Buying a new Xiaomi smartphone is always an exciting moment, but the frightening prospect of transferring data accumulated over the years often looms ahead. Fortunately, the Android ecosystem offers many tools that make the migration from Samsung to Xiaomi as painless and quick as possible. Modern synchronization technologies allow you to transfer contacts, photos, apps and even placement of icons on the desktop in minutes.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways you can transition, from built-in system utilities to cloud services. You will learn how to avoid common errors, save your messaging history and customize your new device. A competent approach to this process ensures that you do not lose any important file or password.
Before you start active, you need to do basic training on both devices, which is a critical step that can cause data to be interrupted or damaged, and make sure that both smartphones are at least 60-70% charged as the migration process is consuming energy.
Also check for free space on the Xiaomi receiving device.The new phone's storage should exceed the amount of data you plan to copy from an old Samsung.If there's not enough space, delete unnecessary videos or apps in advance so you don't interrupt the process halfway through.
Preparing devices for data migration
The first step is to update the software on both smartphones. Manufacturers regularly release security patches and enhancements for the system components responsible for transferring files. On Samsung, go to Settings → Software Update → Download and Installation, and on Xiaomi, select Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
Another important aspect is a stable Wi-Fi connection. While some methods allow for local connectivity, having a shared router greatly speeds up the process and makes it more stable. Don't rely on mobile internet as traffic may be limited and speeds are not sufficient to transmit gigabytes of information.
⚠️ Warning: Do not break the Wi-Fi connection or switch between networks during the copying process.This may lead to verification errors and require restart procedures.
It's also recommended that you turn off the power saving mode on both devices. Aggressive charge saving algorithms can "sleep" the screen or background transmission process, which will lead to a connection timeout.
☑️ Checklist of preparations
The final step in the preparation is to clean up the cache of temporary files on the old device, which will not only speed up the work, but also save you from carrying digital debris. Use the built-in Memory Cleanup feature or third-party utilities to delete temporary files.
Using the Mi Mover app for quick transfer
The most efficient and native way for Xiaomi owners to migrate is the proprietary Mi Mover app. This tool is designed specifically for the transition from other Android smartphones and allows you to transfer almost all types of data without using cloud storage.
To get started, install the Mi Mover on both smartphones. On new Xiaomi models with a MIUI shell or HyperOS, it is often pre-installed in the Tools folder. On Samsung, you can download the app from the Google Play Store. Once you launch on the new phone, select the role "I am the recipient" and on the old one, "I am the sender."
The devices will find each other through each other. QR-code or Wi-Fi search. Once paired, you'll be asked to select data categories to copy. Mi Mover can carry contacts, messages (SMS/MMS), Call history, photos, videos, music and even installed apps (APK-file).
- 📱 Contacts and call history are transferred in full with all details.
- 🖼️ Media files retain original quality and folder structure.
- 📲 Applications are copied as installation files and installed automatically.
- ⚙️ Some system settings can be adapted to a new shell.
It is important to note that some apps protected by Android security policies may not be transferred with the app itself, which would require a separate login to the account inside the app on the new device.
What if the Mi Mover can’t see the device?
Synchronization through Google Account
The classic method that remains relevant and reliable is Google’s cloud sync, which is ideal for those who want to have a backup in the cloud in case of loss or failure of the device. Make sure Samsung is fully synced before transferring.
Go to your Google account settings on your old phone and check what data is tagged for sync. Usually contacts, calendar, Keep notes, Gmail and some app data. Click Sync to make sure the latest data is on the company's servers.
| Type of data | Synchronization method | Limits and features |
|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Automatically. | Up to 25,000 contacts per account |
| Photos and videos | Google Photo | 15 GB free (compressed), original paid |
| Files. | Google Drive | Depends on the free space (15 GB) |
| Passwords. | Google Password Manager | Without restrictions, Chrome is required. |
Once you have enabled a new Xiaomi and logged in to the same Google account, the system will prompt you to recover data from the backup, so you can choose which apps and settings to download, a process that can take longer than a direct transfer, as it depends on the speed of your Internet channel.
If you have Autoboot enabled in the Google Photos app, all of your media archive will be available on your new phone as soon as you install the app and log in, freeing up space on your device and ensuring memories are safe.
💡
Use the “Free Space” feature in Google Photos after syncing to remove the original photos from the memory of your old phone, leaving them only in the cloud.
Transfer of messages and chat history
One of the most delicate tasks is to preserve the history of correspondence. Standard Android tools often cannot transfer messages from messengers like WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber with the system.
In the case of WhatsApp, you need to back up chats on Samsung through the app settings by selecting Google Drive. When you install WhatsApp on Xiaomi and type the same phone number, the app will find itself in the cloud and prompt you to restore the history. Make sure you use the same Google account!unt.
Telegram and Viber are even easier to process, as they store their correspondence history on their servers (except for secret chats), just install the app and log in. All cloud chats will appear instantly, and local files (photos, videos) will be downloaded as needed or when caching is enabled.
⚠️ Note: Secret chats on Telegram and some secure dialogues in other messengers are not automatically transferred for security reasons, they will have to be recreated or use the chat export function if it is available.
SMS messages and call logs are best carried through the aforementioned Mi Mover or specialized backup applications such as SMS Backup & Restore.This will save important text information that often contains confirmation codes or important notifications from services.
Working with file system and multimedia
When you switch from Samsung to Xiaomi, you may encounter the peculiarities of file system organization: If you use a direct cable connection (via the USB-C to USB-C adapter), the folder structure will be preserved as accurately as possible. Otherwise, files can be distributed to standard media directories of the new shell.
For users who store large amounts of data locally, it is recommended to use the computer as an intermediary: copy the DCIM (photo and video), Download and Documents folders to the PC, and then transfer them to the new smartphone. This guarantees data integrity and allows you to audit files.
The MIUI shell has its own file manager, which can hide some Android system folders by default. To see all files, including hidden ones, activate the appropriate item in the Explorer settings. This will help you find files saved from messengers or browsers.
Be sure to check the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct folder if you have previously taken files over the air, often accumulating forgotten documents and images that are worth transferring to a new device.
Set up a new smartphone Xiaomi after the transfer
After successful data migration, there is a fine-tuning phase. Samsung One UI shell and Xiaomi MIUI/HyperOS shells have different gesture and interface management logics. The first thing you need to do is set up the navigation. Go to Settings → Desktop → Navigation system and choose gesture or button management as you like.
The second important step is to set up notifications. Unlike pure Android, MIUI aggressively manages background processes to save battery. To keep important applications (email, messengers, banks) from missing messages, you need to remove restrictions on them. Go to the app settings, select "Out-Open" and allow them to work in the background.
The theme and design are also worth tweaking. Xiaomi’s theme store offers huge customization options not available on Samsung without third-party launchers. You can change fonts, icons, system sounds, and even unlock animations to make the interface unique.
- 🔋 Optimize battery life through the Safety menu".
- 🔒 Set up face unlock or fingerprint under Passwords and Security".
- 📡 Check the work. NFC and set up contactless payment (if available in the region).
- 🌐 Adjust the screen refresh rate to balance smoothness and energy saving.
It is not superfluous to update all system applications through the GetApps store or Google Play. This will ensure the stability of the freshly installed system.