Xiaomi Mi Mover: what is this feature and how to transfer data to a new smartphone

Why you need Mi Mover and how it works

When buying a new smartphone Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO Many people are faced with the problem of how to quickly transfer contacts, photos, messages and settings from an old device? It is an integrated application that allows data to migrate between phones without using cloud services or a computer.

Unlike analogues like Samsung Smart Switch or Google Backup, Mi Mover is optimized for the Xiaomi ecosystem and supports not only devices on the Internet. MIUI, The main advantage is that data transfers over a direct Wi-Fi connection, which is 5-10 times faster than over the cloud, and does not require an Internet connection (except for initial time synchronization).

In this article, we will discuss what data can be transferred, how to prepare both devices, step-by-step instructions for Android and iOS, as well as typical errors and how to fix them.

What data can be transferred through Mi Mover

The Mi Mover functionality depends on the version MIUI The latest updates (2023-2026) support the following data types:

• 📱 Contacts – including groups, contact notes and call history (Android only).
• 📷 Photos and videos – from the gallery, including albums and metadata (date, geotagged).
• 💬 Communications — SMS, MMS chats from Google Messages or a standard app MIUI.
• 🎵 Music and audio files are local tracks only (not streaming services like Spotify).
• 📁 Documents – files from Downloads, Documents and root directory.
• 📱 Annexes — APK-files and data of some programs (for example, Xiaomi Notes, Mi Browser).
• ⚙️ System settings - wallpaper, sound schemes, screen brightness, Mi Account settings.

Important: Mi Mover cannot stand:

• 🔒 Wi-Fi passwords and saved networks.
• 🎮 Game data (progress, save) – use Google Play Games or Xiaomi Game Turbo for this purpose.
• 📊 Settings of specific applications (for example, WhatsApp, Telegram – they need to be transferred separately).
• 💳 Banking Application Data (for security reasons).

If you need to migrate WhatsApp or Telegram, use the built-in features of these messengers. For example, on WhatsApp, this is done through Settings. → chat → Backup. Telegram just logs in to a new device, and chats are synced automatically.

Preparation of devices before data transfer

Before starting Mi Mover, you need to follow several mandatory steps, otherwise the process may be interrupted or the data will be transferred incorrectly.

Download both smartphones to at least 50%|Make sure that the new device has enough memory|Turn it off. VPN firewalls|Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network (or use an access point)|Update. MIUI last-minute-->

Additional recommendations:

• 🔋 Battery charge should be at least 50% on both devices.If the charge is lower, connect your smartphones to charge.
• 📶 If the transfer is via an access point, make sure that the receiving device is enabled mobile Internet (to synchronize time).
• 🔒 Disable antiviruses and memory optimizers – they can block data transfer.
• 📱 On iPhone before transfer, disable iCloud Drive and iCloud Photos in settings.

If you are transferring data from Android to Android, the old device must have Mi Mover installed (you can download from Google Play or APKMirror). iPhone will require the Mi Mover for iOS app (available from the App Store).

⚠️ Note: If the new Xiaomi smartphone already had data (for example, you have used it for several days), before transferring, make a reset to the factory settings.

Step-by-step: how to use Mi Mover

The data transfer process has 5 main steps. Let's look at each one in detail.

Step 1: Start Mi Mover on both devices

On the new Xiaomi smartphone:

1. Turn on the phone and go through the initial setup to the Data Transfer screen.
2. Choose Mi Mover (if you don’t have one, download from Play Market).
3. Click on I am a new user (or Receive data).

On the old device:

1. Open the Mi Mover (if not, install it).
2. Select Send Data.
3. Confirm permissions to access files and contacts.

Step 2: Connecting devices

On the screen of the new smartphone will appear QR-Scan it with an old device. QR-code is not readable:

• Check the brightness of the screen.
• Make sure that the camera of the old phone is not covered with a cover.
• Manually enter a 6-digit code that appears under QR.

Once scanned, the devices will connect via a direct Wi-Fi connection (no internet connection required) and the sync progress bar will appear on the screen.

Step 3: Selecting data for transfer

On the old device, tick the categories you want to transfer:

• 📞 Contacts (including call history)
• 📸 Multimedia (photo, video, audio).
• 💬 Communications (SMS/MMS).
• 📱 Annexes (only) APK, data-free).

⚠️ Note: If you migrate data from your iPhone, only photos/video and contacts will be available. Messages and apps will not be able to migrate due to iOS restrictions.

Step 4: Starting the transfer

Click Start Transfer on your old device. It can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes depending on the amount of data you have, and don't interrupt the connection or block the screens!

If the transmission is suspended:

• Check if the devices are overheating (remove the covers).
• Make sure that the new smartphone has enough memory.
• Restart Mi Mover on both phones.

Step 5: Completion and verification

Upon completion:

1. On your new smartphone, click Ready.
2. Check the transferred data (open the gallery, contacts, messages).
3. If necessary, make additional settings (for example, sign in to Mi Account).

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If you don’t see photos after the transfer, check the folder. MIUI/MiMover Sometimes the data is stored there instead of the standard gallery.

Mi Mover Errors and How to Fix Them

Despite the convenience, the Mi Mover sometimes comes up with bugs, so let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If the error does not disappear, try alternative methods of transfer:

• 🔄 Google Account – sync contacts, calendar and email.
• ☁️ Cloud services – Google Drive, Mi Cloud or Dropbox for files.
• 📱 Cable OTG — Connect the old device as a flash drive (requires an adapter).

Mi Mover vs. Alternative Data Transfer Methods

Although the Mi Mover is convenient, it doesn't always work.

The choice of method depends on your tasks:

• 🔹 If you want to move everything quickly, use Mi Mover for Android.→Android).
• 🔹 If you migrate from an iPhone, combine iCloud + Google Drive.
• 🔹 If security is important, use an encrypted archive on a flash drive.

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If you transfer data between Xiaomi devices, update before using Mi Mover MIUI New firmware fixes errors with large file transfers (over 4 GB).

Frequent questions about Mi Mover

Conclusion: Should you use the Mi Mover in 2026?

Mi Mover remains one of the most convenient tools for data transfer between Xiaomi smartphones.

• 🔹 High speed thanks to direct Wi-Fi connection.
• 🔹 There are no limits on volume (unlike cloud services).
• 🔹 Simplicity – does not require technical knowledge.

However, the service has disadvantages:

• 🔸 Limited iOS support (contacts and media only).
• 🔸 No possibility of transferring data applications (for example, games or instant messengers).
• 🔸 Sometimes errors occur when transferring large volumes (more than 100 GB).

If you need to move all the content from the old Xiaomi to the new one, Mi Mover is the best choice. For cross-platform migration (for example, from an iPhone or Samsung), it is better to combine several methods: Google Account for Contacts, iCloud for Photos and manual transfer of the remaining files.

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Before selling or surrendering an old smartphone in a trade-in, be sure to reset to factory settings (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting your settings. This will delete all data, including what may have been left over after using the Mi Mover.