Changing a smartphone is always stressful, not so much with getting used to a new interface, but with the risk of losing accumulated digital information. When a user moves from the MIUI ecosystem to One UI, they face the need to migrate a huge amount of data, from thousands of photos to passwords in the browser. Fortunately, modern Android operating systems allow you to perform this process as smoothly as possible and without losing important files.
There are several proven synchronization methods, each with different features depending on the amount of information being transferred: you can use cloud storage, local wireless connection or specialized cable. It is critical to make a full backup of your old device in case of unforeseen failures before starting any operations. In this article, we will discuss the most effective ways to ensure the safety of your data.
Don’t be afraid of the transition between brands, as Google has created a single environment where apps and settings are easily portable. However, Xiaomi’s specific settings may not automatically convert to Samsung settings, requiring manual adjustments. Understanding these nuances will help you save time and avoid the frustration of missing notes or calendars.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before you start the transfer process, make sure that both smartphones are ready to go. Charge both devices to a minimum of 60-70%, as active data transfer via Wi-Fi Direct or cable consumes significant energy. Make sure that both devices are on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, even if you plan to use a cable connection for the initial setup.
Check the availability of space on the new Samsung. The amount of available memory should exceed the amount of data you plan to transfer from Xiaomi. If the old phone has 100 GB of photos and videos, and the new one has only 50 GB, the process will either be interrupted or end in error.
It is also recommended to update the system software on both devices to the latest available version, which will ensure compatibility of transmission protocols and fix known bugs in the work of synchronization services. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update to check the relevance of the software.
- 🔋 Charge both smartphones to at least 60% to avoid turning off during the process.
- 📶 Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules on both devices before setting up.
- 💾 Make room on the new Samsung by removing unnecessary pre-installed apps.
- 🔄 Update Android on Xiaomi and Samsung to the latest versions.
⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to interrupt the data transfer process or unlock smartphone screens during the active copying phase, this may cause file system damage.
Use of Samsung Smart Switch app
The most effective and official way to transfer is Samsung’s Smart Switch utility, which is designed to receive data from any Android device, including Xiaomi, and allows you to transfer contacts, messages, photos, videos, music, notes and even calendar schedules.
The process starts with installing the app on your old phone. If Xiaomi doesn't have a Smart Switch preinstalled, download it from Google Play. On the new Samsung, the app is usually already built in and is in the settings menu or in the Samsung folder. Run the program on both devices.
To connect, select the Wireless option if you don’t have a dedicated cable. USB-C to USB-C And if you connect wirelessly, the phones will create a secure Wi-Fi Direct network. QR-Pin code or Pin code entry will start data analysis.
☑️ Check before launching the Smart Switch
Select data categories to transfer. You don't have to copy system debris or heavy files that you don't need. Once you confirm the selection, copying will start, the progress of which will be displayed as a percentage, and latency depends on the amount of data and the speed of the wireless connection.
- 📲 Install the Smart Switch app on Xiaomi from the Play Store if it is not available.
- 🔗 Use the cable. USB-C to speed up the transfer of large amounts of data (photo / video).
- ✅ Select only the necessary file categories to avoid clogging your new phone.
Once you have completed the copy, the system will suggest you configure specific Samsung features like your Samsung account and cloud storage, a separate step that you should go through right away to ensure that the sync works properly in the future.
Synchronization through Google Account
The foundation of the Android ecosystem is a Google account, which, if you’ve been using Google services on Xiaomi, half of your digital life is already in the cloud, and is ideal for transferring contacts, calendar events, Google Keep notes, and passwords stored in Chrome.
When you first turn on the new Samsung, the system will prompt you to sign in to your existing Google account, and by entering the same username and password as you did on Xiaomi, you will automatically start the background sync process, and your contacts and calendar will be downloaded almost instantly after you connect to the Internet.
To transfer passwords and browser bookmarks, make sure that the old phone in the Chrome app is synced. → Synchronize and make sure that all switches are active. On the new device, it is easy to log into the browser under the same acca.--WIDGET:spoiler:What to do if contacts are not synced?:If contacts do not appear automatically, check where exactly they were saved on Xiaomi. Often users store them in “Phone Memory” or «SIM-In this case, you need to manually export contacts to the file.vcf through the Contacts app to Xiaomi and import this file to Samsung.-->
This method will not transfer installed applications with their data (game progress, messenger cache), but will allow you to quickly download all programs from the Play Store in one list.
- ☁️ All data is stored in Google’s secure cloud and does not take up space on the phone until downloaded.
- 🔐 Passwords and search history will be automatically available on the new device.
- 📱 Applications can be restored by listing simply by confirming installation.
Comparison of data transfer methods
The choice of migration depends on your priorities: speed, completeness of copying or independence from the Internet. Below is a comparative table that will help determine the best option for your situation.
| Method | Speed. | What's transferable | We need the Internet. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smart Switch (Cable) | Tall. | Everything (photos, apps, settings) | No. |
| Smart Switch (Wi-Fi) | Medium | Everything (photos, apps, settings) | No (locally) |
| Google Account | Depends on speed. | Contacts, calendar, photos, passwords | Yes. |
| Manual (PC) | Low. | Multimedia files and documents | No. |
As you can see from the table, Smart Switch is the most versatile tool, especially in wired mode, it allows you to clone folder structure and files one-to-one, but if the cable is lost or not fit, wireless mode is stable, albeit slower.
Using a Google Account is essential to maintaining the integrity of your digital identity: your browsing history, your Play Store purchases and your subscriptions, and without that, you’ll have to re-sign in to every service, which is time-consuming.
Hand-over of multimedia and files
Sometimes automatic systems fail or miss certain folders, especially if Xiaomi has used a non-standard directory structure, and in such cases, manual copying through a computer helps, requiring a PC or laptop and the appropriate cables.
Connect Xiaomi to your computer in file transfer mode (MTP). Copy the DCIM folders (camera photos and videos), Pictures (screenshots and images from messengers), Download and Music to your computer hard drive. Pay special attention to the MIUI folder if it stores recordings of the recorder or screencasts.
Then plug Samsung in and copy that data into the appropriate directories. Android folder structure is standard, so there should be no problem with the new phone recognizing media files. The gallery will automatically index the new files.
- 💻 Use your computer as an intermediate to ensure heavy video copying.
- 📂 Remember to copy hidden folders if they store important data.
- 🎵 Music and ringtones are often in separate folders, check the player settings.
⚠️ Note: When manually copying through a PC, do not remove devices abruptly (sharp). Always use the Safe Device Removal feature on your computer operating system.
Nuances of the transfer of messages and messengers
The hardest part of migration is the history of correspondence, and while standard SMS and Smart Switch call logs are easily portable, messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber are different, and these apps store their correspondence history locally or in their cloud, independent of Google.
For WhatsApp on Xiaomi, you need to back up in the app settings in advance by selecting “Backup” on Google Drive. Make sure the same Google account is used. When you install WhatsApp on Samsung and type in the same phone number, the app will prompt you to restore your history from the cloud.
Telegram and Viber (partially) store the history on servers, just install the app and log in to the phone number, all chats will be automatically downloaded, but secret chats and some local files will have to be moved separately or lost.
💡
To transfer WhatsApp without losing history, use the built-in “Chat Transfer” feature in WhatsApp settings on Xiaomi, scanning it. QR-code on the new Samsung during initial setup.