Changing a mobile device often causes mixed feelings: joy from acquiring a new gadget and a slight panic because of the need to transfer information.
Android ecosystem owners are more fortunate in this regard, as the architecture of the system allows you to migrate between brands with minimal time wastage.
The process of transferring data from Samsung to Xiaomi has become as automated and understandable as possible, even for inexperienced users.
The main difficulty is not technical impossibility, but choosing the right tool for a particular task.
There are several proven methods, each of which has its own advantages depending on the file size and Internet connection speed.
Let’s take a look at each method in detail so that you can choose the best one for your situation.
Preparing devices for migration
Before starting the copying process, a number of preparatory steps must be performed to ensure the stability of the connection.
Both smartphones should be charged at least 60-70%, as active data transmission over Wi-Fi Direct significantly consumes energy.
Also make sure that the new Xiaomi device (or Redmi, POCO) has enough free space to receive all the contents of the old device.
It is recommended to disable any aggressive energy saving modes on both devices that may break the connection at the most inopportune time.
Check the current versions of the operating system, although modern versions of MIUI and One UI are usually perfectly compatible with each other.
⚠️ Note: If the old Samsung has a very old version of Android (below 6.0), some modern applications may not migrate correctly through cloud services.
☑️ Checklist before start
Use of the Mi Mover app
The most effective and native way is to use the proprietary utility Mi Mover, which is preinstalled on all new Xiaomi phones.
This tool creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices, allowing data to be transmitted at high speeds without the involvement of a router.
On a Samsung device, you will need to download the app from Google Play or scan it. QR-code that will appear on the screen of the new phone.
The interface of the program is as simple as possible: after launch, you need to select the role of the device (Sender on Samsung and Receiver on Xiaomi).
The system will suggest scanning. QR-code or find the device in the list of available Wi-Fi networks.
After pairing, you will see a list of data categories available for copying.
- 📱 Contacts and call history are transferred completely, maintaining the structure of the groups.
- 🖼️ Photos and videos from the gallery are copied in original quality without compression.
- 📲 Applications are installed automatically, but the data inside them (logins, game progress) may require a separate login.
- ⚙️ System settings, including wallpaper and icon layout, are often saved for user comfort.
Application portability nuances
It is important to note that the process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours depending on the amount of internal memory.
Do not interrupt the connection and keep the device screens on until the operation is complete.
Comparison of data transfer methods
Apart from the native tool, there are alternative ways of migration that can be useful in situations.
For example, using Google cloud services is convenient if you have fast and unlimited Internet, but this method is slower than local copying.
Third-party applications like Send Anywhere are good for fast transfer of individual large files, but are not suitable for full system migration.
| Method | Speed. | We need the Internet. | What's transferable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover | Tall. | No (Wi-Fi Direct) | Everything (photos, contacts, settings) |
| Google Account | Medium | Yes. | Contacts, calendar, applications |
| Smart Switch (PC) | Tall. | No (cable) | Complete copy of the system |
| Bluetooth | Very low. | No. | Only contacts, small files. |
The choice of method depends on your priorities: speed or convenience of setting up without installing additional software.
For most users, the best option is a bundle of Mi Mover + Google Account.
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Mi Mover delivers the fastest data transfer speeds thanks to Wi-Fi Direct technology without consuming mobile traffic.
Transfer through a Google account
Google’s ecosystem is a “glue” that links different Android devices, making it easy to synchronize key data.
If you’ve used Samsung before, chances are your contacts, emails, and calendar events are already stored in the cloud.
When the new Xiaomi is first activated, just enter the same Gmail address, and the system will offer to restore a backup.
This method is ideal for restoring the list of installed applications and their basic settings.
However, photos and videos are better synced separately through the Google Photos app, as standard sync may not cover all folders.
Make sure that the old device is enabled to synchronize all the necessary items in the account settings.
- 📧 Email and contacts are restored instantly after entering a password.
- 📅 Calendar and notes (if you used Google Keep) will appear automatically.
- 🎮 Game progression will continue if it supports Google Play Games.
⚠️ Note: Photos in "high quality" (not original) in Google Photos don't take up storage space, but may have compression. For a full backup in the original, watch the 15GB limit.
Working with messengers and social networks
Special attention should be paid to the transfer of correspondence in popular messengers, as they often store data locally.
For WhatsApp and Viber, it is critical to back up your old device before switching to a new one.
In WhatsApp settings on Samsung, go to the “Chats” section → “Chat backup” and click “Backup” on Google Drive.
When you install the app on Xiaomi and log in to the same phone number, the system will prompt you to recover your message history from the cloud.
In Telegram everything is simpler: correspondence is stored on the server, it is enough to log in, and all chats will appear instantly.
Secret chats on Telegram are not portable, as they are tied to a specific device.
Also, be sure to check your two-factor authentication settings so that the confirmation codes arrive at a new number or in the authenticator application.
If you use Google Authenticator, be sure to export codes or print out backup recovery codes before you reset your old phone.
Solving problems in transfer
During the migration process, users may face various technical difficulties that are easily solved.
The most common problem is the disconnection of the Wi-Fi Direct connection during the Mi Mover operation.
This can occur due to interference in the air or aggressive energy saving, which “kills” the background transmission process.
If the transfer has got stuck at a certain percentage, try restarting both apps and starting the process anew, selecting only those categories that have not been copied.
Sometimes it helps to temporarily disconnect the mobile Internet on both devices, so that the system does not try to switch to the cellular network.
Users also often complain that some banking applications do not work after the transfer.
This is due to the security systems of Google Pay and the banks themselves, which may require re-assignment of the card or checking the device.
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If Mi Mover gives you an error “Not enough space”, clear the cache of applications on the receiving device or delete temporary files in the Download folder before starting.
⚠️ Note: After data transfer, banking applications may require re-entry or even complete reinstallation due to changes in device identifiers.
Completion of new device configuration
After successfully copying all the data, it is important to conduct a final system check.
Go through the main apps, make sure the photos are opened and the contacts are displayed correctly.
It is recommended to check the notification settings, as they are in the MIUI shell.