Changing a smartphone is always a mild stress, not so much with getting used to a new shell, but with the risk of losing important files, contacts and correspondence history. Users who move from the Samsung ecosystem to Xiaomi devices often wonder how to quickly and safely transfer the accumulated digital luggage. Fortunately, modern Android operating systems provide powerful tools for migration, which make this process as automated as possible.
In this article, we will take a look at all the current synchronization methods, from built-in system gates to proven third-party solutions. You will learn how to migrate contacts, photos, videos, music and even placement of applications on the desktop. The right method depends on the amount of data and the availability of a stable Internet connection, so it is important to study the features of each method.
Before you start taking action, you need to conduct a number of preparatory activities that ensure the success of the operation: make sure that both devices are charged at least 60-70%, as the process of transferring a large amount of information can be energy intensive.
Preparing devices for data migration
The first and most important step is to properly configure both smartphones before transferring: on a Samsung device, you need to free up space in RAM by closing background applications that can interfere with the transfer process. On a new phone, Xiaomi should perform the initial system setup, but not install unnecessary applications so as not to create version conflicts.
While some methods allow for mobile internet, the speed of transferring gigabytes of photos and videos over the cellular network will be extremely low and can lead to additional traffic costs. A stable Wi-Fi is a guarantee that the process will not be interrupted halfway due to signal loss.
⚠️ Note: Before starting a data transfer, it is strongly recommended to back up important files to an external medium or to the cloud, which will protect your information in case of an unexpected software failure during the migration.
Also check the operating system versions on both devices. If Samsung has a very old version of Android installed, some current sync methods may not work properly, so you should first update the old phone’s firmware to the latest version available through the Settings → Software Update menu.
Using the Mi Mover app for full portability
The most effective and native way to transition to the new platform is to use a special tool Mi Mover. This application was developed by Xiaomi engineers specifically to migrate data from any Android smartphone, including Samsung, as well as from the iPhone. It allows you to transfer contacts, messages, call logs, photos, music, videos, documents and even installed applications.
The process starts with installing the Mi Mover app on both devices. On the new Xiaomi, it is often already built into the system and is located in the Tools folder or available through settings when you first launch. On Samsung, the application must be downloaded from the Google Play Store. After launch, both phones must provide the necessary permissions to access files and contacts.
☑️ Preparation for transfer via Mi Mover
Next, Xiaomi selects I'm a recipient, and Samsung selects I'm a sender. QR-code or create a Wi-Fi hotspot. A key advantage of this method is that it creates a direct connection between devices without using Internet traffic, which provides high transfer speeds.
Once you connect, you'll see a list of data categories that you can transfer, and you can select all of them at once, or you can only mark the right items, like contacts and photos. The system will identify compatible apps and try to migrate them, but some Samsung system applications may not be installed on Xiaomi due to differences in the One shells. UI and MIUI/HyperOS.
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If the transfer process is stuck at some percentage, don't rush to interrupt the connection. Wait 2-3 minutes - large files can be processed longer, and the system just waits for the write to the disk to be completed.
Synchronization through Google Account
Google’s ecosystem is the skeleton of any Android system, and using your account is the most reliable way to save contacts, calendar and notes. When you first turn on a new Xiaomi, the system will prompt you to log into your Google account. If you enter the same data as you did on Samsung, all the synchronized data will automatically be pulled into the memory of the new device.
For this method to work, the old Samsung phone needs to be synced. Check this from the Settings → Accounts → Google menu. Make sure the switches opposite Contacts, Calendar, Keep, and Photos are active. Once turned on, click the sync button to make sure the latest changes are saved in the cloud.
This method is ideal for transferring structured data, such as a phone book and calendar events, but it has limits on the amount of media that can be transferred unless you use additional services. Google Photos, when combined with an account, allows you to move the entire library, but it takes time to upload the originals to the cloud from the old device.
What to do if your contacts are not synchronized?
Manual transfer of multimedia and documents
Automated systems don't always work perfectly, especially when it comes to specific folders or large volumes of high-resolution video, and in these cases, the old-fashioned manual method or cloud storage comes to the rescue, and you can connect both phones to your computer and copy DCIM, Pictures, Download and Documents folders to the clipboard and then transfer them to a new device.
Alternatively, you can use cloud services like Google Drive, Yandex.Disk or Dropbox, and upload files to the cloud from an old Samsung, and download them to Xiaomi at any time, a method that doesn’t require both phones to be handy at the same time and serves as an additional backup.
When you manually copy, it's important to keep the folder structure in place so that the new phone gallery displays photos correctly. It's usually enough to simply copy the contents of the internal memory to the appropriate directories on the new device. The Android file system allows you to move data freely between folders, but it's not recommended to touch the system files.
Comparison of data transfer methods
To make it easier for you to choose the best way, we have prepared a comparison table that shows the pros and cons of each method depending on your needs and the type of data transmitted.
| Method | It's best suited for | Speed. | We need the Internet. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover | Complete cloning of system and applications | Tall. | No (locally) |
| Google Account | Contacts, calendar and notes | Medium | Yes. |
| Google Photo | High quality photos and videos | Depends on the channel. | Yes. |
| Manual (PC) | Very large files and archives | Depends on USB. | No. |
As you can see from the table, for complex transfers, it is best to use a combination of methods: Mi Mover for applications and settings, Google Account for contacts, and heavy video files can be transferred through the computer if wireless transmission seems too slow.
Transfer of WhatsApp messages and messengers
Special attention should be paid to transferring the history of correspondence in messengers, as standard methods of synchronizing contacts often do not affect the message database. WhatsApp has a built-in backup function. On Samsung, go to Settings → Chats → Backup chats and create a copy in Google Drive.
Once you install WhatsApp on the new Xiaomi and log in to the same phone number, the system will offer to restore the message history from the cloud. It is important that the new device has the same Google account where the backup was made. Telegram and Viber process is even easier: messages are stored on servers, and after entering the phone number, the entire story will be downloaded automatically.
⚠️ Note: When transferring WhatsApp, make sure the new device uses the same phone number. Transfer your chat history to another phone number using standard means is impossible without using paid third-party utilities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Will Wi-Fi passwords be saved after the transfer?
What to do if some applications are not installed?
Can the data transfer process be interrupted?
Do I need to reset the new phone to factory settings before transferring?
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The fastest and seamless way to transition is to use the Mi Mover bundle for apps and Google Account for personal information, which takes an average of 20-40 minutes depending on the amount of data.
In conclusion, the transition from Samsung to Xiaomi is not a loss of data, but an opportunity to put things in order in the digital space. Modern migration tools take on all the complex technical work, leaving you only the pleasure of using a new gadget with more customization options and often a better price.