How to transfer data from Xiaomi to Samsung: 5 proven ways

Moving from Xiaomi to Samsung Galaxy is not just about changing your brand, but also migrating all your data, from contacts and photos to your phone history and app settings. Many users fear this process, fearing losing important information or spending hours manually restarting files. However, modern tools make data transfer almost automatic – if you know which options to choose.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to transfer data from Redmi, POCO Or Mi on the new Samsung Galaxy S24, A54, Z Flip5 From the official Samsung Smart Switch solution to universal methods through Google Account and other models. OTG-cable, you'll find the best way to fit your tasks, and you'll also learn what data you can't transfer automatically, and how to get around that limitation.

1.Preparation for the transfer: what to do on Xiaomi before the migration

Before you start porting, prepare your Xiaomi, which will save time and prevent data loss. Start by cleaning up unnecessary files: delete duplicate photos, clean the app cache, and check the device's memory. The less junk you carry, the faster the process will go.

Be sure to follow the following steps:

• 📱 Update your software on Xiaomi to the latest version (check in Settings) → The phone. → System updates) Old versions MIUI It may not support modern transmission protocols.
• 🔒 Remove the screen lock (if it is installed) or remember the password - it will be required to confirm the transfer of data.
• 📶 Connect to Wi-Fi or make sure there is enough mobile traffic on both devices (for cloud-based methods).
• 🔋 Charge both phones to at least 50% – transfer can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour.

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If Xiaomi has enabled the “Data Protection” function MIUI" (In Settings → Privacy, temporarily disable it – it can block the transfer of files through the cable.

Pay special attention to applications with two-factor authentication (for example, Telegram, WhatsApp, banking services). SMS-codes through standard tools is impossible - save backup codes in advance or untie accounts so as not to lose access.

2. Method 1: Samsung Smart Switch – the official migration tool

Samsung Smart Switch is a proprietary solution from Samsung that supports data portability from most Android devices, including Xiaomi. The utility is available in two versions: a mobile application (for wireless transmission) and a desktop version (for computer transfer).

Important: Smart Switch carries:

• 📞 Contacts, call log, SMS/MMS
• 📷 Photos, videos, music and documents
• 📱 System settings (wallpaper, sounds, brightness)
• 🎮 Some app data (such as WhatsApp if it is installed on both devices)

Can't stand it.

• ❌ Applications and their data (except supported, for example, Samsung Notes)
• ❌ Wi-Fi passwords
• ❌ Settings of some third-party applications (for example, Viber, Signal)

Install Smart Switch on both phones (download from Google Play to Xiaomi and Galaxy Store to Samsung)

Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network

On Xiaomi, turn on the "Debugging by" mode USB" (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version number, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers)

Turn off battery optimization for Smart Switch on both phones-->

Step-by-step instruction (wireless method):

1. Open Smart Switch on Samsung and select Get Data → Android.
2. On Xiaomi, launch the application and select Send data → Wireless transfer.
3. Confirm the connection on both devices (entry may be required) PIN-code).
4. Select the data types to transfer and wait for the process to be completed.

If the wireless method is unstable (for example, due to a weak Wi-Fi signal), use a cable connection:

1. Connect Xiaomi to Samsung via OTG-Adapter (or directly if you have a Galaxy) USB-C).
2. On Samsung Smart Switch, select the Cable.
3. On Xiaomi, allow access to data (file transfer mode may be required).

Method 3: Transfer through Google Account (for contacts, calendar and email)

If you use a Google Account on Xiaomi, most of the underlying data is already synced to the cloud.

• 📇 Contacts (from Google Contacts)
• 📅 Calendar (Google Calendar)
• 📧 Letters and notes (Gmail, Google Keep)
• 📍 Google Maps data (selected places, history of visits)

How to move:

1. On Xiaomi, check that sync is enabled: Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync.
2. On Samsung, add the same Google Account (the phone will prompt you to do so when you first turn on).
3. Wait for automatic synchronization (can take up to 10 minutes).

For photos and videos, use Google Photos:

1. On Xiaomi, open Google Photos and enable Backup and Sync.
2. Wait for all files to be uploaded to the cloud (check in Photos) → Library → The device).
3. On Samsung, sign in to the same Google Photos account – all media files will appear automatically.

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Google Account is the most reliable way to transfer contacts and calendars, but it is not suitable for applications, SMS and some system settings.

Limitations of the method:

• ⚠️ SMS and call logs are not synced via Google (use Smart Switch or specialized applications like SMS Backup & Restore).
• ⚠️ Apps are not portable – only their data (if the app supports backup to Google Drive).
• ⚠️ Space restriction: free Google Photos compresses photos to 16 MP, and Google Drive gives only 15 GB for everything.

Method 3: Transfer over a cable OTG Adapter (for large amounts of data)

If you have a lot of files (tens of gigabytes of photos, videos or music), wireless methods can be too slow, in which case direct transfer over the cable is the optimal solution.

• 🔌 OTG-Adapter (if there is no port on Samsung) USB-C, And on Xiaomi, microUSB).
• 📱 Cable USB-C — USB-C (If both phones are modern).
• 💾 A flash drive (alternative if there is no cable).

Instructions for transfer via cable:

1. Connect Xiaomi to Samsung via cable (with an adapter if needed).
2. On Xiaomi, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. On Samsung, open My Files and go to the section USB-device.
4. Copy the right folders (DCIM For photos, downloads, etc., in Samsung’s internal memory.

Instructions for transfer through the flash drive:

1. Connect the flash drive to Xiaomi via OTG-adapter.
2. Copy files to a flash drive (use Explorer or Files) MIUI).
3. Turn off the flash drive and connect it to Samsung.
4. Transfer the data to internal memory or memory card.

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If you copy photos and videos, check the folders. DCIM/Camera, DCIM/Screenshots Pictures – they store media files from different sources (camera, screenshots, downloads from instant messengers).

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Maximum speed (up to 40 MB/s when used) USB 3.0).
• ✅ There are no limits on volume (unlike cloud services).
• ✅ It works without the internet.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Does not transfer applications and settings – only files.
• ❌ Adapters are required if the phone ports are incompatible.

5. Method 4: Cloud Services (Mi Cloud, Yandex Drive, Dropbox)

If you don’t have cable or prefer remote porting, cloud services are a good alternative, and consider three popular options: Mi Cloud (from Xiaomi), Yandex Drive, and Dropbox.

Comparison of cloud services for transfer:

How to transfer data through Mi Cloud:

1. On Xiaomi, enable backup in Mi Cloud: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Backup.
2. Select the data for copying (contacts, SMS, photos) and wait until the end.
3. On Samsung, open your browser and go to i.mi.com, sign in to your Xiaomi account.
4. Download the files to Samsung or transfer them to Google Drive (if the volume is large).

How to transfer via Yandex Disk:

1. Install Yandex Drive on Xiaomi and upload files to the cloud.
2. On Samsung, install the same app and download the files.
3. To automatically upload photos, turn on the option Autoboot in the application settings.

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If the internet is slow, use the “Offline Mode” feature in Yandex Drive: download files to Xiaomi offline, then transfer them to Samsung via cable.

Method 5: Manual transfer of applications and their data

Unfortunately, most apps are not automatically transferred, either through Smart Switch or through Google Accounts, including instant messengers (Telegram, Viber), games, banking apps, and many others, but there are ways to save at least some of the data:

For messengers:

• 💬 WhatsApp: Back up Google Drive on Xiaomi, then restore it to Samsung (when you first start up, the app will prompt you to do so).
• 📌 Telegram: All chats and media are stored in the cloud – just log in to your account on your new phone.
• 📱 Viber: Backup to Google Drive or to a memory card (Settings) → Account. → Backup copy).

For games:

• 🎮 If the game supports Google Play Games or Facebook authentication, sign in to the same Samsung account – progress will continue.
• 💾 For offline games, use Titanium Backup (requires root rights) or manually copy the folder. Android/obb.

For banking applications:

• 🏦 Don't transfer bank application data through backups! It's not secure:
• 📱 Remove the application on Xiaomi (pre-save login / password).
• 🔑 On Samsung, install the app again and log in via SMS card.

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Never use third-party software to transfer data from banking applications – this may result in the account being blocked for suspected fraud.

7.What to do if the data is not transferred or lost

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, sometimes you have problems, like contacts are not transferred, photos are missing, or apps are not restored.

Problem 1: Contacts are not transferred

• 🔍 Check if sync with Google Contacts on Xiaomi is enabled.
• 📱 Export contacts to.vcf file (Contacts) → Settings → Export and import it to Samsung.
• 🌐 Use Google Contacts for manual recovery.

Problem 2: A photo or video is missing

• 🔎 Check the folder. DCIM/.thumbnails — Sometimes the miniatures are kept separately.
• 🗑️ Use Deleted File Recovery (DiskDigger, Recuva) on Xiaomi (if files have been deleted recently).
• ☁️ Check out Google Photos or Mi Cloud – it’s possible that files are saved to the cloud.

Problem 3: Apps have not recovered

• 📥 Reinstall apps manually from Google Play.
• 🔄 If the app supports backup (like WhatsApp), recover data from the cloud.
• 🛠️ For locally saved games, copy the folder Android/obb Xiaomi on Samsung.

8. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When you move data, you often encounter common, preventable errors, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

Mistake 1: Smart Switch doesn’t see Xiaomi

⚠️ Note: If your phones don’t connect over Wi-Fi, check that Xiaomi has power saving mode turned off for Smart Switch (Settings) → Battery → Battery optimization. Also try rebooting both devices.

Mistake 2: There is not enough space on Samsung

• 📉 Before transferring, clear Samsung memory of unnecessary files (for example, delete pre-installed games).
• 💾 Use a memory card (if supported) to store media files.
• ☁️ Move some of the data to the cloud (Google Photos, Yandex Drive).

Error 3: Transfer is interrupted in the middle

⚠️ Warning: If the process is interrupted due to battery drain or loss of communication, do not start the transfer again - this can lead to duplicate data.

Mistake 4: Samsung doesn’t have portable apps

• 🔄 Reinstall apps from Google Play – sometimes migrating over Smart Switch breaks their work.
• 📋 Check the compatibility of apps with the new version of Android on Samsung.
• 🛡️ Turn off Google Play Protection for installation time (if the application is blocked as "unsafe").

Error 5: Wi-Fi settings are lost

• 📡 You can’t transfer Wi-Fi passwords over Smart Switch, but you can:
• 📋 Manually rewrite passwords with Xiaomi (Settings) → Wi-Fi → Save networks).
• 🔑 Use the WiFi Password Viewer (requires root rights).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions