The purchase of a new Xiaomi smartphone is always accompanied by a pleasant excitement, but also the inevitable issue of data migration. Owners of the Mi ecosystem are in a good position, as the company has provided powerful built-in tools for seamless transition. the process of migrating applications to Xiaomi has become as automated as possible, taking from 10 to 30 minutes depending on the amount of information.
Modern devices on the basis MIUI HyperOS does not allow you to clone yourself APK-The program files, but also the internal structure, including logins, passwords and correspondence history, are critical to maintaining the work rhythm and do not require re-authorization in dozens of services.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the native Mi Mover tool, the Mi Cloud cloud sync capabilities, and the classic method through a Google account, and learn how to avoid common errors and what data needs special attention when changing devices.
β οΈ Before starting any data transfer operations, make sure that both smartphones are charged at least on the same time. 50-60%. Interrupting the process on a low charge can cause files to be damaged or the system to freeze.
Preparing devices for data migration
The success of the operation depends on the correct preparation of both gadgets: on the old device, you need to make room if the internal memory is full of junk files, and on the new one, you need to make sure that there is free space that exceeds the amount of data transferred.
Both phones need to be connected to a stable Wi-Fi network. Although direct data exchange often occurs over a local channel, having the internet is essential for checking application versions and synchronizing passwords. Make sure both devices have Bluetooth and GPS modules enabled, as they are used to detect and establish a connection.
Check the operating system version. If one of the devices has an extremely outdated version of Android or MIUI, the process may not go well. It is advisable to update the system software to the current version through the Settings menu β About Phone β System Update.
βοΈ Checklist before transfer
Use of the Mi Mover app
The most efficient and quickest way is to use the built-in Mi Mover app, which is pre-installed on all of the brandβs modern smartphones and allows data to be transmitted without using the Internet, creating direct wireless communication between devices, while transferring speeds are much faster than through cloud services.
To start the process, open the app on both phones. On the new device, select Receiver and on the old device, Sender. QR-code that will appear on the screen of the new smartphone, and after scanning, the pairing process will begin.
In the data selection menu, tick the "Applications" section. You can select specific programs or click "Select all." It is important to understand that banking applications and some secure messengers may not migrate their data for security reasons, they will have to be reconfigured. The rest of the programs will be copied along with the cache and settings.
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If the Mi Mover app is not found in the menu, enter its name in the settings search bar or download the latest version from the official GetApps store.
Once the selection is confirmed, copying will begin, do not log out of the app or lock your phone screens until the process is complete, and the waiting time depends on the number and weight of the apps selected.
Sync with Mi Cloud and Xiaomi account
An alternative method is cloud sync via Xiaomi account, ideal if you donβt have physical access to both phones at the same time or want to back up just in case. Data is stored on the companyβs servers and can be downloaded at any time.
On your old device, go to Settings β Mi Account β Mi Cloud. You need to activate sync for the desired data categories. The system will prompt you to enable autoload photos, contacts, notes and, importantly for us, a list of installed applications. Once you turn on, click the Sync button and wait for the process to end.
On the new smartphone, sign in to the same Mi Account. When you first set up, the system will prompt you to recover data from the cloud. If the phone is already configured, go to Settings β Mi Acca and select recovery from the backup. You can select a specific date and set of applications to install.
- π± Advantages of the method: data is available from any device, including a computer through a web interface.
- πΎ Storage: 5GB is free, large volumes require a subscription.
- βοΈ Flexibility: Data can be retrieved selectively without affecting the entire system.
β οΈ Warning: Free 5GB may not be enough to back up all data applications. Carefully monitor cloud filling to keep syncs up.
Recovery through Google Account
A classic method for the Android ecosystem that works on all smartphones, including Xiaomi, where when you first activate a new phone or through the Google Drive settings, you can restore the list of apps and their data, if developers have provided such a possibility, and the good thing about this method is that it is versatile and not tied tightly to the brand.
To back up your old phone, go to Settings β Google β Backup. Make sure the Google One Backup switch is activated. It stores app lists, call history, SMS and device settings. Click Start Copy to update the data.
When you log in to your Google account on the new Xiaomi, the system will prompt you to recover data from the last available copy, and you will see a list of apps that will be downloaded automatically from the Play Market, which will take longer as each application will be downloaded again over the Internet.
What to do if the applications are not restored?
Itβs worth noting that Google Drive doesnβt always keep a state inside gaming apps or specific settings of programs that donβt use cloud-based saves, and for critical data, itβs better to use the built-in backup features of the apps themselves.
Comparison of transfer methods
The best way to choose depends on your goals and your current situation, and to make it easier for you to decide, we have prepared a comparative table of the main characteristics of each method, which will help you to weigh the pros and cons before starting the procedure.
| Characteristics | Mi Mover | Mi Cloud | Google Account |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed of operation | High (locally) | Medium (depending on the Internet) | Low (downloading again) |
| The Necessity of the Internet | Only to search for updates | I'll be sure. | I'll be sure. |
| Transfer of application data | Full (including cache) | Partial (list and settings) | Partial (list only) |
| Volume limits | Limited to phone memory | 5GB free of charge | 15 GB (shared with mail) |
As you can see from the table, Mi Mover is better at copying data speed and completeness, but the Mi Cloud and Google cloud methods provide additional insurance against loss or failure of a physical device, and the ideal strategy is to combine these approaches.
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For the fastest and full transfer with the preservation of all settings inside games and programs, use only Mi Mover.
Decision and expert advice
Users sometimes experience difficulties migrating, such as some apps may not open immediately after the transfer, in which case try clearing the problem program's cache through Settings β Apps β All Apps β [Title] β Clear the cache. This often solves version compatibility issues.
Another common problem is that some system applications are not available on a new device if it is intended for the global market and the old one was the Chinese version, in which case the missing services will have to be installed manually via GetApps or Google Play, and social media accounts may need to be re-signed in for security reasons.
- π Security: Make sure to change passwords in mission-critical applications after the transfer if you suspect that an old device has been compromised.
- ποΈ Cleaning: After successfully transitioning and checking all programs, perform a complete reset of the old phone before selling it.
- π Updates: Immediately after the transfer, go to the app store and update all programs to the latest versions for stability.
β οΈ Note: Do not attempt to interrupt the transfer process by removing SIM-This can lead to "battered" files that will take up space but will not work.
Can I transfer Android apps from another brand to Xiaomi?
Compliance with these simple rules ensures that your new Xiaomi becomes a complete digital copy of the old one, retaining all the habits and settings.The Mi ecosystem provides some of the best tools on the market for a comfortable migration.