The transition to a new smartphone is always accompanied by mixed feelings: the joy of purchasing a fresh Samsung Galaxy is overshadowed by the need for a long and tedious setup. Especially acute is the issue of content migration, when you need to throw gigabytes of photos, contacts, passwords and correspondence from an old device based on MIUI. Fortunately, the Android ecosystem allows you to make this process as transparent and fast as possible.
Unlike the old days, when you had to manually sync every contact through a Google account, modern tools offer automation. However, Xiaomi users often have specific problems with the aggressive HyperOS or MIUI shell energy saving system, which can block data transfer in the background.
In this article, we’ll look at two main ways to solve the problem: using Samsung’s proprietary Smart Switch app and Xiaomi’s native tool, Mi Mover. You’ll learn which method is more reliable for porting WhatsApp, how to avoid connection errors, and what to do if the process hangs in the middle. We’ll also touch on the topic of Wi-Fi password transfer and system settings that are often overlooked.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before the active transfer phase begins, a series of preparatory steps must be performed that are often ignored and then surprised by synchronization errors. The most important thing is to ensure a stable connection and sufficient charge level. The migration process can consume a significant battery life, especially if a large amount of media is transmitted.
Both smartphones must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network, preferably in the 5 GHz band for maximum transfer speed. If the router is far away, it is better to use the direct Wi-Fi Direct connection that the phones themselves create, or the USB-C to USB-C cable adapter. Make sure that the new Samsung Galaxy has space that exceeds the amount of data on Xiaomi.
⚠️ Note: Before starting the process, be sure to check the Android version on both devices.If Xiaomi has a very old version of the system (below Android 8.0), some modern Smart Switch features may not work properly.
Also, you should update all critical apps on your old phone, especially instant messengers and banking software, to avoid version conflicts when you first try to run on a new device.
☑️ Checklist of preparations
Method 1: Use of Samsung Smart Switch
The official solution from the Korean giant is the Smart Switch Mobile application. This is the most preferred method, since it is designed specifically for the target platform and takes into account the structure of the One UI file systems. The application can transfer not only media files, but also home screen settings, alarm clocks and even some accessibility parameters.
To get started, install the app on both devices. On Xiaomi, it can be downloaded from Google Play or through the built-in GetApps store. Once you start on the new Samsung, select "Get Data," then "Android/iOS." The system will suggest you choose whether to connect wirelessly or via cable. Wireless is more convenient, but cable is more reliable for large amounts of data.
Once you connect the phones, you'll be asked to choose categories to transfer. The interface allows you to flexibly configure filtering: you can eliminate heavy video or system files. The process is displayed as a progress bar in time. It's important not to fold the application or lock the screens during transmission.
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Use the original USB-C cable from Samsung’s wired connection kit – this will speed up data transfer by 2-3 times compared to cheap counterparts.
Special attention should be paid to transfer contacts and calendar. Smart Switch automatically recognizes where they are stored - in the memory of the phone or in the Google account. If the contacts on Xiaomi are saved in the Mi Cloud, they are better to export to the first place. VCF-Sync the file or sync with Google so that it is guaranteed to reach the new device.
Method 2: Transfer through Mi Mover
The alternative is to use Xiaomi’s native tool, Mi Mover, which is good because it “knows” all the specific folders and shell settings. MIUI, However, on the Samsung side you will have to use the web version or look for a compatible client, which is not always convenient.
Most often, Mi Mover is used to create a local backup, which is then difficult to deploy on another manufacturer's device without root permissions. However, for fast transfer of photos, videos and music over Wi-Fi Direct, it is a great tool. It creates a direct access point between devices, bypassing the router, which provides high speed.
Launch the app on Xiaomi, select “I’m sending”, scan QR-code to Samsung (if compatible) or connect to the Wi-Fi network you have created. Select files and start the transfer. This method is ideal if you want to quickly transfer heavy video files in their original quality without compression.
Why can't Mi Mover see Samsung?
Specificity of transferring WhatsApp and messengers
The most painful topic for many users is the history of correspondence on WhatsApp. Just transferring the application files is not enough, it is necessary to unload the database. Fortunately, Google Drive and local backups allow you to do this relatively painlessly, but there are important nuances for the Xiaomi → Samsung bundle.
On your old phone, open WhatsApp, go to Settings → Chats → Backup. Click Backup, making sure it is saved to Google Drive, linked to your primary account. On the new Samsung, when you first install WhatsApp, you will prompt you to recover your history from the cloud.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure you are logged in to the same Google account you used to back up on Xiaomi on your new phone.
If the cloud method didn't work or the story is huge, you can use the Chat Transfer feature built into WhatsApp itself. QR-This method is often more reliable, because it doesn't depend on the speed of the Internet or the amount of free space in the cloud.
Table of comparison of transfer methods
To make it easier for you to choose the right tool, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you weigh the pros and cons of each method depending on your priorities: speed, simplicity or completeness of the data being transferred.
| Characteristics | Samsung Smart Switch | Mi Mover | Google Account |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deferral of contacts | Complete. | Complete. | Complete. |
| Photo/video transfer | Yes (maintains quality) | Yeah (original) | Only with Google Photos |
| System settings | Partially (Wi-Fi, alarm clocks) | No. | No. |
| Speed of operation | Tall. | Medium | Depends on the Internet. |
| Support for WhatsApp | Available (via Google Drive) | No. | Available (backup) |
As the table shows, Samsung Smart Switch is the most versatile solution, covering most custom scenarios. Using Google Sync only will suit those who store all data in the cloud and do not want to mess with installing additional programs.
Solving problems and mistakes
As users migrate, they often experience a 99 percent freeze or file corruption. One of the common reasons for Xiaomi's efforts is aggressive battery optimization, which can make the transfer process a background task and kill it to save energy.
To avoid this, go to Settings → Applications → Smart Switch (or Mi Mover) → Battery and select No Limits mode. Also, turn off the power saving for the transfer time. If the transfer is interrupted, do not try to continue from the same place - it is better to start again by rebooting both smartphones beforehand.
Another problem is file format incompatibility or DRM protected content, which means that some purchased movies or music may not be transferred due to the binding of licenses to the device, in which case the content will have to be re-uploaded through the relevant services.
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The main cause of failure is the aggressive energy saving of MIUI. Be sure to add a transfer application to the battery exceptions before starting the process.