Changing your smartphone brand is always a bit of a stress, especially when you have years of correspondence, important documents and thousands of photos in your memory. The transition from Samsung to Xiaomi is no exception, but the modern Android ecosystems allow you to perform this procedure as quickly and without loss.
Galaxy owners are often used to a specific One UI interface and pre-installed services that may differ from the MIUI or HyperOS shell. However, the basic file structure and application logs remain common.
Before you start taking action, make sure that both smartphones are at least 60-70% charged. The process of cloning data, especially if the amount of information is large, can take a considerable amount of time and consume significant battery resources.
There are several proven synchronization methods, from the use of a regular Mi Mover application to cloud services and manual copying, the choice of the particular method depends on the amount of information transferred and the availability of a stable Wi-Fi connection.
Using the Mi Mover app for quick migration
The most efficient and preferred way to transfer data is to use the Mi Mover proprietary tool, which is designed specifically for migrating from other platforms to Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices. It allows you to transfer contacts, messages, call history, applications, photos, music and videos in one session.
To get started, you need to install the app on both devices. On the new Xiaomi, it is often preinstalled in the Tools folder. APK-file or find the app on Google Play, if it's available for your model.
On the receiving device (Xiaomi), select the "I receive" role, and on the sender (Samsung) - "I send." The application will create a Wi-Fi hotspot to connect to. Importantly, the transfer speed in this mode may be lower than when connecting to the router, but the connection will be direct and stable.
Once paired, you'll see a list of data categories available for transfer, the system will automatically filter compatible applications, and programs that are only available in the Samsung ecosystem may not be portable, but their data (such as notes or voice recorders) are often stored as files.
☑️ Preparing for migration through Mi Mover
Wait for the process to be completed. Copy time depends on the amount of data you have, and don't turn the application down or turn off the screen, because that might break the connection.
⚠️ Warning: During the operation of Mi Mover do not switch to other applications and do not block the screen of the smartphone, otherwise the transfer process may be interrupted, and you will have to start again.
A unique feature of this method is the ability to select specific versions of applications, if they are available in different stores, but for system applications Samsung (camera, gallery) portability is impossible – they will be replaced by counterparts from Xiaomi.
Synchronization through Google Account and Cloud Services
If you’ve already been using Android on Samsung, most of your digital life is already stored in the Google cloud, the most reliable way to migrate contacts, calendar, notes and settings, and when you first activate the new Xiaomi, you just need to enter the same username and password.
Before you set up your new phone, check on the old Samsung to see what exactly syncs. Go to Settings → Accounts and Archiving → Account Management → Google. Make sure the switches opposite Contacts, Calendar and Tasks are active and the data is updated.
For photos and videos, Google Photos is the best option. Turn on Autoboot and Sync on Samsung and wait for the process to be completed. On the new Xiaomi, it’s easy to log into the Google Photos app under the same account, and the entire library will be available instantly.
Passwords are worth noting, because if you saved passwords in Google Password Manager or Chrome, they will automatically be pulled to a new device when you log in to your browser, eliminating the need to remember complex character combinations for each site.
What to do if your contacts are not synchronized?
Using the Google One cloud also allows you to create a full backup of the system, including the layout of the home screen and the configuration of applications. When recovering from such a copy, Xiaomi will try to recreate the environment to which you are accustomed on Samsung as accurately as possible.
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Google Synchronization is an “immortal” method that saves your data even in the event of a physical device being lost or broken.
Comparison of data transmission methods: table
To make it easier for you to choose the best migration method, let’s compare the basic methods by key parameters, each with its own advantages depending on the specific situation and the type of files being transferred.
| Method | Speed. | Type of data | Network dependency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover | Tall. | All types (including applications) | No requirement (local Wi-Fi) |
| Google Account | Medium | Contacts, calendar, settings | Internet is required |
| Bluetooth | Low. | Individual files, contacts | Not required |
| PC (Cable) | Very high. | Media files, documents | Not required |
As you can see from the table, Mi Mover is a winner in versatility, because it covers the maximum categories of data without having to connect to the Internet, but for massive video files, it is sometimes faster to use cable and computer.
Bluetooth is only suitable for emergency situations where you need to transfer a couple of photos or a single contact, the speed of this protocol is extremely low for modern data volumes, and transferring a gigabyte of information can take several hours.
Cloud services are ideal for setting up the system’s “fundament” (contacts, mail), but require a stable and preferably fast connection to the network, which is not always available on the go.
Transfer of multimedia and documents via PC
If you have a huge amount of high-resolution photos or heavy video files, wireless methods may be too slow, and the most reliable option is to use the personal computer as an intermediary.
Connect Samsung to your computer via USB-In the notification menu on the phone, select the mode of operation. USB «File transfer” or MTP. A conductor window will open on your computer where you can copy folders. DCIM (Photos and videos), Download and Documents.
Then plug in Xiaomi. Android folder structure is standardized, so you can just drag and drop the copied folders into the internal memory of the new device.The system automatically recognizes new media files and adds them to the gallery.
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Use original cables or certified high-speed analogues (USB 3.0 and higher) to speed up the copying process.
This method is also convenient because it allows you to “review” files, so while the data is on the PC, you can sort it, remove duplicates or unnecessary debris, so as not to clog the memory of the new Xiaomi.
⚠️ Note: When copying via PC, do not remove the cable until all write operations are completed. Interrupting the process may cause files to be damaged or some data to be lost.
For users accustomed to command line or advanced utilities, there is the possibility of using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), but for most smartphone owners, standard copying through conductor will be the most understandable and effective solution.
Transfer of messages and call history
One of the most delicate tasks is to keep your SMS and call log history, and standard Android tools don’t always share that data across brands, but Mi Mover does a great job of it.
If you use third-party messengers like WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber, the situation is different. Telegram and Viber store history in the cloud, so just log in to the new device. All chats will be automatically downloaded.
WhatsApp is a little more complicated. When you first run it on Xiaomi, the app will offer to restore a backup from Google Drive. Make sure that Samsung has a fresh copy: WhatsApp Settings → Chats → Backup Chats → Create a backup.
It's important to use the same phone number and the same Google account to restore, and if you decide to change the number, you can't restore your story in the standard way without additional manipulation.