Changing a smartphone is always stressful, not so much with getting used to a new interface, but with the risk of losing important contacts, photos and correspondence history. Samsung device owners who decide to switch to the Xiaomi platform often face the issue of data migration, because the ecosystems of manufacturers have their own characteristics.
The process of transferring information from Android to Android has become much easier in recent years, but there are nuances between the One UI and MIUI shells that can not be ignored. Backup is a critical step that many users miss when relying on automated systems, which sometimes leads to synchronization errors. In this article, we will take a detailed look at all available methods, from embedded utilities to cloud services, so that your new Redmi 9 immediately becomes a full-fledged working tool.
It is important to understand that the amount of data transferred can vary from a few gigabytes to hundreds, so the transfer speed and stability of the connection are key. We will consider both wireless methods and wired connections, and also pay attention to specific messenger files that are often lost during standard transfer.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before any manipulations, you need to make sure that both devices are ready to work. Samsung should check for free space and battery power, as the process of cloning data is energy intensive. The battery charge on both smartphones should be at least 50-60% to avoid sudden shutdown at a critical time of file recording.
It is also recommended to update the operating system on both devices to the latest available version. The MIUI installed on Redmi 9 often contains transmission protocol bug fixes that may not be present in older builds. You can check for updates by going to the Settings menu → About Phone → MIUI version.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to interrupt data transfer or switch between applications during migration, which may cause database files to be damaged and the system to malfunction on the new device.
Make sure both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled. Even if you plan to use a cable, some device handshake service protocols use a Bluetooth channel for initial authorization. Clear the cache of temporary files on your old phone to speed up the data analysis process before copying.
☑️ Checklist before transfer
Using the Mi Mover application for wireless transfer
The most effective and native way to migrate is to use a special application Mi Mover, developed by Xiaomi engineers. This tool is designed specifically for the transition from other platforms, including Samsung, and is able to correctly handle the structure of the One UI files. On the new Redmi 9, the application is usually preinstalled in the Tools folder, and on Samsung it must be downloaded from Google Play or GetApps.
When you run the app on both devices, you have to choose the role of each phone, and on Redmi 9, you have to choose "I'm the recipient," and on Samsung, you have to choose "I'm the sender." QR-- a pairing code. QR-The code will automatically configure the connection between devices, creating a secure local communication channel.
The interface allows you to flexibly customize your data selection. You can move not only contacts and messages, but also system settings, call history and even desktop layout. The Mi Mover algorithm is optimized to minimize the load on the processor, but the speed can vary depending on the number of small files.
- 📱 Select the data type: contacts, messages, call log, system settings.
- 📸 Tick the media files: photos, videos, music and documents.
- 📲 Wait for the analysis to be completed and click the "Send" button".
- 🔒 Confirm the connection on the receiving device if required.
The Redmi 9 screen will display the progress bar during the transmission process. Don't turn off the screen of the recipient smartphone, as some versions of MIUI can pause background processes to save energy, which will break the connection.
What to do if the Mi Mover is frozen?
Synchronization through Google Account and Cloud Services
An alternative and often more reliable way is to use Google’s cloud infrastructure. Since both operating systems are Android-based, the Google Account serves as a universal key to recover basic user information, a method that is especially relevant if the wireless direct connection between phones is unstable.
On Samsung, you need to make sure sync is enabled. Go to Settings → Accounts and Archiving → Account Management and select your Google profile. Here you need to activate the switches for contacts, calendar, notes and Google Photos data. Once enabled, the system will start uploading data to the corporation's servers.
When you first activate Redmi 9 or reset to factory settings, the system will prompt you to restore data from the backup. Select your account and the phone will automatically download the list of applications, contacts and settings. Google Photos will separately upload media files to the gallery if the sync function is enabled.
| Type of data | Synchronization method | Recovery speed | Network dependency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Google Contacts | Instantly. | Required. |
| Photo/Video | Google Photo | Long (depending on volume) | Required. |
| Annexes | Google Play | Medium | Required. |
| SMS/Calls | Google Drive | Quickly. | Required. |
The main drawback of this method is that it doesn’t port files inside apps and set up the system itself in full, as does Mi Mover. However, for the basic configuration of the phone, this is often enough.
Manual transfer of multimedia and documents
For users with a large amount of multimedia files (video) 4K, RAW-The cloud methods may be too slow or require additional space, in which case the most rational solution is to manually copy through a computer or use an adapter. USB OTG.
Connect Samsung to your computer with a cable and select MTP file transfer mode. Copy DCIM, Pictures, Download, and Documents folders to your PC hard drive. Then connect Redmi 9 and transfer that data to the appropriate internal memory directories or microSD card.
The folder structure on Xiaomi may be slightly different from Samsung. For example, screenshots on One UI are often in DCIM/Screenshots, and on MIUI they can automatically sort into a Screenshots album inside the gallery, even if they are physically in a different folder. Android/data folder on new versions of Android (11+) is closed for direct access, so you can not copy the messenger files from there in this way.
If you don't have a computer, you can use a file manager that supports network transmission, such as Send Anywhere or the built-in "Ambience Sharing" feature, but the speed of transfer over a Wi-Fi router can be lower than with direct connections of phones.
- 💾 Use the cable. USB 3.0 for maximum speed of copying on PC.
- 📁 Keep the folder structure so that the media files are correctly defined in the gallery.
- 🔌 For transmission without PC use the adapter USB-C to USB-C or OTG.
Migration of WhatsApp and Viber correspondence
Special attention should be paid to transferring the history of correspondence in messengers, as standard methods of copying files here often do not work due to encryption of databases. WhatsApp on Samsung needs to create a backup on Google Drive. Go to the settings of the app chats and click "Backup".
On Redmi 9, install WhatsApp and, when you first start, type in the same phone number. The app will automatically detect a backup in the cloud and prompt you to restore your message history and media files. It's important to use the same Google account as you did on your old phone.
⚠️ Warning: Two-factor authentication must be disabled or a confirmation code must be on hand, otherwise you will not be able to log in to your account on the new device to recover a copy.
For Viber, the procedure is similar: back up your Viber account settings on Samsung, then restore it when you install the app on Xiaomi. Local copies stored in your phone’s memory may not be automatically determined when you change your device brand, so cloud is a priority.
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Save important chats separately: WhatsApp allows you to export individual chats without media files through the menu “More” → “Export chat” and send yourself an email as insurance.
Set up the new smartphone Redmi 9 after the transfer
After successful data migration, Redmi 9 requires additional customization to work comfortably, first of all, you need to check the operation of applications that may have been incorrectly installed or require re-authorization. Banking applications and government services often require confirmation of login via SMS or biometrics.
The MIUI shell has its own permission management features. Unlike pure Android or One UI, applications can be limited in the background by default. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find important messengers, and select No Limits mode under Battery.
You also need to customize the theme and design. Redmi 9 supports deep customization of the interface. You can download fonts, icons and themes from Themes store to visually bring the interface closer to the familiar Samsung or make it unique. Check the proximity and light sensors, as the calibration may differ from the previous device.
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After transferring data, be sure to restart your smartphone so that the system indexes all new files and updates the contact and media databases.