How to transfer information from Samsung to Xiaomi: the complete guide

Changing the Android smartphone ecosystem is always an exciting process, with the risk of losing important data. The transition from Samsung to Xiaomi requires careful attention, as manufacturers have different shells: One UI and MIUI (or HyperOS). Users often worry that they will not be able to find their contacts, correspondence history or favorite photos on a new device.

In this article, we will take a look at all the ways data migration is available, you will learn about embedded tools, cloud services and manual copying methods, we will focus on the nuances of the Mi Mover, the main tool for portability, and also touch on the topic of saving passwords and settings of two-factor authentication, which are often overlooked.

Before you start, make sure that both devices are at least 60 percent charged, the process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours depending on the amount of information, and the Wi-Fi router must support the 5GHz standard for maximum data transfer speed, and ignoring this requirement can lead to a process hanging up during the copying stage of the gallery.

Preparing devices for data migration

The success of the operation depends on the preliminary preparation of gadgets. On the new Xiaomi, you need to perform the initial setup, select a language and connect to the Wi-Fi network. The old Samsung also needs to be unlocked and have a stable connection. Before starting the procedure, it is recommended to delete temporary files and cache of applications on the old phone so as not to carry digital debris.

Make sure to check for free space on your receiving device. If you move from a 128GB model to a 64GB model, you'll have to audit your files in advance, delete unnecessary videos or move them to your computer, and it's also important to update the system software on both smartphones to the latest version available to eliminate transmission protocol compatibility bugs.

⚠️ Warning: Do not start the transfer process if one of the devices has aggressive energy-saving modes or antiviruses that block the local network.

For a comfortable experience, turn off mobile internet on both devices during the copying process itself, leaving only Wi-Fi active. This will prevent conflicts of network protocols. Make sure that phone screens do not go out too quickly by setting the timeout display to “never” or 10 minutes in the settings → Screen → Sleep mode.

Using the Mi Mover app for full portability

The most effective and native way is to use the Mi Mover utility. On Xiaomi smartphones, it is preinstalled in the Tools folder. On Samsung, the application must be downloaded from Google Play Market or installed. APK-File. This solution allows you to move not only media files, but also system settings, contacts, messages and even placement of icons on the desktop.

The process starts on a new phone. Select Receiver, and on an old Samsung, Sender. Devices will find each other through the Receiver. QR-code or Wi-Fi search. After the connection, a list of categories to transfer will appear. You can choose selective synchronization, for example, move only the gallery and contacts, leaving the applications for manual installation.

It’s worth noting that some Samsung system apps, such as S Health or S Voice, won’t work on Xiaomi even after the port, and it’s best not to copy them to avoid clogging the system. Third-party apps (Telegram, WhatsApp, banks) will be copied, but they will require re-authorization for security reasons.

Synchronization through Google Account

Google’s ecosystem is a universal bridge between any Android device. If you’ve used Samsung before, chances are your contacts, notes, and calendar are already stored in the cloud. To activate on Xiaomi, you just need to log into your Google account when you first set up or add it later through the Settings → Accounts and Sync menu.

This method is ideal for those who want to keep a clean system without unnecessary "junk": You access your contacts, Chrome history, passwords and Google Drive documents instantly. Photos will also be pulled up through Google Photos if you have Autoboot enabled. However, this method will not transfer alarm clock settings, dictaphone recordings and SMS-messages without using additional utilities.

• 📱 Contacts and phone numbers are synced automatically when logged in to your account.
• 📸 Photos and videos are available through the Google Photos app in source quality.
• 🔑 Passwords from sites will be pulled up through Google Smart Lock in the Chrome browser.
• 📅 Calendar and tasks will appear in the standard appendix Calendar".

It's important to understand the difference between synchronization and backup. Synchronization works in real time, but requires the Internet. A backup is created periodically and stores the state of the system at the time of creation. To switch to Xiaomi, you'd better use a combination of Google for contacts and photos, and Mi Mover for the rest.

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Google Account is a database that will restore your personal data on any Android smartphone, but will not save the system settings and location of widgets.

Transfer of multimedia: photos, videos and music

Media files take up the lion's share of smartphone memory. When moving a gallery from Samsung to Xiaomi, it is important to preserve the folder structure and metadata (date of shooting, geolocation). USB-cable to computer is the most reliable, but the longest method. However, using Mi Mover or local transmission over Wi-Fi Direct saves the user from the same problem. EXIF-intact.

If you use cloud storage, such as Google Drive, Yandex.Disk or Mi Cloud, the process is simplified to install one application. Download the archive from a photo on an old phone and download on a new one. Pay attention to compression: some services can degrade the quality of the source if the original quality mode is not activated.

Users often forget about the DCIM/.thumbnails folder, which can weigh several gigabytes. This is Samsung's thumbnail cache. When you manually transfer files through your computer, you don't need to copy this folder, because Xiaomi will create its own cache again, which will free up precious space on the new device.

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Before you move your photo, check the Recycle Bin folder at the Samsung Gallery, often with deleted images that take up space but are not needed, and cleaning the basket will speed up the migration process.

Migration of messengers: WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber

The most critical part of the move is the history of correspondence. Messengers store data differently. Telegram and Viber (partially) store the history on servers. You just install an app on Xiaomi, enter a phone number, and all chats (except secret ones) will appear automatically. Media files will be downloaded as needed or when you turn on autoload.

WhatsApp is more complicated because of its Google Drive link. On Samsung, go to Settings → Chats → Chat Backup and click “Create a Backup.” Make sure it’s loaded onto Google Drive. When you install WhatsApp on Xiaomi, the app will find the backup and suggest you restore the history. It’s important to use the same Google account.

⚠️ Note: WhatsApp backup is tied to your phone number and Google account. If you change your phone number when you switch to a new smartphone, standard recovery won't work - use the number change feature inside WhatsApp before moving.

For Viber, it is also recommended to create a local or cloud copy. In the settings, select Account → Backup Viber. After installing the application on a new device, follow the instructions on the screen. Note that secret chats (Secret Chats) are not transferred to any messenger for security reasons - their history will only remain on the old device.

Transfer of banking applications and security keys

Financial security requires a special approach. Banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff, Alpha, etc.) have built-in protection against data transfer between devices. You can’t just copy a folder with data through Mi Mover. You will have to re-enter logins, passwords and pass identification (SMS, push notification, call).

Pay particular attention to authentication apps like Google Authenticator or Samsung Pass. If you just move the app, the codes may not be saved or tied to an old device. For Google Authenticator, use the export function via QR-code inside the app on your old phone and scan it on your new one.

• 🏦 Banking applications require complete reinstallation and re-authorization.
• 🔐 YubiKey, Titan security keys need to be re-registered in services.
• 📱 Samsung Pass doesn’t work on Xiaomi – Passwords must be exported to Google Password Manager.
• 📲 Two-factor authentication tokens require manual export through QR-code.

If you’ve used Samsung Pass to store passwords, be sure to export them before you switch. Xiaomi doesn’t have the same feature, so the best solution is to switch to a password manager from Google or a third-party one, like Bitwarden or KeePass, which will ensure cross-platformity in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)