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Migrating Data between Android phones
Hi everyone,
I’m seeking advice on how to migrate data from my old Poco phone (about 4 years old) to a new Poco phone running Android. I’ve always done my phone transfers manually via USB and have avoided cloud backups out of privacy concerns (I know it’s not ideal, especially in case of phone loss, but that’s just been my preference).
My usual migration process:
- Use USB cable to transfer data from phone to PC, then to new phone.
- Manually back up the WhatsApp folder (with local backup + media), and restore it on the new phone after installing WhatsApp.
- Back up my Gallery/photos to the laptop for archiving, and optionally copy some media to the new phone.
- Then start fresh with the new phone, bringing over only what I need.
The problem now:
My old Poco’s USB Type-C port seems to be failing — plugging it into a PC gives “USB device not recognized.” Charging is also unstable, often causing the phone to reboot. Sometimes while using the phone, it will also show errors like “storage drive not found” and this can be resolved via a simple reboot. In some messaging apps, media picker shows weird behavior like media dates defaulting to Jan 1970, which will auto-resolve after some days.
Since USB transfer is not working, I’m trying to figure out the best way to migrate my data without using USB or cloud backups. I’m aware of the Mi Mover app which can transfer via Wi-Fi, but from what I understand, it doesn’t support WhatsApp chat history migration. I would like to ensure I don’t lose any important data in the process — especially WhatsApp chats and essential media.
Any suggestions on how to:
- Transfer WhatsApp chat/media without USB and/or preferably cloud?
- Efficiently back up the rest of my phone’s data (e.g., documents, app data, photos/videos) via Wi-Fi or other offline methods?
Would appreciate any help or suggestions from fellow Poco/Android users or anyone who’s been through something similar. Thanks in advance!
Comments
Wifi pro ftp server will work for your media
For chats, im unsure, however i have seen "transfer chat" setting in whatsapp
Edit, i upload my chats automatically from whatsapp to gdrive
They should be encrypted from whatsapp but yeah, if facebook has my data and they lie about encryption, then i guess google can have my data too, im fucked either way then
Plenty of local only apps to move data from old to new phone, they'll either use local hotspot or local wifi to transfer no cloud needed. This is from Xiaomi themself https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.miui.huanji
Most manufacturer have their own dedicated app too and they're not brand locked and can be used on any phone. They all work the same way, via local hotspot or local wifi. Try others if that mimover doesn't work.
ShareMe: File sharing by Xiaomi
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.xiaomi.midrop
If you root your phone, you can use SwiftBackup to backup all your apps and data. I backup to an sd card.
Or you could try to fix charging board, for mostly chinese phone (poco on this case), changing charging board is like just drop the old one and set replacement and didnt require any solder and hassle work.
For whatsapp, just backup the chat and files.
Then login to the same Google account in the new phone.
Install whatsapp.
It will ask whether to retrieve.
Click yes.
Done.
Its like you didn't even read op post. They're trying to avoid cloud. Gdrive that whatsapp use is cloud.
One shouldn't use whatsapp in the first place if it is that important.
Try Localsend.
Use a file manager like MiXplorer (Its Opensource and Free) to set up webdav server and access everything from browser.
Other option would be to get an SD card and copy everything from the phone to the SD and then move the SD card to the new phone
Thats not the point.
Use this app instead. It's tiny, I'd say low-end, and works locally, without Google's and other three-letter "data assistants":
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.medhaapps.wififtpserver
For whatsapp copy
.cryptand other files from/whatsapp/databasesfolder to the same folder on the new phone.Probably do that before installing and keep a separate copy of those files.
I was doing the same migration a couple of years ago and do not recall the details perfectly.
But I surely remember that zuckapp may not pick such local backups on the first attempt. He doesn't like when you don't use bigtech clouds.
So be prepared to do a few install/uninstall cycles.
P.S.
For a proper fresh start I'd also suggest not logging into Google account and disabling play store.
These days all apps can be installed from
.apkfiles. That's what I do for years myself.@Server I can recommend https://localsend.org/ its free and open-source.
Did you try asking AI?
