Buying a new smartphone from Xiaomi, whether it’s the flagship Mi or the budget Redmi, is always accompanied by a joyous anticipation, which is quickly replaced by a routine need to customize the device. The most time-consuming step for most users is data migration, especially the installation and configuration of all the necessary applications. Fortunately, the MIUI and HyperOS ecosystem offers powerful built-in tools that allow you to perform cloning of the system in just a few touches, preserving the folder structure and authorization in many services.
There are several proven ways to migrate data, each with its own advantages depending on the state of the old device and your preferences. You can use the proprietary Mi Mover app, which works directly between devices, or rely on Google’s cloud service if both phones are running Android. In some cases, especially when switching from iOS or very old versions of Android, you will need to manually install via the app. APK-files or the GetApps store.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the available methods in detail, focusing on the nuances of data transfer of banking applications and messengers, which often require separate attention for security reasons. You will learn how to prepare both smartphones for the procedure to avoid synchronization errors and loss of important files. Full transfer is possible only if there is enough free space on the new device, exceeding the amount of data occupied on the old one.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before you start the copying process, you need to make sure that both smartphones are ready to work. First of all, check the battery level: both devices should have at least 50-60% of power, since the process of transferring a large amount of data can be energy-consuming. It is also recommended to connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network, although some methods allow you to create a direct access point without the participation of a router.
On the old phone, you should audit installed programs. Delete those applications that you no longer use, so as not to clog the memory of the new gadget and speed up the transfer process. Pay special attention to cleaning the cache of heavy games and instant messengers, since temporary files often take up gigabytes of space, in transferring which does not make practical sense.
Make sure that your new device is logged in to your main Google account.This is critical for recovering Play Market purchases, syncing contacts and saving passwords. If you haven’t used a Xiaomi account before, it’s worth signing up now, as the manufacturer’s cloud provides additional backup options for system settings and desktop icons.
⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the data transfer process or switch between apps on both smartphones during migration.This can cause file damage or the installation process to freeze.
Using the Mi Mover app for full cloning
The most efficient and quickest way to transfer is to use the built-in Mi Mover tool. This application is pre-installed on all modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones running MIUI and HyperOS. Its main advantage is the ability to transfer data directly over Wi-Fi Direct, bypassing the Internet channel, which provides high speed and privacy.
To get started, open the app on both devices. On the new phone, select Recieve and on the old phone, Send. QR-code or connect to the access point you created. Once you establish the connection, you will see a detailed menu for selecting data categories.
Unlike standard Android tools, Mi Mover can copy not only the application installation files themselves, but also, in many cases, their data. This means that once the process is complete, you may find that social networks and some games do not require re-authorization, but for banking applications and services with two-factor authentication, you will still have to log in again for security reasons.
- 📱 Annexes: Copyed APK-files and, where possible, internal program data.
- 📸 Media files: Photos, videos, music and documents are transferred in full.
- ⚙️ System settings: The location of widgets, wallpapers, alarm clocks and Wi-Fi network settings is saved.
- 💬 Messages and Contacts: History SMS The phone book is migrating without loss.
☑️ Checklist before Mi Mover launch
Migration through Google Account and Cloud Services
If Mi Mover is not possible for some reason (e.g., an old phone not from Xiaomi or has critical system errors), the Google ecosystem comes to the rescue. This method is universal and works on any Android device. The bottom line is that the list of installed apps and some of their data are stored in the cloud tied to your inbox.
When you first activate a new Xiaomi smartphone, the system will suggest recovering data from the backup. Choose the latest backup of your old device. In this case, the phone will automatically start downloading and installing all the apps that were found on Google Play at the time of copy creation. This process can take considerable time, especially if you have many programs installed, since each application will be downloaded again over the Internet.
Importantly, this method does not copy data within applications (logins, game progress, correspondence) unless the developer has separately implemented sync through Google Drive. To work properly, you still have to manually enter passwords into most services. However, it is a great way to quickly deploy a basic set of programs without using cables or additional utilities.
What to do if the applications are not restored?
Manual installation and transfer APK-file
In situations where automated methods fail, or you need to migrate modified versions of apps that aren’t in official stores, manual installation is used.This method takes more time and attention, but gives you full control over what exactly gets into the memory of your new Xiaomi.
You must first get the installation files (APK) This can be done with file managers, such as MT Manager or built-in Xiaomi Explorer by selecting the "Export of Apps" function. The resulting files can be transferred over Bluetooth, USB-cable or send to your own messenger (Telegram, WhatsApp), saving them as files.
Installation APK-Files for the new phone security system MIUI It can block the installation from unknown sources. → Protection → Confidentiality → Special permits → Install unknown applications and give permission to your file manager or browser. APK only from verified sources to avoid infecting the device with malicious code.
| Method | Speed. | Data retention | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover | Tall. | Full (partial) | Low. |
| Google Account | Medium | Only a list of applications. | Low. |
| Manual (APK) | Low. | No (appendix only) | Tall. |
Features of transferring banking applications and instant messengers
Financial applications and communications deserve special attention. Banking programs (Sberbank Online, Tinkoff, etc.) have enhanced protection and never allow you to transfer your data simply by copying files. When you first start on a new device, you will in any case have to go through a full authorization procedure, often with confirmation via SMS or biometrics.
With messengers, the situation is similar, but has nuances. WhatsApp and Telegram store the history of correspondence in different ways. Telegram is completely cloud-based — just enter a phone number, and all chats will appear instantly. WhatsApp needs to back up chats on Google Drive (on Android) or iCloud (on iPhone) and restore it when you install the application on the new phone.
Some users try to use App Cloning to transfer accounts, but this only works within a single device. Use the standard means of exporting/importing chats provided by the app developers themselves to switch between phones. Ignoring this step will lead to the loss of all message history.
⚠️ Note: When transferring banking applications to devices with unlocked bootloader (Root rights) or custom firmware, the programs may fail.In this case, you will need to return to stock firmware or use special root rights hiding modules.
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Tip: For WhatsApp, use the “Chat Transfer” feature inside the app settings on your old phone by scanning it. QR-It's faster and more reliable than recovering from the Google Drive cloud.
Solving problems and errors during transfer
The migration process is not always smooth, and users often find that some apps don’t install or crash immediately after launch, which may be due to incompatibility between the old and new Android versions, and if the old app isn’t optimized for the new OS, it may not work properly.
Another common problem is space shortage. Even if the data volume seems to be less than free space, the system requires a buffer zone to unpack and install. Always leave at least 5-10 GB of free memory beyond the amount of data being transferred. Also, errors can occur due to unstable Wi-Fi Direct connection, in which case try to bring the phones closer to each other or turn off the VPN.
If a particular app refuses to be ported over Mi Mover, try removing it on your old phone and then re-downloading it from GetApps or Play Market before trying to migrate again. Sometimes cleaning up the cache of the Mi Mover service itself through the app management menu helps.
- 🔄 Sync Error: Reboot both devices and try again.
- 📉 Low speed: Make sure there are no powerful sources of interference (microwaves, other routers) nearby).
- 🚫 Locking the installation: Check the security settings and allow installation from unknown sources.
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The main conclusion: No method guarantees 100% transfer of all data without user involvement. Always check the operation of critical applications (bank, navigator, messengers) immediately after the migration is completed.