Changing your 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. The transition from Xiaomi to the Samsung Galaxy A51 requires careful attention, since MIUI and One UI systems (Samsung’s shell) have different file structure and settings, but modern technology allows you to make this process as painless and fast as possible.
Xiaomi owners often get used to the specific functionality of the firmware, but the Samsung ecosystem offers equally powerful tools for organizing the workspace. To make the migration successful, you need to prepare both devices in advance, charging their batteries and checking for free space. It is critical to check the Android version on both devices before starting the process, since older versions may not support some data transfer protocols.
There are several proven ways of information, from using Google cloud services to specialized applications from the manufacturer, the choice of method depends on the amount of data and the speed of your Internet connection. In this article, we will discuss each option in detail so that you can choose the most suitable for your situation.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before any manipulations begin, you need to conduct pre-production, which is often ignored by users, which leads to errors. Make sure that your Xiaomi and Samsung Galaxy A51 have a stable Wi-Fi connection, as the transfer of large amounts of data over the mobile Internet can be slow or interrupted. Also check that both smartphones are charged at least 60% to avoid a sudden shutdown at the most critical time.
On Xiaomi, you should make room by removing unnecessary cached files that can slow the scanning process. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup. On the Samsung side, you need to make sure that there is enough free space on the internal drive or memory card to receive all the files.
⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to interrupt the data transmission process even if the screen is out or there is a delay.Forced shutdown may result in damage to the contact database or partial loss of media files.
An important step is to update the system software on both devices to the latest available version. Manufacturers regularly release patches that improve the stability of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct, which are used for transmission. On Xiaomi, this is done through Settings → About Phone → MIUI version, and on Samsung, through Settings → Software Update.
- 🔋 Charge both smartphones to a minimum of 60-70%.
- 📶 Connect devices to a single Wi-Fi network (preferably 5 GHz for speed).
- 🗑️ Clean up unnecessary garbage on your old phone to speed up the process.
- 🔄 Check for system updates on both devices.
After these simple steps, you minimize the risk of technical failure, and you can now move directly to the tool you want to use.
Use of Samsung Smart Switch app
The most effective other way to migrate is Samsung’s Smart Switch, which is available for installation on Android devices, including Xiaomi, through the Google Play Store, and allows you to transfer contacts, messages, call logs, photos, videos, music, and even home screen settings.
The process begins with installing the app on both smartphones. on the Samsung Galaxy A51 It's often pre-installed in a Samsung or Google folder. Once you start on a new device, select "Get Data" and specify the source for "Android." QR-code or find the device via Bluetooth.
☑️ Check before launching the Smart Switch
When the connection is established, you will be prompted to select data types to port. Smart Switch automatically converts some settings to make them look familiar in the One UI shell. However, it is worth noting that Xiaomi system applications such as "Dictophon" or "Scanner" will not be ported, as they are not compatible with the Samsung system.
- 📲 Download Smart Switch on Xiaomi from the Play Store.
- 🔗 Create a connection through QR-code USB-C.
- ✅ Select all the necessary categories of data to copy.
- 🚀 Start the process and wait until the end without switching screens.
Once the process is complete, the new phone will have a report on what was successfully transferred and what was not, which usually takes 15 minutes to an hour depending on the gallery's volume.
Synchronization through Google Account
An alternative and often more reliable method is syncing through Google’s cloud service. Since both operating systems are Android-based, your contacts, calendar events, and Google Keep notes will automatically appear on the Samsung Galaxy A51 immediately after you enter your login and password.
To set up on Xiaomi, go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google. Make sure the switches opposite Contacts, Calendar and Google Photos are active. Click on three dots in the corner and select Sync to make sure all data is gone to the cloud.
On the new Samsung, when you first set up or in the Settings menu → Accounts and Archiving, add the same Google account. After that, the phone will pull up all the records itself. For photos and videos, use the Google Photos app, enabling the autoload and sync function.
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Use the “Free Space” feature in Google Photos on your old phone after downloading so you don’t duplicate files when you transfer over the cable.
This method is ideal for those who want to save their Gmail history and calendar structure, but it won’t migrate installed apps and their data inside games unless the developer uses Google Play Games cloud-based saves.
- ☁️ Check the sync status in Google’s settings on Xiaomi.
- 📸 Enable photo upload in original quality (if there is space).
- 📅 Make sure your calendar is synced to Google, not your Mi Account.
Transfer of messengers: WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber
For Telegram and Viber, the process is simple: install an app on Samsung, enter a phone number, and the story will be downloaded from servers (in the case of Telegram) or restored from a backup copy of Google Drive (for Viber).
WhatsApp is more difficult when changing the brand of the phone. When transferring via Smart Switch, WhatsApp chat history is often transferred automatically. If you use the manual method, make sure that Xiaomi has a fresh copy on Google Drive in its WhatsApp settings (Chats → Backup Chats).
⚠️ Note: WhatsApp backups created on Xiaomi may not be compatible with iPhones, but when switching Android-to-Android (Xiaomi to Samsung) problems usually do not arise if you use the same Google account.
When you first run WhatsApp on a Samsung Galaxy A51, the app will find a backup and prompt you to restore it. It is important to use the same phone number and the same Google account. If automatic recovery does not occur, check for a backup file in the /Android/media/com.whatsapp/ or /WhatsApp/Databases/ folder through the file manager.
What if WhatsApp doesn’t see a backup?
Also remember to migrate documents and media files that may not be included in the standard backup if you have traffic savings enabled.
Comparison of data transfer methods
The choice of migration method depends on your priorities: speed, completeness of copying or independence from the Internet. Below is a table comparing the main characteristics of the methods considered.
| Method | Speed. | Network dependency | What's transferable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smart Switch (Cable)/Wi-Fi) | Tall. | No (direct connection) | All (including settings) |
| Google Account | Medium | Yeah (we need internet) | Contacts, Calendar, Photos |
| Manual (Bluetooth/FTP) | Low. | No. | Files, Photos, Videos |
| Mi Mover (partially) | Medium | No. | Files, Contacts (limited) |
As you can see from the table, Smart Switch is the most versatile solution, covering the maximum number of data types. Google Account is indispensable for synchronizing personal information, but will not cope with the installation of applications.
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The combined approach (Smart Switch for system and applications + Google Photos for archive) gives the best result.
Manual methods should only be used in extreme cases when automatic tools for some reason refuse to work correctly.
Frequent problems and their solution
Users may encounter various difficulties in migrating, and one of the common problems is interrupting the Wi-Fi Direct connection. If the transmission is suspended, try turning off Bluetooth on both devices, then turning it on again, or restart the router if the transmission is over the network.
Another problem is the lack of space on the Samsung Galaxy A51. If the amount of data on Xiaomi exceeds the free space, Smart Switch will offer you to choose what to copy, in which case you should first transfer contacts and documents, and then transfer photos later, selectively or via the PC.
- 📉 If the speed is low, move closer to the router or use a cable.
- 🔒 Unlock the screens of both phones during the transfer.
- 🚫 Turn off antivirus or energy saving mode during migration.
Sometimes apps don’t open after they’re ported, which may be because they require Google Play services to work, which you need to update in the Play Market store immediately after you turn on your new phone.
Set up the new Samsung Galaxy A51 after the transfer
After successful migration, take your time to delete data from the old Xiaomi. For a couple of days, actively use the Samsung Galaxy A51, checking all applications, alarms and reminders. One UI may require additional permissions for ported programs.
Pay attention to notification settings. Unlike MIUI, Samsung can group notifications in different ways. Go to Settings → Notifications and prioritize important apps to keep calls from missing.
⚠️ Note: Do not delete your Mi Account from your old phone right away. Some applications (such as Mi notes or voice recorders) may require login to export data unless it has been ported by standard methods.
It’s also recommended to set up a Samsung Account that will allow you to use branded services like Samsung Cloud, Samsung Pay (now Samsung Wallet), and a device search feature that will create a full-fledged ecosystem similar to the one you’re used to on Xiaomi.
In conclusion, the transition between brands has become much easier thanks to cross-platform tools, and the key is to act consistently and not ignore the system’s cues.