How to Flip Information from Samsung to Xiaomi Redmi: The Complete 2026 Guide

Why migrating data between Android devices from different brands is not as easy as it seems

The transition from Samsung to Xiaomi Redmi is not just a change of gadget, but the migration of the entire digital life: photos, correspondence, app settings and even call history. It would seem that both devices work on Android, but in practice users face unexpected difficulties. The fact is that manufacturers modify the standard firmware to suit their needs: Samsung is One UI, and Xiaomi is MIUI. These shells not only change the interface, but also store system data in different ways.

For example, a standard Google Account syncs only basic data: contacts, calendar and part of notes, but SMS, call log, Wi-Fi settings or data from some applications (such as Samsung Health or Mi Fit) remain “tied” to the old device, and even photos in their original quality may not be transferred automatically if they were stored in the brand’s proprietary cloud services (Samsung Cloud or Mi Cloud).

In this article, we will look at 5 proven ways to transfer data, from official utilities (Mi Mover and Samsung Smart Switch) to universal solutions like cloud storage and direct cable. Particular attention will be paid to the hidden limitations of MIUI, which block the transfer of certain types of files without additional settings. For example, new versions of MIUI 14+ have disabled Wi-Fi Direct data transfer by default for third-party devices, this option will have to be enabled manually.

Method 1: Mi Mover – official solution from Xiaomi (the fastest method)

Mi Mover is an application built into MIUI that is designed specifically to migrate data from other Android devices, and it supports transferring almost everything from contacts to WhatsApp history, the main advantage of which is that you don't have to connect to the Internet or use the cloud, and that data is transmitted directly over Wi-Fi between phones.

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

• 📱 On Xiaomi Redmi go to Settings → The phone. → Mi Mover (or find the app through search).
• 🔄 Download Mi Mover from Google Play on Samsung (it's there!).
• 📶 Run the application on both devices and select which one is the “Sender” (Samsung) and which is the “Receiver” (Redmi).
• 🔐 Confirm the connection by scanning QR-code from Redmi screen on Samsung.
• 📁 Select data types for transfer (contacts, SMS, Photos, videos, apps and wait until it’s finished.

Charging the battery of both phones > 50%|Disabled. VPN firewalls|Both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (if wireless mode is used)|Samsung has plenty of free space for temporary files-->

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If Mi Mover doesn’t see your Samsung, try turning on the developer mode and activate the USB Debugging option in Settings → About Phone → Build Number (7 taps) → For developers.

The speed of the transfer depends on the amount of data: for example, 10 GB of photos will be transferred in 15-20 minutes over Wi-Fi.

• ⚠️ Applications are portable without data (for example, save in games or Instagram cache will have to be restored separately).
• ⚠️ Some Samsung system settings (e.g. DeX or Secure Folder modes) are not supported.
• ⚠️ If the Redmi is MIUI Global, and Samsung – Chinese firmware, may have problems with the encoding SMS.

Up to 5GB|5-20GB|20-50GB|More than 50GB|I Don't know-->

Method 2: Samsung Smart Switch (if Mi Mover fails)

Samsung Smart Switch is a mirrored solution from the Korean brand that is originally designed to transfer data to new Samsung devices, but it can also be used to transfer information to Xiaomi if you adjust the settings correctly.

Instructions:

1. Install Smart Switch on Redmi from Google Play.
2. Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi or use it. USB-cable OTG-Adapter (needed for direct connection).
3. On Samsung, select Send Data, on Redmi, Receive Data.
4. Sign up through a Google Account or QR-code (if wireless mode is used).

The main difference from Mi Mover: Smart Switch is better at porting multimedia files (for example, video to 4K) and Samsung Notes notes.

⚠️ Note: If you use Smart Switch through USB-Cable, do not connect Xiaomi as a USB-drive in file transfer settings. Select file transfer mode (MTP) Only on Samsung, and on Redmi leave Charging - otherwise the connection will be interrupted.

Method 3: Cloud storage (Google Drive, Mi Cloud, Samsung Cloud)

Cloud-based data transfer is the most versatile method, but it's also the slowest, and it's suitable if you have an unstable Internet connection or little space on your devices, and the main advantage is that you can selectively transfer only the right files without copying all the garbage from your old phone.

Algorithm of action:

1. On Samsung, upload data to the cloud: 📁 Google Drive: Settings → Google → Backup. ☁️ Samsung Cloud: Settings → Accounts and archiving → Samsung Cloud.
2. On Redmi, log in to the same account and recover: For Google Drive: When you first set up your phone, select Restore from Backup. For Mi Cloud: Settings → About Phone → Backup.

Comparison of cloud services:

• 🔹 Google Drive: Free 15GB, supports almost all types of data, but does not save the settings of applications.
• 🔹 Samsung Cloud: 15GB free, but not all files can be downloaded on Xiaomi (e.g. Secure Folder backups).
• 🔹 Mi Cloud: 5GB free, optimized for MIUI, But it can't recover data from Samsung.

⚠️ Note: If you use two-factor authentication in your Google Account, turn it off for 10 minutes before you restore data to Redmi, otherwise a block on suspicion of hacking may work.

Method 4: Direct transmission over cable (without PC)

If you don’t have access to Wi-Fi or the cloud, you can transfer files directly through the cloud. USB-cable OTG. This method requires an additional adapter (if the phones have different connectors: Type-C for Redmi and Micro-USB for the old Samsung), but it guarantees a maximum transfer speed (up to 480 Mbps for the mobile phone). USB 3.0).

Step-by-step:

1. Buy it. OTG-adapter (stands) ~200 rubles or cable USB-C to USB-C (If both phones are modern).
2. Connect Samsung to Redmi via an adapter.
3. On Redmi, select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the notification panel.
4. Open Explorer on Redmi and copy the folders you want (DCIM, Downloads, Pictures) from a connected Samsung.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔌 No dependence on the Internet.
• 📥 You can transfer files of any size (unlike clouds with limits).
• 🛠️ Suitable for "broken" files that are not copied in other ways.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ System data is not transferred (SMS, call log, settings).
• ❌ Requires manual copying of each folder.
• ❌ Risk of data loss when cable is disconnected incorrectly.

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If you only need to transfer photos and videos, a direct cable is the most reliable way, and for the rest of the data, you better combine it with Mi Mover or the cloud.

Method 5: Transfer over PC (for advanced users)

Using a computer as an intermediary is the most flexible method that is suitable for transferring any data, including application backups or system files.

• 💻 PC Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Two. USB-cable (or one with) OTG-husk).
• 📂 Samsung Smart Switch for PC or ADB (for advanced users).

Instructions for beginners (via Smart Switch):

1. Install Samsung Smart Switch on PC.
2. Connect Samsung to your computer and back up (Backup → Select Everything → Save).
3. Connect Redmi and recover data from the backup.

For experienced users (via ADB):

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f /sdcard/samsung_backup.ab


adb restore /sdcard/samsung_backup.ab

This command creates a full backup of all applications and data (except system files) and restores them to Redmi, but note that some applications (such as banking) may block work after such a transfer.

⚠️ Attention: When in use ADB on the redmi MIUI 14+ Turn off the application signature check in the developer settings (Debugging by USB → Allow permissions to be changed, otherwise the recovery will end with an error.

What to do if the data is not transferred or not fully transferred

Even with official utilities, there are sometimes problems, and here are the typical scenarios and solutions.

If none of these methods worked, try a combination approach:

1. Move your contacts and calendar through your Google Account.
2. Copy photos and videos over the cable.
3. Restore SMS and call logs via Smart Switch.
4. Install the apps again from Google Play and log in to your accounts.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions