Changing a smartphone is always stressful, not so much with getting used to a new interface, but with the risk of losing important photos, contacts and correspondence. When the transition is carried out between devices of different ecosystems, for example, from Samsung to Xiaomi Redmi 9, users are often afraid of technical difficulties.
There are several proven methods of information migration, each with its own advantages depending on the amount of data and the speed of the Internet connection. Wireless methods are convenient for their simplicity, whereas wired solutions can be critical in the transfer of terabytes of information. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the current methods so that you can choose the most suitable for your situation.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before the active transfer phase begins, a series of preparatory steps must be taken on both smartphones to ensure stable connection and prevent possible failures in the middle of the process, and make sure that both devices are charged at least 50-60%, as active data transfer can significantly consume battery power.
On a Samsung device, check for free space and the current version of the operating system. While Mi Mover and other utilities are compatible with most Android versions, fresh security updates can prevent Wi-Fi Direct connection errors. It's also worth clearing the temporary file cache to speed up the file system.
⚠️ Before migrating, we strongly advise you to back up your most important data to an external medium or to the cloud. Despite the reliability of modern algorithms, human factors or sudden battery discharge can interrupt the process.
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Use of the Mi Mover app
The most effective and native way to transfer data is to use a special application Mi Mover, developed by Xiaomi engineers. This tool is designed specifically for migrating from Android and iOS devices to MIUI smartphones, providing the transfer of contacts, messages, photos, music and even system settings.
To get started, you need to install the app on both devices. On Redmi 9, it is often pre-installed in the Tools folder, and on Samsung, you need to download it from Google Play. Once you start, select the device role: on the new phone, click "I am the recipient" and on the old one, "I am the sender."
The connection process takes place through the creation of a temporary Wi-Fi hotspot. the new Xiaomi smartphone will generate QR-The code you want to scan with the camera of the old device, and when you confirm the connection, the Samsung screen will show you a list of data categories that you can copy, and you can select all the items at once, or you can mark only the ones you need, like contacts and a gallery.
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If the process is suspended during the scanning phase QR-Try to temporarily shut down the mobile Internet (4G/5G) On both devices, leaving only Wi-Fi modules active.
Transfer speeds depend on the amount of data and the distance between devices. During the process, don't turn off your smartphone screens and keep them close to each other. Once you've finished copying, Redmi 9 will automatically distribute files to the corresponding folders, creating a structure that is familiar to the MIUI shell.
Synchronization through Google Account
An alternative and often more reliable method is to use Google cloud sync, because both smartphones run on Android, your account is a universal key to data. When you first turn on Redmi 9, the system will prompt you to log into an existing Google account that was used on Samsung.
By logging in, you can access contacts, notes, calendar and Chrome history. Photos and videos, if Google Photos were enabled on your old device, will appear in the gallery automatically after connecting to Wi-Fi. This method is ideal for those who want to configure the phone from scratch without copying garbage and temporary files.
However, this method has its limitations: it will not carry installed applications with their internal data (logins, progress in games without cloud storage) and files located in local folders outside the system directories.
| Type of data | Mi Mover | Google Account | Manual method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Yes. | Yes (automatically) | Yes (SIM/File) |
| Photos and videos | Yes. | Yes (via Photo) | Yes (PC/Bluetooth) |
| Annexes | Yes (APK) | List only. | No. |
| SMS messages | Yes. | No. | No. |
Manually transferring contacts and messages
In some cases, users prefer to control each step or do not want to install additional applications. Contacts can be transferred through export to a.vcf file. On Samsung, go to the Contacts app, select the menu and click Contact Management → Import/Export Contacts → Export.
The saved file can be transferred in any convenient way: via messenger (Telegram, WhatsApp), email or Bluetooth. On Redmi 9, just open this file, and the system will offer to save all the numbers contained in it in memory of the phone or on the phone. SIM-It's a universal method that works even on push-button phones.
⚠️ Note: When exporting contacts to SIM-The card remembers that it has a limited amount of memory and may not retain long names, second numbers or email addresses associated with the contact.
For transfer SMS-messages standard means Android is not provided, so here again will help Mi Mover or third-party utilities like SMS Backup & Restore: Using these apps requires you to install the same program on both devices, create an archive on your old phone and restore it to your new one.
Working with multimedia and files
Transferring heavy files like videos to 4K, music albums and documents requires a special approach: If the data volume exceeds 10-20 GB, wireless transmission can take several hours, in which case the most rational solution is to use the computer as an intermediate link.
Connect Samsung to your PC via USB-cable, select file transfer mode (MTP) and copy the folders. DCIM, Pictures, Download and Music on your hard drive. Then connect Redmi 9 and move the data to the appropriate directories.Folder structure on Xiaomi may differ, but the system automatically recognizes media files.
Nuances of the MIUI file system
For fast transfer of small amounts of data without a PC, you can use the built-in file manager Redmi 9. In the application "Conductor" there is a function "Network Sharing" or FTP transfer, which allows you to broadcast files directly from a computer or other phone without cables using a local Wi-Fi network.
Problem Solving and Configuring MIUI
After successfully migrating data, Samsung users may be faced with the unusual logic of operating the MIUI shell. Unlike One UI, it has a different implementation of notification and access rights management. Apps may not send notifications until you explicitly allow it in the battery settings.
Go to Settings → Applications → Access settings to check permissions for messengers and social networks. Also, go to Settings → Battery and Performance and set the mode for important applications on “No Limits” so that the system does not “kill” background processes.
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MIUI has an aggressive power saving system. If messages stop coming after transferring WhatsApp or Telegram, check the auto-start settings and battery settings for these applications first.
Another feature is the lack of the default app menu (all desktop icons), which can be changed in the theme settings. Go to Settings → Desktop and select the style "From the App Menu" to make the interface look more like pure Android or One UI from Samsung.