Changing a smartphone is always an exciting process, often accompanied by the fear of losing important data, especially photos. Samsung device owners who choose to move to the Xiaomi ecosystem face the issue of media library migration, as direct synchronization between different shells is not always obvious. Fortunately, modern technology offers many solutions, from cloud services to local transfer tools that allow you to save memory of important moments.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods, assess their speed and reliability, learn how to use the built-in capabilities of MIUI and One UI, as well as third-party applications for seamless transition. Quality data transfer is the first step to comfortable use of a new gadget without having to re-search for lost images.
Don't worry if you don't have any technical experience, we've prepared step-by-step instructions that will suit even beginners, and the key is to choose the method that best suits your current conditions, whether it's having fast Wi-Fi or needing to work without the Internet.
Using the Mi Mover app for quick migration
The most efficient and official way to transfer data is the Mi Mover app, which is designed specifically for migrating from devices from other manufacturers, including Samsung, and allows you to transfer not only photos, but also contacts, messages and settings of applications.
To get started, you need to install the app on both smartphones. On Xiaomi, it's often pre-installed in the Tools folder, and on Samsung, you need to download it from the Google Play Store. Once you start, you choose the role of the device: "Sender" on the old phone and "Recipient" on the new one. The system itself will create a secure access point for direct file transfer.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, otherwise the Mi Mover app may not detect the partner device for pairing.
The interface allows you to flexibly customize your file selection, you can only filter photos and videos so you don't waste time on the system debris, and once you've selected the data, you'll start copying, and the progress of the copying process will be displayed in real time on the screen.
It is important to keep the process active and keep the phone screens active. Although the connection is stable, accidentally closing the application may require restarting the procedure. Once completed, you will receive a notification of success, and all your pictures will appear in the gallery of the new device.
Sync with Google Photos and Cloud Storage
If you value automation and want to have a backup in the cloud, Google Photos is the perfect solution, which doesn't require a direct connection between phones and allows you to transfer photos in the background, just log into your Google account on the new Xiaomi, and the image library syncs automatically.
On a Samsung device, you need to open the Google Photos app and make sure that Autoboot and Sync is enabled. In the quality settings, you can select the Save Space option, which allows you to store unlimited photos in a compressed but high-quality format. Once you complete the download on your old phone, just log in to the new one.
| Parameter | High quality | Original quality | Saving space |
|---|
| Photo quality | Up to 15 MP | No change. | Compressed. |
| Video quality | 1080p | No change. | Compressed. |
| Limit the seat | 15 GB (total) | 15 GB (total) | Unlimited. |
| Loading speed | Quickly. | Slowly. | Middle-Average |
The main advantage of this method is cross-platform: you can access your photos not only from your phone, but also from a tablet or computer at any time, but you should consider that large amounts of data will require a stable and fast Internet connection.
What to do if the photos are not synchronized?
If you see an empty gallery on a new phone, check if the account is logged in. It’s also possible that the sync isn’t complete on the old device — open the Google Photos app on Samsung and wait for the full cloud update. File transfer via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct is a classic data transfer method that does not require the installation of additional applications, but can be slow at large volumes. Bluetooth is built into every smartphone and allows you to transfer individual files or small albums without unnecessary settings. This is convenient if you need to quickly transfer a few dozen pictures. MIUI Unlike Bluetooth, the speed here is limited only by antennas and is tens of megabytes per second. On Xiaomi, this feature is often integrated into the Share menu. The pairing process looks standard: turn on the device's visibility on both phones, find Samsung on the list of available devices on Xiaomi (or vice versa), and confirm pairing with code. After establishing the connection, select the desired photo in the gallery and click "Share» -> «Bluetooth». ⚠️ Note: When transferring via Bluetooth, files can be saved in a separate Bluetooth folder in the file manager rather than the main camera gallery, so check the Downloads folder after transfer. Despite being universal, this method has its limitations. The connection may be unstable at a distance, and the transmission of video to 4K It's going to take a long time, but it's an indispensable tool for emergencies. Use of the USB-cable OTG The most reliable and quick way for those who don't trust wireless technology or have terabytes of data. USB-OTG cable connecting both devices (usually) USB-C on USB-C or USB-A on USB-C). Direct connection eliminates loss of quality and interruption of communication. Connect the cable to both smartphones. MIUI It automatically recognizes the external device and prompts you to open the file manager to view the content, and you'll need to allow access to files on both devices, and then you can copy the folders. DCIM/Camera Drag-and-Drop within the interface. /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera/ This is the standard way to store photos on Android. By copying the contents of this folder from Samsung to Xiaomi, you are guaranteed to transfer all the original images. This method is especially relevant in the absence of access to Wi-Fi networks. 💡Use a support cable USB 3.0 or higher for maximum copy speed, as older cables may limit transfer speeds to standard USB 2.0. Transfer through SD-If both smartphones support microSD cards, the process can be simplified to a minimum: insert the card into Samsung, copy all the necessary photos on it, and then move the card to Xiaomi, which is the most “analog” and understandable way, without requiring network settings or accounts. The alternative is to use a computer as an intermediary, plug Samsung into a PC, copy the folder from the photo to the hard drive, then plug Xiaomi in and transfer the data back, which is convenient because you immediately back up the computer. When working with a file system through a computer, it is important to keep the correct folder structure if you want photos to be immediately sorted by date in the gallery. 💡Use of a physical medium (SD-A map or PC is the only way to transfer data if both phones are in locations without Wi-Fi and Bluetooth coverage. Problem solving and format compatibility When switching between different brands, users may encounter format compatibility issues. For example, Samsung can shoot in the format by default. HEIF/HEIC To save space, which is not always correctly displayed on older versions of Android without codecs. in this case, photos may not open on Xiaomi. To avoid this, it is recommended to change the settings of the camera on Samsung to the format before transferring. JPEG. You can also use converters or gallery apps with built-in codecs that are available on Google Play. JPEG It is a universal standard and can be read on any device. ⚠️ Note: If you see files with the.heic extension after transfer, install the application «HEIF Image Extensions" from the Play Market store to your Xiaomi for viewing. Another common problem is the failure of access rights. After moving the gallery may not see new photos immediately. In this case, you need to clear the cache of the Gallery app or restart the device so that the system indexes the media files again. Why are some photos displayed in black screen? HDR-You can use high dynamic range photos or shots if the video driver can't decode, VLC or Google Photos. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) How long does it take to transfer 1,000 photos over Mi Mover? The time depends on the size of the files and the speed of the Wi-Fi modules. On average, the process takes 5 to 15 minutes. The photos weigh a little, so even a large archive is transferred quite quickly compared to video. Will the photo be preserved when you transfer? Yes, when you use Mi Mover, cable or Bluetooth, the original file is transmitted without compression. Quality is lost only when you send it through messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram without compression) or when you select the option "Saving space" in Google Photos. Do I have to buy a special cable to connect Samsung to Xiaomi? Not necessarily. USB-OTG (It's often bundled with Xiaomi, and it's a regular charging cable, you can connect phones. Many modern cables have Type-C connectors on either side. Can you interrupt the transfer and continue later? In the Mi Mover app, when you interrupt, the process usually starts again. When you copy through a file manager or a computer, you can continue copying the remaining files, but it is better to finish what you started. Where to look for transferred photos on a new phone? Usually they go to the main camera or camera folder in the gallery. If you used Bluetooth, check the Bluetooth folder in the file manager. When you sync Google Photos, they will be in the cloud tab.