How to transfer photos from Xiaomi to Samsung: all the ways from cable to Wi-Fi Direct

Transferring photos between smartphones of different brands is a challenge that every second user faces when changing devices. If you move from Xiaomi to Samsung, you will find that standard tools like Mi Mover or Smart Switch are not always directly compatible. The reasons are due to differences in firmware: MIUI (by Xiaomi and One UI (Samsung uses different data exchange protocols, and manufacturers are aimed at keeping users in their ecosystem.

In this article, we will discuss 7 working methods of photo transfer, from classic cable connection to advanced methods like FTP-Special attention will be paid to the nuances: why Samsung Smart Switch can not see files with Xiaomi, how to circumvent the restrictions MIUI Access to folders, and what formats (.HEIC,.RAW) You'll also find a comparative chart of methods on speed, security and Internet requirements.

Whether you are switching from Redmi Note 12 to Galaxy S23 or POCO X5 Galaxy A54, The main thing is to consider the amount of data: 500 photos will be enough Bluetooth, and 20 GB will be required. USB-OTG cloud.

1. Cable transmission USB-OTG: quickest

Use of the USB-OTG Cable (or adapter) is the best option for transferring large volumes of photos (5 GB and above), the method does not require Internet, works 3-5 times faster than wireless alternatives and retains original image quality, including metadata (EXIF). But there are pitfalls: MIUI It hides system folders by default, and One UI It may not recognize the Xiaomi file system (F2FS or ext4).

To avoid problems, follow the algorithm:

• 🔌 Connect Xiaomi to Samsung via USB-OTG cable (Type-C adapter needed) → Type-C or Micro-USB → Type-C, depending on the ports).
• 📱 On Xiaomi, select File Transfer Mode in the notification that appears (not Charging!").
• 🔍 On Samsung, open the My Files app and go to the section "USB-accumulator".
• 📁 Find the file. DCIM → Camera (or Pictures if the photos were saved in the gallery) copy the files to Samsung's internal memory.

⚠️ Note: If Samsung doesn’t see Xiaomi folder, check the developer’s settings on Xiaomi: turn on “Debugging by” USB" (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers).

Transfer speed depends on the version USB: USB 2.0 gives up to 40 MB/s and USB 3.1 – up to 500 MB/s to speed up the process:

• 🚀 Use a support cable USB 3.0+ (blue-colored).
• 🔋 Connect both smartphones to charging – transferring large volumes drains the battery.
• 📂 Transfer files archived (.ZIP), If there are more than 1000, it will reduce the time by 20-30%.

Connect OTG-cable

Select the File Transfer Mode on Xiaomi

Open My Files on Samsung

Find the DCIM/Camera folder

Copy files into Samsung’s internal memory-->

2 Wireless transmission over Wi-Fi Direct: no cables or clouds

Wi-Fi Direct is a technology that allows smartphones to communicate directly, without a router, and is suitable for transferring up to 1-2 GB of photos (about 500-1000 images in the format of a smartphone.JPEG). The main advantages: no Internet connection is needed, the speed is higher than that of Bluetooth (up to 25 MB / s), and the original image quality is preserved.

But there are nuances: MIUI One UI Wi-Fi Direct is implemented in different ways. On Xiaomi, the feature may be called "Wi-Fi Direct" or "Mi Share", and on Samsung, "Quick Share" (on older models, "Wi-Fi Direct"). If devices can't see each other, try turning off Bluetooth - it sometimes conflicts with Wi-Fi Direct.

Step-by-step:

1. On Xiaomi, open Settings → Connection and sharing → Wi-Fi Direct (or Mi Share).
2. On Samsung go to Settings → Connections → Quick Share (or Wi-Fi Direct in older versions).
3. Enable visibility on both devices and select Samsung from the list of available devices on Xiaomi.
4. Confirm the connection on both smartphones (entry may be required) PIN-code).
5. Open a gallery on Xiaomi, highlight photos, click “Send” and select “Wi-Fi Direct”.

⚠️ Note: If the transmission is interrupted, reduce the number of photos in one shipment (optimally, in packs of 50-100 pieces). Also make sure that both devices have at least 30% charge - Wi-Fi Direct actively consumes the battery.

The transmission speed depends on the Wi-Fi standard:

- 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4: Up to 15MB/s.

- 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5: Up to 25MB/s.

- 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6: Up to 40MB/s (on the Galaxy) S22+ newer).

Cable. USB-OTG

Wi-Fi Direct / Quick Share

Cloud services (Google Photos, Mi Cloud)

Bluetooth

Another option-->

3. Cloud services: Google Photos vs Mi Cloud vs Samsung Cloud

Cloud storage is convenient for transferring photos if you have a stable Internet and non-critical data volume (up to 10-15 GB), the main advantage is automatic synchronization: you download photos from Xiaomi, and they are immediately available on Samsung.

• 🔒 Privacy: Photos are stored on third party servers (even if end-to-end encryption is enabled, like Google Photos).
• 📉 Compression: Free rates (like “High Quality” in Google Photos) compress images up to 16 MP.
• 💰 Fees: 100 GB in Google One will have to pay ~139 ₽/moss.

Compare three popular services:

How to transfer photos via Google Photos:

1. On Xiaomi, install Google Photos from Play Market.
2. Log in to Google and turn on “Backup and Sync”.
3. Choose the “Original” quality (if preservation is important) EXIF and RAW).
4. Wait for the download to be completed (you can track it in the Library) → Utilities").
5. On Samsung, log in to the same Google account and the photos will appear automatically.

