Changing mobile devices is often stressful, especially when the transition is between ecosystems of different manufacturers, such as Samsung to Xiaomi. Many fear losing important contacts, photos or correspondence history in messengers when changing their brand. However, modern Android operating systems provide powerful tools for seamless migration of data.
The process of transferring information has become much easier in recent years thanks to cloud technologies and specialized applications from developers. You do not need to be a technician to perform this procedure, you just need to follow step-by-step instructions and have a stable connection to the network. In this article, we will discuss all available synchronization methods, including using a Google account, a proprietary Mi Mover utility, and manual copying of files.
It’s worth noting that full real-time synchronization between two phones is not possible, as it is against the Android security architecture. We’re talking about data transfer when you initially set up a new device or periodic backups. Understanding this nuance will help avoid confusion and waiting for files to be displayed instantly on both screens at the same time.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before you start moving actively, make sure both smartphones are ready to go. Charge both devices, Samsung and Xiaomi, to a minimum of 60-70%, as the process of transferring a large amount of data can significantly consume battery power. Also check for free space on the target device to avoid overflowing memory at the most inopportune time.
Both phones must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Using a 4G/5G mobile network is not recommended as traffic can be quickly depleted and transmission speeds will be unstable. Make sure that Bluetooth and geolocation are enabled on both devices, as some synchronization methods use these modules to detect devices from each other.
Xiaomi’s new phone recommends a full factory reset if it’s already in use, which will allow the initial system setup to start prompting you to import data, and if the reset is not possible, most tools will allow you to start migration through the settings of the already running system.
☑️ Ready for transfer
Using the Mi Mover application for portability
The most efficient and quickest way to switch from Samsung to Xiaomi is to use the official Mi Mover app, which is designed specifically for data migration between Android devices and allows you to transfer contacts, messages, calls, apps, music, videos and photos. The app is pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones, and for Samsung it must be downloaded from Google Play.
Run the app on both devices. On Xiaomi, select Recipient and on Samsung, Sender. QR-code or connect through device search. Once you have established the connection, you will see a list of data categories available for portability.
- 📱 Contacts and messages: Transfer of the telephone book and SMS-The message passes without loss, maintaining the structure of correspondence.
- 📸 Multimedia: Photos and videos are copied in their original quality, saving the shooting date.
- 📲 Annexes: Installation APK-files, but data inside applications (logins, game progress) may not be saved without a developer account.
It is important to understand that some Samsung system applications will not work on Xiaomi due to the differences in the One UI and MIUI (or HyperOS) shells. Once the process is complete, check the key programs and find their counterparts in the GetApps store or Google Play if necessary.
What to do if the Mi Mover is frozen?
Synchronization through Google account
The most universal method, independent of the smartphone brand, is synchronization through Google account, ideal for those who want to access their data at any time, even if the phone is lost. On a Samsung device, you need to go to the settings, find the Accounts and Archiving section, and make sure that the synchronization of contacts, calendar and notes is activated.
Once synced to Samsung is enabled, the data will automatically be uploaded to the search giant's cloud. When you log in to the same account on the new Xiaomi, the system will prompt you to restore data from the backup, and you can choose what to download: applications, Wi-Fi passwords, system settings, and user data.
⚠️ Note: Photos and videos are synced separately through Google Photos. Make sure the old device has Autoboot and Sync enabled, otherwise the media files will only remain in the phone's memory.
To recover data on Xiaomi, when you first set up, enter your Google account login and password. The system will prompt you to restore applications and data from the last backup. This process can take a long time, especially if you install hundreds of apps at once.
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Use the “Clear Storage” feature in Google Photos after successful sync to free up space on your phone, leaving the photo only in the cloud.
Hand-over of multimedia and files
Sometimes automatic systems fail or the user wants to transfer only specific heavy files, such as movies or archives with work, in which case the most reliable method is manual copying. USB-cable and copy the contents of folders DCIM, Download and Documents from one device to another.
Alternatively, Wi-Fi Direct technology or third-party file managers such as Send Files to Phone or XShare create a local network between devices, allowing you to transfer files at maximum speed without consuming Internet traffic. Transfer speeds can reach 20-40 MB/s, which is much faster than Bluetooth.
When manually transferring, it is important to follow the folder structure if you want the gallery on Xiaomi to display photos correctly. It is recommended to create similar folders or simply transfer files to the media root directories. After copying, you may need to reboot the device so that the media server scans new files.
| Method of transmission | Speed. | Difficulty | It's best suited for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover | Tall. | Low. | Completely moving to a new phone |
| Google Account | Medium | Low. | Contacts, calendar and settings |
| USB-cable + PC | Very high. | Medium | Large video and archives |
| Bluetooth | Low. | Low. | Several documents |
Remember, when you copy through your computer, you get complete control of the files. You can sort through unnecessary garbage, duplicate photos and old screenshots before you upload them to the new Xiaomi. It's a great opportunity to put things in order in the digital space.
Nuances of synchronization of applications and passwords
One of the main problems when switching from Samsung to Xiaomi is the transfer of authorization in applications. Banking applications, social networks and instant messengers require re-sign-in for security reasons. Sign-in data can be stored in Google Password Manager or a third-party password manager, which will make life much easier.
Messengers like WhatsApp and Telegram have their own backup mechanisms. Telegram just needs to log in, since all the history of correspondence is stored on the servers. WhatsApp needs to create a backup on Samsung in Google Drive, and then when installed on Xiaomi agree to restore from this copy.
- 🔐 Two-factor authentication: Make sure you have access to a phone number or authentication app, as confirmation codes may be needed when you sign in on a new device.
- 🏦 Banking applications: Often require re-attachment of the device.Some banks may require a support call or a visit to the branch if the security system considers the entrance suspicious.
- 🎮 Games: Game progress is only saved if you are logged in to a developer account (Google Play Games, Facebook, VK Play before changing the phone.
⚠️ Note: Electronic key applications (Gosnin, banks) may require reconfiguration of biometrics. Remember or write down security questions and passwords from important services in advance.
It is recommended not to remove WhatsApp from your old phone until you are fully convinced that you have successfully transferred your history to a new one, which will allow you to repeat the backup and recovery process in case of an error.
Solving problems in synchronization
Users may encounter various difficulties in migrating, and one of the common problems is the “Not enough space” error, even when there is free memory, which may be due to the features of the file system or hidden system files, in which case you can try to transfer data in smaller portions, choosing not all categories at once, but separately.
Another common situation is “broken” contacts, when duplicate records appear on Xiaomi. This happens if contacts are synchronized with the same contacts. SIM-To solve this problem, the Contacts app on Xiaomi has a built-in “Joint Duplicates” feature that will automatically find and leak duplicate records.
If the data transfer is interrupted in the middle, don't panic. Check if the screen is going into sleep mode, and turn off the power savings for the carrier application. Also, make sure that both devices have the latest system update, as older versions of the software may contain bugs that interfere with the stable operation of the transmission protocols.
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Connection stability is more important than speed. It's better to spend more time on the transfer, but make sure that no file gets corrupted in the process.