Samsung to Xiaomi Redmi Note: Full Guide 2026

The transition from Samsung to Xiaomi Redmi Note is not only a brand change, but also the need to transfer all the important data: contacts, photos, messages and even app settings. Many users face difficulties when trying to save information from an old device, especially if it is a different operating system (One UI from Samsung and MIUI from Xiaomi).

It is important to understand that not all data can be transferred automatically. For example, settings of Samsung system applications (for example, Bixby or Knox) will not work on Xiaomi due to differences in firmware. However, the main files - photos, videos, documents and contacts - will move without problems. We will also explain how to avoid data loss when changing devices and what nuances should be considered when using this or that method.

If you’ve just purchased the Redmi Note 12/13 or another model in the series and want to quickly customize it for yourself, this guide will save you time and nerves.

1.Mi Mover Data Transfer – Official Tool of Xiaomi

Mi Mover is an integrated application on all Xiaomi smartphones designed to migrate data from other devices, it supports transfers from Samsung, iPhone, Huawei and other brands, the main advantage is simplicity and no need for a computer.

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

• 📱 Turn on Mi Mover on the new Redmi Note: Go to Settings → The phone. → Mi Mover (or find the app through search).
• 🔗 On an old Samsung, download Mi Mover from Google Play (if it’s not by default).
• 📶 Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network. On Samsung, select the role "Sender", on Xiaomi - "Receiver".
• 🔍 Scan it. QR-code from the Redmi Note screen on Samsung to pair devices.
• 📁 Select data types for transfer (contacts, messages, photos, videos, audio, applications) and confirm the transfer.

It can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes depending on the amount of data, and it's important that both phones are at least 50 percent charged and don't shut down during transmission, and if the connection is interrupted, it starts over.

Both phones are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (2.4 GHz).

Samsung has plenty of free space for temporary files

VPNs and firewalls disabled

Battery charge above 50%-->

⚠️ Note: Mi Mover does not transfer data from some apps (such as WhatsApp or Viber) and will require a separate backup through the messengers themselves.

2.Using Samsung Smart Switch (alternative for Galaxy owners)

If you're used to the Samsung ecosystem, you can try to migrate data over Smart Switch, the company's backup solution, but here's the caveat: Smart Switch doesn't officially support direct transfer to other brands' devices. But there's a workaround.

Here's how to do it:

1. Backup on Samsung with Smart Switch: 📱 Open the Smart Switch app on Samsung. 💾 Select Backup → Internal memory or SD-map. ✅ Mark the data you need (contacts, photos, calendar) and click Save".
2. Transfer the backup file to Xiaomi: 📁 Connect Samsung to your computer and copy the SmartSwitchBackup folder (usually found in the root directory of internal memory). 📲 Move this folder to Redmi Note (for example, to the Downloads folder).
3. Recover data on Xiaomi: 🔧 Install Smart Switch on Xiaomi from Google Play. 🔄 Choose Restore. → Local backup and point the way to the copied folder.

This method is suitable for contacts, messages and multimedia, but does not guarantee 100% successful transfer due to OS differences. For example, Samsung Notes will not open in Mi Notes, and some system settings may not apply.

⚠️ Warning: If the Smart Switch backup weighs more than 4GB, break it down with an archiver (e.g., a backup, 7-Zip), Xiaomi may not recognize the file.

Official tools (Mi Mover, Smart Switch)

Cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud)

Manual transfer via computer

Other-->

3. Transfer through Google Account (universal method)

The most reliable way to save contacts, calendar and some app settings is to sync through Google Account, which works on any Android device and does not require additional programs.

Instructions:

• 🔄 On Samsung go to Settings → Accounts and archiving → Account management.
• 📧 Select your Google Account and enable sync for: Contacts Gmail Calendar Google Photos (if you use) Google Docs
• ☁️ Wait for the synchronization to be completed (check in Settings). → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of the account).
• 📱 On Xiaomi Redmi Note, add the same Google Account to Settings → Accounts. → Add an account.
• 🔄 Enable synchronization for the same categories.

The advantage of this method is automatic data updates, for example, if you add a new contact on Xiaomi, it will appear on other devices associated with this account, but Google Photos only syncs thumbnails in high quality (free of charge), and the originals will have to pay for storage.

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Before syncing, check if there's enough space in your Google Account. 15GB is available for free, but if you have a lot of photos in original quality, there may not be enough space. Clear the shopping cart in Google Photos and delete unnecessary files from Google Drive.

4. File transfer via computer (for large amounts of data)

If you have hundreds of gigabytes of photos, videos or documents, the fastest way is to transfer over a PC or Mac. This method is also suitable if Wi-Fi is unstable or you want to sort files before copying.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Samsung to your computer via USB-cable (use the original cable for stable speed).
2. 🖥️ On Samsung, select file transfer mode: Swipe down the notification bar. Click on the notification USB To transfer files, select File Transfer (MTP).

Win + E

DCIM

Downloads

Samsung

Xiaomi Redmi Note

SD-map

You can use USB 3.0 (blue connector) and a high-speed cable to speed things up. If your computer can't see your phone, try:

• 🔌 Reconnect the cable.
• 🔄 Reboot both devices.
• 🛠️ Install Samsung or Xiaomi drivers from official websites.

⚠️ Note: If you are transferring files to Xiaomi with a file system F2FS (For example, on the old Redmi Note models. 8/9), Avoid copying large files (>4 GB) to the internal memory. SD-map.

5. Transfer of applications and their data (without root)

Unfortunately, standard methods do not allow you to transfer installed applications and their data (for example, save in games or WhatsApp settings).

Method 1: Backup through ADB (for advanced users)

If you have experience with ADB, you can create backup apps and restore them to Xiaomi:

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab


adb restore backup.ab

This team maintains APK-files, application data (obb) and shared files, but not all applications support recovery on another device.

Method 2: Using Third-Party Backup Managers

Applications like Titanium Backup (requires root) or Swift Backup (works on some devices without root) allow you to save application data.

• 🔓 Without root rights, functionality is limited.
• 📱 Not all applications are restored correctly on another firmware.
• 🔒 Some data (such as WhatsApp) is encrypted and not portable.

For messengers, it is better to use built-in tools:

• 💬 WhatsApp: Settings → chat → Backup copy (save in Google Drive).
• 📱 Telegram: Cloud synchronization enabled by default.
• 💬 Viber: Settings → Account. → Backup (save to Google Drive or to your device).

6.Move over cloud services (Mi Cloud, Google Drive, Yandex Drive)

Cloud storage is convenient for transferring files if you have slow Internet or no cable.

1. Mi Cloud (for Xiaomi owners)

• ☁️ Register your Mi Account on Xiaomi.
• 📤 On Samsung, upload files to Mi Cloud via the web version (i.mi.com) or mobile app.
• 📥 On Redmi Note, download files from Settings → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud.

2. Google Drive

• 📁 On Samsung, upload files to Google Drive (via the app or drive.google.com).
• 🔗 Download them on Xiaomi via the same app.
• 💾 For automatic sync, enable Backup and Sync in Google Drive settings.

3. Yandex Disc

• 📤 Install Yandex Disk on both phones.
• 📁 On Samsung, upload files to the Autoboot folder or create a new one.
• 📥 On Xiaomi, download them through the app.

Cloud services are convenient, but keep in mind:

• 🕒 Downloading large files (>1GB could take hours.
• 🔒 Some files (e.g. video in the 4K) may shrink.
• 📶 A stable internet connection is required.

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To transfer photos, it is better to use Google Photos – it automatically optimizes the dimensions and allows you to view pictures on any device.

7.Transfer SIM-maps and mobile network settings

After switching to Xiaomi Redmi Note, don’t forget to move it. SIM-You can map it and set up the mobile Internet:

1. 📱 Extract. SIM-a card from Samsung using a paper clip or a special key.
2. 🔄 Insert it in Xiaomi. Most Redmi Note models have trays for you to use. SIM left.
3. 📶 If the internet is not working automatically, check your settings. APN: Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [Yours. SIM] → Access points (APN). Press Add Add Add. APN enter your operator’s parameters (you can find them on the provider’s website).

Google Contacts

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Contacts

Samsung

If you have an eSIM, check the support on Xiaomi (not all Redmi Note models support it).

• 📱 Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Add eSIM.
• 🔢 Scan it. QR-code from the operator or enter data manually.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi Note models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 for the Russian market) may not support VoLTE and VoWiFi for individual carriers.

8. Post-transfer validation and optimization

After the data transfer is complete, follow a few steps to make sure everything is working correctly:

1. 📱 Check contacts: Open the Contacts app and make sure all numbers are in place. If contacts are duplicated, use the merge function in Settings → Contacts → Contact management → Unite.
2. 📷 Check media: Open the Gallery and make sure all photos and videos are displayed.If the files are not visible, reboot your phone or use a file manager (like Files by Google) to scan the memory.
3. 🎵 Check music and documents: Open the Music or Files app and make sure the files are in place.If the music isn't visible, check the folder /Music.
4. 🔧 Optimize the system: Go to Settings → Annexes → Manage applications and remove unnecessary ones. Clear the cache in Settings → Memory. → Cleanup.

If some data is not transferred, try to repeat the process in another way, for example, if Mi Mover can not cope with the photo, use Google Photos or manually transfer via computer.

We also recommend:

• 🔋 Check the battery settings: go to Settings → Battery and performance and disable optimization for frequently used applications.
• 🛡️ Update firmware: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔒 Set up screen lock and fingerprint in Settings → Password and security.

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After transferring the data, it is recommended to reset the system cache: go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup → Cache of the system. This will eliminate possible lags.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability from Samsung to Xiaomi