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Migration to a new smartphone, especially into an ecosystem Xiaomi, often starts from the very beginning painful question: how to preserve memories? A gallery is not just a collection of files, it is an archive of your life, and losing even some of the photos when changing devices is unacceptable. Fortunately, modern technologies offer many ways to solve this problem, from built-in utilities to cloud services.
Unlike the old days, when complex manipulations with the computer were required, today the process has become as automated as possible. However, the choice of method depends on the amount of data, the speed of the Internet connection and the type of old device. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the available methods, their pros, cons and pitfalls, so that you can choose the best option for your situation.
Using the proprietary Mi Mover utility
The most logical and often the fastest way is to use your own tool from the manufacturer - Mi Mover. This application is pre-installed on all smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi i Poco, but it can also be installed on any other Androidsmartphone via Google Play. The main feature of the utility is that it creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices without wasting mobile traffic.
The process starts intuitively. On the new phone Xiaomi you select the “Recipient” role, and on the old device - “Sender”. After scanning the QR code or entering a password, the devices are connected. It's important to choose the right data types here: if you only need photos and videos, uncheck contacts and messages to speed up the process. The operating algorithm Mi Mover is optimized for batch transfer of large volumes of media files.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure that the Wi-Fi module is turned on on both devices, even if you are not connected to your home network. The application uses it to create a local access point between phones.
It is worth noting that the transfer speed directly depends on the generation of Wi-Fi chips in both devices. If the old phone only supports the 802.11n standard, and the new one Xiaomi equipped with Wi-Fi 6, the speed will be limited by the capabilities of the old device. However, it is still faster than the classic Bluetooth.
Before launching Mi Mover, clear the browser and instant messenger cache on your old phone so as not to transfer digital garbage along with important photos.
Synchronization via Google Photos and cloud storage
For those who prefer reliability and automation, this will be the ideal solution ecosystem Google. The service Google Photos offers not just a transfer, but a full synchronization of the library. You don't need to look for cables or install third-party software - one account is enough. This is especially true if you are switching from an old Pixel, Samsung or any other phone with a clean Android.
The mechanism of operation is simple: on the old device you enable auto-download in the application settings. All images are uploaded to the cloud linked to your Google Account. Then on the new Xiaomi You simply log into the same account and the entire gallery becomes available instantly. Files can be uploaded as needed (in space saving mode) or downloaded completely to the device memory.
- 📸 Autoload: Photos are copied to the cloud immediately after shooting, protecting them from loss if the phone breaks down.
- ☁️ Availability: The gallery is accessible from any device, including a computer and tablet, without a physical connections.
- 🔍 Search: Built-in AI allows you to find photos by objects, people or places, which simplifies navigation after transfer.
However, this method has a significant nuance - dependence on the quality of the Internet connection. Downloading several gigabytes of data can take hours on slow or congested home Wi-Fi. In addition, free space in 4G or overloaded home Wi-Fi. In addition, free space in Google Drive is limited to 15 GB, which is divided between mail, disk and photos.
What happens to the photo quality in Google Photos?
By default, the service uses compression in the “Space Saver” (high quality) mode, which slightly reduces the resolution of large photos. To maintain the original quality (original size), you must purchase additional space in a Google One subscription.
Wired connection and computer as an intermediary
A conservative, but most reliable method is to use a personal computer as a buffer. This method is indispensable if you need to transfer terabytes of data or if wireless methods are unstable. You will need a cable USB Type-C or Micro-USB depending on the port of the old phone and a high-quality cable to connect to PC.
Having connected the old smartphone to the computer, select the operating mode MTP (File transfer) in notifications. Open Windows or macOS Explorer, locate the folder DCIM and copy the contents to your hard drive. Then connect the new one Xiaomi and transfer the files to a similar directory. This method ensures that not a single byte of information is lost due to a connection failure.
| Parameter | USB 2.0 | USB 3.0 / 3.1 | Wi-Fi Direct |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max. speed | up to 480 Mbit/s | up to 5 Gbit/s | up to 400 Mbit/s |
| Stability | High | High | Medium |
| Network dependence | No | No | No (local) |
| Convenience | Requires a PC | Requires a PC | High |
It is important to understand the difference in port speeds. If you are using an old cable or port USB 2.0 on your computer, transferring 50 GB of photos can take a significant amount of time. Using a port USB 3.0 (usually blue) and an appropriate cable can reduce this time significantly.
The wired method via a PC is the only way to visually check the folder structure and sort unnecessary files before recording to a new phone.
Applications for transferring via Wi-Fi Direct (ShareMe and analogs)
If installation Mi Mover on an old phone is impossible for some reason (for example, an outdated version Android), universal tools like ShareMe (formerly Mi Drop) or Send Anywherewill come to the rescue. These applications work on the principle Wi-Fi Direct, creating an encrypted tunnel between devices without the participation of a router.
The interface of such apps is usually minimalist: you select files in the gallery of your old phone, click “Send”, and the application generates a code or QR code. On Xiaomi you need to accept the connection and the transfer will begin. The advantage of such utilities is that they are cross-platform - they work great even when moving from iOS or push-button phones on Java, if they support installation APK.
⚠️ Attention: When using third-party applications, make sure that you download them from the official store Google Play. Installer files from dubious sources may contain viruses that can damage your gallery.
The transfer speed in such apps often reaches 20-40 MB/s, which is comparable to a fast wired connection. However, the battery of both devices will be discharged more intensively than usual, since the radio modules are working at their limit to maintain a stable communication channel.
☑️ Preparing for transfer via ShareMe
Features of transferring to devices with MIUI and HyperOS
The transition to smartphones Xiaomi has its own specific features associated with shells MIUI and new HyperOS. The file system of these skins may interpret photo metadata differently, especially if you are moving from a different brand of phone, for example Samsung or Huawei. Sometimes, after transferring, photos may not appear in chronological order.
This is due to the fact that different manufacturers have their own standards for naming folders and recording the time the file was created (EXIF data). The built-in gallery Xiaomi usually automatically scans media files and updates the database, but in rare cases a manual one is required. You can use the Free Up Space feature or a third-party media scanner to force file index updates.
Another important aspect is format support. If you shot in specific formats on your old phone, such as HEIC (often used in iPhone or new ones Android to save space), make sure that the gallery Xiaomi can open them. Modern versions HyperOS have built-in codecs for on-the-fly conversion, but older models may require preliminary conversion.
Why do some photos turn black after transfer?
This is a rare thumbnail caching error. Try clearing the Gallery app cache in your phone settings: Settings → Applications → Gallery → Storage → Clear cache. The files themselves will not be affected.
Solving common problems during migration
Even if you follow all the instructions, users may encounter difficulties. The most common problem is the connection being interrupted in the middle of the process. This could happen due to an incoming call, a system notification, or simply an unstable signal. In such cases, do not panic: most modern utilities, including Mi Mover, support the function Resume (resume).
If the transfer is stuck on a certain file, most likely this file is damaged or has an invalid name (too long or containing special characters). In this case, it is more logical to skip this file and transfer it separately later, rather than stopping the entire process. It is also worth checking the availability of free space: the “Insufficient memory” error often occurs when the user has not taken into account the size of the system partitions of the new phone.
- 🛑 Interruption: If the transfer has stopped, do not turn off the phones immediately. Wait 1-2 minutes, the system may be trying to restore the connection.
- 📂 Duplicates: After the transfer, check the gallery for duplicates. Some applications may copy files multiple times if they fail.
- 🔋 Discharge: Always keep devices charged when migrating large amounts of data to avoid unexpected shutdowns.
⚠️ Attention: The settings interface and menu item names may vary slightly depending on the MIUI or HyperOS firmware version. If you don't find the item you need, use the search in your phone settings.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will hidden albums and password-protected photos be transferred?
By default, standard tools like Mi Mover may not transfer content "Hidden Album" for security reasons. It is recommended to temporarily move these photos to the general gallery before transferring, and after the migration is complete, hide them again on the new device. Xiaomi.
Will the data on the old phone be erased after the transfer?
No, all the methods described are methods of copying, not moving. Your photos will remain safe and sound on your old device. You can delete them manually only after you make sure that all files open correctly on the new smartphone.
Is it possible to transfer the gallery if the old phone does not turn on?
If the screen does not work, but the phone shows signs of life, you can try connecting it to the computer as a flash drive. If the device is completely dead, you will need to repair the memory module or board to extract the data; software methods are powerless here.
How to transfer photos if I change my phone number?
Changing the phone number does not affect the data transfer, since it is tied to the device or Google account, and not to the SIM card. Just make sure you remember the password for your Google Accountwhich is the key to your cloud data.
Why do some videos not play after transfer?
This may be due to the lack of the required codec on the new phone or the file being damaged during transfer. Try installing a third-party player, for example VLC, which supports most formats. If this does not help, the file may have been copied incorrectly.