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If you need to save space in the cloud, convert before downloading.HEIC into.JPEG via appendix HEIC to JPG Converter (available in Play Market) This will reduce file weight by 30 to 50%.

4.Using Samsung Smart Switch: The Official But Fancy Method

Samsung Smart Switch is a proprietary solution for migrating data from other smartphones, including Xiaomi, and supports the transfer of photos, contacts, messages and even some applications.

• 🔄 Unstable Connection: Smart Switch Often Loses Communication with Xiaomi Due to Protocol Conflict MIUI.
• 📥 Volume limitation: Transfers of more than 8-10 GB may fail.
• 📂 File skip: folders like DCIM/.thumbnails or Pictures/Screenshots may be ignored.

How to improve the chances of successful transfer:

1. Install Samsung Smart Switch on both devices (available from Play Market and Galaxy Store).
2. Connect your smartphones through USB-OTG Wi-Fi (the second option is slower but more stable).
3. On Xiaomi, select Send Data in Smart Switch settings, and on Samsung, Receive Data.
4. In the list of data types, only mark “Images” (disable contacts, messages, etc. – this speeds up the process).

⚠️ Note: If the Smart Switch is stuck in the “Search for Data” phase, restart both smartphones and try again. Also make sure that Xiaomi does not have “Saving Traffic” enabled (Settings). → SIM-maps and mobile networks).

Alternatively, use an intermediate PC. Connect Xiaomi to your computer, copy the photo to a folder, then plug Samsung in and transfer the files back. It's longer, but more reliable.

5. FTP-Xiaomi server: for advanced users

If you need to move tens of gigabytes of photos (like the archive with Xiaomi 13 Ultra), and clouds and Smart Switch don’t fit, set up the setup. FTP-The server is directly on Xiaomi, and this method requires minimal technical skills, but gives you complete control over the transmission:

• 🌐 It works on a local network (no need for the Internet).
• 📈 Speed up to 50–70 MB/s (limited only by router).
• 🔓 There are no restrictions on the size of files or the number of files.

Instructions for setting:

1. Install an FTP Server application on Xiaomi (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Launch it. FTP-server in the application (usually the Start button or the Start Server button").
3. Remember the server address (for example, ftp://192.168.1.100:2221) and login data (login/password).
4. Connect Samsung to the same Wi-Fi network as Xiaomi.
5. On Samsung, open File Manager (or Solid Explorer) and connect to the FTP-server by entering address and credentials.
6. Copy the right folders (DCIM, Pictures on Samsung.

To accelerate transmission:

• 🔌 Connect both smartphones to the router via cable (Ethernet via the router). USB-OTG adapter).
• 📡 Use a router with Wi-Fi 6 (or 5 GHz range) support).
• 📂 Archive photos in.ZIP before transfer (reduces the number of files).

💡

FTP-The server is the only method that can be transferred.RAW and.HEIC files without loss of quality and metadata.

6. Bluetooth: Slowly but without internet

Bluetooth is the most versatile, but also the slowest way (speed) ~1-3 MB/s. It should only be used to transmit a small number of photos (up to 50-100 pieces) or if other methods are not available.

How to transfer photos over Bluetooth:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on both smartphones (Settings) → Connected devices → Bluetooth).
2. Make Xiaomi visible to other devices (click “Visibility” in Bluetooth settings).
3. On Samsung, find Xiaomi in the list of available devices and connect (code confirmation may be required).
4. Open a gallery on Xiaomi, highlight photos, click “Send” and select “Bluetooth”.
5. Accept the files on Samsung (notification will appear automatically).

⚠️ Attention: MIUI Limits the file size to 10-15MB over Bluetooth if your photos weigh more (e.g, RAW Xiaomi 12S Ultra, they won't go. In that case, use Wi-Fi Direct or FTP.

To speed up the process:

• 📲 Reduce the resolution of photos before sending (in the Xiaomi gallery, select Change the size").
• 🔄 Turn off Wi-Fi on both devices – this will reduce interference.
• 🔋 Connect smartphones to charge – Bluetooth actively drains the battery.

7. microSD memory card: the good old way

If your Xiaomi supports microSD cards (such as the Redmi Note 11 or the Redmi Note 11) POCO X4 Pro, and Samsung has a microSD slot or USB-C supportive OTG, This is going to be the most reliable method:

• 💾 100% data safety – files are not compressed or lost during transfer.
• ⚡ The speed depends only on the class of the card (for example, the card, UHS-I It's up to 90MB/s).
• 🔄 Reusable – the card can be formatted and reused.

Step-by-step:

1. Insert a microSD card in Xiaomi (if the slot is busy) SIM-map, use the adapter).
2. Open Explorer on Xiaomi and copy photos from DCIM/Camera memory-card.
3. Remove the card and paste it into Samsung (or connect it via a card reader). USB-OTG).
4. On Samsung, open My Files and copy the photos to your internal memory.

If Samsung doesn't see the map,

• 🔧 Check the file system format: Xiaomi can format the map into a file system F2FS or ext4, which is not read by One UI. Use it. FAT32 exFAT.
• 🛠️ Format the map on Samsung (Settings) → Caring for the device → Memory. → Memory map → Format).

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If you don’t have a Samsung card reader, buy one. USB-OTG MicroSD slot adapter (costs) ~200–300 ₽). This will speed up the transfer and eliminate the need to retrieve the map from Xiaomi.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions