Buying a new smartphone Xiaomi is always a joyful event, but it is inevitably accompanied by the question of migrating information from an old device. The procedure data transfer has become much simpler in recent years, but the variety of methods can confuse the untrained user. In this article, we will look in detail at how to transfer contacts, photos and applications as efficiently and quickly as possible.
Regardless of whether you are moving from a budget device or a flagship from another manufacturer, the logic of the process remains similar. However, the ecosystem offers its own unique tools, which often work faster than standard solutions. It is important to understand that a complete clone of the system is not possible without root access, but user data is transferred completely. MIUI offers its unique tools that often work faster than standard solutions Android. It is important to understand that a complete clone of the system is impossible without root access, but user data is transferred completely.
Before starting any procedure, it is strongly recommended to check the battery level on both phones. The optimal indicator is a value above 50% so that the process is not interrupted at the most crucial moment. Also make sure that the target device has enough free space in internal memory.
Using the proprietary Mi Mover application
The most effective and preferred way for equipment owners Xiaomi is to use the utility Mi Mover. This application is preinstalled on most brand devices and is optimized for working with the shell MIUI. It allows you to create a direct Wi-Fi connection between phones, providing high transfer speeds without consuming mobile traffic.
To get started, you need to run the app on both gadgets. On the new phone, select the “I am the recipient” role, and on the old phone, “I am the sender”. After scanning the QR code or manually entering the password, the devices will connect. The app interface is intuitive and allows flexible configuration file categories for migration.
☑️ Preparing to work with Mi Mover
Particular attention should be paid to transferring applications. The utility tries to transfer not only installation files .apk, but also their data, if the security policy allows it. Android. However, banking applications and some instant messengers may require re-authorization after the transfer for reasons of cybersecurity.
⚠️ Attention: When transferring large amounts of data (more than 50 GB), the process may take from 30 minutes to an hour. Do not disconnect or minimize the Mi Mover app while running.
If Mi Mover freezes at the “Connect” stage, try turning Wi-Fi off and on again on both devices, and also disable the power saving mode.
Sync via Google Account
The classic method that works on any device under control Android, this is a restoration from a backup copy Google Cloud. This method is ideal for transferring contacts, calendar, notes and system settings. It does not require the installation of additional software, but depends on the speed of the Internet connection.
To use this method, make sure that synchronization of the required sections is activated on your old phone in your Google account settings. Usually the path looks like Settings → Accounts → Google → Synchronization. After enabling the new Xiaomi simply enter your credentials during the initial setup.
- 📞 Contacts and phone numbers are synchronized instantly after logging into your account.
- 📸 Photos and videos require separate settings in the Google Photos application.
- ⚙️ Wi-Fi passwords and application settings can be restored automatically.
The main disadvantage of this approach is the limitation on the amount of free storage. The standard 15GB can fill up quickly if you plan to transfer heavy media files. In this case, you will have to buy additional space or use selective synchronization.
What to do if the contacts do not appear?
Sometimes synchronization takes time. Go to the Contacts application, click on the three dots or the menu button, select “Settings” and make sure that contacts from your Google account are displayed, and not from a SIM card or phone.
Manual transfer via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct
If automatic means are not available for some reason, you can use standard communication protocols. Bluetooth suitable for transferring small files such as business cards or documents, but extremely inconvenient for photo galleries due to low speed.
A more advanced option is to use file managers with support Wi-Fi Direct. In the shell MIUI the built-in explorer allows you to send files to nearby devices. To do this, you need to select files, click “Send” and select a device from the list of available ones nearby.
This method is good for its versatility: it does not require the Internet or connection to specific services. However, it requires manually selecting each folder, which can be tedious when migrating thousands of photos. Additionally, the folder structure may change slightly on the new device.
| Method | Speed | Complexity | Network dependence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover | High (up to 40 MB/s) | Low | No (own hotspot) |
| Google Account | Medium (depending on the Internet) | Low | Yes (required) |
| Bluetooth | Low (up to 2 MB/s) | Medium | No |
| USB cable (PC) | Very high | High | No |
For fast transfer of gigabytes of data, local methods (Mi Mover, cable) always outperform cloud solutions in terms of time and lack of traffic limits.
