How to quickly and securely transfer data from Samsung to Xiaomi: from contacts to multimedia

Transferring data between smartphones of different brands is a challenge that every second user faces when changing devices. If you are switching from a Samsung Galaxy (be it the S23 Ultra, A54 or older model) to Xiaomi (Redmi Note 13 Pro+, POCO F6 or Mi 14), it is important to choose a method that preserves the structure of files, does not lose the quality of photos and correctly migrates contacts with associated accounts. In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods of data transfer – from standard tools to workarounds for the rare cases when “everything goes wrong.”

The shift between Samsung and Xiaomi is different ecosystems: One UI (Samsung shell) and MIUI/HyperOS (Xiaomi firmware) use different backup algorithms. For example, Samsung’s Smart Switch is not directly compatible with Mi Mover, and cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud) can limit the amount of free storage. We tested each method on pairs of devices from 2020 to 2026 and identified the only way that is guaranteed to carry the history of calls without loss (for details, see the section on local backup).

1.The official way: Mi Mover by Xiaomi

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary data migration app, which is set by default to all new devices of the brand. It supports porting from Samsung, but there are nuances: the app only works when Xiaomi is first turned on (after resetting), or if the target device has not yet created a user profile, if the phone is already configured, you will have to use alternative methods.

To take advantage of the Mi Mover:

• 📱 Download Mi Mover from Google Play on Samsung (if it’s not in your area, use it). APK APKCombo).
• 🔗 On Xiaomi, when you first start, select “Import with Android” and scan QR-code that will appear on the Samsung screen.
• 📁 Select data types: contacts, messages (SMS/MMS), Photos, video, audio, documents and even some Wi-Fi settings.
• ⚡ Connect both phones to charge - the process can take up to 30 minutes on a 50 transfer+ GB.

⚠️ Note: Mi Mover does not carry installed apps (only their data if the app is already installed on Xiaomi), and geolocation tags in photos may also be missing if they were added by third-party galleries (for example, Google Photos).

The advantage of the method is that it does not require a computer and retains the folder structure; the disadvantage is the time limit (if you interrupt the process, you will have to start again); For large data volumes (100+ GB), it is better to use the OTG cable (about this in the next section).

Direct transmission via cable (OTG + adapter)

The fastest way to transfer is to connect Samsung to Xiaomi via the USB-cable OTG. It's gonna take a while:

• 🔌 Cable USB-C — USB-C (If both phones are modern, or adapter USB-C — Micro-USB (for older Samsung models).
• 📲 On Xiaomi, turn on the "File Transfer" mode (Settings) → Connected devices → USB).
• 📂 On Samsung, in the notification curtain, select "File Transfer" (not "Charging").

After connection:

1. On Xiaomi, open Explorer (the Files app).
2. In the Devices section, select Samsung (it will appear as an external drive).
3. Copy the right folders (DCIM for photo, downloads for downloads) to internal memory or SD-Xiaomi.

⚠️ Note: When copying the WhatsApp folder, chats will not be restored directly - you need a backup in Google Drive (instruction below). Also avoid copying system folders (Android, data), this can cause errors on Xiaomi.

1. Check battery power (minimum 50% on both phones)

2. connect the OTG cable (check that it supports data transfer)

3. unlock both phones (screens must not go out)

4. disable battery optimization for Explorer on Xiaomi-->

3. Cloud services: Google Drive vs Mi Cloud

If you have a slow cable or not OTG-You can use the cloud storage, you can use the adapter:

Google Drive (we recommend for contacts and photos):

• ☁️ It is free of charge and 15 GB (enough for contacts and ~3000 photos in compressed format).
• 🔄 Automatically syncs contacts, calendars and photos (if backup is enabled in Settings) → Google → Backup).
• ⚡ On Xiaomi, just log into the same Google account – the data will be automatically pulled up.

Mi Cloud (comfortable for the Xiaomi ecosystem):

• ☁️ Free – 5 GB (you can expand to 10 GB through promotions).
• 📱 Optimized for MIUI/HyperOS: Backups of applications and settings are restored in one click.
• ⚠️ Does not support automatic synchronization with Samsung – you need to manually download files through the web version of i.mi.com.

To transfer via Google Drive:

1. On Samsung, open Google Photos and enable backup (Photo → Settings → Backup and Sync).
2. Wait for the download to be completed (you can speed up via 5GHz Wi-Fi).
3. On Xiaomi, log in to the same Google account and wait for synchronization (photos will appear in Google Photos, contacts - in the Contacts app).

4. Local backup (for experienced users)

This method is suitable if you need to migrate the entire system with all settings, including call history, SMS and application data. You will need a computer (Windows/Mac) and Samsung Smart Switch to create a backup, and then manually extract the desired files.

Steps:

1. Install Smart Switch on PC.
2. Connect Samsung to your computer and back up (Enter → Backup) and save the file with the.spb extension.
3. Use the utility. samsung_backup_decrypt (for Linux/Mac) or Smart Switch Backup Decryptor (for Windows) to extract data from.spb.
4. Copy the files you want (such as Contacts.vcf for contacts) on Xiaomi.

This is the only way to transfer your call history without loss, because neither Mi Mover nor Google syncs this data, but the process requires technical skills: if you use the utilities incorrectly, you can damage the backup.

⚠️ Warning: Do not try to restore the.spb backup directly to Xiaomi, this will cause a system failure, SMS.xml or.vcf).

💡

If you only need SMS, use the SMS Backup & Restore app from Google Play.It exports messages to a.xml file that is easy to import to Xiaomi through the same app.

5.Mobilization of WhatsApp and other messengers

Chats on WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber are not carried in the standard ways.

WhatsApp:

• 🔄 Official way: backup in Google Drive (the same phone number and Google account required).
• 📁 Alternative: copy the folder /storage/emulated/0/WhatsApp/Databases Xiaomi, renaming the file msgstore.db.crypt14 into msgstore.db.crypt12 (For older versions of WhatsApp).

Telegram:

• ☁️ All chats and media are stored in the Telegram cloud – just log into your account on Xiaomi.
• 📂 Local files (manually uploaded) are located in /storage/emulated/0/Telegram.

Viber:

• 🔗 A backup copy is created in Settings → Account. → Backup and saved to Google Drive or memory card.
• ⚠️ When restoring to Xiaomi, use the same SIM-card (link to phone number).

💡

For WhatsApp, the most reliable way is to back up Google Drive. Manual database copying (msgstore.db) works only when the versions of the app on both phones match.

6. Solving problems in data transfer

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have errors, and let's look at the typical cases and how to fix them:

Problem 1: Mi Mover doesn't see Samsung.

• 🔄 Reboot both phones.
• 📶 Connect to a single Wi-Fi network (or use a Samsung hotspot).
• 🛠️ Turn it off. VPN Firewalls (for example, Knox on Samsung can block the connection).

Problem 2: The photos were moved, but without a date.

• 📅 Use the Exif Tool app to recover metadata.
• ☁️ If the photo is uploaded via Google Photos, the date is automatically saved.

Problem 3: Contacts are duplicated after the transfer.

• 🧹 In the Contacts app on Xiaomi, select Contact Management → Combine duplicates.
• 🔗 Disable synchronization of contacts with multiple accounts (Google, Mi Cloud, SIM).

Problem 4: Xiaomi does not recognize files from Samsung.

• 📂 Check the file formats: Xiaomi may not open.heic (use this option) HEIF Converter for conversion to.jpg).
• 🎵 For music in.flac or.ape format, install the Poweramp player.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data transfer