How to transfer data from Samsung to Xiaomi Poco F3: a complete guide

The transition from Samsung to Xiaomi Poco F3 is not just about changing the brand, but also migrating all the important data: contacts, photos, messages and even app settings, which many users fear is difficult or risky, and in fact, with the right approach, the transfer takes only 20-30 minutes, and all the data remains intact.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to transfer data, from standard Xiaomi tools to universal solutions like Google Account or Smart Switch. Particular attention will be paid to the transfer of WhatsApp messages, which is often difficult due to the differences in the architecture of Android devices from different manufacturers, you will learn how to avoid data loss when changing accounts and why some files may not be copied the first time.

Whether you're upgrading your smartphone or just trying out the Poco F3 as a second device, this guide will help make the transition smoother. And if you've already started porting and have experienced errors, there's a section at the end of this article that addresses some of the most common problems.

Preparation for transfer: what to do before the start

Before you start migrating data, follow a few key steps that will save you from common errors, such as interrupted transfers or lost files.

First, check the space available on the Xiaomi Poco F3. To transfer all data (especially if we are talking about tens of gigabytes of photos and videos) will require at least 10-15 GB of free space. Make sure that the new device has enough memory or insert a microSD card (if you plan to use it for storage).

Second, update your firmware on both devices. On Samsung, go to Settings → Software Update, and on Poco F3, go to Settings → About Phone → System Update. The current versions of Android and MIUI ensure that portability tools are compatible.

• 🔋 Charging both phones to 50 percent or higher, and it can take up to an hour to transfer data, and discharging in the process will cause a failure.
• 📶 Stable Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data) for cloud-based transfers will require high-speed Internet.
• 🔐 Disable screen locking during transmission. Some tools (such as Mi Mover) require unlocked screen.
• 📱 Backup important data on Samsung via Samsung Cloud or Google Drive.

⚠️ Note: If Samsung has Find My Mobile enabled, it must be disabled before transferring via Smart Switch or Mi Mover, otherwise the device may block access to files.

2. Method 1: Using Mi Mover (the official Xiaomi tool)

Mi Mover is an integrated app on Xiaomi Poco F3, specifically designed to transfer data from other Android devices, it supports the transfer of contacts, messages, photos, videos, music and even some of the app settings, the main advantage is that it does not require a computer and works directly between phones.

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

1. On Xiaomi Poco F3, open the Mi Mover app (if not, download from Google Play).
2. Select the option "I am a new user".
3. On Samsung, download Mi Mover from Google Play and select "I'm an old user."
4. On both phones, connect to the same Wi-Fi network or create a Poco F3 hotspot.
5. Scan it. QR-code from the screen Xiaomi on Samsung for pairing.
6. Select the data types to transfer and wait for the process to be completed.

The speed of the transfer depends on the amount of data and the stability of the connection. On average, 10 GB of information is transferred in 15 to 25 minutes. If the process is interrupted, try re-pairing or restart both devices.

Install Mi Mover on both phones|Connect to a single Wi-Fi network|Shut down. VPN firewalls|Charge phones to 50% or higher|Make room for Poco F3-->

⚠️ Note: Mi Mover does not carry data from some applications (such as WhatsApp or Viber) and will require a separate backup.

Method 2: Transfer through Google Account (universal method)

If you use Google, most of your data is already synced to your account, which is a way to transfer contacts, calendars, notes, photos and some app settings, and the main advantage is that you don’t need to install additional programs.

To transfer data through Google Account:

1. On Samsung, go to Settings → Accounts and Archiving → Account Management.
2. Select your Google account and make sure that sync is enabled for Contacts, Calendar, Google Drive and Google Photos.
3. Wait for the synchronization to be completed (check manually in the relevant applications).
4. On Xiaomi Poco F3, add the same Google account to Settings → Accounts → Add an account.
5. Turn on sync for the same services. The data will start loading automatically.

To transfer photos and videos, use Google Photos:

• On Samsung, open the app, go to Settings → Backup and Sync, and turn on the feature.
• On Poco F3, log in to the same Google Photos account – all media will appear in the gallery.

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If you have slow internet, go to Settings → Data Use before syncing Google Photos and select “Only via Wi-Fi” to avoid wasting mobile traffic.

Method 3: Transfer over Smart Switch (for Samsung users)

Samsung Smart Switch is a proprietary solution for transferring data from Samsung devices to other Android smartphones. Although officially designed for Samsung phones, it can also be used to migrate to the Xiaomi Poco F3 via a computer.

This will require:

• 🖥️ Computer with Smart Switch installed (download from the official Samsung website).
• 📱 USB-cables for both phones.
• 🔌 Sufficient free space on the PC (volume depends on the amount of data).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Samsung to your computer and open the Smart Switch.
2. Select “Backup” and wait for the process to be completed.
3. Turn off Samsung and plug in Xiaomi Poco F3.
4. In Smart Switch, select “Restore” and specify the backup file.
5. Confirm the transfer of data to the new device.

This method is suitable for transferring contacts, messages, photos, videos, music, and calendar records, but applications and their data (such as saving in games) may not be ported correctly.

⚠️ Note: If you are on Xiaomi Poco F3 You already have data, it can be overwritten. Before you restore it, back up your current files on your new device.

5. Method 4: Manual transfer via computer (for large amounts of data)

If you have tens of gigabytes of photos, videos or music, the most reliable way is to manually copy it through your computer, which ensures that no file is lost and you can choose what to transfer.

You will need to:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 📱 USB-cables (preferably original).
• 🗂️ Enough space on the hard drive (if the data is temporarily copied to the PC).

Instructions:

1. Connect Samsung to your computer in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Copy the folders you want (DCIM for photos, Downloads for downloads, etc.) to your computer.
3. Turn off Samsung and plug in Xiaomi Poco F3.
4. Transfer files from your computer to the new device to the appropriate folders.

For convenience, you can use file managers like Total Commander or ES Explorer, which support batch copying and folder comparison.

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Manual transfer via computer is the most reliable way for large amounts of data, but it takes time and free space on the PC.

6. Method 5: Transfer WhatsApp and other messengers

One of the hardest things to do when changing your smartphone is to transfer WhatsApp’s correspondence history. WhatsApp doesn’t support cross-platform porting between different brands (such as Samsung to Xiaomi), but there’s a workaround through Google Drive.

Instructions for WhatsApp:

1. On Samsung, open WhatsApp and go to ⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup copy.
2. Back up your Google Drive account (make sure you have the right account).
3. Install WhatsApp on Xiaomi Poco F3 and sign in to the same account.
4. When requested, restore chats from Google Drive.

For other messengers:

• 📱 Telegram: all chats and media files are synced through the cloud automatically when you log in to your account.
• 💬 Viber: Backup to Settings → Account. → Backup (required Google Drive).
• 🗨️ Signal: Export Chats through Settings → Chat and media → Chat export (save to file).

⚠️ Note: If WhatsApp encryption is enabled on Samsung, no backup will be created in Google Drive. → chat → Encrypting the chat before the backup.

7. Solving common problems in transfer

Even when following instructions, errors can occur, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, try alternative transfer apps:

• 📲 SHAREit – Wi-Fi Direct transmission (up to 20 MB/s).
• 📤 Send Anywhere – generation of a temporary link for download.
• 🔄 Cloneit – a specialized application for migration.

8. FAQ: Answers to frequent questions