How to Move Data from Samsung to Xiaomi Redmi: A Complete 2026 Guide

The transition from Samsung Galaxy to Xiaomi Redmi is not only about changing the ecosystem, but also the need to transfer all the important data: contacts, photos, messages and even app settings. Many users face the problem of how to do it without loss and as quickly as possible? In this article, we will examine all the current ways of migrating data between the two most popular brands of Android devices.

Now, let's just say, there's no one-size-fits-all solution. It depends on data, cable, Internet speed, even your Redmi model. For example, Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro+ flagship devices support Mi Mover, a proprietary portability tool, while budget models can only be limited to cloud services, and we tested all of them on real devices and identified their pros and cons.

It's important to understand that not all data can be migrated, for example, Samsung's system application settings (like Bixby or Knox) are not compatible with MIUI, and some instant messengers (like Samsung Messages) require manual export, but the main file types - photos, videos, contacts and chats - will move without problems if we follow our recommendations.

Preparation for transfer: what to do before the start

Before you start migrating, follow a few critical steps that will save time and prevent data loss.

✅ Check device compatibility. Make sure your Xiaomi Redmi supports the port method you choose. For example, Mi Mover only works on devices with MIUI 10 and later. To check the version, go to Settings → About Phone → Version MIUI.

✅ Clean up unnecessary files. It's going to take a lot of time to move 50GB of garbage (cache, duplicate photos) and use Samsung's built-in Cleanup utility or Files by Google's memory analysis app.

✅ Charge both phones to at least 50 percent. The transfer process can take anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours (depending on the amount of data) and interruption due to battery discharge will result in partial data loss.

Determine the transfer method (cable/cloud/application)

Remove unnecessary files from both devices

Charge phones up to 50% or more

Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (for cloud methods)

Download the necessary applications (Smart Switch, Mi Mover)

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⚠️ Warning: If you use Samsung Knox for work (corporate data), transferring through standard methods may violate security policy.In this case, contact the IT- department for export instructions.

Method 1: Smart Switch (official solution from Samsung)

Samsung Smart Switch is a proprietary data portability app that is installed by default on all Galaxy devices. It supports transfer of almost all types of files, including:

• 📞 Contacts, call log
• 📷 Photos and videos (including Google Photos albums)
• 💬 Communications (SMS/MMS, but not messengers)
• 🎵 Music and documents
• 📱 System settings (wallpaper, sounds, some parameters)

But there's a limitation: the Smart Switch can't transfer data directly to Xiaomi, but you can do it in two steps: first save a backup to your PC, and then upload it to Redmi.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Smart Switch on PC from the official Samsung website.
2. Connect Samsung to your computer via the USB- cable (File Transfer Mode).
3. In the application, select Backup and mark the desired data types.
4. Once complete, disconnect Samsung and plug in Xiaomi.
5. Copy the backup files (smartswitchback folder) to Redmi memory.
6. Use Mi Mover or manual import to recover data.

⚠️ Warning: Smart Switch backups are proprietary. Not all files can be opened on Xiaomi without conversion. For example, SMS messages will have to be imported through third-party applications like SMS Backup & Restore.

The Smart Switch/Mi Mover (Smart Switch)

Cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud)

Manual transfer (flash drive, OTG)

I don't know, I haven't tried it yet.-->

Method 2: Mi Mover (official solution from Xiaomi)

Mi Mover is an analogue of Smart Switch, but from Xiaomi. the application is pre-installed on all devices with MIUI and supports data transfer from Samsung, iPhone and other Android devices, the main advantage is direct transmission over Wi-Fi without intermediaries (PC or cloud).

What can be transferred:

• 📞 Contacts, call log
• 📷 Photos and videos (without albums)
• 💬 Communications (only) SMS)
• 📱 Annexes (APK-files, but no data)
• 📍 Notes and calendar (if synced with Google)

How to use Mi Mover:

1. Open Settings → Memory → Mi Mover on Xiaomi Redmi.
2. Select I am a new user → Android.
3. Download Mi Mover from Google Play on Samsung.
4. Run the app on both phones and follow the instructions (you need to scan the QR- code).
5. Select the data to transfer and wait for completion.

🔹 Limitations of method:

• 🚫 Application data (e.g., saved in games) is not transferred.
• 🚫 Slower than cable (speed depends on Wi-Fi).
• 🚫 Some Samsung models may need to disable Knox.

💡

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 (click 7 times).

Method 3: Transfer through Google Account (Cloud)

The most versatile, but not always reliable, way is to sync through Google Account, which is suitable if you have a stable Internet and not too much data (up to 15 GB free).

What is synchronized automatically:

• 📞 Contacts (if saved in Google Contacts)
• 📅 Calendar (Google Calendar)
• 📍 Notes (Google Keep)
• 📎 Some system settings (Wi-Fi passwords, wallpaper)

What to do manually:

• 📷 Photos and videos – via Google Photos (set up autoload on Samsung).
• 💬 Messages via SMS Backup & Restore.
• 🎵 Music and documents - upload to Google Drive.

Step-by-step:

1. On Samsung, open Settings → Accounts and Archiving → Archiving and Recovery.
2. Enable Archive Data and select Google Account.
3. On Xiaomi Redmi, when you first turn on, select Restore from a backup and log in to the same Google Account.
4. Wait until the synchronization is complete (it can take up to a day).

⚠️ Warning: If you used a Samsung Account to back up, data from it will not be transferred to Xiaomi. It must first be exported manually (e.g., contacts via Export to file VCF).

5. Method 4: Transfer via OTG cable and flash drive

If you don't have access to a PC or stable Wi-Fi, you can use a OTG- adapter and a regular USB- flash drive, which is suitable for transferring any files (photos, videos, documents), but not system data (contacts, messages).

What you need:

• 🔌 OTG- adapter (Type-C or Micro-USB, depending on the Samsung port)
• 💾 USB- flash drive (preferably FAT32 or exFAT)
• 📱 Both phones

Instructions:

1. Connect the flash drive to Samsung via OTG-adapter.
2. Copy the desired files (for example, the DCIM folder with a photo) to the flash drive.
3. Disable the flash drive from Samsung and connect to Xiaomi Redmi.
4. Transfer files to internal memory or SD-map.

🔹 Advantages of the method:

• ✅ It works without the internet.
• ✅ No volume limit.
• ✅ Suitable for older Redmi models (e.g. Redmi 4A or Redmi Note 5).

⚠️ Warning: Some files (e.g.,.nomedia) may not appear in the Xiaomi gallery.To fix this, download the file manager (e.g., Solid Explorer) and manually update the media library in Settings → Memory → Clear Media Storage.

Method 5: Transfer through third-party applications

If the standard methods don't work, you can use third-party utilities, and we tested three of the most reliable ones.

1. SHAREit (or Xender)

• 📲 Supports file, contact, application transfer.
• 🔗 Works over Wi-Fi Direct (without internet).
• ⚠️ Slower than cable methods.

2. Send Anywhere

• 🌐 Transmission by reference or P2P (without limiting scope).
• 🔒 Encryption of data.
• ❌ Does not tolerate system settings.

3. Clone Phone (from Huawei, but runs on all Android)

• 📱 Clones contacts, messages, photos, videos.
• 🔄 Requires installation on both phones.
• ⚠️ May not work properly on newer versions of MIUI.

🔹 How to choose an application?

• For large files (video, backups) Send Anywhere.
• Contacts and messages are available via Clone Phone.
• For fast transmission without installation – SHAREit.

💡

The side of the application is convenient, but often contains advertising and collects user data. Before using, check the permissions in Settings → Applications and disable unnecessary ones (for example, access to geolocation).

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

Even when you follow instructions, users encounter errors, and we've collected the most common and corrective methods.

🔴 Problem 1: Mi Mover doesn't see Samsung

⚠️ Warning: On some Samsung models (e.g., Galaxy S22 with One UI 5.1) Mi Mover is blocked due to security policy.Solution: Disable Knox in Settings → Biometrics and Security → Other security options. Enable Developer Mode and activate Debugging on USB.

🔴 Issue 2: Samsung Messages are not portable

Samsung Messages does not export SMS in standard format.

1. Download SMS Backup & Restore from Google Play.
2. Create a backup on Samsung.
3. Transfer the backup file to Xiaomi and restore.

🔴 Issue 3: Photos are not displayed in the Xiaomi Gallery

If the photos are not visible in the Gallery after transfer, but there are on the disk:

• Check if the.nomedia file is in the folder (delete it).
• Update your media library in Settings → Memory → Clean up your media storage.
• Use a third-party gallery (such as Google Photos).

🔴 Problem 4: There is not enough space on Xiaomi

If Redmi has little memory, before transferring:

• Remove unnecessary applications through Settings → Apps.
• Move the files to SD-card (if supported).
• Use Mi Cloud for temporary storage (5GB free).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions