How to transfer data from Android to Android: Samsung to Xiaomi Redmi Note

Changing your smartphone is always an exciting process, especially when you move from one popular ecosystem to another, such as Samsung to Xiaomi Redmi Note. The main fear of users when you change is the risk of losing important contacts, photos, correspondence in messengers or app settings. Fortunately, modern Android operating systems provide many tools for seamless migration, making this process as simple and fast as possible.

In this article, we will take a look at all the current ways to transfer information, from built-in system gates to third-party solutions. You will learn how to prepare both devices, which method to choose for your particular case, and how to avoid typical errors that can lead to data loss. Whether you are changing the old Galaxy to a new Redmi or just want to have a backup, follow our instructions.

Before starting the procedure, make sure that both smartphones are at least 50-60% charged, as the process of transferring large amounts of data can be energy intensive. Also check that there is free space on the new Xiaomi device so that it can accommodate all your files and applications from the old phone.

Preparing devices for data migration

The first step before any transfer is to carefully prepare both smartphones. On a Samsung device, you need to check that all important data is synchronized with the Google Account or the manufacturer’s cloud if you plan to use hybrid methods. On the new Xiaomi Redmi Note, the system will offer to restore data when you first turn on, but a stable connection will be required for specialized applications to work.

Be sure to connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network if you plan to use wireless methods. The data rate depends on the signal quality and bandwidth of the router. If Wi-Fi is not available, many modern utilities create their own access point, but in this case the Internet on the phones will not work until the process is completed.

⚠️ Note: Do not interrupt the data transfer process or switch between apps on smartphones during migration.This can cause files to be damaged or the system to freeze on the receiving device.

It is also recommended to remove temporary files and cache on an old Samsung device to speed up the process and not carry digital debris.Pre-migration storage cleanup is a good practice that will allow you to get started on the new Redmi Note from a clean and optimized system.Verify that both devices are enabled Bluetooth and GPS, as they are often used to find devices and establish the initial connection.

📊 What kind of data transfer do you prefer?

Built-in Mi Mover app

Google Account and Synchronization

Manual copying on PC

Third-party programs (Clone Phone, etc.)

Using the Mi Mover application for portability

The most effective and native way for Xiaomi users is to use the Mi Mover app, which is designed specifically for migration from other Android and iOS platforms, ensuring high speed and compatibility of file formats. On the new Redmi Note models, the app is already installed in the Tools folder, and on Samsung it will need to be downloaded from Google Play.

The process starts with running the app on both devices. On the new Xiaomi, select Receiver, and on the old Samsung, Sender, the app will create a secure connection, often using the use of a secure connection. QR-code for quick authorization, and then you can select data categories to transfer, which can be contacts, messages, call logs, photos, videos, music, and even installed applications.

☑️ Preparation for work with Mi Mover

Download Mi Mover on SamsungEnable Wi-Fi on both phonesCharge devices above 50%Make room for Xiaomi

Done: 0 / 4

Importantly, Mi Mover allows you to transfer not only media files, but also system settings such as alarm clocks and wallpapers if Android versions are compatible. After selecting categories, click the "Send" button and wait for the process to be completed. Transfer time depends on the amount of data: several gigabytes of photos can be copied from 10 to 40 minutes.

⚠️ Warning: If the process is stalled at 99%, don’t panic or turn off your phones right away, oftentimes it takes the system to finalize file indexing and hidden settings.

The peculiarity of working with Samsung is that some system applications and data from Samsung Health or Samsung Notes may not be ported correctly due to the closed ecosystem. In such cases, Samsung Notes data can be exported to PDF or TXT format through the application to Samsung before porting to save text information. For the rest of the content, Mi Mover shows excellent stability results.

Synchronization through Google Account

The classic method that works on any Android device is synchronization through Google. If you’ve been using Google services on your Samsung, most of your data (contacts, calendar, Keep notes) is already in the cloud. When you sign in to the same account on the Xiaomi Redmi Note, that information will automatically be pulled into the system.

To check and adjust sync on your old phone, go to Settings → Accounts → Google. Make sure the sliders opposite Contacts, Calendar and Drive are active, and press the sync button. This ensures that the latest changes are downloaded to Google servers before changing your device.

On the new Xiaomi, when you first set up, the system will ask you to enter Google's login and password. Once you log in, you will be asked to select a backup from your old device. Select the latest version by date, and the phone will start downloading a list of apps that have been installed on Samsung.

📱 Contacts: Instantly appear in the phone book after connecting to the Internet.
📸 Photos and videos: Will be available through the Google Photos app if the "Outload" feature is enabled".
📝 Notes: Text from Google Keep will open in the app of the same name on a new device.

