Changing your smartphone is always an exciting process, especially when you switch from a different manufacturer. Moving from the Samsung ecosystem to Xiaomi can seem difficult because of the differences in the One UI and MIUI (or HyperOS) shells. However, modern technology makes it as painless and quick as possible. You don’t have to fear losing important contacts, photos or correspondence history.
In this article, we will go into detail all the proven ways to migrate information, learn how to use the specialized application Mi Mover, which is designed specifically for such cases, and we will also touch on the capabilities of cloud services and manual file copying. Proper preparation of devices ensures that your new gadget will be ready to work immediately after unpacking.
Before you start, make sure that both devices are at least 50 percent charged, that large data transfers can be energy intensive, that a stable connection or cable is key to success, and that we look at the tools we need to efficiently transfer data between these two popular brands.
Using the Mi Mover app for quick migration
The most effective and native way to transition is to use the official tool from Xiaomi.The Mi Mover app (called "Mi Mover" in some regions) is pre-installed on most of the brand's new smartphones.If it's not in the Tools folder, you can download it from Google Play or GetApps for free on both phones.
The process starts with running the program on both devices, with the old Samsung having to choose the role of Sender, and the new Xiaomi having to choose the role of Receiver, and then the phones will create a local Wi-Fi network for data transfer, and the connection speed in this mode is much faster than in Internet transfer, which is critical for gigabytes of photos and video.
When the devices detect each other, a list of categories to port will appear on the Samsung screen, and you can choose all at once or mark only the right ones:
- 📞 Contacts and call history
- 📷 Photographs, videos and music
- 📱 Annexes and their data
- 📅 Calendar and notes
⚠️ Note: When you migrate system settings from Samsung to Xiaomi, some settings may not apply due to differences in the architecture of the Android shells.
Once the data is selected, the copying process will begin. The latency depends on the amount of information. At this point, the device screens should not go out, so it is better to turn off the automatic locking of the screen in the settings.
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M Mi Mover is the fastest portable way, as it uses a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices without wasting your mobile traffic.
Synchronization through Google Account
If you’ve already used Android on Samsung, you probably have a Google Account. This is the most reliable way to save contacts, calendar and events. Before transferring, make sure your old phone is synced. To do this, go to Settings → Accounts → Google and check if the ticks are in front of the right boxes.
On the new Xiaomi, when you first turn on, the system will prompt you to log in to the same account. If the phone is already configured, add an account through Settings. → Accounts and synchronization → Google. Once authorized, the system will suggest that you restore data from a backup, which is ideal for contacts, because they are tied to the cloud, not to the cloud. SIM-phone-card.
But it has its limitations. It can't stand:
- 📁 Files in the Downloads folder or local documents
- 🎵 Music downloaded from third-party sources
- ⚙️ Settings of alarm clocks and some system applications
However, for basic phone setup, this is often enough: Once logged in, all your contacts will appear automatically in the phone book, which is especially useful if you change devices often or fear losing your number if you break.
What to do if your contacts are not synchronized?
Manual transfer of multimedia through USB-cable
For users who have terabytes of photos and videos, cloud-based methods may be too slow or require additional space, in which case the best choice is good old-fashioned. USB-You will need a Type-C to Type-C cable (if both phones are modern) or an adapter. OTG.
Connect Samsung to your computer and copy the DCIM (camera), Pictures (screenshots and images from messengers) and Download folders to your hard drive. Then plug Xiaomi in and take those folders to the root of internal memory, a method that ensures that image quality doesn’t suffer when compressed, as sometimes happens in instant messengers.
When you manually copy, it is important to keep the folder structure in order for Xiaomi to properly sort files, but there is a caveat: some system garbage files or app cache should not be transferred, so as not to clog the new system.
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Use a file manager with support FTP or SMB, If you don't have a cable on hand, many routers allow you to connect. USB-drive and transfer files over the network between devices on the same Wi-Fi network.
Transfer of WhatsApp messages and messengers
The WhatsApp messaging service is worth noting, because the app uses its own backup system, standard methods may not work properly for message history, and the most reliable way is to use the built-in backup feature in Google Drive.
On Samsung, open WhatsApp, go to Settings → Chats → Chat Backup and click on “Backup.” Make sure you’re using the same Google account that’s going to be on your new phone. On Xiaomi, install WhatsApp, enter the same phone number, and agree to restore from the backup when you first start.
It's important to remember encryption. If your old phone has end-to-end backup encryption enabled, you'll need a password or a 64-character key to unlock on your new device, and without that, you won't be able to restore chats.
| Type of data | Transfer method | Difficulty | Time. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Google Account | Low. | 1-2 minutes |
| Photo/Video | Mi Mover / USB | Medium | 10-60 minutes. |
| Google Drive | Medium | 5-15 minutes | |
| Annexes | Mi Mover / Play Market | Low. | Depends on the number. |
Problem Solving and Format Compatibility
When switching from Samsung to Xiaomi, users may experience incompatibility with some formats or specific features, such as Samsung’s branded stickers or theme settings, which is normal, as shells use different rendering engines.
And also Samsung Health, which is not directly migrated to Mi Fitness, you'll have to use third-party aggregator apps like Health Sync to move your steps and workout statistics from one ecosystem to another, which is a paid but effective option for athletes.
⚠️ Note: Do not try to migrate Samsung system applications (such as Bixby or Samsung Pay) to Xiaomi.They will not work and may cause errors in the system.
If you use banking applications, they will have to be reconfigured for security reasons, and biometrics (fingerprint, face) are also not portable and require re-registration on a new device.
☑️ Final post-transfer check
Completion of customization and optimization of Xiaomi
Once all the data is in a new place, it is recommended to perform several actions to optimize the work of Xiaomi. MIUI shell or HyperOS has its own energy management features. Go to the battery settings and make sure that for important messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) set a limit of background activity “No restrictions” so that notifications come on time.
It’s also worth updating all apps through Google Play and GetApps. Often, after a transfer, versions of programs can be outdated, which will lead to unstable work. Give the phone a couple of hours in the background to index files and complete background sync processes.
Now your new smartphone is fully ready to use, you've saved all the important memories and continued without losing data, and the transition between brands is easier than ever, thanks to the advanced migration tools.