How to synchronize data between Xiaomi and Android phones: all methods

Transferring data from one smartphone to another is a task that every user faces when purchasing a new device. If both phones work on Android (especially if they are models Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO), the process can be greatly simplified thanks to the built-in synchronization tools. However, not everyone knows that in addition to the standard one, there are other methods - from cloud services to direct connections via Wi-Fi or cable. In this article we will look at: from automatic transfer via to manual copying of files. You will learn how to save Mi Account There are other methods, from cloud services to direct connections via Wi-Fi or cable.

In this article we will look at all current synchronization methods: from automatic transfer via Mi Mover before manually copying files. You will learn how to save contacts, photos, messages and even application settings, as well as avoid mistakes due to which data may be lost. We will pay special attention to the nuances of working with devices Xiaomi, where some functions are hidden in non-obvious menu sections.

If you are switching from iPhone to Xiaomi or vice versa, some of the methods from this article will also work, but it is better to use specialized tools like Move to iOS or Google Drive. Here we will talk exclusively about synchronization within the ecosystem Android, with an emphasis on devices Xiaomi.

1. Preparing for synchronization: what needs to be done before transferring data

Before you begin synchronization, make sure that both phones are ready for the procedure. This will help avoid failures, data loss or incomplete copying.

On old phone (from which the data is transferred):

• 🔋 Charge the battery at least to 50% —the transfer may take up to hour.
• 📶 Connect to stable Wi-Fi network (if you are using a cloud or Mi Mover).
• 🔒 Make sure that on your device there is no blocking from the manufacturer (for example, FRP on Samsung or Mi Account on Xiaomi).
• 📁 Free up space on new phone —the data will take up the same amount of space as it does on the old one.

On new phone (Xiaomi or another Android):

• 📱 Walk initial setup until the desktop appears (do not skip this step, otherwise Mi Mover may not start).
• 🔄 Update the firmware to the latest version via Settings → About phone → System update.
• 🔐 Enable USB debugging (if you plan to use a cable): go to Settings → About phone → MIUI version (press 7 times), then return to Settings → Advanced → For developers → USB debugging USB.

⚠️ Attention: If data encryption is enabled on your old phone (for example, via File-Based Encryption v Android 10+), some synchronization methods may not work. In this case, use cloud services or manually copying files.

2. Method 1: Automatic synchronization via Mi Mover (for Xiaomi)

Mi Mover - a proprietary tool Xiaomithat allows you to transfer almost all data from one smartphone to another without using the cloud or PC. Works only between devices Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO (on other Androidphones it may not start).

How to use:

1. On new phone during the initial setup, select Data transfer → Mi Mover.
2. On old phone open the application Mi Mover (if it is not there, download from Google Play).
3. Select role: Sender (old phone) and Recipient (new).
4. Scan QR code from the new phone to the old one.
5. Select data to transfer: contacts, messages, photos, applications (not all are supported), etc.
6. Confirm the transfer and wait for completion (may take from 10 minutes to an hour).

What is transferred Mi Mover:

⚠️ Attention: If you are on an old computer installed on your phone custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), Mi Mover may not recognize it as a device Xiaomi. In this case, use alternative methods.

Charge both phones|Connect to the same network Wi-Fi|Install Mi Mover on your old phone|Free up space on your new phone|Disable VPN (may block the connection)-->

3. Method 2: Synchronization via Google Account (universal method)

If both phones are linked to one Google Account, most of the data is synchronized automatically. This method works between any Android devicesincluding Xiaomi, Samsung, Pixel etc.

What is synchronized via Google:

• 📇 Contact (from application Google Contacts).
• 📅 Calendar (events from Google Calendar).
• 📧 Gmail and account settings.
• 📱 Applications (list of installed, but not their data).
• 📍 Notes (if you use Google Keep).
• 🔑 Passwords (from Google Password Manager).

How to enable synchronization:

1. On old phone go to Settings → Accounts → Google → [your account] → Account synchronization.
2. Activate the sliders for all necessary categories (contacts, calendar, etc.).
3. On new phone log in to the same Google Account and turn on synchronization.
4. Wait for completion (usually takes 5-15 minutes).

Important: Photos and videos through Google Account are not automatically synchronized - for this you need to use Google Photos (more on this below).

⚠️ Attention: If auto-syncis disabled on your old phone, the data may not be transferred. Before changing the device, check that all the necessary categories are enabled in your account settings.

