Changing your smartphone is always an exciting process, often marred by fear of losing important information. When you move from a Samsung device to a Redmi model, you are faced with the task of migrating a huge amount of data, from trivial contacts and photos to Wi-Fi settings and passwords. Fortunately, modern Android operating systems make this process as automated and secure as possible for the user.
In this article, we will take a look at all the synchronization options available so you can start using the new gadget right after unpacking. We will look at both Xiaomi’s full-time tools and cloud solutions that ensure your digital assets are safe.
Don't rely on just one method, especially if the amount of information is tens of gigabytes. A combined approach that involves using special software and manually checking key partitions will give the best result. Let's look at which tools will be most effective in your situation.
Preparing devices before data migration
Before starting the active transfer phase, make sure both smartphones are in good working order and ready to go. First of all, check the battery level: both devices must have at least 60% energy so that the process does not interrupt halfway due to discharge. Also make sure that Bluetooth and GPS are on both devices, as they are often used to detect devices from each other.
An important step is to clear the memory on the receiving device if it has already been used. If you purchased a new Redmi, just go through the initial setup to the desktop. If the phone is not new, it is better to do a full reset to avoid application version conflicts.
☑️ Checklist of preparations
⚠️ Note: If your old Samsung has a MicroSD card installed, remove it before you start transferring over Wi-Fi so that the system does not try to copy system files from an external medium, which can cause errors.
Make sure both devices have the right security level, and often older versions of patches can block connections between devices from different manufacturers, and it takes a few minutes to update, but saves you from potential failures.
Using the Mi Mover app for fast transfer
The most efficient and quick way to transfer is to use the proprietary utility Mi Mover, which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones. This application is specially designed to migrate data from other Android devices, including Samsung, and allows you to transfer contacts, messages, call logs, photos, music, videos, documents and even installed applications.
The process starts with running the app on the new phone, and you have to select the role of the Receiver device, and then the system will generate the receptacle. QR-A Wi-Fi code or hotspot to which you will need to connect your old smartphone. On Samsung, the app can be found in the Tools folder or downloaded from Google Play if it is missing.
What if the Mi Mover can’t see the device?
Once you have the connection, you'll have a data category selection menu that you can flexibly configure what you want to copy, for example, you can move all photos and contacts, but you can't copy heavy video files to save time, and the speed depends on the amount of data, and it's usually 10 to 40 MB/s.
The Mi Mover copies installation files (APKs) but doesn’t always save login to accounts inside them for security reasons, so once the process is complete, you’ll likely have to log in to social networks and banking apps again.
Synchronization through Google Account and Cloud Services
An alternative and highly reliable method is to use the Google ecosystem, ideal for those who want to save contacts, notes, calendar and browser history without installing additional software. All data associated with your Gmail will automatically be pulled to the new Redmi immediately after entering your login and password on the first setting.
Google Photos is the best way to back up photos and videos. Make sure Samsung has Autoupload and Sync enabled in this app, which ensures that all your photos end up in the cloud in their original quality (or in space saving mode) from which they can be easily viewed on the new device.
| Type of data | Google's method | Transfer nuances |
|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Autosynchronization | Stored in the cloud instantly |
| Photo/Video | Google Photo | Requires stable Wi-Fi |
| Annexes | Google Play | Download again, the settings are not always saved |
| Wi-Fi passwords | Google One/Syncs | Available on Android 10 and higher |
| SMS messages | Google One Backup | Restored at the initial setting |
It's important to understand the difference between local copying and cloud copying. When you use Google Drive or Google One, you create a cast of the system that recovers when you first turn on a new phone, which is less flexible than Mi Mover if you only have to select a piece of data, but it's more reliable in the long run.
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Use Google’s Find Device feature on your old phone before selling to make sure your account is untied or the new owner won’t be able to activate the device.
Transferring Multimedia and Files through Computer
If wireless methods seem too slow or unstable, the classic method through a USB cable and computer remains the fastest for transferring large amounts of files.You will need a USB-C cable (or adapter) and a file manager on a PC, for example, a standard Windows Explorer or Total Commander on a Mac.
Connect Samsung to your computer and select file transfer mode (MTP). Copy the DCIM (camera photos and videos), Pictures (screenshots and images from messengers), Download and Music folders into a separate folder on your hard drive. Then connect Redmi and move this data to the corresponding directories of internal memory of the new device.
This method is especially relevant for transferring large files, such as: 4K-The wired connection provides a stable speed that is independent of the load of the wireless channel in your home, and you also get a physical copy of the data on your PC, which is additional insurance.
⚠️ Note: When copying folders manually follow the structure of the Android directories. If you put music in the system folder, the player may not see it, and if in the root, the files will be lost when reset.
Be sure to also check hidden folders like.WhatsApp or.Telegram if you plan to port your correspondence history manually, although it’s better for instant messengers to use their built-in backup features.
Features of data transfer messengers and applications
Popular messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber require special attention. Unlike contacts, WhatsApp’s correspondence history is not stored in the default Google cloud in a way that is easy to transfer between different brands without special actions. For WhatsApp on Samsung, you need to create a local backup or copy in Google Drive immediately before you switch.
When you install WhatsApp on a new Redmi and type in the same phone number, the app will prompt you to recover your story from the cloud. However, if you use Chat Transfer within WhatsApp's Android settings, the process will go faster and more reliable.
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For Telegram and Viber, the history of correspondence is stored on servers, so just log in to the account with a new number or confirm the code login from SMS, and all chats will appear automatically.
Banking applications and government services (Public Services, SberBank, Tinkoff) will require re-authorization. For security reasons, login data (biometry, pin codes) are not portable. SIM-The card with the number tied to the bank is active because it can be used. SMS login.
Some Samsung-specific apps (such as Samsung Health, Good Lock) have no counterparts or versions for Xiaomi.Samsung Health data can be exported through a Samsung account or synced with Google Fit, which in turn will be friends with Mi Fitness or Zepp Life on a new device.
Completion of the setup and verification of data integrity
Once the main dataset has been moved, don't rush to delete the information from your old phone. Do a thorough review of the new device. Open the gallery and make sure all the albums are in place, check the phonebook with multiple contacts, and open important documents.
Note that notifications work. On the MIUI or HyperOS shell, the power saving system can be aggressive and kill background processes of messengers, which can cause notifications to arrive with a delay. Go to the battery settings and set the "No Limits" mode for important applications (WhatsApp, mail, alarm).
⚠️ Warning: After transferring data, be sure to reboot the new smartphone completely, which will help the system index new files, correctly identify paths to media and stabilize background services.
Only when you make sure everything is working correctly can you start cleaning up Samsung.Be sure to complete a full reset to the factory settings (Wipe data/factory reset) before selling or transferring your old device so that your personal data does not fall into the wrong hands.