Changing a smartphone is always an exciting time, especially if you are upgrading to a new model known for its excellent cameras and performance. However, the main fear of users is not in setting up a new gadget, but in preserving memories. Losing precious vacation snapshots or photographs of children is unacceptable, so the question of how to properly organize the migration of media files comes first. Xiaomi or Redmi, known for its excellent cameras and performance. However, the main fear of users is not in setting up a new gadget, but in preserving memories. Losing precious vacation snapshots or photographs of children is unacceptable, so the question of how to properly organize the migration of media files comes first.
Fortunately, the ecosystem Android provides many tools for this task, from built-in system utilities to cloud services. You don't need to be a programming expert to transfer gigabytes of images. Modern smartphones Redmi equipped with powerful communication modules and optimized software MIUI or HyperOSwhich makes the data transfer process as intuitive and fast as possible.
In this guide we will analyze in detail all available methods: from using a proprietary application Mi Mover to the classic connection via cable to a computer. We will discuss the pros and cons of each method so that you can choose the one most suitable for your situation and technical capabilities.
Using the proprietary Mi Mover application
The most effective and “native” way for equipment owners Xiaomi is to use the utility Mi Mover. This application is pre-installed on most new devices of the brand, but it can also be downloaded for free from the store Google Play on your old phone, regardless of its brand. The utility creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices, providing high transfer speeds without using mobile data.
To get started, launch the application on both smartphones. On the new Redmi select the role “Receiver”, and on the old device - “Sender”. The system will prompt you to scan the QR code or connect to the created access point. Once the connection is established, you will see a list of data categories.
In the file selection menu, go to the "Images" or "Gallery" section. Here you can select specific albums or mark all photos at once. When transferring more than 10,000 photos, the process may take from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the speed of the Wi-Fi modules. Do not interrupt the connection and keep the screens on until the operation is completed.
It is important to note that Mi Mover preserves the folder structure and metadata of images, such as shooting date and geolocation. This is critical for proper sorting in the new gallery. If you have third-party launchers installed on your old phone, they will not affect the operation of the utility, since it works at the system level.
☑️ Preparing for transfer via Mi Mover
⚠️ Attention: Make sure that the receiving device Xiaomi has enough free internal memory. If there is not enough space, the process will be interrupted, and you will have to delete some of the already copied files manually.
Fast transfer via Mi Share and Bluetooth
If you need to transfer only a small selection of photos, for example, several dozen pictures for quick viewing, use the function Mi Share will be the optimal solution. This technology is analogous to Apple AirDrop and allows you to transfer files between devices Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO instantly. It is based on a combination of Bluetooth for searching for a device and Wi-Fi Direct for data transfer itself.
Activate the function in the notification shade on both phones. Make sure that screens are unlocked and devices are in line of sight (distance no more than 5-10 meters). Select a photo in the gallery of your old phone, click the "Share" button and find your new one in the list of available devices Redmi.
A pop-up window will appear on the receiving side asking you to confirm receiving the files. After clicking the "Accept" button, the download will begin. The transfer speed is usually from 10 to 50 MB/s, which is much faster than classic Bluetooth.
It is worth considering that Mi Share works best when paired with devices from the same manufacturer. If you transfer photos from a phone of another brand (for example, Samsung or Huawei), the function may not detect the device or may be unstable. In such cases, it is better to use the universal methods described below.
For maximum speed of Mi Share, turn off the power saving mode on both phones, as it can limit the operation of the Wi-Fi module in the background.
Synchronization through Google Photos cloud services
Cloud technologies have become the de facto standard for storage and transfer media files. The service Google Photos is pre-installed on any certified smartphone Google Mobile Services, which makes it an ideal tool for migration. This method does not require the physical presence of both phones nearby and allows you to start viewing photos on the new device even before the full download is complete.
On your old smartphone, open the application Google Photos, log in to your account Google and enable the "Startup and sync" function in the settings. Wait until all images are uploaded to the server. This process may take time depending on the speed of your Internet connection and the size of your library.
After that, take a new one Xiaomi Redmi, log into the same account Google. All your photos will automatically appear in your feed. They will be available for viewing instantly, and physical downloading to the device will occur as needed (when you open a specific photo in full size) or in the background when connected to Wi-Fi.
The main advantage of this method is the creation of an automatic backup. Even if you lose both phones, your photos will remain safe in the cloud. However, it is worth remembering the storage limits: 15 GB are provided for free, which are divided between Mail, Disk and Photos.
| Transfer method | Speed | Internet dependence | Setting up complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover | High (up to 40 MB/s) | No (local network) | Low |
| Google Photos | Medium (depending on the tariff) | Yes (required) | Minimum |
| Bluetooth | Very low | No | Low |
| USB Cable + PC | Maximum | No | Average |
Classic method: connection via a computer
Despite the development of wireless technologies, the good old method using USB cable and the computer remains one of the most reliable, especially when working with huge data archives. This method eliminates the risk of disconnection due to interference on the air and does not depend on the speed of your home Internet.
Connect the old phone to the computer with a cable and select the file transfer mode (MTP) from the notification menu on the smartphone screen. Copy the folder DCIMwhere pictures from the camera are usually stored to the PC hard drive. Then disconnect the old device and connect the new one Redmi.
On the new phone, also activate the mode MTP and drag the folder with photos from the computer to the internal memory or to the memory card MicroSDif it is installed. The system Android will automatically scan new files and they will appear in the gallery.
Pay attention to the quality of the cables. The cheap cables that come with some accessories often only support charging, not data transfer. Use an original cable or a certified analogue that supports high-speed transmission to avoid copying errors.
What to do if the computer does not recognize the phone?
If the PC does not recognize the device, try using a different USB port (preferably at the back of the system unit), install ADB drivers or enable USB debugging in the "For Developers" menu. Also check if the phone screen is locked during connection.
Using memory cards and OTG adapters
Not all modern smartphones Xiaomi support installation of memory cards MicroSD, but if your new one Redmi has the appropriate slot, this opens up additional opportunities. You can physically transfer the storage medium from the old device to the new one if both phones support this format.
Insert the memory card into the old phone, transfer all the necessary photos to it through the file manager. Then remove the card and install it in the new slot Redmi. The files will become available instantly. If the old phone does not support memory cards, you can use an OTG adapter. Buy a card reader with an interface or a regular reader with an OTG adapter. Insert the memory card from the old phone (or just a flash drive onto which you previously uploaded the photo) into the charging connector of the new one OTG adapter.
Buy a card reader with an interface USB Type-C or a regular reader with an OTG adapter. Insert the memory card from the old phone (or just a flash drive onto which you previously transferred the photo) into the charging connector of the new one Xiaomi. The system will automatically mount the drive as external storage.
Through the standard Explorer application, you can copy data from the external drive to the phone's internal memory. This method is especially convenient because it does not require a computer or stable Internet, working completely autonomously.
⚠️ Attention: Before removing a memory card or OTG drive, be sure to perform a safe removal through the settings (Settings → Storage → Retrieve) to avoid file system damage and data loss.
Frequent problems and their solutions
During the process of data transfer, users may encounter various technical difficulties. One of the most common problems is the "Not enough space" error even when there is free space. This is often due to features of the file system or hidden system files that take up space.
Another common situation is that the transfer process freezes at 99%. In such cases, do not panic and reboot your phone immediately. Often the process is simply processing the latest large file or updating the media database. Wait 10-15 minutes. If progress does not change, try interrupting the transfer and sending files in smaller portions (by album).
Users also complain about the loss of photo quality after transferring via instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber). These apps compress images by default to save bandwidth. To transfer the photo in its original quality, always use the “Document” or “File” function inside the messenger, or, better yet, use the methods described above.
If you are faced with the fact that the gallery is on a new one Redmi does not display transferred photos, try clearing the Gallery application cache or restarting your device. Sometimes the system takes time to index new files in the storage.
Golden rule of transfer: always create a backup copy of important photos in the cloud before starting any manipulations with the file system, in order to have insurance in case of failure.
Is it possible to transfer photos if the old phone is broken and does not turn on?
If the screen does not work, but the phone turns on and makes sounds, try connecting a USB mouse to it via an OTG adapter to control the interface and copy the data to a flash drive. If the phone is completely dead, remove the memory card (if there was one) or contact a service center for a temporary screen replacement in order to save the data.
How long does it take to transfer 100 GB of photos via Mi Mover?
When using 5 GHz Wi-Fi, transferring 100 GB of data can take from 1.5 to 3 hours. The speed greatly depends on the number of small files: many small photos take longer to copy than one video file of the same size due to the overhead of processing each file.
Are shooting dates saved when transferred to Xiaomi?
Yes, when using Mi Mover, copying via a computer or synchronizing with Google Photos EXIF metadata, including the shooting date and time, is fully preserved. Gallery MIUI correctly reads this information and sorts the photos in chronological order.
Do you need to delete photos from your old phone after transferring?
It depends on your plans. If you plan to sell or give away your old smartphone, be sure to perform a hard reset (Wipe Data), which will delete all photos. If you keep your phone as a spare, you can leave the files, but it is recommended to check the integrity of the copy on the new device before wiping the old one.