Buying a new smartphone is always accompanied by pleasant emotions, but also a slight panic about the preservation of important information. Android ecosystem owners often face the need to change the brand, for example, switching from the shell MIUI to the proprietary interface One UI from Samsung. Galaxy A12 is a popular budget device, and the issue of integrating data from the old Xiaomi device is quite acute.
Fortunately, modern technology allows you to perform this procedure as quickly as possible and without losing important files. IT-The migration process has become standardized, but has its own nuances that must be considered to successfully complete the operation.
In this detailed guide, we’ll look at all the portability options available, from official utilities to manual methods for advanced users, and we’ll look at how to avoid common mistakes and keep your personal data intact as you transition to a new device.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before any copying process begins, a number of preparatory steps must be taken, a basic step that can cause a file to be lost or interrupted, and make sure that both your old Xiaomi and the new Samsung Galaxy A12 have sufficient battery power.
The optimal solution would be to connect both devices to a power source or have a charge of at least 60-70%.The process of transferring a large amount of data, especially over Wi-Fi Direct, can be energy intensive. Also check for free space on the target Samsung device so that it can accommodate all the files from the old phone.
The second important step is to update the software. On Xiaomi, check for updates in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. On Samsung, a similar feature is in the Settings → Software Update. Current firmware versions ensure that data protocols are compatible.
⚠️ Note: Do not start the transfer process unless Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled on both devices. Even with a cable connection, these modules can be used for initial handshakes of devices.
It is also recommended to free up RAM by closing the background applications on both gadgets, which will allow the system to focus resources on the copying task, which is especially true for the A12 model, which is in the budget segment and may have speed limits when multitasking.
Use of Samsung Smart Switch app
The most effective and official way to transfer data is to use the proprietary utility Smart Switch Mobile. This application is designed specifically for migration of users to the Samsung platform and supports the transfer of contacts, messages, photos, videos, music, notes, alarm clocks and even Wi-Fi settings.
To get started, you need to install the Smart Switch app on both devices. On the Samsung Galaxy A12, it is often pre-installed in the Samsung folder or available on Google Play. On a Xiaomi phone, you need to download the app manually from the Play Market Store. After installation, run the program on both smartphones.
On a new Samsung device, select the “Get Data” option, then specify the source “Galaxy/Android.” On an old Xiaomi phone, click “Send Data.” The system will suggest whether to connect wirelessly or via cable. The wireless method uses Wi-Fi Direct technology, which creates a direct connection between devices without the need for a router.
- 📱 Wireless connection: convenient if not at hand cable, but speed can vary depending on interference in the air.
- 🔌 Cable connection: requires an adapter USB-C to USB-C (Micro-USB, depending on the port of the old Xiaomi, but provides maximum stability.
- 📂 Content selection: You can deselect unnecessary categories to speed up the process and not clog your new phone with garbage.
Once you have selected the content type, click the “Transfer” button on your Samsung device. On the Xiaomi screen, you will see a request for permission to connect — confirm it. The process will go automatically, and you will only have to wait until you complete the process without turning off the phone screens.
Synchronization through Google account
An alternative and often more reliable method is to use Google cloud sync, because both devices run on Android, your Google account is the key to recovering basic information, a method that is particularly good for contacts, calendars and notes.
On an old Xiaomi phone, make sure sync is enabled. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google. Check the checkbox to sync contacts, calendar and other data. If you used the Google Photos app for backup images, they will also be available on the new device.
When you first turn on the Samsung Galaxy A12, the system will prompt you to log in to your Google account. Enter the same username and password as you did on Xiaomi. During the initial setup, the smartphone will ask if you want to restore data from the backup. Choose the last available copy of your old device.
It’s important to understand that this method won’t migrate the installed apps to their original form, but will only suggest you download them again from the store. However, the list of applications and their placement on the desktop can be restored if you used the Google Now launcher or the standard interface without a strong modification.
Hand-over of multimedia and files
Not all users want to rely on automated systems, preferring full control of the file system. You can use a file manager to transfer photos, videos and documents, MIUI has a convenient Explorer built in, and Samsung has the My Files app.
The easiest manual way is to use your computer as an intermediate. Connect Xiaomi to your PC in file transfer mode (MTP). Copy the DCIM (camera photos and videos), Download (download), Music and Documents folders to your computer's hard drive.
Then plug in the Samsung Galaxy A12 and copy those folders to the appropriate internal drive directories, a method that ensures that no bytes of information are compressed or altered during transmission, which is critical for photographers and videographers.
| Type of data | Location on Xiaomi | Where to copy on Samsung | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo from the camera | /DCIM/Camera | /DCIM/Camera | High-pitched |
| Photo from messengers | /Pictures/WhatsApp or /MIUI/gallery/cloud | /Pictures | Medium. |
| Documents | /Download or /Documents | /Documents | High-pitched |
| Audio recordings | /Music or /Recordings | /Music | Low. |
If you don’t have a computer at hand, you can use the Send Anywhere app or analogues that transfer files over Wi-Fi over Wi-Fi. QR-However, for large amounts of data (tens of gigabytes), PC-based wired remains the fastest and most stable solution.
The transition from MIUI to One UI
Moving from MIUI to One UI isn’t just a logo change, it’s a change in the logic of interaction. Xiaomi users are used to a certain arrangement of controls and specific gestures. Samsung navigation may differ, for example, swipes to return to the back can be configured differently.
One of the main features of MIUI is the aggressive energy saving, which often kills background processes. In One UI, the memory management system works differently. After transferring data, give the new Samsung A12 phone a few hours (or even a night) to adapt and index files.
Apps ported from an old phone may request permissions again due to differences in Android versions or Samsung Knox security policies.You will have to reconfigure camera, microphone and geolocation access for key programs.
The One UI interface is sharpened with one hand, so the controls are shifted down the screen.This may take some time to get used to, but greatly improves the ergonomics of using the large screens for which the Galaxy A series is famous.
Solving and eliminating errors
There may be technical difficulties in migrating, and one of the common problems is that you're interrupting your connection when you're wirelessly transferring, which often happens when one of the devices goes into power saving mode or the screen goes out.
If the transmission is stuck at a certain percentage, try restarting both phones and starting the process anew, selecting only the categories of data that were not transferred. Don't try to force the process, if the connection is unstable, it is better to use a cable.
⚠️ Note: When transferring data via Smart Switch, do not open other applications on your Samsung phone. Background activity may cause the utility to malfunction and loss of some data.
Another problem is that some system settings or ringtones are incompatible. Xiaomi ringtones may not be defined as Samsung call melodies because of the different folder structure, and then they will have to be manually assigned in the audio settings via the Settings → Sounds and Vibration menu.
If you have duplicates after transferring your contacts, use the built-in merger function. In the Contacts app on Samsung, go to the Contact Management menu and select Contact Management → Combine Repeated Contacts. The system will automatically find and glue duplicates.