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

The switch from Samsung to Xiaomi is not just about changing your brand, but also transferring all your personal data: contacts, photos, notes, and even app settings. Many users fear that it will take hours or lead to loss of important information. In fact, Google Account allows you to migrate in 15 to 30 minutes without additional cables or programs.

In this article, we will analyze the step-by-step algorithm for data transfer, tell you what types of files can be transferred through Google Account, and which – only manually. You will also learn how to avoid common errors (such as duplicate contacts or loss of call history) and what to do if sync is stalled. S23 Ultra, A54) and Xiaomi (Redmi series, POCO, Mi 13 and newer).

Syncing through Google Account is the most versatile way, but it has limitations, such as Samsung Notes and some system settings (such as Always On Display modes) are not automatically portable. But contacts, calendars, photos in Google Photos, Chrome bookmarks and even passwords from Google Password Manager will move to a new smartphone without your participation. SMS, Call logs or application files (such as WhatsApp) will require additional steps – we’ll look at them too.

Preparing Samsung Phone for Data Transfer

Before you start syncing, make sure your Samsung is ready to transfer data, which will save you from problems like incomplete file downloads or authentication errors.

1. Check the Android version and update it if necessary.

Older versions (below Android 10) may not have critical sync features.Refresh the firmware in the Settings menu → Software Update: If there are no updates but the version is lower than Android 12, consider manually transferring data over Smart Switch (at the end of the article).

2. log in to Google Account.

Go to Settings. → Accounts and archiving → Account management and make sure your primary Google Account is added and active.If there are multiple accounts, choose the one to be used on Xiaomi.

3. Enable synchronization for all necessary data.

Open the Settings section → Accounts and archiving → Google account → Sync your account and activate switches to:

• 📇 Contacts (including groups and tags)
• 📅 Calendar (events and reminders)
• 📎 Google Drive (Documents, Tables)
• 🖼️ Google Photos (Photos and Videos in Original Quality)
• 🌐 Chrome (bookmarks, history, passwords)
• 📍 Google Maps (saved places, history of visits)

Sign in to Google Account|Update Android to the latest version|Enable contact synchronization|Enable Google Photo Sync|Check the free space in the cloud-->

4. Free up space in Google Drive.

The free rate only provides 15GB, which may not be enough for all photos and videos. Check the occupied space in Google Drive (Storage section) and if necessary:

• 🗑️ Delete unnecessary files (such as old backups).
• 💾 Archive High Quality Photos instead of Original (saves up to 50% of space).
• 💳 Buy extra space (from 100 GB for 139) ₽/month).

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If you use Samsung Cloud, export your data from there to Google Drive in advance. → Accounts and archiving → Samsung Cloud → Export of data

Set up a new Xiaomi to receive data

Now, let's get Xiaomi ready to receive information, and it's important to keep the initial setup steps in mind, otherwise, the Later data might not be automatically loaded.

1. Turn on your smartphone and perform the initial setup.

When you first start up, the system will suggest you select a language, connect to Wi-Fi and log in to your account. Don't skip the step with your Google Account! If you've already set up your phone, reset it to factory settings (Settings) → The phone. → Reset settings) or add your account manually to Settings → Accounts. → Add an account.

2. Enable data synchronization.

After logging into your account, go to Settings → Accounts. → Google and activate sync for the same categories as Samsung:

• 📱 Contacts: Check that they are displayed in the Contacts app (sometimes a reboot is required).
• 📸 Google Photos: Wait for the media files to be downloaded (indicator in the upper right corner of the app).

3.Configure backup on Xiaomi. Xiaomi uses its own Mi Cloud, but you don't need it to migrate from Samsung.

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Google Backup and enable it.
3. Make sure that a fresh entry with a transfer date appears in the backup list.

Transfer photos and videos via Google Photos

Google Photos is the most reliable way to transfer media files, but there are nuances with the quality and speed of downloading.

1. Upload files to Google Photos from Samsung.

Open the Google Photos app on Samsung and wait until all the photos and videos are uploaded to the cloud, and progress is displayed as a circular indicator in the upper right corner.

• 📶 Connect to Wi-Fi (mobile internet may limit speed).
• ⚡ Charge the phone to 50%+ — background loading is suspended at low charge.
• ⏳ Close other apps that consume traffic (such as YouTube or TikTok).

2. Download files to Xiaomi.

On your new phone, open Google Photos and wait until all media files are uploaded to your device.

• 🔄 Tap on your avatar. → Photo settings → Backup and sync and enable the option Download over Wi-Fi.
• 📂 Select albums or folders for priority download (click on three dots next to the album) → Download).

3. Check the quality of the downloaded files.

If compression is enabled on Samsung (High quality instead of Original), photos may be lost in detail.

• 🔍 Compare the file size on both phones (click on the photo in the Gallery) → Information).
• 💾 If quality is critical, transfer the originals through the cable (instruction at the end of the article).

Original (without compression)|High (compression)|Economical (strong compression)|I don't know.-->

Transfer of applications and their data

Google Accounts keep a list of installed apps, but not all data within them is automatically transferred.

1. Restoration of the list of applications.

When you first log in to your Xiaomi account, the system will offer to restore previously installed applications. You agree, this will save time. If this does not happen, open the Google Play Store. → tap on the avatar → Application and Device Management → Established → Remove and restore the necessary.

2. Transfer of data applications.

Unfortunately, Google does not store:

• 💬 Chat history on WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber.
• 🎮 Progress in games (unless they are tied to Google Play Games).
• 📝 Settings for some apps (such as Samsung Health or Bixby).

To transfer this data, use built-in app backup features or third-party tools like Swift Backup (requires root rights).

3. Features of WhatsApp portability.

To bring the chat history back:

1. On Samsung, back up: Open WhatsApp → ⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup copy.
2. Copy the folder. /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases computer or cloud.
3. On Xiaomi, install WhatsApp, log in and restore a copy from the file.

⚠️ Note: If you have already logged in to WhatsApp on Xiaomi without recovery, chat history will be lost.

Transfer SMS, call-book

These types of data are not synced through a Google Account, but they can be transferred manually or through third-party apps.

1. SMS call-book.

Use the SMS Backup & Restore app:

• 📱 Install it on Samsung from Google Play.
• 🔄 Create a backup and save the file to Google Drive or send it to the mail.
• 📲 On Xiaomi, install the same app, download the file and recover the data (Restore).

2. Notes from Samsung Notes. Samsung Notes does not have direct synchronization with Google Keep or Mi Notes.

• 📄 Export each note to the PDF: open the note → ⋮ → Exports → PDF.
• 🖼️ Take screenshots and save them in Google Photos.
• 🔄 Use Microsoft OneNote as an intermediate storage (supports imports from Samsung Notes).

3. Calendar and reminders.

If you have used Samsung Calendar, export the following events:

1. Open the calendar on Samsung → ⋮ → Settings → Calendar management → Exports.
2. Save the file in.ics format on Google Drive.
3. On Xiaomi, import it through Google Calendar (web version or app).

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For transfer SMS and call logs be sure to use third-party apps – Google Account does not store this data.

Transfer problems and their solutions

Even with the right setup, there can be errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

1. Data is not synchronized.

• 🔄 Check the internet connection on both phones (Wi-Fi is preferable to mobile internet).
• ⚙️ Update Google Services: Open the Google Play Store → tap on the avatar → Settings → Update Play Store.
• 🔄 Reboot phones – sometimes it resets the hung sync processes.

2. Contacts are duplicated.

This happens if the contacts are saved in both Google Account and phone memory (SIM-To correct the problem, by map or locally:

• 📇 Open Contacts on Xiaomi → ⋮ → Contact management → Combine duplicates.
• 🗑️ Remove Local Contacts: Settings → Accounts. → Local contacts → Delete.

3.Photos are uploaded in low quality.

If Google Photos is enabled with High Quality Mode, the originals are not saved.

• 📸 On Samsung, open Google Photos → evatar → Photo settings → Backup → Quality of loading → Original.
• 🔄 Upload photos again (pre-delete old copies from the cloud).

4.Applies are not being restored.

If the list of applications is not automatically restored:

• 📱 Check that Xiaomi has enabled the option of Restore applications in Settings → Google → Backup.
• 🔍 Manually find applications in the Google Play Store → Library.

⚠️ Note: If you have used Samsung Knox for data protection (e.g. Secure Folder), these files will not be transferred through your Google Account.

Alternative ways of data transfer

If your Google Account is not suitable (for example, due to lack of cloud space or sync issues), consider these methods:

1. Transfer via cable USB (OTG PC).

• 🔌 Connect Samsung to Xiaomi via USB-OTG Adapter or use the computer as an intermediary.
• 📁 Copy files from folders DCIM (Photos, Downloads, WhatsApp (chats) to your new phone.
• ⚠️ Disadvantages: applications and their data can not be transferred.

2.The Xiaomi Mover app (formerly Mi Mover)

This is the official tool from Xiaomi for transferring data from other Android devices:

• 📱 Install Xiaomi Mover on both phones from Google Play.
• 🔄 On Samsung, select the role of the sender, on Xiaomi – the recipient.
• 📶 Connect your phones to a single Wi-Fi network and follow the instructions.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi Mover does not carry data from some applications (such as Samsung Health or Bixby Routines.

3. Samsung Smart Switch (for PC).

If you have a computer, this method is more reliable than cloud synchronization.

• 💻 Download Smart Switch from Samsung’s official website.
• 🔌 Connect Samsung to your PC and back up.
• 📲 Connect Xiaomi and restore data (you will have to manually choose what to carry).

4. Cloud services (Dropbox, Yandex Drive).

If Google Drive is full, use the alternatives:

• ☁️ Download files to Dropbox or Yandex Drive from Samsung.
• 📥 Download them to Xiaomi through the appropriate app.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)