Migration of instant messengers: WhatsApp and Telegram
The transfer of chat history in instant messengers deserves special attention, since standard methods often transfer only the application itself without chats. For WhatsApp there is a built-in function for creating a local backup or uploading to Google Drive.
In the WhatsApp settings on your old phone, go to the section Chats → Backup of chats and click “Create”. After installing the application on Xiaomi and entering the same phone number, the system will offer to restore the history from the found copy. This is a critical stage for saving media attachments.
The situation is Telegram simpler: the entire history is stored on the service servers. You just need to log into your account from a new device, and all chats will be loaded automatically. The exception is “Secret Chats”, which are tied to a specific device and cannot be transferred.
⚠️ Attention: When transferring WhatsApp, make sure that the same phone number and the same Google account are used on the new phone (for cloud recovery), otherwise the backup copy will not be found.
Transfer via computer and USB cable
The most reliable, although more labor-intensive, way is to use a personal computer as an intermediary. By connecting your old phone to your PC, you can copy folders DCIM, Download, Music and others to a separate directory on your hard drive.
Then connect the new one Xiaomi and copy the data to the appropriate directories. This method allows you to “audit” your files: you can remove junk before transferring, thereby saving space on your new smartphone. This is also a great way to save data if the screen of one of your phones is broken.
When working with the file system, it is important to respect the folder structure, especially for media files. For example, photos must be in a folder DCIM/Cameraso that the gallery MIUI indexes them correctly. Music and ringtones have their own standard directories in the root of the internal drive.
Sometimes the computer may not see the phone in file transfer mode. In this case, pull down the notification shade on your smartphone, click on the “USB Charging” notification and select mode MTP (File Transfer). This is a common problem that can be solved in one click.
Why doesn’t the computer see the phone?
Most often the problem is in the cable. Many of the cables included are for charging only and do not have data lines. Try replacing the cable with a high-quality original one.
Solving common problems and errors
During the migration process, users may encounter various failures. One of the common problems is the “Not enough space” error even when there is free space. This is because the file system requires an additional buffer for temporary files during decompression or migration.
Another common situation is that the process freezes at 99%. This usually means that the system is trying to transfer a file with a corrupted structure or inappropriate permissions. In such cases, it is better to exclude the problematic folder from the transfer list and add it manually later.
- 🔋 Fast discharge during transfer: turn off the screen and background applications.
- 📶 Lost Wi-Fi connection: restart the wireless modules on both devices.
- 🔒 Access error to files: check the permissions for the transfer application in the settings.
If none of the methods worked correctly, you can consider resetting the new phone to factory settings and repeating the procedure from the very beginning. Sometimes a clean installation without first configuring unnecessary services helps to avoid conflicts.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and names of menu items may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13, 14 or HyperOS). If you don't find the item you need, use the settings search.
If the data transfer is interrupted, do not panic. Most modern file systems are resistant to failures, and you can continue the process or repeat it for the remaining files.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will passwords from applications and sites be transferred?
Passwords saved in the Google password manager will be restored automatically after logging into your account. Passwords within the applications themselves (for example, logging into social networks) are most often lost for security reasons, and re-authorization will be required. The exception is some applications that support full data backup via ADB or specific cloud services.
Is it possible to transfer data from iPhone to Xiaomi?
Yes, the Mi Mover application supports receiving data from iOS. However, the functionality is limited: you can transfer contacts, photos, videos and calendar. Applications and their data cannot be transferred due to differences in operating systems. Transfer is not possible for iMessages.
What to do if Mi Mover does not find your old phone?
Make sure that the Mi Mover application is also installed and open on your old phone. Check that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (or that one of them has a hotspot enabled). Try temporarily disabling mobile data and firewalls if they are installed.
How long does it take to transfer 100 GB of data?
When using Mi Mover and a stable 5 GHz Wi-Fi connection, transferring 100 GB can take from 40 minutes to 1.5 hours. Through the Google cloud, this process can take several hours or even days, depending on the speed of your Internet channel.