4. Method 3: Transferring photos and videos via Google Photos

Google Photos is the most reliable way to transfer media files (photos, videos, screenshots) between any Androiddevices. The service offers 15 GB of free cloud storage (together with Google Drive and Gmail), which is enough for several thousand pictures.

Instructions:

1. On old phone install Google Photos (if not installed).
2. Open the application, log in to your Google Account and turn on autoload:

   Settings → Backup and synchronization → Enable

3. Select download quality:
   • High quality —unlimited storage (photos are compressed to data-i="219">, video up to 16 MP, video before 1080p).
   • Original quality - without compression (takes up space in the cloud).

If you need to transfer only selected files:

• Open Google Photos on your old phone.
• Select the necessary photos/videos, click ⋮ → Save to album.
• Create shared album and invite your new account (if you use different Google Accounts).

5. Method 4: Direct transfer via Wi-Fi (without cloud and cable)

If you don’t want to use cloud services or don’t have a cable at hand, you can transfer data directly via Wi-Fi using specialized applications. This method works between any Androiddevices, including Xiaomi.

The best applications for wireless transmission:

• 📲 Xender - supports files of any type, speed up to 40 Mb/s.
• 📲 ShareMe (from Xiaomi) - optimized for devices Xiaomi, but works on other brands.
• 📲 LocalSend - open software without unnecessary water, encrypts the transmission.

Instructions using an example ShareMe:

1. Install ShareMe on both phones (you can download from Google Play or Mi App Store).
2. On old phone select Sendon new — Receive.
3. Scan QR code from a new phone to an old one (or connect via device search).
4. Select files to transfer (photos, videos, documents, APK) and confirm sending.
5. Wait for completion - the speed depends on the quality of Wi-Fi (on average 10–20 Mb/s).

⚠️ Attention: When transferring large files (video to 4K or archives), the Wi-Fi connection may be interrupted. In this case, split the files into parts or use a cable.

6. Method 5: Synchronization via cable (USB OTG or PC)

If wireless methods are not suitable, you can transfer data via cable. There are two options:

1. Direct connection (via USB OTG or a special cable USB-C to USB-C).
2. Via a computer (copying files to a PC and then to a new phone).

Option 1: Direct connection (without a PC)

For this you need USB OTG adapter or a cable USB-C to USB-C (if on both phones Type-C).

1. Connect the old phone to the new one via a cable.
2. On new phone select the mode File transfer (MTP).
3. Open Explorer (or Mi File Manager to Xiaomi) and copy the necessary files.

Option 2: Through a computer

1. Connect old phone to your PC via USB, select mode File transfer.
2. Copy data (photos, videos, documents) to a folder on your computer.
3. Connect new phone and transfer the files back.

What can be transferred in this way:

• 📁 All media files (photos, videos, music).
• 📄 Documents (PDF, Word, Excel).
• 📱 APK files of applications (but not their data!).
• 🔧 Backups (for example, from Titanium Backup).

⚠️ Attention: When copying via PC do not move system files (for example, from folders Android or data) - this may disrupt the operation of applications on the new phone.

7. Method 6: Manually transfer messages, calls and applications

Some data (for example, message history or application settings) are not transferred using standard methods. They require specialized tools.

Transfer of SMS and call history:

• 📱 Use the application SMS Backup & Restore:
  1. Install it on old phone.
  2. Create a backup (Backup).
  3. Transfer the backup file to the new phone (via the cloud, Wi-Fi or cable).
  4. Install SMS Backup & Restore on new phone and restore data (Restore).

Transferring applications and their data:

• 📦 To back up applications, use Titanium Backup (requires root access).
• 🔧 Without root: Swift Backup (works on Android 9+ via ADB).
• 📲 To transfer game saves use cloud game services (for example, Google Play Games).

Transferring notes and recordings:

• 📝 If you use Google Keep or Mi Notes, the data is synchronized through your account.
• 📄 For third-party applications (for example, ColorNote) make a backup copy manually.

adb backup -f wifi.ab -shared -apk com.android.providers.settings

Restore it to a new phone in adb restore wifi.ab.-->

8. Common errors and how to avoid them

Even with proper synchronization, problems can arise. Here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

If none of the methods worked:

• Check whether the bootloader is unlocked on phones Xiaomi (on some firmware this affects the operation Mi Mover).
• Disable VPN and firewalls —they can block data transmission.
• Try reset network settings on both phones (Settings → SIM cards and networks → Reset network settings).

⚠️ Attention: If you use custom recovery (for example, TWRP), standard backup methods may not work. In this case, create a full backup via recovery and restore it on a new phone.

FAQ: Answers to common questions questions

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab