How to Transfer Data from Xiaomi to Samsung: 5 Proven Ways

The transition from Xiaomi to Samsung is not just a brand change, but a complete migration of digital life: photos, correspondence, app customizations and even desktop wallpaper, which many users fear as complex or risky. In fact, the transfer of data between Android devices today is most automated, but there are nuances that depend on the models of phones, versions. MIUI one UI, and the type of information transmitted.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current migration methods, from the official Samsung Smart Switch to manual cloud transfer, including solutions for specific data like Mi Notes notes or call history. We will pay special attention to the problems faced by users when switching from Redmi Note 12 to Galaxy. S23 or POCO F5 Galaxy A54 — These models often become bottlenecks due to differences in firmware.

If you’ve already tried to migrate data and encountered errors (e.g., Smart Switch can’t see Xiaomi or photos are transmitted without a date of creation), there are solutions in the article. And for those who are just planning to move, we have prepared a training checklist to avoid losing a single byte of important information.

1. Preparation of telephones for data transfer

There are several critical steps to follow before migrating, and neglecting them could lead to data loss, incomplete file transfers, or even disruptions to the new Samsung.

Update firmware is the first item. Make sure Xiaomi has the latest version installed. MIUI (Especially relevant for Redmi Note models 11/12 and POCO X5, where older versions have data transmission bugs. On Samsung, check the relevance of One UI through settings → Update: Older versions of One UI 4.0 The following may not support new Smart Switch protocols.

Next, clean up the memory, remove unnecessary files, app cache and duplicate photos (use the built-in Cleanup app on Xiaomi), which will speed up the transfer process and reduce the risk of errors, especially for users with phones with 128 GB of memory and less.

• 📱 On Xiaomi: Go to Settings → The phone. → Update the system and install all available updates.
• 🔄 On Samsung: Update One UI through settings → Update of the PO → Download and install.
• 🧹 Cleaning: Use the Settings → Memory. → Cleaning (on) MIUI 14+) or the Files by Google application.
• 🔋 Charging: Make sure both phones are at least 50% charged – transferring data can take up to 1-2 hours.

⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi has enabled data protection MIUI (In Settings → Privacy, disable it temporarily. It can block access to files for Smart Switch.

2. Method 1: Smart Switch is the official tool of Samsung

Samsung Smart Switch is the most reliable migration solution, but it doesn’t always work perfectly with Xiaomi, and it supports transferring contacts, messages, photos, videos, music, notes, calendars, and even some app settings.

• 🚫 Data from Mi Fit, Mi Home and other Xiaomi services are not transferred.
• 📅 Photos and videos may lose original creation dates (manually solved via Google Photos).
• 🔄 On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) You need to set up the debugging USB.

Instructions for using Smart Switch:

1. Download Smart Switch on both phones (or use the PC version).
2. On Samsung, launch the app and select Get Data → Android.
3. On Xiaomi, select Send Data → Cable (recommended) or wireless.
4. Connect your phones with a cable (use the original one) USB-C Samsung cable for stability).
5. Select data types to transfer and wait for completion.

If the Smart Switch doesn’t see Xiaomi, try:

• 🔌 Use a different cable (preferably the original one from Samsung).
• 📶 Switch to wireless mode (but it works slower).
• 🔧 Enable Debugging on USB on Xiaomi (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to unlock the developer menu, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

⚠️ Note: If you transfer data to Galaxy S23 Ultra or Galaxy Z Fold 5, use Smart Switch version 3.7.42.12 or later. Older versions may not properly handle files with a resolution of 200 MP from Xiaomi 13 Pro cameras.

Method 2: Transfer through Google Account (for contacts, calendars, notes)

If Smart Switch is not working, or you only want to migrate contacts, calendars and notes, syncing through Google Account is the most reliable option, and this method works even on older Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi). 4X or Mi A1), where other methods may not be supported.

Step-by-step:

1. On Xiaomi go to Settings → Google accounts → Synchronization.
2. Enable sync for Contacts, Calendar, and Google Keep (if you use notes).
3. Wait for the sync to be completed (check in Google Contacts).
4. On Samsung, add the same Google Account and enable sync in Settings → Accounts and Archiving → Account Management.

For the following notes from Mi Notes:

• 📝 Export notes manually via Mi Notes → Settings → Export (.zip format).
• 📤 Send the file to Samsung via Telegram, Email or the cloud.
• 📥 On Samsung, import notes into Samsung Notes or Google Keep.

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If contacts are duplicated on Samsung after sync, use the built-in merge function: Open Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Connecting contacts.

4. Method 3: Porting Photos and Videos to Google Photos

Media files are the largest part of data, and their transfer requires special attention. Google Photos allows you to save original quality (if you have space in the cloud) and metadata (dates, geotagged).

• 📸 Free storage is limited to 15 GB (common for all Google services).
• 🎞️ Video in resolution 4K/8K (For example, with Xiaomi. 13 Ultra) may be compressed when loaded in "High quality".
• 🔄 If there are many files (10 000 000 000 000)+), Synchronization can take several days.

How to transfer photos and videos without loss:

1. On Xiaomi, open Google Photos and enable Backup in the settings.
2. Choose Original Quality (if there is space in the cloud) or High Quality (free but compressed).
3. Wait for the download to be completed (check progress in Photos) → Your library. → Devices).
4. On Samsung, log in to the same Google account and wait for sync.
5. To download files to your device, open Google Photos → highlight files → ⋮ → Save it to the device.

A critical nuance: if you used the Hidden Albums feature in the Xiaomi Gallery, these files will not be automatically accessed by Google Photos. → Hidden albums.

⚠️ Note: When transferring video from Xiaomi to Samsung via Google Photos files with resolution above 1080p If you do, use alternative methods (cable or Mi Cloud).

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Google Photos is the best way to transfer media files if you have a stable Internet and enough space in the cloud.+ GB) better combined with cable transfer.

5. Method 4: Transfer over Mi Cloud and other cloud services

If you don't have enough space on Google Drive or prefer Xiaomi, Mi Cloud may be an alternative, but there are serious limitations to this method:

• 📉 Free storage – only 5 GB (vs. 15 GB from Google).
• 🔒 Some data (such as call history) is not backed up in the Mi Cloud.
• 🌐 Mi Cloud servers are often slow outside of China.

How to transfer data through Mi Cloud:

1. On Xiaomi, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Enable backup for the desired categories (contacts, messages, notes, gallery).
3. Wait for the reservation to be completed (it can take hours with a large volume).
4. On Samsung, open your browser and go to i.mi.com.
5. Log in to your Mi Account and manually download the required files.

To port applications and their data (for example, saves in games) use:

• 🎮 Helium (requires root rights to Xiaomi).
• 📦 Swift Backup (works without root on some firmware).
• 🖥️ Titanium Backup (for power users only).

Method 5: Manual transfer via cable or memory card

If all the automatic methods didn't work, or if you want to have full control of the process, manual transfer is the most reliable option.

• 📁 Large amounts of data (100)+ GB).
• 🎵 Music, documents and other files not supported by cloud services.
• 🔧 Users who want to choose which files to transfer.

Instructions for transfer via cable USB:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your computer via USB-cable.
2. Select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the notification on your phone.
3. Copy the folders you need (DCIM for photos, Download for downloads, etc.) on your PC.
4. Connect Samsung and transfer the files to the appropriate folders.

For transfer through the memory card:

• 📱 Insert microSD in Xiaomi and copy the data to it.
• 🔄 Transfer the card to Samsung (or use an adapter to use it) USB-C).
• 📂 Copy files into the phone’s internal memory.

Important folders on Xiaomi that are worth moving:

/storage/emulated/0/




├── DCIM/ # Photos and videos




├── Download/ # Downloads from the browser




├── Pictures/ # Screenshots and saved pictures




├── Movies/ # Video (sometimes duplicated DCIM)




├── Music/ #Music




├── Documents/ #Documents




└── Android/




├── data/ # Application Data (requires root to access)




└── obb/ # Cash games (e.g. for Genshin Impact)

⚠️ Note: If you transfer files from Xiaomi to Samsung via Mac, use Android File Transfer.Standard Finder does not support MTP-Android protocol.

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To avoid losing the folder structure when you move, create the same directories on Samsung as on Xiaomi. DCIM/Camera, Copy them in the same way on your new phone.

7. Transfer of specific data: SMS, call history, passwords

Some types of data require a special approach, because standard tools like Smart Switch or Google Account can't handle them.

• 💬 SMS and MMS (including multimedia messages).
• 📞 Call history (incoming, outgoing, missed).
• 🔑 Saved passwords (from Mi Browser or Google Chrome).
• 🎮 Game data (progress in Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile and others.).

For text messages and call history:

• 📲 Use the app. SMS Backup & Restore: Install the app on Xiaomi. Create a backup (Backup) → Local Copying. Move the backup file to Samsung. Install the same application on Samsung and restore the data.

Super Backup & Restore

For saved passwords:

• 🔐 If you have used Google Chrome: passwords are automatically synced when you sign in to your Google account.
• 🌐 If you used Mi Browser: Export passwords to Settings → Passwords. → Exports (required) PIN-Import the file to Samsung via Samsung Pass or Google Password Manager.

For these games:

• 🎮 If the game supports Google Play Games or Facebook Login, just sign in to the same Samsung account.
• 💾 For local saves (e.g., in Minecraft): Copy folder /Android/data/{Xiaomi name games, insert it in the same place on Samsung (may need to be used) FX File Explorer with access to root folders).

8. Post-transfer validation and optimization

Once the migration is complete, you need to make sure that all data is transferred correctly and optimize the operation of the new Samsung.

• 📞 Contacts: Open Contacts and check that all numbers are in place (especially pay attention to groups and tags).
• 📷 Video: Make sure that files do not lose their creation dates (check in the Gallery) → Albums. → By date).
• 💬 Check that SMS is displayed in Samsung Messages (sometimes they are in Google Messages).
• 🎵 Music: If you use Spotify or YouTube Music, log in and download the offline tracks again.
• 🔋 Battery: After transferring data, optimize the battery in Settings → Maintenance of the device → Battery.

If you find problems:

• 🔄 Missed files: Repeat the transfer for a specific category (e.g. only photos).
• 📅 Use ExifTool (PC) or Photo Exif Editor (Android) to fix metadata.
• 📱 Lags on Samsung: Reboot your phone and wait for background optimization to complete (can take up to 24 hours).

Optimizing storage on the new phone:

• 🧹 Remove duplicate photos using Google Photos (Photos) → Utilities. → Cleanup).
• 🗑️ Clear the app cache in Settings → Annexes → ⋮ → Sort by size.
• 🔄 Transfer rarely used files to a memory card (if there is a slot).

⚠️ Warning: If the battery is quickly discharged after transfer to Samsung, check Settings → Battery. → Battery use: Often to blame are the background processes of Google Play Services or Smart Switch that keep running after migration.

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After transferring the data, give Samsung 1-2 days to adapt. UI Optimizes applications for new hardware, which can temporarily increase battery consumption.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data transfer from Xiaomi to Samsung