How to sync your phone to your phone: Xiaomi and Samsung Android

Changing a mobile device is always stressful, not so much with buying a gadget as with the need to transfer accumulated information. Users often wonder how to sync the phone to the phone so as not to lose any contact, photos or messages. Owners of Xiaomi and Samsung devices are in a particularly advantageous position, as the ecosystems of these brands offer powerful built-in tools for data migration.

Synchronization can take place in a variety of ways, from using cloud storage to connecting directly to Wi-Fi Direct. Modern Android operating systems allow you to complete the transfer of basic data in minutes without losing file quality.

In this guide, we will take a detailed look at all the ways that devices can connect to each other, learn about the nuances of Mi Mover and Smart Switch, and understand how to set up automatic synchronization for future convenience.

Preparing devices for the synchronization process

Before any data transfer procedure is started, a number of preparatory steps must be taken to ensure the stability of the connection and prevent possible errors in the software of both smartphones, ignoring these steps can lead to a midway interruption of the process.

First of all, make sure that both Xiaomi and Samsung have a battery charge of at least 60%.The process of actively transmitting data over a wireless network significantly consumes energy, and suddenly turning off one of the phones can damage the database of contacts or messages.

⚠️ Warning: Do not try to run heavy apps or play games on one of your smartphones during synchronization.This can cause the processor to overheat and the Wi-Fi module to become unstable, causing the connection to break.

You also need to check for free space on the receiving device. The amount of memory available should exceed the total weight of the transferred files. To check, take Settings β†’ Memory and assess the current state of the storage.

Both smartphones must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network if you plan to use cloud methods or a local area network. QR-code, an external router may not be required as phones will create their own access point.

β˜‘οΈ Pre-launch check

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Using the Mi Mover app for Xiaomi

The proprietary utility Mi Mover is a standard solution for owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones. This application allows you to quickly clone data from any Android device, including Samsung, to a new phone of the Chinese brand.

Run the app on both devices. On the new Xiaomi, select Receiver, and on the old Samsung, Sender. QR-A code that appears on the screen of the receiving device, and after scanning, the secure connection will be established.

The interface allows you to select specific types of data to transfer, so you can only synchronize contacts and calls, or copy the entire array of media, including heavy video files and application installations.

  • πŸ“± Contacts and communications SMS/MMS transmit almost instantly.
  • πŸ–ΌοΈ Gallery and video files take longer depending on the volume.
  • βš™οΈ System settings and home screen layout are copied selectively.
  • πŸ”’ The connection is encrypted, ensuring the security of personal data.

It is worth noting that some Samsung system apps will not be ported or launched on Xiaomi due to differences in the MIUI and One UI shells.

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If the process is stuck in the β€œWaiting for Connection” phase, try temporarily disabling mobile internet (4G/5G) on both devices, leaving only the Wi-Fi module active.

Data migration via Samsung Smart Switch

If your main or new device is Samsung, the best tool is the Smart Switch utility, which is pre-installed on most models of the Korean brand and is available for download on other Android smartphones, including Xiaomi.

The program is friendly interface and high speed. To start work, you need to run the application on both phones and select the appropriate roles. Smart Switch supports data transfer over both USB-C cable and wireless network.

Type of dataTransmission speed (Wi-Fi)CompatibilityNote
ContactsInstantly.100%Imported to Google Contacts
Photo/VideoTall.100%Album structure maintained
AnnexesMediumPartialOnly free from Play Market
SettingsLow.Limited.Only basic Android settings

Special attention should be paid to the transfer of passwords from Wi-Fi networks and some account settings. Smart Switch can transfer even the location of widgets on the desktop, which makes the transition to Samsung as comfortable as possible.

The process may require proof of access rights on both devices, and Android security will request permission to install applications from unknown sources if the utility is not downloaded from the Play Market store.

What to do if the cable connection is not working?
If you're using a USB-C to USB-C cable and the transmission is not going, try using an OTG adapter or other cable. Some cables are only for charging and do not support data transfer. Also make sure that both screens are on and do not go into sleep mode.

Synchronization through Google account

The most versatile and reliable way to save data is synchronization through Google’s cloud service, which requires no additional apps to install and works equally well on Xiaomi, Samsung, and any other Android device.

