Changing your smartphone, especially to a Xiaomi brand, often involves moving a huge amount of data. If contacts and photos are saved automatically in the cloud, your call history remains a local file that is not always synchronized by default. Losing that information can be a nuisance if you need to remember a number you called from a week ago or prove you contacted customer service.
The MIUI operating system and the newer HyperOS offer powerful built-in tools for data migration, but users often ignore them in favor of manual input or third-party apps from Google Play. This leads to the fact that the call log remains empty on the new gadget, creating a sense of disconnection from the previous device. It is important to understand that copying the call history is not just about transferring numbers, but saving timestamps and connection types.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the current methods of saving and transferring call logs. We will look at both native solutions from the manufacturer and proven third-party utilities that guarantee data integrity when switching from Android or even iOS to the Xiaomi platform.
Using the Mi Mover app to migrate fully
The most effective and official way to transfer data is to use the proprietary Mi Mover app, which is pre-installed on most modern Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones, and can be downloaded from the app store for older devices, and the main advantage of the method is to transfer data over a direct Wi-Fi channel without using Internet traffic.
The process starts with putting the app on both devices, and on the new Xiaomi phone you choose the role of Receiver, and on the old one you choose the role of Sender. QR-If you have a code or manual connection to the network you've created, the system will suggest you to select data types to transfer, and that's where you need to carefully select "Call log" or "Call history" because only contacts and messages can be selected by default.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure both devices have a battery charge above 50%, as active transmission of large amounts of data can quickly consume energy.
The speed of transmission depends on the length of history and the version of the Wi-Fi protocol on the devices. If the old phone is very old, the process may take longer, but the data integrity will remain high. Once the operation is complete, the system automatically integrates the logs into the standard caller.
☑️ Check before launching the Mi Mover
Sync through Google Account and Cloud Services
Google’s ecosystem allows you to store your call history in the cloud, but this feature is often hidden or disabled by default for privacy purposes. To check your sync status, you need to go to your phone’s settings and find the account section. Xiaomi’s own Mi Cloud service is also relevant for devices, which can duplicate this data.
If you use standard Google Telephony, the history can be saved in the user profile, but it is worth distinguishing between synchronization of contacts and synchronization of the call log. Often users confuse these concepts, expecting that after logging into the account on the new Xiaomi will appear a list of recent calls, but see only the address book.
- 📱 Open Settings on the old device.
- 🔍 Find the Accounts and Synchronization section.
- ☁️ Select your Google account and check the active sync points.
- ✅ Make sure the switch in front of the data is active.
While Mi Cloud is similar, it requires a Mi Account, which is especially useful if you are switching from another Android smartphone that doesn’t fully support Google services, and cloud storage ensures that even if you lose your physical device, your data will remain accessible.
What to do if the synchronization is suspended?
Backup of the SIM-map: limitations and methods
Copying method through SIM-The card is the oldest and most versatile, but it has critical limitations in modern times. SIM-The card has a very small volume and is often limited to the last dozen calls.
To perform this operation on an old phone, you need to log into the Phone application, open call settings and find the item "Copy call history." After transferring to SIM, the card is inserted into the Xiaomi smartphone, and the reverse import procedure is performed. However, modern versions of MIUI may not support importing the history of calls from the SIM card, limiting themselves to contacts.
| Parameter | SIM-map | Google Account | Mi Mover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data volume | Minimum (number and time only) | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Keeping the call type | Partially. | Complete. | Complete. |
| Network dependency | No. | Internet is required | No (locally) |
| Compatibility | Any phones. | Android/iOS | Android/iOS |
It is recommended to use this method only in extreme cases when other methods are not available, for example, if both phones do not have access to the Internet and do not support modern data protocols, otherwise it is a way to lose some important information about incoming and missing.
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When copying on SIM-Long numbers (more than 20 digits) or numbers with extra numbers can be cut, making them useless for a callback.
Third-party applications for backup call history
If the built-in Xiaomi tools for some reason do not work correctly, come to the rescue specialized applications from the Play Market store. One of the most reliable tools is the application "SMS Backup & Restore", which, despite the name, perfectly copes with the call log.
The principle of such programs is to create XML-A file that contains a full copy of the call database, which you can save to your phone's memory, send it to an email, or upload it to the cloud. On the new Xiaomi device, you just need to install the same application and restore the data from the file you created.
⚠️ Note: When installing third-party applications for working with calls, be sure to provide the requested permissions, otherwise the program will not be able to read the call log.
The advantage of this approach is that it can be selectively restored, you can only move a specific date or a specific number if the functionality of the program allows, and these applications often allow you to convert the history to a readable format, such as PDF or CSV, for archiving on a computer.
Transferring data from iPhone (iOS) to Xiaomi
The transition from the Apple ecosystem to Android is always difficult because of the closed source code of iOS. Standard means to transfer the call log from iPhone to Xiaomi directly via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct, here again comes to the rescue application Mi Mover, which has a version for iOS.
To start the process, you need to download Mi Mover from the App Store on your iPhone. Once you run and provide all the necessary permissions to access contacts and call history, the application will create an access point. Xiaomi smartphone must be connected to this network to start transfer.
- 🍎 On the iPhone, launch Mi Mover and select "I send".
- 🤖 On Xiaomi, select “I am the recipient” and scan the code.
- 📂 In the list of data, be sure to note "Call history".
- 🚀 Start the process and wait until the end without breaking the connection.
It is worth noting that due to iOS security limitations, some details of calls (such as call duration or exact second marks) may not be ported over in full, but basic details about the number and time of the call are usually stored correctly.
Solving problems when copying
Users often experience errors that can interrupt the process during data migration. One common problem is the lack of memory on Xiaomi’s new device. If internal storage is crowded, the system will not be able to create temporary files to handle the call log.
Another common problem is MIUI’s aggressive energy saving policy, which can “kill” the data transfer process in the background if the screen goes out or the user switches to another application, and to avoid this, it is recommended that the battery optimization for the application used be disabled during the transfer.
Critical: When migrating from very old Android versions (below 5.0) to new Xiaomi with HyperOS, database format conflicts may occur, requiring the old phone to be upgraded to the latest available version of the software.
If none of these methods worked and the call log was empty, you can try resetting the Phone app on the new device, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Phone → Memory and click Clear. This won’t delete your contacts, but will restart the telephony services.
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The most reliable way to avoid errors is to make a full backup to the computer before starting any manipulations with the transfer of data between devices.