The main advantage of this method is brand independence. You can switch from Samsung to Xiaomi and then to Pixel or any other Android, and your data will always be with you. However, this method does not tolerate the settings of the applications themselves and their data (for example, progress in games or messenger cache) if the developer does not use cloud saves.

What to do if your contacts are not synchronized?

If the contacts don't show up, check where they were stored on Samsung, and users often store them in their phone's memory or on the phone. SIM-It's not a Google account, but a map. SIM-Maps use the import function in the Xiaomi Contacts menu: Contacts → Settings → Imports/exports → Import with SIM-map.> Sometimes automatic methods may not work properly with large volumes of heavy video files or specific documents, in which case the most reliable way is to manually copy through a computer or direct cable connection. You'll need it for that. USB-cable and preferably a computer with Windows or macOS. Connect Samsung to your computer, select file transfer mode MTP You can see the notification on your phone screen. DCIM (Photos and video from the camera, Pictures, Download and Documents in a separate folder on the desktop. Then turn off your old phone and plug in the Xiaomi Redmi Note. Toss the saved folders into the appropriate directories on the new device. Android folder structure is universal, so photos from the new device are all about the same folder. DCIM This method also allows you to audit files and not carry unnecessary debris that could have accumulated over the years of using Samsung.Data type Folder on Android Importance of reservation Average size Photos and Videos /DCIM/Camera Critical High Loads /Download Average Average Documents /Documents High Low Audio Files /Music Average Average Messengers /Android/media High High Another option for manual transfer is the use of OTG adapter. You can plug a flash drive into Samsung, copy the data, and then paste the flash drive into Xiaomi (or use the USB-C to USB-C adapter to directly connect two phones if they support this feature). This is especially useful if you don't have access to a computer or stable Wi-Fi. The migration of WhatsApp data and messengers is worthwhile to transfer correspondence to WhatsApp, since standard file copying methods here do not always work because of encryption. The most reliable way is to use the built-in backup function in the application itself. On Samsung, open WhatsApp → Chats → Backup Chats → Backup Chats → Xiaomi, make sure that the phone is not installed in the old one, after you have a copy on the phone. The app will automatically detect a backup in the cloud and prompt you to restore your correspondence history. For other messengers like Telegram or Viber, the process is even easier. Telegram is completely cloud-based - just enter your phone number, and all chats will appear instantly. Viber also requires you to back up your Google Drive in your app settings before changing your device, otherwise your message history won’t be saved. ⚠️ Note: When you port WhatsApp, make sure that the new device uses the same phone number and Google account as the old one. Otherwise, recovery from the backup will not be possible. If you use two-factor authentication in messengers, prepare access codes in advance or make sure that you are using them. SIM-Card number is active to receive SMS. Without a number confirmation, you can't restore access to encrypted correspondence even with a backup file. Users may encounter various technical nuances during the migration process. For example, applications that were installed on Samsung from third-party sources or specific stores (for example, the Galaxy Store) may not be available on Google Play on Xiaomi, in which case they will have to be downloaded again, possibly from alternative sources such as APKPure or official developer sites. Another common problem is different screen resolutions and proportions. Wallpapers and widgets that looked perfect on the Samsung screen can be stretched or trimmed into the Redmi interface and then it is recommended to be re-designed. It is also worth considering the differences in the shells of the One. UI from Samsung and MIUI/HyperOS The settings, control gestures, and even the logic of some system functions may differ, so give yourself time to adjust to the new logic of working, don’t try to immediately recreate an exact copy of the interface of an old phone. If you find that some files do not open on a new device, check their format. While Android is versatile, some proprietary Samsung formats (such as certain types of notes or voice recordings) may require special players or converters to play on Xiaomi. Yes, it's possible, but it's more complicated. If you have a sensor that's running, but you can't see the image, you can connect the phone to the monitor through an adapter. USB-C to HDMI (If the model supports video output, use the mouse. If the sensor is not working, it will be necessary. OTG-Adapter and computer for file management, but complete system transfer without debugging USB It can be difficult. How long does it take to transfer? 100 GB of data? Time depends on the method. Through Wi-Fi Direct (Mi Mover), it'll take about 40-60 And you can go through the Google cloud for hours, depending on the speed of the Internet, and the cable connection to the PC is the fastest option, and it's about the speed of the Internet. 15-20 Do I need to delete my Google account from my old phone before selling? Yes, I do. You need to do a full Factory Reset before transferring or selling your old device. But before that, it's important to delete your Google account in your settings so that you can protect yourself against theft (FRP), And the new owner could activate the phone without any problems, so would the Wi-Fi passwords be transferred? When using Mi Mover or a full Google backup, Wi-Fi passwords are often transferred automatically, however, for security reasons, some banking applications and complex corporate networks may require re-entering a password or reconnecting on a new device.