How to transfer data from Samsung to Xiaomi Redmi

Changing a smartphone is always exciting, but sometimes stressful, especially when you need to move a huge database from an old device. Users are often afraid of losing important contacts, correspondence history or photos when you move from the Samsung ecosystem to Xiaomi or Redmi. Fortunately, modern technology and pre-installed tools allow you to make this process as smooth and automated as possible.

In this article, we will take a look at all the migration options available, from the Mi Mover app to Google’s cloud services and manual copying, and learn how to properly prepare both gadgets, what nuances arise when transmitting media, and how to avoid common mistakes that can lead to loss of information.

Regardless of which Samsung model you have (from the old Galaxy S series to the newest Notes) and which Xiaomi you chose (budget Redmi or flagship Mi), the algorithm will be similar.

Preparation of devices for information transfer

Before any migration procedure begins, it is critical to properly prepare both smartphones. Battery charging is the first thing many users forget about. The process of copying large amounts of data, especially photos and videos, can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, which significantly consumes energy.

Make sure both devices have a charge level of at least 60 percent, and ideally connect them to a power source. Also check for free space on the new Xiaomi. If you move from 128GB to 64GB, you’ll have to audit your files and delete the extra.

⚠️ Warning: Don't try to start a port if the old Samsung has power saving mode on.It may restrict background Wi-Fi activity, causing a connection to break during file transfers.

The second important step is to update the operating system. On Samsung, go to Settings → Software Update and install the latest security patches. On Xiaomi, when you first turn on, the system itself will suggest upgrading to the current version of MIUI or HyperOS, which minimizes the risk of file format conflicts.

Using the Mi Mover app for quick migration

The most effective and “native” way for the Xiaomi ecosystem is to use the Mi Mover utility.This application is specially designed to transfer data from Android and iOS devices to Redmi, Poco and Mi smartphones. It can transfer not only media files, but also system settings, alarm clocks and even the location of icons on the desktop.

The process starts with installing the app on both phones. On the new Xiaomi, it's already built into Tools or Settings → About the phone. On Samsung, you need to download the app from Google Play Market. Once you launch on the new device, you choose the role of "I'm the recipient" and on the old one, you choose the role of "I'm the sender."

• 📱 Connect both smartphones to the same Wi-Fi network or create an access point on a new device that connects to an old Samsung.
• 🔗 Scan it. QR-code that will appear on the screen of Xiaomi, the camera of the old phone to establish a secure connection.
• 📂 Select data categories to copy: images, contacts, messages, applications and system settings.

The data transfer speeds over Mi Mover are significantly higher than over Bluetooth, as it uses a local Wi-Fi channel. However, it is worth considering that some Samsung system applications (such as Samsung Health or Bixby) cannot be ported to Xiaomi due to the incompatibility of the One UI and MIUI shells.

Sync through Google Account and Cloud Services

An alternative and often more reliable way is to use Google’s cloud infrastructure, ideal for those who want to keep their email, contacts, and calendars running, and when you first set up a new Xiaomi, the system will prompt you to log in to your Google account, and all data will automatically be pulled from the cloud.

To successfully implement this method on Samsung, you need to make sure that sync is enabled. Go to Settings → Accounts and Archiving → Account Management → Google.

If you use Google Photos, make sure that Samsung has Autoboot and Sync enabled. Once you log in to the same Xiaomi account, your entire library will be available in its original quality (or in space saving mode if you choose such a tariff).

Transfer SMS messages and call history

One of the most painful topics when changing phones is the loss of correspondence history and call logs. Standard Android tools often do not carry SMS between devices from different manufacturers without using special tools. Here again comes Mi Mover or specialized utilities.

If you use Mi Mover, just tick the box against Messages (SMS/MMS).The app will create a backup file on the old device, transfer it and automatically restore it to the new Xiaomi in the standard Messages app. Importantly, MMS group chats may not move correctly if they contain heavy attachments.

For users who prefer third-party solutions, there is a time-tested method using reserve applications such as: SMS Backup & Restore.You create a backup on Samsung, save XML-Google Drive, then install the application on Xiaomi and recover data from the cloud.

⚠️ Note: When recovering messages from third-party apps on Xiaomi, additional permissions may be required in the Accessibility menu so that the application can write data to the system log. SMS.

Call logs are usually carried along with contacts if they are synced through Google, but call detail (incoming/outgoing/missed with dates) is best copied through Mi Mover, which integrates deeper into the system than standard Android tools.

Nuances of multimedia and application files transfer

Photos and videos are relatively simple, but there are nuances with messenger files. WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber store data differently. Telegram and Viber just log into your account by phone number - the entire history of correspondence (except secret chats) will be downloaded from the servers.

WhatsApp is more complicated. To transfer your correspondence history from Samsung to Xiaomi, you need to select the recovery option from Google Drive backup when you first set up your new phone. If you have already set up your phone as new, you will have to reset (Settings → About Phone → Reset) and start setting up again.

• 📸 Gallery: Check the folder DCIM/Camera Sometimes albums can get mixed up or lose their titles.
• 🎵 Music: Files in format FLAC high-bit MP3 can not play in the standard Mi Music player without installing codecs, it is better to use VLC or PowerAmp.
• 📁 Documents: Files from Download and Documents folder are better copied manually through the USB file manager, because cloud syncs can skip them.

💡

Before transferring, clear the Downloads folder on Samsung from temporary APK-Files and garbage – this will speed up the process and save space on the new Xiaomi.

Solution and troubleshooting

Even if all instructions are followed, there can be technical difficulties, and one of the common problems is that the Wi-Fi Direct connection breaks down while the Mi Mover is running, which often happens if one device has an "aggressive" power saving setting or antivirus installed blocks the local network.

Another common situation is the incorrect display of fonts in SMS or the absence of contact avatars, which is solved by forced re-synchronization of Google contacts: Settings → Accounts → Google → Sync. Also helps to clear the cache of the Contacts app.

If the new Xiaomi doesn’t see the old Samsung when searching for devices, try temporarily turning off mobile internet (3G/4G/5G) on both phones, leaving only Wi-Fi.

💡

The most stable result is a combination of methods: Mi Mover for the system and photos, plus Google cloud sync for contacts and calendar.