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

The transition from Samsung to Xiaomi is not just about changing the brand, but also migrating all the important data: contacts, photos, messages, even app settings. Many users fear this process, thinking it will take hours or lead to loss of information. In fact, modern tools allow you to carry out the transfer in 10 to 30 minutes, with most data moving automatically.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to transfer data, from official utilities (Mi Mover and Samsung Smart Switch) to manual methods through cloud services and physical media, paying special attention to the nuances that are often overlooked: For example, why a Google Account transfer doesn’t always copy messages from Samsung Messages, or how to avoid duplicate contacts when syncing. S23 Xiaomi 14 or Samsung A52 Redmi Note 13 – here you can find a solution to your situation.

Preparation for transfer: what to do before the start

Before you start migrating, follow a few critical steps that will save you from problems like interrupted data transfers or loss of files.

Mandatory conditions:

• 🔋 Both smartphones charge at least 50%, and data transfer can take up to an hour, and discharging in the process will lead to a failure.
• 📶 Stable Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network) 4G/5G). Cloud-based methods will require traffic to 5–10 GB.
• 📱 Free space on Xiaomi. If Samsung is 64 GB occupied, the new phone should have a minimum of 70-80 GB.
• 🔐 Turn off the screen lock (PIN, pattern lock on both devices. Some utilities require this to work properly.

Also check the firmware versions:

• On Samsung: Settings → Update: Update version of One UI (5.0 and above) supports all transfer methods.
• On Xiaomi: Settings → The phone. → Update the system. Make sure the latest version is installed. MIUI (14 or newer).

⚠️ Note: If Samsung has enabled data encryption (Settings) → Biometrics and safety → Encryption, some methods (e.g. Mi Mover) may be slower or require additional permissions.

2. Method 1: Mi Mover – official solution from Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a built-in utility in Xiaomi smartphones, specifically designed to transfer data from devices of other brands, including Samsung.

• 📞 Contacts (including groups and notes)
• 📷 Photo and video (in original quality)
• 💬 Communications (SMS and MMS)
• 📁 Notes, calendars, alarm clocks.
• 🎵 Music and documents
• 📱 Some system settings (wallpaper, sounds)

How to use Mi Mover:

1. On Xiaomi go to Settings → Memory. → Data Transfer (Mi Mover).
2. Select I am a new user → Android.
3. On Samsung, download the Mi Mover app from Google Play and open it.
4. On both phones, select Send from Android (to Samsung) and Get from Android (to Xiaomi).
5. Scan it. QR-code from the screen Xiaomi camera Samsung.
6. Select data types to transfer and confirm the start of the process.

The speed of transmission depends on the amount of data:

• Up to 5GB — ~10-15 minutes.
• 10–30 GB – 30-60 minutes.
• More than 50 GB – It is recommended to use a cable (see method 3).

⚠️ Note: Mi Mover does not carry installed apps and their data (for example, save in games or WhatsApp settings.

Disable VPN on both phones |

Make sure there is enough space on Xiaomi|

Close all background applications |

Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network-->

Method 2: Samsung Smart Switch (reverse portability)

If Mi Mover doesn’t work for some reason, you can try the reverse method of using Samsung Smart Switch to back up and then restore it to Xiaomi.

• 📞 Contacts and call logs
• 💬 Communications (only) SMS, without MMS)
• 📷 Photos and videos (without Samsung Gallery albums)
• 📅 Calendars and notes

Instructions:

1. On Samsung, install the Samsung Smart Switch (unless it is installed by default).
2. Connect Samsung to your computer via USB-cable and select File Transfer Mode (MTP).
3. In Smart Switch on PC, select Backup and specify data types.
4. After you have finished copying, connect Xiaomi to your computer and transfer the backup files to the Download folder.
5. On Xiaomi, use Mi Mover or manually unpack the archive (the.spb format can be opened via Samsung Smart Switch on PC).

The advantage of this method is reliability, because the backup is stored on the PC, but there are also disadvantages:

• ❌ Applications and their data are not portable.
• ❌ The.spb format cannot be read on Xiaomi without additional software.
• ❌ The process takes longer due to dual transmission (phone) → PC → phone).

