Moving to a new smartphone often causes mixed feelings: joy from buying a modern gadget and anxiety about the safety of your digital life. This issue is especially acute for device owners who are accustomed to the ecosystem or the new one. Users often wonder how to quickly and painlessly move the entire set of installed apps from an old device to a new one, without spending hours manually downloading from the store. Xiaomi, Redmi And Pocowho are accustomed to the ecosystem MIUI or new HyperOS. Users often wonder how to quickly and painlessly move the entire set of installed apps from an old device to a new one, without spending hours manually downloading from the store.
Fortunately, modern technologies make it possible to automate this process with the click of a single button. However, there are many nuances: some methods transfer only shortcuts, others transfer the installation files themselves, and others can even migrate logins and passwords. Understanding the differences between these approaches is critical to saving time and maintaining the functionality of important services after changing devices.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods of software migration. We will consider both the company's standard tools Xiaomiand third-party solutions that may be useful in non-standard situations. You will find out what data is transferred automatically, and what will need to be configured again manually.
Using the proprietary Mi Mover utility for complete migration
The most effective and preferred way for owners of smartphones of this brand is to use the built-in tool Mi Mover. This application is designed specifically for seamless transfer of content between devices running MIUI and HyperOS shells. It works on the principle of creating a direct Wi-Fi access point between two devices, which ensures high data transfer speeds without consuming Internet traffic.
To get started, you need to make sure that the utility is installed on both devices. On new models, it is often built into the system and is located in the folder Tools or in the section Settings → About phone. If the application is missing, you can download it for free from the official store GetApps. Launch the app on the old phone and select the “Sender” role, and on the new one – “Recipient”.
After scanning the QR code and establishing a connection, the interface will prompt you to select categories of data to transfer. Here it is important to carefully tick the box Applications. The system will automatically detect all installed apps, including system and user ones. The process can take from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the amount of memory and the number of apps.
⚠️ Attention: When transferring banking applications and instant messengers with two-factor authentication, the data may not be completely saved for security reasons. Be prepared to re-enter your accounts and confirm your identity via SMS.
A feature Mi Mover is the ability to transfer not only installation files APK, but also part of the cache with data. This means that after the process is completed, app icons will appear on the desktop of the new smartphone in the same order as on the old one. However, some heavy games may require additional resources to be pumped up when first launched.
☑️ Preparing to use Mi Mover
Synchronization via Google Account and Play Market
A universal method, suitable for any devices based on Android, is to use a cloud profile Google. This method does not transfer the application files themselves directly over cable or Wi-Fi, but creates a list of purchases and installations linked to your account. When setting up a new one for the first time Xiaomi the system will offer to restore data from a backup copy.
During the initial setup, when the wizard asks you to enter your login and password, the system will automatically pull up a list of previously installed apps. You will see a list with check marks next to each application. By clicking the “Restore” button, the phone will begin to sequentially download and install software from the store Google Play.
The advantage of this method is that you always receive the latest versions of apps. Unlike directly copying files, where an outdated version can be transferred, here the current build is downloaded, optimized for the current version Android on your new device.
However, this approach has a significant drawback - it requires a stable and fast Internet connection. If you have more than 50 applications installed, they may take several hours to download, especially if the connection is unstable. In addition, some applications not installed from the official store may not appear in the recovery list.
Manual installation of APK files via Bluetooth or a file manager
Sometimes situations arise when it is necessary to transfer a specific application that is not available in the official store or has been modified by the user. In such cases, manual transfer of installation files of the format APKcomes to the rescue. This method requires a deeper understanding of the file system. To implement this method, you will need any file manager, for example, built-in MIUI or a third-party one. First, find the application you need in the list of installed apps. Modern file managers allow you to make a backup copy of the installed application directly from the interface, saving it as a separate file in the internal memory. Android.
To implement this method, you will need any file manager, for example, the built-in one Explorer in MIUI or third party Total Commander. First, find the application you need in the list of installed apps. Modern file managers allow you to make a backup copy of the installed application directly from the interface, saving it as a separate file in the internal memory.
Next, the resulting file can be transferred to a new phone in any convenient way: via Bluetooth, by email or via instant messenger. After receiving the file on the new device, you must allow installation from unknown sources in the security settings and run the installer.
| Transfer method | Speed | Reliability | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Low | High | Low |
| Wi-Fi Direct | High | High | Medium |
| USB cable (PC) | Average | Average | High |
| Messengers | Depends on the network | Low (compression) | Low |
All settings, game progress and logins will remain on the old device if they were not synchronized with the developer’s cloud. This method is ideal for transferring specific software, but is not suitable for a complete system migration.
How to find an APK file without root access?
On modern versions of Android, access to the system data folder is limited. Use the "App Backup" function in the file manager, which creates a copy of the APK in an accessible folder, for example /MIUI/backup/AllBackup/app.
Transferring data through third-party utilities (SHAREit, Send Anywhere)
If for some reason the standard tools do not work or you are switching from a device of another brand, popular ones come to the rescue cross-platform solutions. Applications like SHAREit, Xender or Send Anywhere allow you to transfer files and apps between any smartphones, regardless of the manufacturer.
The principle of operation of these utilities is similar to Mi Mover: they create a temporary wireless network. In the transfer menu, you must select the “Applications” category. The app will scan the memory and offer a list of installed software. You can select individual apps or mark everything at once.
The main advantage of such solutions is versatility. They do an excellent job when you need to transfer applications from one to one (although the functionality will be limited) or from an old one to a new one. The transfer speed is usually quite high and is limited only by the capabilities of Wi-Fi modules. iPhone on Android (although the functionality will be limited) or from the old one Samsung to a new one Redmi. The transmission speed is usually quite high and is limited only by the capabilities of Wi-Fi modules.
⚠️ Attention: Third-party data transfer applications often contain intrusive advertising. Be careful when pressing buttons in the interface so as not to accidentally install unnecessary software on your new phone.
It is worth considering that such apps sometimes incorrectly handle the separation of data and cache. As a result, the application will be installed on the new phone, but when launched it may require full authorization, as if you had launched it for the first time. For social networks and instant messengers, this is standard behavior due to security policies.
Features of data transfer within the Xiaomi ecosystem
Owners of multiple devices Xiaomi can take advantage of a single account Mi Account. Synchronization via the cloud allows you not only to store contacts and photos, but also to remember the list of installed applications. This is convenient if you lose your phone or buy an additional gadget for work.
In the cloud settings, you can activate application data synchronization. While this won't transfer the app files themselves instantly, it will preserve their configuration. When you log in to your account on a new device, the system will offer to restore the desktop and folder structure, which will greatly simplify navigation.
The “App Cloning” function available in MIUI deserves special attention. If you need to transfer not just an application, but a second instance of it (for example, a second WhatsApp for a work SIM card), standard transfer tools may not save the clone. In this case, you will have to set up cloning again through the menu Settings → Applications → Cloning applications.
Before selling your old phone, be sure to perform a full factory reset. Even if you transferred the data, cache traces or forgotten browser sessions may remain on the device.
Solving problems and common errors during migration
The migration process does not always go smoothly. Users often encounter the “Out of Space” error even when they have free memory. This is because an additional buffer is required to unpack temporary files during installation. It is recommended to have a reserve of free space of at least 20% of the total memory.
Another common problem is version incompatibility Android. If you're transferring an app from an old phone running Android 8 to a new one running Android 14, some legacy apps may simply not run. In such cases, the system can automatically block the installation of potentially dangerous or incompatible software.
It is also worth mentioning problems with access rights. After transferring the application to a new phone, you must re-issue camera, microphone, and geolocation permissions. The security system HyperOS resets these settings during migration, requiring the user to explicitly confirm each item.
The most reliable way is to combine Mi Mover for quick installation and subsequent manual check of security settings for each critical application.
Will logins and passwords from applications be transferred?
In most cases, no. For security reasons, authorization data is stored in a secure key store, which is not copied during standard migration. You will need to re-enter your passwords. The exception is some password managers and browsers with synchronization enabled.
Is it possible to transfer applications from iPhone to Xiaomi?
Direct transfer of executable files is not possible due to the different architecture of operating systems (iOS and Android). You can only transfer contacts, photos and videos through the Move to iOS app (vice versa) or third-party utilities. Applications will have to be installed again from Google Play if they exist for Android.
What to do if Mi Mover freezes at 99%?
A common problem when transferring a large amount of data. Try disabling the screen lock on both devices, making sure neither goes to sleep, and turning off power saving temporarily. If this does not help, interrupt the process and try transferring data in smaller groups.
Do you need to update applications after transfer?
Yes, it is highly recommended to go to Google Play or GetApps and check for updates. The transferred version may be outdated and contain security vulnerabilities or may not work correctly with the new version of the system.