new Xiaomi phone, and it's important to put it in exactly the same directory. If the new phone already has WhatsApp installed, delete it before copying files to avoid database version conflicts.
The way to the new Xiaomi: /storage/emulated/0/Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsAppOnce you move the folder, install the app and launch it. Unlike the cloud method, there will be no request to restore from Google Drive. The app will automatically detect local files and prompt you to restore a history from them.
⚠️ Note: When you move locally, make sure that the folder names and directories structure are followed exactly.Any change in path may result in the application not seeing the backup.
Using Mi Mover to Migration Data
Xiaomi has developed its own Mi Mover app, which makes it much easier to switch from any Android device, and allows you to transfer not only contacts and photos, but also data from applications, including WhatsApp.
Install the Mi Mover app on both devices. On the old phone, select Sender mode, and on the new Xiaomi, Receiver mode. Follow the on-screen instructions to pair devices through the device. QR-code.
In the data transfer list, select App Data or find WhatsApp specifically. The system will warn that some applications may need to be re-entered for proper operation. Once the transfer is complete, launch the messenger on the new phone.
What if Mi Mover doesn’t see WhatsApp?
The advantage of this method is its versatility, which works even if devices have different versions of Android, but sometimes you may need additional authorization inside WhatsApp itself after migrating through Mi Mover.
Solving problems and errors during transfer
Despite the fact that processes are fine, there are sometimes failures, and one of the common problems is the error "Can't restore backup", which is often due to mismatches in the application versions or lack of space on the new device.
Check the space available on the new Xiaomi. If the archive weighs 5GB and only 2GB is free, recovery is impossible. Also make sure the old phone used the same Google account that is active on the new one.
Another problem is that media files are loaded endlessly after chats are restored, which is normal if you have a lot of photos and videos, and it can take hours in the background, and don't delete the app or clear its cache during that time.
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The main cause of errors is interruption or lack of memory. Always leave your phone connected to charging and Wi-Fi while recovering large archives.
If nothing helps, do a clean installation: Delete WhatsApp, restart your phone, re-install it, and follow the cloud recovery instructions when you first start, without missing the authorization step.
Privacy and security settings on Xiaomi
Once the data transfer is successful, it's important to take care of security, and the MIUI and HyperOS shells offer additional security tools that you should activate, particularly when it comes to blocking applications.
You can set a separate password or fingerprint to sign in to WhatsApp, which adds another layer of protection even if the phone is unlocked, and the setting is in the "App Protection" section of the security settings.
It is also recommended to enable two-factor authentication in the settings of the messenger itself. This will prevent access to your chats from other devices without special assistance. PIN-code that only you know.