Changing a smartphone is often perceived as a stressful situation, especially when it comes to the transition between Android ecosystems with different shells. Xiaomi users who are used to the functionality of MIUI or HyperOS may be afraid of losing important settings and files when buying a device from Samsung. Fortunately, modern technology allows you to perform this operation almost without human intervention, preserving the folder structure and logic of the work.
The migration of data has become much easier in recent years, thanks to the development of cloud services and specialized software, so you no longer have to manually rewrite contacts or search for each photo separately, the main task is to choose the right method of transfer, which depends on the amount of information and the speed of your Internet connection.
In this guide, we will look at all the current ways to transition, from using a proprietary Smart Switch utility to manually configuring Google sync. We will focus on nuances that are often overlooked, such as porting Wi-Fi passwords and alarm clock schedules. It is critical to understand that applications of banks and government agencies will have to be reauthorized for security purposes, regardless of the method chosen.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before any copying process begins, both smartphones must be trained in basic ways, not just formalities, but a prerequisite for stable data protocols, and make sure that both the old Xiaomi and the new Samsung devices have at least 60 percent battery charge.
The process of transferring large amounts of data, especially high-resolution photos and videos, can be energy-intensive. If at a critical moment one of the phones goes into sleep or turns off, the connection can break, leading to errors in the file system.
Also check for free space on the target device. The amount of memory available on Samsung should exceed the amount of data you plan to transfer from Xiaomi.
- 📱 Charge both smartphones to a minimum of 60-70% Or connect them to a power source.
- 📶 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network to speed up transmissions without using cable.
- 🔒 Unlock the screens of both phones and make sure they are in visibility mode.
- 🔄 Update the system software on both devices to the latest available version for protocol compatibility.
☑️ Ready for transfer
Using Samsung Smart Switch for Android
The most effective and complete way to migrate is to use the official Smart Switch application, which is designed specifically for Samsung owners and allows you to transfer not only media files, but also system settings, messages and even the location of icons on the desktop.
To get started, install the app on a Xiaomi device. You can download it. APK-file from the official website of the manufacturer or find it in the Google Play store. on the new Samsung phone, the application is already built into the system and usually located in the settings menu or in the Samsung folder.
Run the program on both devices. On the old phone, select Send Data and on the new phone, Accept Data. The system will suggest that you choose the method of connection: wireless or via a USB-C cable.
Wireless connectivity is convenient because it doesn’t require additional accessories, but can be slow when transferring tens of gigabytes. If you have a USB-C to USB-C adapter, using the cable will provide maximum speed and stability of the connection, which is especially important when transferring 4K video.
⚠️ Warning: When wirelessly connected, don't take your phones far apart. Interrupting the Wi-Fi Direct signal may cause the process to have to start over.
What data is not transferred through Smart Switch?
Synchronization through Google account
An alternative and often more reliable method is syncing through Google’s cloud service, ideal for those who want to save contacts, calendars, notes, and passwords stored in Google’s password manager.
On Xiaomi, go to account settings. Make sure your Google account is added and synced for all the necessary items is enabled. Often users forget to activate sync for Contacts or Google Notes, which prevents this data from appearing on the new phone.
Once sync is enabled, click the Forced Data Update button to make sure all changes are uploaded to the cloud. On the new Samsung, simply log in to the same account when you initially set up or through the settings menu.
- 📧 Contacts and phone numbers are saved in the “Contacts” section of Google.
- 📅 Calendars and events are synced through Google Calendar.
- 🔑 Saved passwords and autocomplete data are available through Google Password Manager.
- 📸 Photos and videos can be moved if the “Shoot” feature in Google Photos is enabled.
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Google Sync is a “serverless” portability method that doesn’t require both phones to be near when you set up a new device.
Hand-over of multimedia and files
Sometimes automatic systems may not work properly or the user may want to selectively move files, and in such cases, you can use a file manager or a computer as an intermediary.
Connect Xiaomi to your computer via USB-cable and select file transfer mode (MTP). Copy the folders. DCIM (Camera, Pictures (images), Download (downloads) and Music to your computer’s hard drive.
Then plug in Samsung and move the copied data to the appropriate internal memory directories or microSD card, which ensures that no bytes of information are lost when compressed or converted.
For users who prefer cloud storage, Google Drive or Dropbox is a great solution, and upload your archives of important documents to the cloud on your old phone, and then download them on your new phone, which will also create an additional backup of your data.
| Type of data | Recommended method | Speed. | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts, Calendar | Google Synchronization | Instantly. | Tall. |
| Photo and Video (>10GB) | USB/Smart Switch cable | Tall. | Very high. |
| Documents | Cloud/Cable | Medium | Tall. |
| Annexes | Google Play / Smart Switch | Depends on the network. | Medium |
The transition from MIUI to One UI
The shift from MIUI to One UI comes with some changes in the logic of smartphone management. Xiaomi users are accustomed to one-handed control and a specific settings menu that is different from Samsung’s structure.
In One UI, all controls are shifted down the screen for ease of use by larger smartphones. The settings menu here is more detailed and may seem overloaded after Xiaomi's laconic interface.
Note the differences in notifications: MIUI often requires manually allowing apps to autorun, whereas Samsung’s system itself optimizes background activity, which can sometimes delay notifications from messengers.
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After switching to Samsung, be sure to go to the battery settings and turn off power saving for important messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) so that notifications come instantly.
⚠️ Note: Second Space or Hiding Applications function in MIUI It has no direct analogue in One. UI. Hidden folders and files will have to be manually transferred or disclosed before migrating.
Solving and eliminating errors
Even with automated tools, it can be difficult, and users often find that the process hangs on a certain percentage or some applications are not installed.
If data transfers are interrupted, try to disable VPNs on both devices.Secure protocols can block local connections between phones, perceiving it as suspicious activity.
In case SMS messages or call history are not portable, check the permissions for the Smart Switch app on both phones. it should be given full access to contacts, phone and storage.
adb shell pm grant com.sec.android.easyMover android.permission.READ_CONTACTS
adb shell pm grant com.sec.android.easyMover android.permission.WRITE_CONTACTSFor advanced users, if standard methods don’t work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) for forced backup, but this requires drivers and a computer. However, 99% of the time, just restart both smartphones and repeat the connection procedure.