Changing a smartphone, especially switching to a popular brand Xiaomi, often raises a natural question about the safety of the digital archive. Users want to know how to transfer photos and videos from Android to Android Xiomi as quickly as possible, without losing a single frame from a family album or work document. Modern ecosystems offer many tools for this task, from built-in system utilities to cloud storage, but the choice of the optimal method depends on the volume of data and the speed of the Internet connection.
The process of data migration has become much easier in recent years thanks to the standardization of transfer protocols within the operating system. Android. You no longer need to manually copy files through your computer or search for complex third-party apps. However, to avoid errors and loss of media quality, it is necessary to clearly understand the differences between transmission methods. In this article, we will analyze in detail the most effective methods that guarantee the safety of your memories.
Regardless of whether you are switching from an old Samsung, Huawei or any other device to a new one Redmi or POCO, the principles remain similar. The main thing is to ensure a stable connection between devices and sufficient free space on the target smartphone. Let's look at step-by-step action algorithms that will help you without headaches.
Using the proprietary Mi Mover utility
The most reliable and fastest way to migrate is to use the developer's own application - Mi Mover. This utility is preinstalled on all smartphones of the line Xiaomi, Redmi i POCO, and for devices of other brands it can be downloaded for free from the store Google Play. The app creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between two devices, which ensures high transfer speeds even for heavy video files in 4K resolution.
To get started, you need to run the application on both devices. On the new smartphone Xiaomi select the role “I am the recipient” (Recipient), and on the old device - “I am the sender” (Sender). After this, a QR code will appear on the screen of the new phone, which must be scanned with the old camera or through the app interface. The connection is established directly via Wi-Fi Direct, so the Internet traffic of the mobile operator is not consumed.
After successful pairing, a list of data categories for transfer will open in front of you. The system will automatically scan your memory and prompt you to select specific file types. You can tick only media files or transfer the entire array of data, including settings and applications.
- 📸 Images: all photos from the gallery, screenshots and downloaded pictures are transferred.
- 🎥 Video: files of any format and size stored in the internal memory are supported.
- 📞 Contacts and messages: phone book and SMS/MMS correspondence history are migrated completely.
- ⚙️ System settings: wallpaper, alarm clocks and Wi-Fi network configuration.
⚠️ Attention: While Mi Mover is running, do not minimize the application and do not lock the smartphone screens. Interrupting the process during the data recording stage may result in damaged files or the need to start the procedure again.
☑️ Preparing for transfer via Mi Mover
It is important to note that the transfer speed depends on the generation of Wi-Fi modules in your devices. If both smartphones support the 5 GHz standard, the process will go much faster. In the application interface you will see a progress bar and the approximate time until completion. At the end of the operation, all files will be placed in the same directories as on the old device, which simplifies further navigation.
Synchronization via Google Photos account
If you do not have the opportunity to connect phones directly or you prefer cloud solutions, the service Google Photos will become an ideal intermediary. This method is especially convenient because it creates a backup copy of your data on the Internet, protecting it from physical loss of the device. To work, you will need a stable Wi-Fi connection and an account Google.
On your old smartphone, go to the “Photos” application and make sure that synchronization is enabled. To do this, click on the profile avatar in the upper corner and check the backup status. If it is turned off, activate the function and wait until all media files are completely downloaded to the cloud. This process may take time depending on the size of your gallery.
Once all the photos and videos appear in the cloud, get a new phone Xiaomi. When setting up the system for the first time, log in to the same account Google. Open the Photos app and you'll instantly see your entire archive. Files will be downloaded as needed (viewed), without immediately taking up all the disk space if the “Space Saver” function is enabled.
To download original photos to a new phone for offline access, open the desired image, click on the three dots in the corner and select “Download”. For mass downloading, it is better to use the web version of the service from a computer.
The advantage of this method is its independence from the physical condition of the old phone. Even if the previous device has already been sold or is broken, you can restore data at any time. However, it is worth considering the limitations of the free plan: Google provides 15 GB of space, which is divided between Mail, Drive and Photos.
| Option | High quality | Original quality |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Yes (minor) | No (full saving) |
| Space limit | Free (within 15 GB) | Uses Google Drive quota |
| Download speed | Faster | Depends on file size |
| Search | Enhanced AI search | Standard |
For professional photographers or users storing videos in format RAW or LOG, it is critical to select the “Original quality” mode in the application settings. Otherwise, compression algorithms may remove some of the details important for subsequent processing.
Data transfer via Bluetooth and Nearby Share
When you need to transfer a small selection of photos or one or two videos, using classic Bluetooth or modern technology Nearby Share (Fast transfer) looks like the most logical solution. These methods do not require installing additional software or setting up complex connections, working out of the box on most modern devices.
The technology Nearby Share, now integrated into the standard Android interface as “Fast Transfer”, works much faster than classic Bluetooth. It uses a combination of Bluetooth to discover devices and Wi-Fi Direct to transfer the files themselves. To send a photo, simply open the gallery, select the photos you want, click the Share button and select the quick share icon.
On the receiving device Xiaomi you must unlock the screen and confirm the request to receive files. In the function settings, you can select the visibility of the device: “All contacts”, “Some contacts” or “All nearby devices”. For a one-time transfer, it is better to choose the latter option to avoid problems with detection.
⚠️ Attention: When transferring via Bluetooth or Nearby Share, large video files (more than 1 GB) may take a very long time to transfer or may be interrupted if the connection is lost. This method is not recommended for large archives.
