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10 Tech How-To

How to Transfer Data to a POCO Phone from Android or iPhone

Guide 10-28206 · Updated · Step by step

Moving to a new POCO phone doesn’t mean losing your photos, contacts, or apps. This guide shows you exactly how to transfer data from your old Android or iPhone to your POCO device, using built-in tools and a few simple steps. You’ll need your old phone, your POCO phone, a USB cable (for some methods), and a stable Wi-Fi connection.

What You’ll Need

  • Your old Android or iPhone
  • Your new POCO phone (fully charged or plugged in)
  • A USB cable (for wired transfer, usually USB-C to Lightning for iPhone or USB-C to USB-C for Android)
  • A stable Wi-Fi network (for wireless transfer)
  • Google account credentials (for Android) or Apple ID (for iPhone)

Step-by-Step

From an Android Phone

  1. Turn on your POCO phone and go through the initial setup until you reach the screen that asks for a data transfer method.
  2. Select “Transfer data from old device” or similar. On most POCO models, this is labeled “Clone Phone” or “Mi Mover”. If you’ve already set up the phone, you can find the app in the Tools folder or by searching for “Mi Mover” in the settings.
  3. On your old Android phone, download and open the same app (Mi Mover or the POCO transfer app). If you’re using the built-in Android transfer tool, you may not need to install anything.
  4. Choose the connection type: either “Wireless” (both phones on the same Wi-Fi) or “Wired” (using a USB cable and an OTG adapter if needed). Wired is usually faster and more stable.
  5. Scan the QR code displayed on your POCO phone with your old Android phone, or manually enter the code shown.
  6. Select the data types you want to transfer: contacts, messages, photos, videos, apps, and system settings. You can also choose specific folders.
  7. Tap “Transfer” and wait for the process to complete. The time varies based on the amount of data. Do not interrupt the connection.
  8. Once done, tap “Finish” and continue setting up your POCO phone. Your data should appear in the corresponding apps.

From an iPhone

  1. During initial setup of your POCO phone, when you reach the “Transfer data” screen, choose “iPhone” as the source device.
  2. On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > “Get Started” under “Move to Android” (this is Apple’s official transfer tool). If you don’t see it, you can download the “Move to iOS” app on your POCO phone (note: it’s the same app, but it works in reverse on POCO).
  3. On your POCO phone, select “Move data from iPhone” and you’ll see a QR code or a code.
  4. On your iPhone, open the “Move to iOS” app (or the transfer option in Settings), enter the code shown on your POCO phone.
  5. Select the content you want to transfer: contacts, message history, photos, videos, and bookmarks. Note that apps are not transferred; you’ll need to re-download them from the Play Store.
  6. Keep both phones close and plugged into power. The transfer may take a while. Do not use your iPhone during the process.
  7. When the transfer finishes, tap “Done” on your iPhone and continue setting up your POCO phone. Your contacts and photos will be in the respective apps.

Common Mistakes

  • Interrupting the transfer: Let the process run without touching either phone. A dropped connection can cause incomplete data.
  • Not updating the Mi Mover app: Ensure both phones have the latest version of the transfer app to avoid compatibility issues.
  • Selecting too much data at once: Transferring your entire photo library and all apps can take hours. Prioritize what you need and transfer the rest later via cloud or cable.
  • Ignoring battery warnings: Keep both phones charged. A dead phone mid-transfer can corrupt data.
  • Assuming apps transfer with data: On iPhone, apps don’t transfer; on Android, only the APK files transfer, but you’ll need to log in again.

Tips

  • Use a wired connection if you have a lot of data (over 5 GB). It’s much faster and less prone to interference.
  • Back up first: Before transferring, back up your old phone to Google Drive or iCloud. This is a safety net if anything goes wrong.
  • Transfer after setup: If you’ve already set up your POCO, you can still use Mi Mover from the app drawer. It works the same way.
  • For WhatsApp chats: Use the built-in chat backup feature in WhatsApp (Settings > Chats > Chat backup) and restore on the new phone.
  • Keep your old phone for a few days after switching to ensure you didn’t miss anything.

Troubleshooting

  • Transfer fails or stops midway: Restart both phones, ensure they’re on the same Wi-Fi (or reconnect the cable), and try again. If the problem persists, reduce the data selection and transfer in batches.
  • QR code not scanning: Make sure both screens are bright and clean. If it still fails, use the manual code entry option.
  • Old phone not detected: On Android, enable USB debugging if using a cable. For iPhone, ensure the “Move to iOS” app is up to date.
  • Transfer is extremely slow: Move closer to your router, or switch to a wired connection. Also, close other apps on both phones to free up resources.
  • Contacts missing after transfer: Check if they were saved to your Google or iCloud account. If so, simply add the account to your POCO phone and sync.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer apps from my iPhone to POCO?

No, apps are not transferred. You’ll need to re-download them from the Google Play Store. Some apps may require a fresh login.

Will my WhatsApp chats transfer?

WhatsApp chats don’t transfer via the standard methods. Use WhatsApp’s own backup feature to back up to Google Drive (Android) or iCloud (iPhone), then restore on the POCO.

Can I transfer data after I’ve already set up my POCO?

Yes, you can use the Mi Mover app anytime. It’s usually pre-installed, or you can download it from the Play Store.

Is a wired transfer faster than wireless?

Generally, yes, especially for large amounts of data. Wired transfers are also more stable and don’t depend on Wi-Fi strength.

What if my old phone is a very old Android version?

Mi Mover should work on Android 5.0 and above. If it doesn’t, you can manually copy files via USB cable to your computer and then to the POCO.

Can I transfer music and documents?

Yes, you can select specific file types, including music, documents, and downloads, during the transfer process.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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