Buying a new Xiaomi smartphone is always a joyous event, but it is often overshadowed by the need for a tedious data transfer procedure. Device owners who first encounter the shell of MIUI or HyperOS may be confused, not knowing how to effectively migrate accumulated digital luggage. The transition process should not turn into a chaotic download of each program manually, since modern technology allows you to automate this process to a minimum of actions.
There are several proven methods, each with its own advantages depending on the state of the old device and the type of operating system. The most universal solution for the Xiaomi ecosystem is the use of the Mi Mover branded tool, which is able to throw not only contacts and photos, but also the applications themselves with their settings. However, if the old phone runs on “pure” Android or iOS, alternative approaches such as syncing via Google Play or manual installation may be needed. APK-file.
It is important to understand that the success of the transfer depends on the preparation of both devices. You will need a stable Wi-Fi connection, sufficient battery power and a little free time. When transferring banking applications and instant messengers (for example, WhatsApp), data is often not automatically stored for security reasons, requiring a separate backup inside the application. In this article, we will discuss all the nuances that make your new gadget a full copy of the old one in one session.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before you start any copying processes, you need to conduct basic training of both smartphones. Ignoring this stage can lead to interruption of data transmission halfway or errors in the operation of installed programs. Make sure that both devices are Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, as these are the modules used to create a local network between gadgets.
The process of cloning the system can be energy-intensive, especially if the amount of data transferred is large, charge both phones to at least 50-60% to avoid a sudden shutdown at a critical moment, and it is also recommended to make room on the new Xiaomi by removing temporary files or unnecessary content if the memory is filled with preinstalled software.
☑️ Checklist for transfer preparations
If you plan to use your Google account to restore your app list, make sure your old phone is fully synced, go to your account settings and press the Force Sync button to ensure that the list of programs you bought and installed is up to date when you start setting up your new device.
Using the Mi Mover app for full cloning
The most effective way, developed specifically for owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, is the Mi Mover utility, which is built into the system of new phones and allows you to transfer data over a local Wi-Fi channel, which provides high speed and does not consume mobile traffic.
To get started, open the Mi Mover app on your new Xiaomi phone (usually in the Tools or Services folder). Accept the user agreement and select the Recipient role (I am a new phone). On the old device, you need to download a similar application from Google Play or scan QR-And then you see the code that will appear on the screen of the new smartphone, and when you pair the devices through the camera, you'll see the data selection menu.
From the list of available categories, select "Apps." The system will suggest selecting specific programs or marking everything at once. An important nuance: some system applications of the old phone may not be compatible with the new version of Android on your Xiaomi, so the utility may skip them or suggest analogs. Once you select, click "Send" and wait for the process to be completed without turning off the device screens.
⚠️ Note: When you transfer messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram via Mi Mover, your correspondence history may not be saved.
Restore the list of applications through Google Account
If Mi Mover is not possible for some reason, the standard Android engine offers a reliable alternative through a Google-linked approach, ideal when an old phone is already sold or unavailable, but you remember your account details. When the new Xiaomi is activated, the system will prompt you to restore data from the backup.
Log in to your Google account that was used on your previous device, and as you set up, you'll be asked to choose which apps and data to restore, and you'll see a list of all the previously installed programs with the "Not Installed" marker. Just tick the boxes against the ones you want, and Play Market will start automatically downloading and installing them in the background.
| Parameter | Mi Mover | Google Account | Manual installation (APK) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed. | High (locally) | Depends on the Internet. | Medium |
| Data retention | Partial | Only a list of applications. | No (installer only) |
| Requires an old phone | Yes. | No. | Yes (to get the file) |
| Difficulty | Low. | Low. | Tall. |
The advantage of Google is that it can be selectively installed, and you can only mark the most important programs to avoid clogging the memory of a new device with unnecessary software that has been accumulating on an old phone for years, but remember that logging in to each application will still require manual password entry or SMS confirmation.
What to do if the applications are not restored?
Hand-mounted APK-files from the old device
In some cases, standard methods may not work, especially if we are talking about applications that are not in the official Google Play store, or modified versions of programs. APK-This method requires pre-extracting the app installer from the old phone.
To extract APK, you can use special extractor slits available in the app store, or file managers with backup function. Once the installation file is stored in the memory of the old phone, it must be transferred to the new Xiaomi. The easiest way to do this is through Bluetooth, Quick Share or by sending the file to yourself in the messenger (for example, in the "Favorite" Telegram).
When you try to open APK-File on a new security device MIUI You need to go to settings and allow installation from unknown sources for the specific application through which you run the file (for example, for Explorer or Chrome.
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Expert advice: In the transmission APK-Send files via instant messengers as a “File” and not as an image or document so as not to damage the installation structure and keep the installation option open.
Install programs from unverified sources only if you are absolutely sure of their authenticity. Viral software can sneak into the system of a new phone, so the presence of an antivirus or security scanner in Xiaomi (Security App) is best not to be ignored.
Transfer of data of messengers and banking applications
Banking programs (SberBank, Tinkoff, etc.) have a high level of protection and never transfer session data or cache when changing a device. You will have to re-enter the login procedure using your login, password and SMS code. Some banks may require confirmation of the transaction through the terminal or call to support if the system suspects suspicious activity.
With instant messengers, the situation is similar, but with the ability to save history. WhatsApp is critical to back up your old phone before you switch. Go to Settings → Chats → Backup and click Create. When you install the app on the new Xiaomi, it will offer to restore the history from Google Drive.
⚠️ Note: Phone number must be active and pasted into your phone (or available for SMS) when you set up your apps.
Telegram and Viber are easier to process: their correspondence history is stored on servers (in the cloud), so simply enter the phone number and confirmation code. All chats will be downloaded automatically. However, secret chats in Telegram and local archives in Viber require separate export through the settings of each application.
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Financial and banking applications always require full reauthorization and biometrics setup on a new device, the login data is not automatically transferred.
Frequent installation problems and their solution
Despite the fact that processes are fine, users may encounter technical difficulties, and one of the common problems is the message "App not installed" or "No space" in the former case, the reason is often a conflict of versions of Android or certificate signatures, if you try to install a modified version on top of the official one.
If the system writes about a lack of space, although the memory is free, try clearing the cache of the Google Play store and Google Play services. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All applications, find the desired service and select Clear Cache and Delete Data. This often solves problems with downloads hanging.
Another problem is app incompatibility: Older programs designed for Android 8 or 9 may not work properly on the modern Android 13/14, which is installed on new Xiaomi. In such cases, developers often release updates, but if the application is abandoned, you will have to look for its functional counterpart in the directory.