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

Switching from Samsung to Xiaomi is not just about brand change, but also about migrating all your personal data: contacts, photos, notes, and even app settings. Many users fear this process, thinking it will take hours or cause loss of information. In fact, transferring data through Google Account is the most reliable and versatile way that works regardless of the phone model and Android version. Unlike proprietary solutions like Smart Switch (for Samsung) or Mi Mover (for Xiaomi), synchronization through Google ensures that your data remains available even after a device is reset or replaced.

In this article, we will take a step-by-step guide with all the nuances from Samsung’s portability preparations to Xiaomi’s setup for automatic recovery, focusing on common errors (such as why photos or calendars aren’t synced) and alternative methods for data that Google doesn’t reserve (SMS, calls, some app settings). If you’ve never used cloud services before or are afraid of losing data, don’t worry: the process is easier than it seems, and we’ll explain each step in detail.

Syncing through Google Account has one key advantage: it works independently of the manufacturer. S23 Ultra on Xiaomi 14 Pro or Samsung A52 On the Redmi Note 12, the algorithm will remain the same. Moreover, this method allows you to selectively transfer only the necessary data (for example, only contacts and photos, ignoring notes), the main thing is to correctly set up a backup on the old phone and restore it to the new one.

But there are limitations, like Google not backing up SMS, call logs, and some system application settings (e.g., power saving modes or navigation gestures), and you'll have to use additional tools for that data, which we'll talk about, and now you'll have to practice!

1.Samsung Preparation for Data Transfer

Before you start syncing, make sure your Samsung is ready for the process.This includes checking the Android version, having free space, and setting up your Google Account correctly, and skipping this step risks errors like “not enough memory” or “sync stopped.”

First, upgrade your operating system to the latest version. → Update of the PO → Download and install. Even if your phone says there is no update, manually check - sometimes they are delayed.This is important because older versions of Android (below 10) may not support backing up some types of data (e.g. call history).

Then free up space in the phone's memory. High-resolution backup of photos and videos requires free space. Delete unnecessary files or transfer them to a memory card/computer. Check the free space at Settings → Caring for the device → Memory.

Check the settings of Google Account:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Archiving → Account Management.
2. Select your Google Account (if not, add it).
3. Make sure that sync is enabled for all the data you need (contacts, calendar, Google Photos, etc.).

⚠️ Note: If you use a Samsung Account for backup purposes (e.g., through Samsung Cloud), this data will not be transferred to Xiaomi.

Update Android to the latest version|Release. ≥2 GB of memory|Check the Wi-Fi connection|Enable synchronization of Google Account|Delete unnecessary accounts (if any)-->

2. backup of data through Google

The most reliable way to transfer is to automatically back up Google Drive, which includes:

• 📇 Contacts (from the Google Contacts app)
• 📅 Calendar (events from Google Calendar)
• 📱 Device settings (Wi-Fi network, wallpaper, language settings)
• 📁 Data from some applications (e.g. Google Keep, Chrome)
• 📸 Photos and videos (if synced with Google Photos is enabled)

To start backup:

1. Open Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Activate the switch "Backup to Google Drive".
3. Click on “Create a backup now” and wait until it is completed.

It can take anywhere from minutes to an hour, depending on the amount of data and the speed of the Internet, don't interrupt it or turn off the phone, if the backup is hanging, check the Wi-Fi connection or restart the process.

Google Photos syncs separately to transfer all photos:

1. Open the Google Photos app.
2. Go to Profile. → Photo settings → Backup and synchronization.
3. Enable the function and select quality ("Original" for saving without compression or "High" for saving space).

⚠️ Note: If you have two-factor authentication in Google Account, check before perenosom data on Xiaomi that you have backup codes or access to the authentication application!

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If backups are hanging on “waiting” for a long time, try turning them off. VPN Or switch from mobile to Wi-Fi, sometimes operator restrictions block the download of large files.

3. Transfer data that Google does not reserve

Unfortunately, not all data can be transferred through a Google Account, but here’s what’s left on your old phone and how to fix it:

For SMS and call log the best solution - application SMS Backup & Restore (available on Google Play:

• Create a backup copy on Samsung.
• Save the file to Google Drive or send it by email.
• Restore Messages to Xiaomi after installing the same app.

For these applications (such as WhatsApp, Viber, games) check if they support cloud storage:

• 💬 WhatsApp: Backup in Google Drive (in chat settings).
• 🎮 Games: Many titles (e.g. Genshin Impact, Clash of Clans) are linked to a developer account.

4. Xiaomi setup to recover data

Now that all the data is gone, it’s time to prepare Xiaomi for recovery.

1. Turn on Xiaomi and connect to Wi-Fi. Without the Internet, recovery is impossible.

2. At the initial setup stage, select “Recover Data” (usually this option appears after you enter a Google Account).

3. Sign in to the same Google Account that was used on Samsung.

4. Select the latest backup from the list and confirm the recovery.

If you've already set up Xiaomi and missed this step, don't worry. You can recover the data later:

On Xiaomi, some data (such as wallpaper or Wi-Fi settings) will be restored automatically, while others (such as apps) will have to be installed manually from Google Play, but all your contacts, photos and calendar will be available immediately after syncing.

⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi has a global firmware installed (MIUI Global, there's no problem with the recovery, but if you have the Chinese version (MIUI China, some Google services may not work properly, in which case, before transferring data, be sure to run the global firmware.

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5. Checking of transferred data and elimination of errors

After recovery, make sure to check that all data is in place.

📌 Contacts: Open the Contacts app and make sure all numbers and groups are saved:

• Check what is in the account settings (Settings) → Accounts. → Google has enabled contact synchronization.
• Update your contact list manually (pull down in the Contacts app).

📸 Photo and video: Open Google Photos and make sure all media files are uploaded:

• Check that Samsung backup in Google Photos has been successful.
• In the settings of Google Photos on Xiaomi, turn on "Backup and Sync".

📅 Calendar: Open Google Calendar and check for all events. If the calendar is empty:

• Make sure that calendar synchronization is enabled in the Google Account settings.
• Try to add the account again (Settings) → Accounts. → Add an account → Google).

If some data is not recovered, try the following solutions:

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If the data is not restored, first check the Internet connection and space on Xiaomi, often the problem lies in the trivial things: Wi-Fi is turned off or overcrowded memory.

6. Alternative methods of data transfer

If transferring through Google Accounts is not appropriate for some reason, consider alternative methods.

• 🔄 You have an unstable internet (such as slow Wi-Fi).
• 📱 You transfer data from Samsung to Xiaomi without a Google Account.
• 🔒 You need to transfer data that Google does not reserve (SMS, call log).

🔹 Method 1: Transfer through cable OTG computer

Connect both phones to your PC and manually copy files (photos, videos, music) from Samsung to Xiaomi.

1. Connect Samsung to your computer in File Transfer mode.
2. Copy the required folders (for example, DCIM for photo) on PC.
3. Connect Xiaomi and transfer the files to the appropriate folders.

🔹 Method 2: Using Migration Applications

Apps like Send Anywhere or Xender allow you to transfer data over Wi-Fi directly between phones, and the plus is that you don't need the Internet, and the minus is that you need to install third-party software.

🔹 Method 3: Local backup on Samsung

Some Samsung models have a built-in backup function in the phone’s memory or to the card. SD:

⚠️ Important: When using third-party apps (Send Anywhere, Xender) disable battery optimization for them in Xiaomi settings (Settings) → Annexes → Permits → Battery optimization, otherwise transmission may be interrupted.

7. Xiaomi Optimization After Data Transfer

After successfully migrating the data, set up Xiaomi for maximum convenience.

🔧 Set up default synchronization:

• In Google Photos, activate "Backup and Sync".

📱 Personalize the interface:

• Customize wallpaper and themes through the Themes app.

🔋 Optimize the battery:

• Activate Adaptive Charging to keep the battery healthy (Settings) → Battery).
• Turn off auto-run of unnecessary applications (Settings) → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start).

🛡️ Check security:

• Set up the face unlock/print (Settings) → Password and security).
• Enable device search (Settings) → Google → Security → Find the device).

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If after transferring data Xiaomi began to slow down, try to clear the cache in Settings → Memory. → Cleanup. Often, this solves performance problems after recovering a lot of data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability from Samsung to Xiaomi