Buying a new Xiaomi smartphone is always a joyful event, which, however, is often overshadowed by the fear of losing important data. Switching from one device to another requires careful preparation so as not to lose a single contact, photo or correspondence. Modern technologies make it possible to automate this process, making it as simple as possible even for inexperienced users, but the choice of the right method depends on the original operating system and the model of the old device.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods of data migration, from proprietary utilities to cloud services. You will learn how to properly prepare both devices for transferring information and what nuances should be taken into account when transferring large amounts of data. The right approach to this issue will save you hours of manual configuration and ensure a seamless transition to the new ecosystem MIUI or HyperOS.
Preparing devices for secure data migration
Before running any migration tool, you need to make sure that both smartphones are ready to go. Charging the batteries is a critical step, as copying large files can take a significant amount of time and drain the batteries. It is recommended to connect both devices to a power source or ensure that the charge level is at least 50-60%.
It is also worth checking the availability of free space on the target device. If you plan to transfer your entire media library and application archives, the volume of the new storage should exceed the amount of data occupied on the old phone with a margin of 10-15%. This will prevent recording errors in the middle of the process, when some of the data has already been copied and the space suddenly runs out.
Be sure to update the software on both gadgets to the latest available versions. Developers often release patches that improve connection stability and protocol transfer speed Wi-Fi Direct. Go to Settings → About phone → MIUI version and check for updates. Outdated software may cause connection interruptions or incorrect display of application icons after transfer.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting the procedure, it is strongly recommended to perform a full backup of the old phone's data to an external drive or to the cloud. This is insurance in case of hardware or software failure during migration.
Using the proprietary Mi Mover application for transfer
The most effective and universal way is to use the built-in utility Mi Mover. This application is pre-installed on all Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones, and is also available for download on Google Play for Android devices from other manufacturers. It allows you to transfer contacts, messages, call logs, photos, music, videos and even installed applications along with their data.
The process begins by launching the application on both devices. On the new Xiaomi smartphone, select the role “I am the recipient”, and on the old phone - “I am the sender”. After this, a QR code will appear on the screen of the new device, which must be scanned with the camera of the old phone. The devices will automatically create a secure access point Wi-Fi and establish a direct connection without using Internet traffic.
At the data selection stage, you can flexibly customize the list of what will be transferred. The system will prompt you to select categories: contacts, messages, system settings, applications and media files. For applications, you can select specific apps that you use most often, so as not to clutter your new phone with unnecessary software. The transfer speed depends on the amount of data and can reach several gigabytes per minute with a stable signal.
☑️ Preparing Mi Mover for use
After the transfer is completed, the system will prompt you to restart the new smartphone to apply some system settings. It is important not to interrupt the application installation process, which may continue in the background even after the main files have been copied. If you have connection problems, try disabling VPN services or antiviruses that may block the local network connection.
Synchronization through Google account and cloud services
An alternative method that works especially well when switching from pure Android to Xiaomi is synchronization through the Google ecosystem. This method does not require a direct connection between phones and is ideal if the old device is no longer accessible or broken, but was previously backed up. The main load falls on the company's Internet channel and servers.
When you first set up the new Xiaomi, you will be asked to log in to your Google account. After authorization, the system will automatically offer to restore data from the latest available backup. This typically includes your contact list, calendar events, passwords from Chrome's password manager, call history, and SMS (on some versions of Android). The folder structure and most installed applications are also restored.
- 📞 Contacts: Instantly downloaded from the Google Contacts cloud if the Internet is available.
- 📸 Photos: Restored through the Google Photos application if auto-download was enabled.
- 📱 Applications: Downloaded again from the Play Store in the background according to the list in the backup.
For transferring photos and It is best to use a high-quality video service Google Photos or a proprietary cloud Xiaomi Cloud. In the settings of your old phone, make sure that synchronization is complete. On a new device, just sign in to the same account, and the entire media library will become available in the gallery, although physically files can be uploaded as needed to save space.
To speed up application synchronization, connect your new phone to a powerful 5 GHz Wi-Fi network and leave it on charge overnight - the system will download and update all apps in the background.
Transferring data from iPhone to Xiaomi (iOS to Android)
The transition from the Apple ecosystem to Android is always fraught with certain difficulties due to the closed nature of the iOS file system. However, the application Mi Mover supports work with iPhone and iPad devices, allowing you to transfer a basic set of information. iOS support is limited compared to Android devices, so it's important to understand exactly what data is available for migration.
To get started, install the Mi Mover app from the App Store on your iPhone. Launch it and select the data sending mode. On your Xiaomi smartphone, select the receiving mode and scan the QR code displayed on the iPhone screen. Please note that for correct operation, both devices require a connection to the same Wi-Fi network or the creation of a hotspot by one of them.
| Data type | Possibility of transfer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Contact | Yes | Full transfer of all records |
| Photos | Yes | Only from the main album "Photo Stream" |
| Video | Yes | Limited in time and size |
| Messages (iMessage) | No | Not supported due to Apple encryption |
| Applications | Partially | Only a list of names, manual installation |
Unfortunately, it is not possible to directly transfer messages from iMessage, notes or data from some specific applications. For instant messengers like WhatsApp, there is a separate procedure for exporting chats through the settings of the application itself, which allows you to transfer your chat history to Android, but requires you to follow strict instructions during the first installation of WhatsApp on a new phone.
⚠️ Attention: When transferring photos from iPhone, make sure that there is enough space on Xiaomi. HEIC formats may be automatically converted to JPEG, which will take up additional space during the process.
Manual transfer via Bluetooth and USB cable
In situations where using specialized software is impossible or inconvenient, you can resort to classic methods of data transfer. Bluetooth is suitable for transferring small amounts of information, such as a few contacts or documents, but is extremely ineffective for photos and videos due to the low data transfer speed.
A more reliable "old-fashioned" method is to use a USB cable and a computer as an intermediary. Connect your old phone to your PC, copy folders DCIM, Download, Music and others to your hard drive. Then connect the new Xiaomi and move the files to the appropriate directories. This method guarantees data integrity and does not depend on the quality of the wireless connection.
Some modern Xiaomi smartphones support the function USB OTG, which allows you to connect the old phone directly to the new one via a special adapter or USB-C to USB-C cable. In the file manager Explorer you will see the connected device as an external drive and can simply drag-and-drop files. This is one of the fastest ways to manually migrate media files.
What to do if the computer does not see the phone?
If the computer does not display the device when you connect the cable, check the USB settings on the phone. The default mode is often “Charge only”. You need to pull the notification shade down, click on the USB connection notification and select the “File Transfer” or “MTP” mode. Also try using a different cable, since many included cables only support charging.
Transferring data from instant messengers and specific applications
The transfer of data from instant messengers deserves special attention, since they often store correspondence history in local encrypted databases. For WhatsApp on Android, the most reliable way is to create a local backup in the application settings on the old device, copy the folder WhatsApp/Databases to the new phone and restore it upon first activation.
For Telegram and Vigma the situation is simpler: the correspondence history is stored in the cloud. Simply enter your phone number and verification code on your new device, and all chats, media files and settings are automatically synced. However, secret chats in Telegram are not transferred, since they are tied to a specific device and are not saved on servers.
Banking applications and services with two-factor authentication will require re-configuration. For security reasons, session data and biometric keys are never transferred between devices. You will have to re-login to each bank, confirm your identity via SMS or call, and re-configure your fingerprint or Face ID login.
Messengers with cloud storage (Telegram) are transferred automatically, and applications with a local database (WhatsApp) require manual copying of backup files.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will data be deleted from the old phone after the transfer?
No, the process of transferring data through Mi Mover or other utilities works in copy mode, not cut. All your files, contacts and applications will remain unchanged on your old device. You can safely erase them only after you make sure that the new phone works correctly and all data is available.
Is it possible to transfer applications with data (game progress, logins)?
When transferring between two Android devices via Mi Mover, most applications are copied along with their data. However, for games, progress is often saved through accounts (Google Play Games, Facebook, VK), so make sure you remember your login details. Some banking and secure applications may not transfer data for security reasons.
What to do if the transfer process is stuck at 99%?
Do not panic and do not reboot your phones right away. Wait 10-15 minutes as the system may be completing background indexing of files or installation of heavy applications. If progress does not move for more than half an hour, try restarting both devices and starting the process again, selecting only those categories of data that were not copied.
Will settings for alarms and calls be transferred?
Yes, the proprietary Mi Mover utility can transfer system settings, including set alarms, ringtones, Wi-Fi network settings and even location icons on the desktop. This allows the new phone to become an almost complete copy of the old one in terms of user interface.