Changing the Android ecosystem is always an exciting process, especially when you move from one major manufacturer to another, such as Samsung to Xiaomi. Users are often afraid of losing important contacts, photos or app settings, but modern technology allows you to do this as painlessly as possible. Galaxy owners are accustomed to the One UI shell, and switching to MIUI or HyperOS can seem difficult due to differences in the interface and logic of the work.
But the underlying operating system architecture remains the same, opening up vast opportunities for migration, with Google’s account, which preserves the core of your digital life, and customized tools from manufacturers, and the right approach to data portability saving you hours of manual setup and allowing you to enjoy your new device without a headache.
In this article, we will discuss all available synchronization methods, from cloud services to local file transfer over Wi-Fi Direct. You will learn how not to lose your correspondence history and passwords, as well as what nuances to consider when you first launch a Redmi or Poco smartphone. Ready new gadget and charging both devices is the first step to a successful migration.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before launching any portability tools, both smartphones must be thoroughly prepared.Make sure your Samsung and new Xiaomi are connected to a stable Wi-Fi network, as the transfer of large amounts of data over the mobile Internet can be unstable or charged.Charge both devices to at least 60-70% so that the process is not interrupted halfway due to battery discharge.
On an old Samsung device, check for system and application updates, especially Google Play Services. This ensures data format compatibility and no errors when reading backups. Also free up some space on the internal drive if you plan to create a local backup before sending files.
⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to interrupt data transfer or switch between applications during migration, which may result in file corruption or partial loss of information, which will require a repeat of the procedure.
On a new Xiaomi device, when you first turn on, select a language and connect to the same Wi-Fi network. The system itself will offer to recover data from the cloud or from another device. If the phone is already configured and you are on the desktop, you will need the Mi Mover application, which is often preinstalled in the Tools folder or available in GetApps.
- 🔋 Charge both smartphones to at least 60% before the operation.
- 📶 Connect devices to the same Wi-Fi network for stability.
- 📱 Unlock the screens of both phones and keep them close by.
- 🔄 Update your system apps on old Samsung to the latest versions.
Use the Mi Mover app for a full copy
The most efficient way, developed specifically for migrating to Xiaomi devices, is the Mi Mover utility, which allows you to transfer contacts, messages, calls, photos, videos, music, documents and even some system settings. It works by creating a local Wi-Fi hotspot, which provides high speed transfer without using Internet traffic.
Run Mi Mover on both devices. Select Sender on Samsung and Receiver on Xiaomi. QR-The code that you need to scan with the camera of the old device, and once you've established the connection, you'll see a list of data categories that are available for portability.
☑️ Check before launching the Mi Mover
Please note that some Samsung system applications cannot be ported to MIUI Because of the differences in the shells, it can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the size of your gallery and the applications installed, and when you complete the new phone, you'll start installing it automatically. APK-files and data layout by folder.
What do I do if the transmission is suspended?
Synchronization through Google account
The foundation of the Android ecosystem is a Google account. It's the most reliable way to save contacts, calendar, notes and passwords. On Samsung, go to Settings → Accounts and Archiving → Account Management. Make sure your Google account is active and synced for all important items.
Pay special attention to Google Photos. If you have Autoboot and Sync enabled, all your photos and videos are already saved in the cloud. When you sign in to the same Xiaomi account, the library will automatically appear in the app without taking up space on the internal drive unless you decide to download them physically.
| Type of data | Synchronization method | Transfer nuances |
|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Google Contacts | Immediately after logging into the account |
| Calendar | Google Calendar | Events will appear in the standard appendix |
| Photo/Video | Google Photo | Requires space in the cloud or manual unloading |
| Passwords. | Google Password Manager | Autocomplete in Chrome and apps |
When you first set up Xiaomi, the system will offer to restore data from Google backup. Select the last restore point of your Samsung. This will return the list of installed applications, and you will only have to log in to them. However, data inside the applications (logins, progress in games) is restored only if the developer uses cloud storage.
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Use Google Takeout to create a complete archive of all your account data before switching to a new phone, which will create an additional insurance copy in case of any disruptions during the migration.
Transfer of messages and call history
One of the biggest challenges in the transition between brands is to keep the history of SMS and call logs. Google's standard tools often ignore SMS as local data, and Mi Mover comes back to the rescue, who can pull that data out of Samsung's database and convert it to a format readable by MIUI.
If the automatic port didn’t work, you can use third-party utilities like SMS Backup & Restore. Install the app on both phones, back up on Samsung, save the file to Google Drive or transfer it via Quick Share, and then restore it to Xiaomi. This ensures that the correspondence is safe even when you change operating systems.
For instant messengers, the situation is different. WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber have their own backup mechanisms. On WhatsApp on Samsung, go to Settings → Chats → Backup and create a copy on Google Drive. On Xiaomi, the app will prompt you to restore your story from the cloud when you first install it.
- 📲 Use Mi Mover for basic transfer SMS and call logs.
- ☁️ For WhatsApp, make sure to backup Google Drive before changing your phone.
- 📁 Telegram and Viber sync history through the cloud automatically when logged in.
- 🔒 Two-factor authentication should be on hand to confirm the number.
Working with multimedia and files
You can transfer photos and documents in a number of ways. If you don't want to depend on Internet speed, use a USB-C to USB-C cable. Connect both phones to each other. On Samsung, select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the USB connection notification. On Xiaomi, also confirm access to data.
Xiaomi or Files by Google File Manager will allow you to copy folders DCIM, Pictures, Download and Documents directly into internal memory or on the SD-This is the fastest method to move tens of gigabytes of high-resolution video and photo.
⚠️ Note: When copying large arrays of files through cable, make sure that phone screens do not go out. In some versions of Android, the connection breaks when the screen is locked to save energy.
Alternatively, you can use cloud storage (Google Drive, Yandex.Disk, Dropbox) and upload your Samsung files to the cloud and then download them to Xiaomi, which is convenient if you don't have a cable on hand, but it takes time to download and download.
Set up security and Mi accounts
After successful data transfer, you need to set up a security system on the new device. Xiaomi actively uses its own Mi Account for the Find Device function, synchronize themes and work the Mi Cloud.
Go to Settings → Mi Account and sign in or sign up. Here you can enable synchronization of contacts and notes with Xiaomi servers as an additional copy to Google. Also set up biometric protection: fingerprint and facial recognition work on MIUI differently than on One UI, so you will need to re-register biometrics.
An important step is to set the permissions for applications. HyperOS and MIUI are known for strict power management. To make sure that messengers and mail work correctly and notifications arrive, go to the settings of each important application and select "No Limits" in the battery section, and also enable auto-start.
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Regularly checking your power saving settings for important applications is key to keeping notifications running smoothly on Xiaomi after the switch from Samsung.