If the function Nearby Share is missing or does not work correctly on your old phone, you can use classic pairing via Bluetooth. Turn on the module in the notification shade on both phones, search and pair by entering the confirmation code. Then, through the “Share” menu, select Bluetooth and specify the target device.
It is worth remembering that the Bluetooth speed is limited by the data transfer protocol and in real conditions rarely exceeds 1-2 MB/s. This is acceptable for documents and photos, but will test your patience when trying to transfer an hour-long video. Use this method only for emergencies or small amounts of information.
Use of third-party applications (Send Anywhere, SHAREit)
In the store Google Play there are many cross-platform solutions such as Send Anywhere, SHAREit or Xender. These applications often offer a more flexible interface and additional functions compared to standard system tools. They're especially useful if you're transferring data between devices in different ecosystems, although in our case both phones are running on Android.
The principle of operation of such apps is similar: they generate a unique 6-digit key or QR code on the sending device. The recipient enters this key or scans the code, and a direct connection is established. A special feature Send Anywhere is the ability to transfer files over the Internet if the devices are far from each other, although this is not required for local transfer.
When using third-party software, it is important to carefully monitor the permissions that the application requests. Some of them may require access to contacts, calls, and location, which is not always necessary for simple file transfers. It is recommended to remove these apps after completing the migration so as not to clog up the system.
One of the advantages of such utilities is the ability to pause and resume the transfer. If the process is interrupted due to an incoming call or a disconnection, you do not have to start all over again - the application will download the rest of the file. This is critically important when working with an unstable communication channel.
Direct connection via USB cable and PC
The most conservative, but at the same time one of the most reliable methods is using a personal computer as an intermediate buffer. This method is ideal if you have hundreds of gigabytes of data accumulated and are concerned about the stability of your wireless connections. You will need a cable USB Type-C or Micro-USB depending on the connectors of your smartphones.
Connect your old phone to the computer and select the USB “File Transfer” (MTP) operating mode in the notification menu. Open Explorer on your PC, find the folder DCIM (where photos from the camera are stored) and Pictures (screenshots and pictures from instant messengers). Copy these directories to your computer's hard drive.
Path to folders to copy:Internal memory/DCIM/Camera
Internal memory/Pictures
Internal memory/Download
Internal memory/Movies
Then disconnect the old device and connect the new smartphone Xiaomi. Also select the "File Transfer" mode. Create the appropriate folders on the new device (if they were not created automatically) and paste the copied data there. The computer will allow you to visually monitor the process and make sure that not a single file is missed.
What to do if the computer does not see the phone?
If the PC does not recognize the device, try another USB cable (preferably the original one), another USB port, or install ADB drivers. Also check whether the phone screen is unlocked at the time of connection, since in lock mode data transfer is often prohibited by security settings.
The main advantage of this method is the absence of data compression and independence from the battery charge of smartphones (they can be charged from a PC or network during the process). In addition, you receive a backup copy on your computer at the same time, which is good digital hygiene practice.
Solving problems and errors during transfer
Despite the simplicity of modern tools, users may encounter technical difficulties. One of the common problems is the “Not enough space” error on the receiving device. Before starting the migration, be sure to check the free space in the memory settings Xiaomi. If there is little space, remove unnecessary applications or transfer some files to a memory card SD.
Another common situation is the Wi-Fi Direct connection breaks during operation. Mi Mover. This often happens if one of the devices has a power saving mode enabled, which aggressively turns off network modules. Go to the battery settings and disable optimization for the data transfer application.
Also, users sometimes complain that after transferring photos are displayed incorrectly in the gallery or are duplicated. This is due to the fact that the media file indexing system (Media Scanner) has not yet completed its work. Give the phone time (sometimes up to several hours) or restart the device for the database to update.
⚠️ Attention: MIUI and HyperOS shell interfaces may differ slightly in different firmware versions. The names of menu items may vary, but the logic of actions remains the same. Always check the current prompts on the screen of your device.
If wireless methods constantly fail, using a cable and PC is the most stable option, guaranteeing 100% data integrity even with large volumes.
If none of the methods work, try updating the software to both smartphones to the latest available version. Manufacturers regularly release patches that correct errors in the operation of network stacks and data transfer protocols.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will passwords from Wi-Fi and applications be transferred when using Mi Mover?
Yes, the utility Mi Mover is able to transfer most system settings, including saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords to them. However, passwords from some protected applications (banking clients, instant messengers with two-factor authentication) may not be transferred for security reasons. You will need to log in again by confirming your identity via SMS or biometrics.
Will the quality of the photo decrease after transferring through Google Photos?
This depends on the selected settings in the application. If you select High Quality (Express) mode, photos will be slightly compressed to save space. If the "Original Quality" mode is selected, the files will be uploaded and downloaded bit-for-bit without losing detail. You can check the settings in the “Settings” -> “Backup and Synchronization” section.
Is it possible to interrupt the data transfer and continue later?
In the application Mi Mover the resume function does not always work correctly, often you need to start the process again. At the same time, cloud services and some third-party applications (for example Send Anywhere) support resuming. When using a cable and a PC, you can copy files in parts, interrupting the process at any time.
What to do with the data on the SIM card?
Modern smartphones rarely store contacts on the SIM card, but if you have entries there, they need to be exported to the phone's memory before transferring. In the Contacts app, select Settings -> Import/Export -> Export to device. After that, they will be transferred along with the rest of the data through any of the methods described above.
Will the information be deleted from the old phone after transferring to Xiaomi?
No, all the described methods work in copy mode, not move. Your data will remain completely safe on your old device. To clear it, you will need to perform a factory reset manually after you make sure that all files work successfully on the new smartphone.