How to transfer data from Xiaomi to Samsung Galaxy: Full instructions

Changing your smartphone is always stressful, not so much with getting used to a new interface, but with the risk of losing important files. Xiaomi ecosystem owners often face difficulties in switching to Samsung devices, as the shell is a big part of the experience. MIUI one UI They have fundamentally different storage architectures, just copying files through the computer. USB-cable is often not enough if you want to keep the folder structure, passwords and application settings.

There are several proven ways to minimize loss of information and quickly customize the new Samsung Galaxy to suit your needs.We will consider both standard funds from the manufacturer and third-party solutions that guarantee the transfer of contacts, photos, messages and even desktop layout. It is important to understand that each method has its own nuances depending on the version of Android and MIUI.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the migration process, focusing on hidden settings and potential system conflicts, how to avoid duplicate contacts and why some applications may not work immediately after the transfer, and properly preparing devices before starting the procedure will save you hours of manual adjustment.

Preparing devices for data migration

Before any transfer operation is initiated, it is critical to ensure a stable power supply for both gadgets. The synchronization process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours depending on the amount of internal memory, so both devices must be charged at least 60-70%. If the battery sits in the middle of the process, you risk a damaged database or a malfunctioning system.

You also need to make sure that both smartphones have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled. Even if you plan to use cable, wireless modules are often used for initial handshakes and encryption keys. Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network if you plan on a wireless method of transmission.

Make sure that the old Xiaomi has full synchronization of contacts and calendar with the Google cloud, a basic layer of protection that will allow you to recover the phone book even in the event of a failure when transferring heavier files.

⚠️ Warning: Do not start the process if one of the devices is power-saving mode.It can limit the background activity of the applications for transfer, which will lead to a connection break and synchronization error.

Check for free space on your Samsung device. The amount of free memory should exceed the amount of data you plan to transfer. If space is scarce, the system may offer selective synchronization or even refuse to start the procedure.

Use Samsung Smart Switch Mobile

The most effective and official way to transition is the Samsung Smart Switch app, a specialized tool developed by engineers at the South Korean company to make it easier to migrate from any platform, including Android, iOS and even button phones. For Xiaomi owners, this is the best choice, as the app can correctly interpret the structure of MIUI files.

First, install the Smart Switch app on your old Xiaomi phone from Google Play. On the new Samsung Galaxy, it is usually pre-installed in the Samsung folder or available for download in the Galaxy Store. After launching on both devices, you need to select the role of each phone: on Xiaomi, choose Send Data, and on Samsung, Receive Data.

The system then suggests you choose the way to connect. For maximum speed and stability, it is recommended to use a USB-C to USB-C cable (or OTG adapter), which often comes with new flagships. The wireless connection also works well, but it depends heavily on the quality of the router's signal and can be interrupted by an incoming call.

Once the devices are connected, Xiaomi will have a permission request on the screen, and you will need to give the app all the rights you request, including access to contacts, storage, SMS, and call logs. Without those permissions, Smart Switch simply won’t see the data to copy.

During the content selection phase, you will see a detailed list of categories: images, videos, audio, documents, messages, contacts, call logs, settings, and even the location of icons on the desktop. Mark all the necessary items. Please note that some Xiaomi system applications cannot be ported to Samsung due to shell incompatibility.

Start the transfer process. The screen will display the progress bar and approximate end time. Do not block the screens of devices during the process, as some versions of Android can kill the background data transfer process to save resources.

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If the process is stuck in the “Data Preparation” phase for more than 5 minutes, try restarting both smartphones and clearing the Smart Switch app cache in Android settings.

Alternative methods: Google One and Mi Cloud

If you can’t use a cable or direct Wi-Fi Direct connection, you can use cloud services. Google’s ecosystem offers a built-in backup tool that automatically activates when you first turn on a new device. However, it is important for Xiaomi owners to be aware of the nuances of the Mi Cloud.

Mi Cloud is a great way to back up your settings, but you can’t transfer them directly to Samsung. You’ll need to restore your data from the Mi Cloud to any Android smartphone (or back to Xiaomi), and then transfer it to Samsung via Smart Switch, which creates an extra link in the chain, but sometimes it’s the only way out.

A more direct route is to use Google One. On the old Xiaomi, go to Google settings, select "Backup" and click "Start Copy." Make sure that the list includes application data, SMS and MMS. When you first turn on Samsung, log in to the same Google account, and the system will prompt you to restore data from the last copy.

It is important to note that cloud backup does not save passwords from Wi-Fi networks and some specific login settings for security reasons.

Transfer of messages, contacts and call logs

The most sensitive part of migration is correspondence and call history. Unlike media files, which are simply unpleasant to lose, losing messages can have legal or personal consequences. The Smart Switch app does this perfectly by converting an SMS/MMS database from MIUI to One UI.

Contacts are more complicated. Often, when you transfer, you get duplication, and you get the same contact twice, and you get one of the two. SIM-To avoid this, you should go to the Contacts app before migrating to Xiaomi, select Settings and combine duplicates if such a feature is available, or export contacts to a.vcf file and import them manually to Samsung.

Call logs are almost always error-free. However, if you have a very long call history (thousands of records), the process may take extra time. After transfer, check a few random numbers to make sure they are clickable and make the right contact.

⚠️ Note: Messages from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) are not always carried over the standard Smart Switch interface. For WhatsApp, it is better to use the built-in backup function in Google Drive inside the WhatsApp application itself on the old phone.

For Telegram users, it's not a big deal: all the data is stored in the cloud, just install the app on a new Samsung and log in to your account, and all the history of correspondence (except secret chats) will be downloaded automatically.

Application and data compatibility issues

The transition from Xiaomi to Samsung is not only a change in brand, but also in the philosophy of the interface. Some applications optimized for MIUI may not display correctly on One UI. For example, Xiaomi’s weather or calendar widgets will not work on Samsung, as they require system libraries that are not in the shell of a competitor.

Also worth considering is the difference in permission management: Xiaomi often uses aggressive battery saving that kills background processes. Samsung has a different policy. After transferring data, you may need to reconfigure notifications for important applications, as new security settings may block them by default.

A particular problem arises with applications tied to device IDs or specific sensors. If a banking application or corporate client refuses to work after the transfer, try not just reinstall it, but completely remove and download it from Google Play to update certificate signatures.

Sometimes users find that the gallery on the new phone is thinking for a long time and does not show the photo. This is normal behavior: the Samsung system takes time to index thousands of new files and create previews. Don't panic and let the phone lie on a charger with Wi-Fi on for about an hour.

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Full compatibility is guaranteed only for standard data (photos, contacts, videos) and Samsung’s specific MIUI settings and widgets will not work.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)