LMAITFY 👇
Given your situation with a failing USB-C port on your old Poco phone and your preference to avoid cloud backups, there are several offline methods to transfer your data, including WhatsApp chat history and media, to your new Poco phone using Wi-Fi or other local solutions. Below, I’ll outline strategies to address your needs, focusing on transferring WhatsApp data and other phone data (photos, videos, documents, app data) via Wi-Fi or offline methods, while keeping the process secure and private.
Transferring WhatsApp Chat History and Media Without USB or Cloud
WhatsApp does not natively support direct Wi-Fi transfer of chat history and media between Android devices without using Google Drive or a USB connection. However, you can use a combination of local backup and Wi-Fi-based file transfer apps to achieve this offline. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Create a Local WhatsApp Backup on the Old Phone
WhatsApp automatically creates a local backup of your chats daily (stored in the phone’s internal storage), which you can use to transfer your data.
1 Open WhatsApp on your old Poco phone:
◦ Go to Settings > Chats > Chat backup.
◦ Check the Back up to Google Drive setting and ensure it’s set to Never to avoid cloud uploads.
◦ Tap Back up to manually create a fresh local backup. This ensures your latest chats are saved.
◦ The backup file (e.g., msgstore.db.crypt15) and media files are stored in Internal Storage > WhatsApp > Databases and WhatsApp > Media.
2 Verify the backup:
◦ Using a file manager app (e.g., pre-installed File Manager on Poco phones or a third-party app like Solid Explorer), navigate to Internal Storage > WhatsApp > Databases.
◦ Look for the latest backup file, typically named msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt15.
◦ Ensure the WhatsApp > Media folder contains your chat media (images, videos, voice messages, etc.).
Step 2: Transfer the WhatsApp Folder via Wi-Fi
Since USB is not an option, you can use a Wi-Fi-based file transfer app to move the entire WhatsApp folder to your new phone. These apps create a local Wi-Fi hotspot or use your home Wi-Fi network for direct, offline transfers without cloud involvement.
Recommended Apps:
• SHAREit (available on Google Play): Fast and reliable for transferring large folders over Wi-Fi.
• Xender: Another lightweight app for Wi-Fi direct transfers.
• WiFi FTP Server (suggested in forums for media transfers): Turns your phone into an FTP server for file transfers over Wi-Fi.
• Send Anywhere: Uses Wi-Fi Direct for secure, ad-free transfers.
Steps Using SHAREit (example):
1 Install SHAREit on both your old and new Poco phones from the Google Play Store.
2 On the old phone:
◦ Open SHAREit and select Send.
◦ Navigate to Internal Storage > WhatsApp and select the entire WhatsApp folder (this includes Databases for chats and Media for photos/videos).
◦ Tap Send to initiate the transfer.
3 On the new phone:
◦ Open SHAREit and select Receive.
◦ Connect to the old phone’s Wi-Fi hotspot (SHAREit creates a temporary hotspot for direct transfer).
◦ Accept the incoming WhatsApp folder and save it to Internal Storage.
4 Verify the transfer:
◦ On the new phone, use a file manager to ensure the WhatsApp folder (with Databases and Media) is in Internal Storage.
Alternative with WiFi FTP Server:
1 Install WiFi FTP Server on your old phone.
2 Start the server in the app, which provides an FTP address (e.g., ftp://192.168.x.x:port).
3 On your new phone, use a file manager with FTP support (e.g., Solid Explorer) or a browser to connect to the FTP address.
4 Download the WhatsApp folder to Internal Storage on the new phone.
Step 3: Restore WhatsApp on the New Phone
1 Install WhatsApp on your new Poco phone but do not open it yet.
2 Place the WhatsApp folder:
◦ Ensure the transferred WhatsApp folder is in Internal Storage (i.e., Internal Storage > WhatsApp with Databases and Media subfolders).
3 Open WhatsApp:
◦ Launch WhatsApp and verify your phone number (use the same number as on the old phone).
◦ WhatsApp will detect the local backup in WhatsApp > Databases.
◦ Tap Restore when prompted to restore chats and media.
4 Wait for restoration:
◦ Chats will be restored from the backup file, and media will be linked from the WhatsApp > Media folder.
◦ This process is entirely offline and does not require Google Drive.
Notes:
• Ensure both phones are on the same Wi-Fi network or connected via a hotspot for faster transfers.
• The WhatsApp folder can be large (several GB if you have many media files), so ensure your new phone has enough storage.
• If you encounter issues (e.g., WhatsApp not detecting the backup), ensure the backup file name is intact and not corrupted during transfer. You may need to retry the transfer or check file integrity.
Backing Up and Transferring Other Phone Data (Photos, Videos, Documents, App Data)
To transfer other data like photos, videos, documents, and app data without USB or cloud, you can use the Mi Mover app for most data types and complement it with Wi-Fi-based file transfer apps for specific files. Here’s how:
Option 1: Use Mi Mover for General Data Transfer
Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s official app for transferring data between phones via Wi-Fi. It’s pre-installed on most Poco phones and supports transferring contacts, messages, photos, videos, music, documents, and some app data (but not WhatsApp chats).
Steps:
1 Install Mi Mover:
◦ Check if Mi Mover is pre-installed on both phones (usually under Settings > System apps or as a standalone app).
◦ If not on the old phone, download it from the Google Play Store: Mi Mover.
2 Set up the transfer:
◦ On the new phone:
▪ Open Mi Mover and select I’m a receiver.
▪ A QR code or hotspot details will appear.
◦ On the old phone:
▪ Open Mi Mover and select I’m a sender.
▪ Scan the QR code or connect to the new phone’s hotspot.
3 Select data to transfer:
◦ Choose categories like Gallery (photos/videos), Documents, Music, Contacts, Messages, and Apps (note: app data transfer may be limited for some apps).
◦ Avoid selecting WhatsApp data, as Mi Mover does not support it reliably.
4 Start the transfer:
◦ Tap Send on the old phone and wait for the transfer to complete.
◦ Both phones should be kept on and undisturbed during the process.
5 Verify on the new phone:
◦ Check that photos, videos, and documents are in their respective folders (e.g., Gallery, File Manager).
◦ Contacts and messages should sync automatically.
Limitations:
• Mi Mover may not transfer all app data (e.g., login states or game progress) due to Android restrictions.
• It’s slower than USB for large files but suitable for your needs since it’s offline and uses a local Wi-Fi connection.
Option 2: Manual Wi-Fi Transfer for Specific Files
For more control or if Mi Mover misses some data, use a Wi-Fi file transfer app like SHAREit, Xender, or WiFi FTP Server to manually transfer specific folders.
Steps:
1 Identify key folders on your old phone using a file manager:
◦ Photos/Videos: Typically in DCIM > Camera or Pictures.
◦ Documents: In Documents or custom folders.
◦ Downloads: In Download folder.
◦ App Data: Some apps store data in Internal Storage > Android > data, but access may require root or specific apps.
2 Transfer using SHAREit or Xender:
◦ Follow the same process as for the WhatsApp folder (select folders, send from old phone, receive on new phone).
◦ Save files to appropriate locations on the new phone (e.g., DCIM for photos, Documents for PDFs).
3 Alternative with SD Card (if available):
◦ If your old phone has a working SD card slot, copy key folders to an SD card using the phone’s file manager.
◦ Insert the SD card into the new phone and copy files to Internal Storage.
◦ This is a fully offline method but depends on SD card support.
Notes:
• For app data, most non-root methods (including Mi Mover) cannot transfer full app states (e.g., login credentials or game progress) due to Android’s security restrictions. You may need to re-login to apps or start fresh.
• If you want to back up app data, consider Swift Backup (requires root) to save app data to an SD card or transfer via Wi-Fi, but rooting may be complex and risky on a phone with hardware issues.
Option 3: Bluetooth (for Small Files)
For small files (e.g., a few documents or contacts), Bluetooth is a slow but reliable offline method.
Steps:
1 Enable Bluetooth on both phones (Settings > Bluetooth).
2 Pair the devices by selecting the new phone from the old phone’s Bluetooth menu.
3 In the old phone’s file manager or gallery, select files, tap Share, and choose Bluetooth.
4 Accept the files on the new phone.
5 Use this for small, critical files (e.g., PDFs or contacts exported as VCF files) due to Bluetooth’s slow speed.
Addressing Hardware Issues and Data Integrity
Your old phone’s symptoms (USB port failure, unstable charging, “storage drive not found” errors, and media date issues) suggest potential hardware or firmware problems, which could affect data transfer reliability. Here are tips to mitigate risks:
• Stabilize the phone:
◦ Keep the phone charged (use a wireless charger if available, or stabilize the USB-C cable to maintain a connection).
◦ Avoid using the phone during transfers to prevent reboots or errors.
◦ If “storage drive not found” errors occur, reboot the phone and retry accessing files.
• Check file integrity:
◦ Before transferring, verify that files (e.g., photos, WhatsApp backups) are accessible and not corrupted.
◦ If media dates show as Jan 1970, this may indicate filesystem errors. Copy affected files immediately to avoid data loss.
• Backup to SD card (if possible):
◦ If your phone supports an SD card, copy critical files (WhatsApp folder, photos, documents) to the SD card as a precaution before attempting Wi-Fi transfers.
• Fix USB port (last resort):
◦ If all else fails, consider replacing the charging board (common in Poco phones and often doesn’t require soldering). This could restore USB functionality but may not be worth the effort if Wi-Fi methods work.
Recommended Workflow
To ensure a smooth migration, follow this workflow:
1 Backup WhatsApp:
◦ Create a local WhatsApp backup and verify the WhatsApp folder.
◦ Transfer the WhatsApp folder to the new phone using SHAREit or WiFi FTP Server.
◦ Restore WhatsApp on the new phone.
2 Use Mi Mover for general data:
◦ Transfer photos, videos, contacts, messages, and documents via Mi Mover.
◦ Verify transferred files on the new phone.
3 Manually transfer remaining files:
◦ Use SHAREit or Xender to transfer any missed files (e.g., specific folders like Downloads or DCIM).
◦ Use Bluetooth for small, critical files if needed.
4 Archive to laptop (optional):
◦ If you want to archive photos/videos to your laptop (as per your usual process), use Wi-Fi transfer apps to send files from the old phone to the laptop (e.g., WiFi FTP Server or Send Anywhere).
5 Test the new phone:
◦ Ensure all critical data (WhatsApp chats, media, documents) is accessible.
◦ Reinstall apps and re-login as needed.
Additional Tips
• Storage Space: Ensure your new phone has enough free storage for the WhatsApp folder and other data. Delete unnecessary files on the old phone to speed up transfers.
• Battery: Keep both phones charged (at least 80%) during transfers, as Mi Mover and Wi-Fi apps can be battery-intensive.
• Privacy: All methods above (Mi Mover, SHAREit, Xender, WiFi FTP Server) are offline and do not upload data to the cloud, aligning with your privacy concerns.
• Troubleshooting:
◦ If Mi Mover fails to connect, ensure both phones are on the same Wi-Fi network or retry the hotspot connection.
◦ If WhatsApp restoration fails, verify the backup file’s integrity and ensure it’s in the correct folder (Internal Storage > WhatsApp > Databases).
• Future Backups: Consider occasional local backups to an SD card or external drive to avoid reliance on a single phone’s storage, especially given your privacy concerns.
Final Notes
The combination of Mi Mover for general data and SHAREit/Xender/WiFi FTP Server for the WhatsApp folder should cover all your needs without requiring USB or cloud services. These methods are widely used by Poco and Android users for offline transfers and have been discussed in forums like Reddit and LowEndTalk. If you encounter specific issues (e.g., corrupted files or transfer failures), let me know, and I can provide further troubleshooting steps.
If you’d like me to clarify any step, recommend additional apps, or explore other offline methods (e.g., using an OTG adapter with an SD card reader), feel free to ask! Good luck with your data migration, and I hope your new Poco phone serves you well!
swift backup + syncthing (local IP) or folder sync (cloud),
Titanium backup used to be my goto but they havent updated in years .
Zapya, ShareIt