Changing a smartphone, especially within a single-producer ecosystem, often raises questions about privacy, and users fear losing important records, shopping lists, or working drafts that have been accumulating for years. Fortunately, MIUI and HyperOS offer several efficient solutions that allow them to automate or manually execute the process in minutes.
The choice of the specific method depends on the operating system version, the presence of a Mi Account and the amount of information. Some methods are ideal for one-time transfer of large amounts of data, others are better suited for constant synchronization in real time. Understanding the differences between them will help to avoid duplication of files or loss of formatting.
In this article, we will take a look at all the tools available, from embedded cloud services to third-party applications, how to configure Mi Cloud to instantly access records from any device, and how to use local transmission tools without the Internet, which will allow you to choose the best scenario for your situation.
Using Mi Cloud for Automatic Synchronization
The most reliable and integrated way is to use Xiaomi’s native cloud storage, which requires a Mi Account on both devices, and the main advantage is that notes are stored on the server, and when you log in to your account on a new phone, they appear automatically, without having to perform complex file manipulations.
To activate the function, go to the phone settings. Find the account partition and make sure the note sync slider is activated. The system can request confirmation via SMS or email if two-factor protection is enabled.
Once synchronization is enabled, the old records will start loading in the background, the speed of the process depends on the amount of data and the quality of the Internet connection. It is important to note that free space in the cloud is limited, usually 5 GB, which is quite enough for text files, but may not be enough for notes with attached images.
- 📱 Go to Settings and select your Mi Account at the top of the screen.
- ☁️ Click on Cloud or Mi Cloud.
- 📝 Find in the list of applications Notes and activate the switch.
- 🔄 Wait for the synchronization status update process to end.
⚠️ Warning: If your old phone has two-factor authentication enabled, make sure you have access to your phone number or backup codes to log in on the new device.
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Before fully synchronizing, check the space available in Mi Cloud. If the space runs out, new notes will stop loading, and you risk losing data created during the storage overflow period.
Transfer through the Mi Mover app
If cloud services don't work for you or your Internet connection is unstable, Mi Mover, a regular application pre-installed on most modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones, creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices, allowing you to transfer data at high speeds without spending mobile traffic.
The process starts with running the app on both smartphones, and one device selects the role of "Sender" and the other one selects the role of "Receiver." QR-code or manual connection to the created network begins transfer of selected categories of data.
Unlike cloud sync, Mi Mover copies files locally, which means that notes will be physically transferred to the memory of a new phone, and the app can store folder structure and even history of changes, if the file format allows it.
Note that when migrating through Mi Mover, format conversions can sometimes occur if the versions of MIUI on devices are very different, for example, notes with complex formatting can turn into plain text or images if the new system does not support older file types.
☑️ Preparation for transfer via Mi Mover
Export and import through local files
For users who prefer full control of their data, there is a method of manual exporting. The standard Notes app allows you to save individual records or entire folders as files, which is especially useful if you need to transfer only a specific to-do list, rather than the entire database at once.
To export, open the note you want and find the option menu, which is usually hidden behind a three-dot icon or a share symbol. In the format list, select save as a text file (.txt) or document (.doc) if you want to save formatting.
Once saved, the file will be stored in the phone's memory, most often in the MIUI/notes folder or in the Download root directory. This file can be transferred in any convenient way: via Bluetooth, messenger or copy to a computer. On the new device, the file must be placed in the appropriate directory or opened through the note application for import.
The manual export method is ideal for archiving important information before selling an old device, and you get a physical file that is guaranteed to open 10 years later on any computer, unlike proprietary databases of cloud services.
| Parameter | TXT format | DOCX format | MI format (native) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compatibility | High (all OS) | High (office packages) | Only Xiaomi. |
| Preservation of pictures | No. | Yes. | Yes. |
| File size | Minimum | Medium. | Depends on the content. |
| Editing capability | Any editor | Word/Similars | Only the Appendix Notes |
Where to find exported files?
Synchronization through Google Keep and third-party analogues
Many users choose not to depend on the manufacturer’s ecosystem and use cross-platform solutions. Google Keep is one of the most popular tools that is deeply integrated into Android. If both phones have the same Google account, all notes will appear on the new device instantly after authorization.
The advantage of this approach is versatility: Your records will be available not only on Xiaomi smartphones, but also on tablets, Windows or macOS computers, as well as on devices from other brands. Google Keep interface is simple and clear, supporting color coding and shortcuts.
You can use the export function to switch from standard Xiaomi notes to Google Keep. However, mass transfer of existing records can take time, since automatic migration between different applications often does not exist.
Alternatively, apps like Evernote or Notion offer more advanced data structuring, database management and shared access, and for Xiaomi app owners, it’s a great way to create a single, unified environment that’s independent of changing smartphones.
Solving problems in data transfer
Even with proven methods, technical difficulties can arise, and one of the common problems is that the encoding is not correctly displayed, when "krakozyakra" appears instead of text, which usually happens when manually exported to.txt format without specifying the UTF-8 encoding.
Another common situation is out-of-synchronization, where the user creates a note on one device but it doesn't appear on another, and most often it's power saving settings. MIUI is known for its aggressive optimization, which can "kill" background synchronization processes to save battery life.
To fix this, you go to the battery settings and find the Notes or Mi Cloud app. In Activity Control, select No Limits, which will allow the service to work in the background constantly and keep the data up to date.
⚠️ Warning: If you reset your settings to factory without first checking the sync status in the cloud, all local data will be irretrievably lost. Always double-check for notes on i.mi.com before formatting.
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Aggressive energy savings are the main enemy of background synchronization on Xiaomi. Always allow auto-runs for cloud storage services.
Comparison of methods and final recommendations
The best way to choose depends on your habits and technical literacy; cloud services are convenient for daily use, because they require minimal user intervention; local methods for one-time migration operations or working in an unconnected environment.
It is important to keep data security in mind. Using third-party clouds or transferring files over open networks can potentially put privacy at risk. Xiaomi's native tools use encryption when transferring, making them a safer choice for personal correspondence and passwords stored in notes.
In conclusion, the most balanced approach is the combined method: Use Mi Cloud for basic synchronization between Xiaomi devices, but periodically back up important data in PDF or TXT format to your computer or other cloud service, which will create a reliable system of protection against accidental loss of information.
Remember to update the Notes app regularly through the GetApps store or Google Play. Developers are constantly improving sync algorithms and fixing bugs that may interfere with the correct transfer of data between different versions of the MIUI shell.