Transferring data from Xiaomi to Samsung via Google Account: Full Guide 2026

The transition from Xiaomi to Samsung is not only about changing the brand, but also the need to port personal data: contacts, photos, notes and even app settings. Many users fear losing important information or spending hours manually copying files. Fortunately, Google Account offers a one-stop solution for syncing data between Android devices, regardless of manufacturer.

In this article, we’ll look at all the stages of portability, from Xiaomi prep to Samsung setup, pay attention to common bugs (such as why photos aren’t synced), and how to move even data that isn’t supported out of the box, and learn what alternative methods (such as Samsung’s Smart Switch) might come in handy if Google syncs don’t work.

The transfer process through Google Account is suitable for any Xiaomi models (from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra) and Samsung (from Galaxy) A14 Galaxy S24). The main condition is that both devices must run Android 8.0 and later (older versions may have problems synchronizing some types of data).

1. Xiaomi Preparation for Data Transfer

Before you start syncing, you need to set up your Xiaomi correctly, which is a stage that is often missed, which causes problems with incomplete data transfer.

1. Update firmware and applications.

An outdated version MIUI Google Services may block sync. Check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Update the system and in Google Play → My profile. → Device control.

2. Make sure there is enough space on the device.

Synchronization creates temporary files. If Xiaomi has less than 1 GB of free space, the process can be interrupted. Free up memory by deleting unnecessary files or transferring them to a memory card.

3. Enable backup in Google Account.

This is the most important step!

Settings → Google → Backup

Make sure the “Google Drive Backup” switch is active and all the necessary items (contacts, calendar, photos, etc.) are marked in the “App Data” section.

Backup enabled in Google Account

Updated MIUI and Google Services

Released. ≥1 GB of memory

Connected stable Wi-Fi or mobile Internet

Contact synchronization is enabled in Account Settings-->

⚠️ Note: If you use two-factor authentication on a Google Account, make sure you have access to backup codes or a second device to confirm.When changing your phone, Google may request additional verification.

2. What data can be transferred through Google Account

Not all data types sync equally well, and here's what Samsung is guaranteed to bring:

• 📇 Contacts – including groups, contact notes and profile photos.
• 📅 Calendar – events, reminders, repetitive tasks.
• 📷 Photos and videos – if Google Photos is enabled (more on this below).
• 📝 Notes – from Google Keep** or the standard Notes app (if it syncs with Google).
• 🎵 Music and podcasts – if downloaded via YouTube Music** or Google Play Music.

Here's what won't automatically transfer:

• 🚫 SMS and call history – this requires third-party applications like SMS Backup & Restore.
• 🚫 Local files (downloads, music in the Music folder) – you will have to copy them manually.
• 🚫 Settings for specific applications (e.g., progress in games) – Depends on developer support.
• 🚫 Data data MIUI-specific services (e.g. Mi Cloud, Theme Store).

Important: If you used Mi Account for backup, this data is NOT synced with Google Account, but must be transferred separately (for more on alternative methods).

3. Step-by-step instruction: synchronize with Google Account

Now, let's get to the process itself. Follow the instructions in order to avoid errors.

Step 1. Sign up for a Google Account on Xiaomi

Make sure you are logged in to the same account you will be using on Samsung. → Accounts and synchronization → If there are multiple accounts, select the main one and turn off sync for unnecessary ones (to avoid carrying over unnecessary data).

Step 2: Enable synchronization for all data you need

In the same section (Settings) → Accounts. → Google → [your email]) switch on the switches for:

• 📇 Contacts
• 📅 Calendar
• 📎 Google Drive (if you need to transfer documents)
• 📷 Google Photos (if you want to transfer media files)

Press "Sync Now" (button in the upper right corner).

Step 3. Wait for the synchronization to be completed

The process can take anywhere from minutes to an hour, depending on the amount of data and the speed of the Internet, and don’t turn off Xiaomi or interrupt the network connection.

Step 4: Set up Samsung with the same Google Account

When you first turn on Samsung, it will prompt you to log in to Google Account. Use the same data as you did on Xiaomi. If the phone is already set up, add your account to Settings. → Accounts and backups → Account management → Add an account.

Step 5: Restore data to Samsung

After authorization, Samsung will offer to restore the data from the backup. Select the most recent copy (check the date of creation).

Settings → Accounts and Backup → Backup and Recovery → Recover Data

Through Google Account

Through Samsung’s Smart Switch

Manually cabled.

Third-party applications (e.g. ShareIt)

I haven't moved the data yet.-->

4. Photo and video transfer: nuances of Google Photos

Photos and videos are the most voluminous type of data, and there are a few key points here:

1. Enable autoload in Google Photos.

On Xiaomi, open the Google Photos app, go to Settings → Backup and sync and activate the function. Select download quality:

• 📸 "Original quality" - saves photos without compression (takes up a place in Google Drive).
• 📸 "High quality" - compresses the photo (free, unlimited storage until June 2021, now also takes place).

2. Wait for the full load.

Check progress in the "Photo" section" → "Assistant" → "Backup status. If some files are not downloaded, try:

• 🔄 Restart the application.
• 📶 Connect to another Wi-Fi network.
• 📱 Free up space on the device (minimum 500 MB of free memory).

3. Restore the photo on Samsung.

After logging in to the same Google Account** on Samsung, open Google Photos and wait for the app to download thumbnails.

💡

If photos are not displayed on Samsung, check if they are hidden in Google Photos (Archive or Recycle Bin section).

⚠️ Note: If you have used the gallery MIUI With Xiaomi Cloud, these photos won't be in Google Photos. You'll need to download them manually to your device first (Gallery) → Albums. → Mi Cloud and then upload it to Google Photos.

5. Transfer of applications and their data

The list of installed applications will be transferred automatically, but the data inside them (for example, game progress, messaging settings) will not.

1. Apps from Google Play.

On Samsung, open Google Play Store, click on profile avatar → "Application and device management" → "Installed. Here you'll see a list of applications with Xiaomi. Click "Install" for the right ones.

2. Application data (save, settings).

Some apps (such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and games with Google Play Games) support cloud sync:

3. applications without cloud synchronization.

For such programs (for example, some banking applications or local games) you will need to:

• 📲 Hand-port data (via Smart Switch or folder copying).
• 🔄 Reinstall and reconfigure.

6. Alternative methods of data transfer

If syncing through Google Account didn’t work or you want to move everything without exception, consider these options:

1.Samsung's Smart Switch

Samsung's official app for transferring data from other devices supports:

• 📞 Contacts, SMS, call log.
• 📷 Photos, videos, music.
• 📱 Applications and their data (for some programs).
• 📅 Calendar, notes.

How to use:

1. Download Smart Switch to both devices (Google Play or official website).
2. On Samsung, select "Get data" → "Android".
3. On Xiaomi, select "Send data" → "Wireless transfer" (or connect via cable).
4. Select the data types and wait until it is completed.

2. Cable transfer (USB OTG PC)

If wireless methods are not suitable:

• 🖥️ Connect Xiaomi to a PC, copy files (photos, videos, documents) to your computer.
• 📱 Connect Samsung and transfer files back.
• 🔌 Or use it. USB OTG-Adapter for direct connection of Xiaomi to Samsung (you need to enable file transfer mode).

Third-party annexes

For specific data (SMS, call log, applications) suitable:

• 📱 SMS Backup & Restore – for texting and call history.
• 📎 Super Backup – for contacts, SMS, applications.
• 📁 Send Anywhere – for fast file transfer over Wi-Fi Direct.

💡

Smart Switch is the best choice if you want to move everything at once (including SMS and apps). MIUI Optimization in the developer settings, otherwise the connection will be interrupted.

7.Typical errors and their solutions

Even if you set it up properly, you can have problems, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

1. Data is not synchronized

Reason: No internet, little space on Google Drive, or sync is disabled.

Decision:

• 📶 Check your network connection (better use Wi-Fi).
• 📊 Free up space in Google Drive (delete unnecessary files on drive.google.com).
• 🔄 Reset synchronization in Settings → Accounts. → Google → [your email] → Synchronize.

2. Photos in Google Photos are not displayed on Samsung

Reason: Photos are uploaded to the Archive or Recycle Bin or there is not enough space on the device to download.

Decision:

• 🔍 Check the Archive and Cart folders in Google Photos.
• 📱 Make room for Samsung (minimum) 1-2 GB).
• ⚙️ In Google Photos settings, turn on "Suppress when connecting to Wi-Fi".

3.Applications installed, but data lost

Reason: The app does not support cloud sync.

Decision:

• 🔄 Try to recover data via Smart Switch.
• 📧 Contact the application support – some services (e.g. banks) can recover data on request.

4. Contacts are duplicated

Reason: Samsung already has contacts or they are synced from multiple sources (e.g. Samsung Account) + Google).

Decision:

1. Open Contacts on Samsung.
2. Press. ⋮ → "Contact management" → "Connecting contacts".
3. Turn off synchronization of unnecessary accounts in Settings → Accounts.

💡

If the wallpaper or screen settings are missing after porting to Samsung, check if they are reset due to differences in screen resolution. 1080×2400 and Samsung with 1440×3200 They may not scale up the wallpaper correctly.

8 What to do after data transfer

Data portability is only half the battle, and to make Samsung as comfortable as Xiaomi, follow these steps:

1. Set up notifications and sounds.

Xiaomi and Samsung have different notification systems. → Notifications and:

• 🔔 Set notification priority for important applications.
• 🎵 Select call and notification tunes (they are not automatically carried over).

2.Reconfigure your fingerprint and Face ID.

Biometric data is not portable for security reasons. Add it back to Settings → Biometrics and safety.

3. Check the battery settings.

Samsung and Xiaomi have different ways of optimizing power consumption, so that apps don't get stuck in the background:

1. Go to Settings. → Maintenance of the device → Battery.
2. Select "Battery Optimization" → "All apps and disable optimization for instant messengers and frequently used programs.

4. Update the annexes.

Some apps may behave differently on Samsung due to shell differences (MIUI vs One UI). Update them via Google Play or reinstall them.

5. Set up backup for the future.

To avoid repeating the data transfer on the next phone change:

• 📱 Enable automatic backup in your Google Account.
• 📷 Set up autoload photos in Google Photos.
• 📎 Check the free space in Google Drive regularly.

💡

After transferring data, do not delete backups in Google Drive for at least a month, which will help restore information if something goes wrong.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data transfer from Xiaomi to Samsung