How to transfer data from Samsung to Xiaomi: all the ways

Changing a smartphone always brings mixed feelings: joy from a new gadget and a slight panic at the need to transfer all the accumulated information. The transition from Samsung to Xiaomi or Redmi devices is a popular scenario that requires a competent approach to not lose any important contact or photos. Modern Android operating systems have greatly simplified this process, but it still has its own nuances that must be considered for the perfect result.

In this article, we will discuss all available methods of migration, from the use of branded utilities to cloud services. You will learn how to properly prepare an old device, what way to choose for your case and what to do if you have errors in transfer. The main thing is to take your time and follow the step-by-step instructions so that your new Xiaomi becomes an exact copy of the familiar Samsung.

Preparation of devices for data transfer

Before any manipulations begin, you need to conduct basic training of both devices: make sure that both smartphones have a battery charge of at least 50-60%, and ideally connect them to a power source. The process of cloning data can be energy-intensive, and a sudden disconnection of one of the gadgets can lead to corrupt files or interrupt synchronization.

Both smartphones must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. The transfer speed depends on the bandwidth of the router, so using a mobile network is not recommended due to possible traffic consumption and connection instability. Also check for free space on the new Xiaomi device; it should be more than the amount of data occupied by Samsung.

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Before you start the transfer, clear the cache of junk apps on the old Samsung – this will speed up the process and save the new phone from unnecessary digital junk.

Remember to unlock the screen of your old phone, as some security systems can block data transmission on a locked device. If Samsung has power saving mode, it is better to temporarily turn it off so that the system does not interrupt the background transmission services.

Using the Mi Mover application for direct transmission

The most effective and native way for Xiaomi’s ecosystem is the Mi Mover utility, which is designed to migrate data between Android devices and provides the most complete copy of the folder structure. On the new Xiaomi phone, the app is often preinstalled in the Tools folder, and on Samsung it will need to be downloaded from Google Play.

Once you install and run the app on both devices, you need to select the role of each. On Xiaomi, click "I am the recipient" and on Samsung, "I am the sender." QR-code or connect through device search. Once you have established the connection, you will see a list of data categories available for portability.

You can choose specific file types: contacts, messages, call history, apps, music, and photos. Note that some Samsung system settings may not be compatible with the MIUI or HyperOS shell, so porting them may not make sense.

⚠️ Warning: While Mi Mover is running, do not switch to other apps or block the smartphone screen, as this may break the Wi-Fi Direct connection and interrupt the transfer.

Sync with Google Account and Cloud

If a direct connection is not possible or you prefer cloud technology, Google Account will be your best assistant.This method is ideal for saving contacts, calendar, notes and list of installed applications. On Samsung, go to settings, find the Accounts and Archiving section and make sure that sync with Google is complete.

When you first set up a new Xiaomi, just log in to the same Google account. The system will prompt you to restore data from the backup. You can choose which apps to download and which to ignore. Photos and videos are best synced through the Google Photos app by enabling the autoboot feature there.

This method is particularly convenient because it doesn't require both devices to be side by side at the same time, so you can back up in advance and restore it to a new gadget at any time. 4K, RAW-Photos may not have enough free space of 15 GB.

Hand-over of multimedia and heavy files

For users who have accumulated gigabytes of photos, videos and documents, cloud methods can be too slow. USB-cable and computer USB OTG. Connect Samsung to PC in file transfer mode (MTP), copy the folders DCIM, Pictures, Download and Documents on hard drive.

Then plug Xiaomi in and move the data to the appropriate directories. Android folder structure is universal, so photos are automatically identified by the gallery, and documents are determined by the file manager. This is the "rough" but most reliable method for moving large files without compression and loss of quality.

An alternative is to use an FTP or SMB file manager if both phones are on the same network, so you can share a folder on one device and download content to another over a local network, which is often faster than the cloud but slower than a direct cable.

Data migration from Samsung Smart Switch

Many Samsung users are used to the proprietary utility Smart Switch. Unfortunately, it is not possible to transfer data directly to Xiaomi, since the application is designed to work inside the Samsung ecosystem or to transition to it. However, you can use Smart Switch to create a full backup on your computer or SD-map.

By creating a backup via Smart Switch on a PC, you can access files in a proprietary format. To use them on Xiaomi, you will have to use the restore function if it supports standard archives, or simply extract media files from the created backup folder manually. Contacts and calendar are better still synced through Google to avoid confusion.

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Smart Switch on Xiaomi does not work as a receiving app, use it only to create a local copy of data on your PC.

There are third-party converter programs that try to recode Samsung backups into a format that other brands understand, but using them carries the risk of data loss. The safest way is to view Smart Switch as a way to securely store an archive, rather than as a direct bridge to migrate to other manufacturers' devices.

Solution and work with WhatsApp

The most important thing to note is that if you use the Mi Mover method or restore it from Google Drive, chats are usually automatically transferred. However, if you change your Google account or region, you may have trouble. Make sure that your old phone has a backup on Google Drive in the WhatsApp settings.

When you first launch WhatsApp on Xiaomi, the app will prompt you to restore your message history. If you don't, make sure you use the same phone number and the same Google account. In some cases, you need to use the "Chat Transfer" feature inside the WhatsApp app itself in your chat settings.

⚠️ Note: If you use two-factor authentication on WhatsApp, make sure you have access to the app. SIM-SMS card or backup codes, otherwise you may lose access to your account when you change device.

Users also often face the problem of some banking applications not being available or not working properly after porting, due to Google Play Protect security checks, in which case it is better to remove and download the app again from the official store so that it is correctly registered on the new hardware.