4. Method 3: Transfer through Google Account (synchronization)

The most versatile, but not always complete, method is sync through Google Account, which is suitable if you use Google services (Contacts, Photos, Drive) on Samsung, which is automatically ported:

• 📞 Contacts (via Google Contacts)
• 📅 Calendars (Google Calendar)
• 📷 Photos and videos (if you have autoloaded in Google Photos)
• 📝 Notes (Google Keep)
• 🎵 Music (if uploaded to YouTube Music)

How to enable synchronization on Samsung:

1. Go to Settings. → Accounts and archiving → Account management.
2. Select your Google Account.
3. Activate synchronization for all the necessary services (Contacts, Calendar, Drive, etc.).
4. Wait until the process is complete (it can take from a few minutes to an hour).

On Xiaomi, do the same, but instead of syncing, choose Recover when you first turn on or in your account settings.

• ❌ Communications (SMS/MMS) — They need Mi Mover or third-party apps.
• ❌ Local files (documents, APK) — They'll have to be copied manually.
• ❌ Application settings (for example, game or instant messenger data).

⚠️ Note: If Samsung used a Samsung Account to back up, its data is not synced with Google.In this case, first export contacts and notes from the Samsung Cloud manually.

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Before transferring, check if the storage limit in Google Account is exceeded. The free rate is 15 GB, and photos in their original quality take up a lot of space. If necessary, clear Google Drive or buy additional space.

5. Method 4: Manual transfer via cable or memory card

If you only need to transfer individual files (photos, music, documents) or the data volume exceeds 50 GB, the most reliable way is to physically copy through the Internet. USB-memory-card.

Option 1: Direct connection to USB (OTG)

1. Buy it. USB OTG-Adapter (if Xiaomi does not have a Type-C port) → Type-C).
2. Connect Samsung to Xiaomi via cable.
3. On Xiaomi, select File Transfer (USB) in the notification panel.
4. Open Files (or Explorer) on Xiaomi and copy the folders you want (DCIM, Download, Documents) from Samsung connected.

Option 2: Through a memory card

1. Insert microSD into Samsung.
2. Transfer files to the card through My file (Settings) → Caring for the device → Memory. → Files).
3. Remove the card and paste it into Xiaomi.
4. Copy the data from the card into the phone’s internal memory.

Advantages of the manual method:

• ✅ There are no limits on the amount of data.
• ✅ No Internet required.
• ✅ Only the necessary files can be selectively transferred.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ It takes a lot of time with a lot of volume.
• ❌ Contacts, messages and settings are not transferred.

Method 5: Third-party applications for data transfer

If the standard methods don't work, you can use specialized applications, and we tested a few and selected the most reliable ones.

How to use Cloneit (Step-by-step):

1. Install Cloneit on both phones from Google Play.
2. On Samsung, select Send, on Xiaomi, Receive.
3. Scan it. QR-code from the screen Xiaomi camera Samsung.
4. Select data types to transfer and confirm the beginning.
5. Wait until the time is completed (time depends on the volume).

⚠️ Note: When using third-party apps, turn off battery optimization for them (Settings) → Annexes → Permits → Battery optimization, otherwise the transmission may be interrupted.

7. Transfer of applications and their data

None of these methods can transfer installed applications and their data (for example, save in games, chats in Telegram or WhatsApp settings).

Method 1: Backup through Google

• On Samsung go to Settings → Google → Backup.
• Enable Backup of Application Data.
• On Xiaomi, when you first start, select recovery from backup.

Limitation: Not all apps support this feature (e.g., banking or some games).

Method 2: Manual for each application

• 📱 WhatsApp: Settings → chat → Backup (save in Google Drive).
• 🎮 Games: Use Google Play Games or Facebook accounts to sync your saves.
• 💬 Telegram: Export chats through Settings → Additionally. → Chat data export.

Method 3: Titanium backup (for advanced)

Titanium Backup allows you to create a full copy of all applications and their data, but requires root rights.

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For most messengers (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram) it is enough to link the account to the phone number - after installing on Xiaomi, chats will be restored automatically when you first log in.

8. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If neither method worked, try a factory reset on Xiaomi and repeat the clean-system port. This often solves compatibility issues.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions