Buying a new Xiaomi smartphone is always a joyous event, but often overshadowed by the prospect of long customizations. Every owner faces a natural question: how quickly and without loss to transfer all data, contacts and programs from the previous device? Fortunately, the Android ecosystem and the Chinese manufacturer’s proprietary utilities offer many migration scenarios, from cloud services to direct Wi-Fi connection.
The process of migrating applications to Mi and Redmi has become much easier with the release of new versions of the MIUI and HyperOS shells. You no longer need to manually search for installation files or recall passwords from dozens of services. However, there are nuances that depend on the operating system of the old phone (iOS or Android) and the region of use.
In this article, we will discuss all available migration methods, paying special attention to data security and bypassing the restrictions imposed on some banking applications. A competent approach to the initial setup will save you hours of time and allow you to enjoy a new gadget immediately after unpacking.
Preparing devices for data synchronization
Battery charging is a critical parameter: the process of copying large amounts of data can take anywhere from 20 minutes to several hours, so make sure both devices are charged at least 60-70%.
The second important step is to check for space. Although current methods usually compress data during transmission, the receiving device (Xiaomi) should have enough memory to accommodate all the information from the old phone. If you move from a 64GB model to a 128GB model, there will be no problems, but when you move to budget segments, you should clear the cache beforehand or delete unnecessary video files.
⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the data transfer process by abruptly turning off the screen or restarting. MIUI It can hang at the stage of initialization of the application database, which will require resetting the settings of the new phone to the factory.
It’s also worth making sure that both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled. Even if you plan to use a cable, these protocols are often used to handshake between devices before starting the main transfer. Make sure that the old phone doesn’t have power saving mode on, which can block background activity of system services.
☑️ Checklist for transfer preparations
Using the Mi Mover app for quick migration
The most efficient and native way to transfer is to use the Mi Mover branded tool, which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones in the Tools folder. If the old device is also Xiaomi, the app is already there. If the old phone is Samsung, Huawei or iPhone, the program must be downloaded from Google Play or the App Store.
The process starts automatically when you first turn on a new smartphone during the initial setup, but you can start the transfer later through the settings menu. The algorithm is simple: on the new phone, you choose "I am the recipient", and on the old phone, you choose "I am the sender". QR-code or create a temporary Wi-Fi access point.
The main advantage of Mi Mover is that it can be selectively ported, so you can only tick apps, contacts, messages and system settings, ignoring garbage, and it will pick up compatible versions of the software for your version of Android.
- 📱 Open Mi Mover on both devices and confirm storage permissions.
- 🔗 Scan it. QR-code on a new phone with an old pairing device's camera.
- 📂 Select data categories (Applications, Photos, Contacts) and click "Send".
Transfer speeds are directly dependent on the number of files and the stability of the wireless connection: on average, transferring 50 applications and 10 GB of photos takes about 15-20 minutes. Once the process is complete, the new phone can think for several minutes, installing packages in the background - this is normal behavior of the system.
Transfer via Google Account and Cloud Services
The classic method that works seamlessly on any device running Android version 6.0 and higher is that the list of installed applications and their data (if the developer supports it) are stored in the Google Drive cloud. When you log in to the same account on the new Xiaomi system will offer to restore the backup.
This is ideal for maintaining the desktop structure and basic settings, but there's an important caveat: APK-The application files are not fully airborne, the phone is only downloading them from the Play Market, which means that heavy games and programs will require a stable and fast Internet connection.
To activate the feature, go to Settings → Google → Backup and click “Start Copy.” Make sure the Apps and Their Data switch is active. On the new Xiaomi, just log in to the same Google account when you first set up.
⚠️ Note: Authorization data in banking applications and instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) through Google Backup is often not saved for security reasons.
Using the Mi Cloud is also possible, especially if you already use the services of the Xiaomi ecosystem. Contacts, notes and photos are synchronized instantly, but the amount of free storage is limited, so this method is used less often for full cloning of the system.
What to do if the applications are not restored?
Features of data transfer from iPhone (iOS) to Xiaomi
The transition from the Apple ecosystem to Android is always fraught with difficulties due to the closedness of the iOS file system. Direct transfer of installed applications (.ipa files) is technically impossible, since the architecture of the operating systems is radically different.
When using Mi Mover on iPhone, you will need to provide access to photos, contacts and calendar. the app will create a list of analogues for your favorite programs. For example, if the iPhone was a paid photo editor, Xiaomi will offer its free counterpart or web version.
To transfer the history of correspondence from iOS to Android, there is now the official utility “Move to Android” from Google, which requires a Lightning-to-USB-C cable (or USB-C-to-USB-C for new iPhones). Without the cable, it is almost impossible to transfer the history of WhatsApp chats officially.
| Type of data | Method of transferring from iOS | nuance |
|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Sync with iCloud/Mi Mover | Requires the entry of the Apple ID password |
| Photos and videos | Mi Mover / Google Photo | HEIC formats can be converted |
| Annexes | Manual installation from Play Market | Paid apps will have to be bought again. |
| Passwords. | Google Password Manager | You need to allow saving Chrome on iOS |
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Tip: Before switching to Xiaomi, be sure to disable iMessage on your iPhone (Settings → Messages), otherwise you may stop receiving SMS from other Apple users.
Solving problems with banking applications and Google services
Owners of new Xiaomi smartphones, especially those purchased in Chinese versions or after 2022, may face a lack of pre-installed Google services. Without them, installing banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff, Alpha, etc.) is impossible by standard methods. In such cases, the service is used. GMS (Google Mobile Services).
To install banking applications on Xiaomi with missing services or locks, you often have to resort to installing them through GetApps (Mi Store) or third-party stores like the Aurora Store. However, the most reliable way is to officially install Google services through the settings menu, if the region of the device allows.
If the bank application is not installed or marked as “dangerous” by the built-in antivirus, you should add it to the exceptions. Go to Security → Viruses → Settings (cogs) → Ignore potential threats (the path may differ depending on the version of MIUI).
- 🏦 Install Google services through your account settings if they are not available.
- 🔒 Add the banking application to the list of reliable in the menu "Security".
- 📲 Download. APK-Bank files only from official websites of credit institutions.
It is important to understand that you cannot transfer data inside the banking application (transaction history) through Mi Mover for security reasons, you will have to re-enter the online bank using SMS code or biometrics, and reconfigure the widgets.
Manual installation of APK and final setting
Not all applications are available in official stores, especially if it is a specific software or modified versions of programs. APK-You can transfer installers from the old phone to the new one via Bluetooth or USB-cable and then run them.
MIUI/HyperOS has a strict security policy, and if you try to install it from an unknown source (for example, through a file manager or browser), the system will issue a warning, you will need to click "Still Install" and confirm the action with a password or fingerprint.
After installing all the applications, it is recommended to calibrate the battery, to completely discharge the new phone before turning off, and then charge up to 100% when turned off, which will help the system correctly display the percentage of charge, especially if the data was transferred in the background.
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Final Check: Make sure all important apps are working, notifications are coming, and biometrics (fingerprint and face) are reconfigured for each application separately.
The final step is to organize the workspace. Xiaomi offers convenient tools to sort applications by folder and change the desktop grid. Don't rush to remove old applications right away - use your phone for a couple of days to make sure that all data is transferred correctly.