To get started, make sure that your old phone is autosynchronized. Go to Settings β†’ Accounts β†’ Google and check if the ticks are right in front of the right items: Contacts, Calendar, Notes, Drive.

Once sync is enabled, the data is automatically uploaded to the cloud, and on the new device, just enter the same email address when you first set up or in the account menu, and all the information will be downloaded automatically.

  • πŸ“§ Contacts and mail are restored in the background.
  • πŸ“… Calendar and reminders are synchronized instantly.
  • πŸ“Έ Photos require separate inclusion in the Google Photos app.
  • πŸ“ Google Keep Notes are available immediately after login.

The main advantage of this method is brand-independent phone. You can go from Xiaomi to Samsung and back at any time just by logging into your profile. All data will be relevant on any device.

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Using a Google account is the only way to ensure that your data is safe in the event of a breakdown or complete loss of your physical device.

Compatibility of MIUI and One UI shells

When switching between different brands, users often encounter incompatibility of some system functions. MIUI (or HyperOS) shells and One UI have different architectures, which affects the portability of specific settings.

For example, the themes, live wallpaper and some system fonts cannot be ported directly; you will have to reconfigure the interface appearance on the new device, and you may have difficulty transferring passwords from stored Wi-Fi networks if they were encrypted by specific methods of the manufacturer.

⚠️ Note: Bank applications and government services may require re-authorization and customization of biometrics (fingerprint or face) on a new device for security purposes.

Messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram require special attention. Although Telegram chats are stored in the cloud and restored automatically, WhatsApp needs to create a local backup or copy in Google Drive on an old phone before switching.

In some cases, apps installed on Xiaomi from third-party sources may not work properly on Samsung due to the lack of the necessary Google Play Services libraries or differences in Android versions.

πŸ“Š What data transfer method seems to you most convenient?
Mi Mover / Smart Switch
USB cable
Google Cloud
Bluetooth (for small files)

Automation and future synchronization

After a successful data transfer, it is important to set up automatic synchronization so that you do not face similar difficulties in the future, which will ensure that backups are constantly up to date.

Set up a photo sync schedule. In the Google Photos app or Xiaomi and Samsung branded galleries, you can select the download quality (β€œExpressed quality” for unlimited or β€œOriginal” using disk space). It is recommended to enable sync only over Wi-Fi so as not to waste mobile traffic.

For contacts and calendar, make sure that the Google account settings include β€œData Autosynchronization,” which will save any changes to your address book instantly, and if you add a new number to your tablet, it will immediately appear on your phone.

Check your cloud storage regularly. If the 15GB limit provided by Google is coming to an end, consider subscribing to an extended rate or periodically uploading archives to your computer.

  • πŸ”„ Enable the synchronization of application data in the account settings.
  • ☁️ Set up automatic uploading of photos only over Wi-Fi.
  • πŸ“± Check that WhatsApp backup is enabled in chat settings.
  • πŸ”‹ Make sure that the power saving mode does not block background synchronization.

Compliance with these simple rules will allow you to always have an up-to-date copy of your data, and in the event of loss of your phone or damage, recovery will take only a few minutes after you log in.

Can I sync my phones without the internet?
Yes, it's possible with direct transmission methods, like Mi Mover or Smart Switch in hotspot creation mode. Phones connect directly over Wi-Fi Direct, and you don't need an Internet connection to do that. However, the Internet is mandatory for synchronization through a Google account.
How long does it take to transfer 100 GB of data?
Time depends on the speed of the Wi-Fi module and the version of the standard. When using 5 GHz Wi-Fi, the process can take from 20 to 40 minutes. Through the Google cloud, this can take several hours, since the speed is limited by the provider's tariff and the speed of writing to the server.
Will photos from the old phone disappear after synchronization?
No, using copying methods (Mi Mover, Smart Switch, cable) the data on the old phone is safe and sound, and only data is deleted if you specifically choose Move over Copy, but the standard copy mode is.
Do I need to reset the new phone to factory settings before transferring?
No, it's not necessary. Mi Mover and Smart Switch can work with already configured devices, they will simply add new data to existing ones or offer to replace duplicate files.