How to transfer data from Samsung to Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro: 5 proven ways

Switching from Samsung to Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro is not just about changing your brand, but also migrating all your data: contacts, photos, messages and apps, which many users fear for fear of losing important information or spending hours manually setting up, but with the right approach, it will take no more than 20-30 minutes to transfer data and all your files will remain safe and sound.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to transfer data, from the official Mi Mover tool to manual copying through a computer. You will learn what method is suitable for specific types of files, how to avoid typical errors (for example, format incompatibility), and what to do if the Redmi 8 Pro does not see your old Samsung.

Whether you’re upgrading from the flagship Galaxy S22 or the budget Galaxy A10, the instructions below are universal for all Samsung models on Android 5.0 and later.The main thing is to prepare both devices in advance and choose the best way to migrate.

1. Preparation of devices before data perenosom

Before you start the transfer, you need to follow a few critical steps, neglecting them can lead to data loss, slow file transfers or even a malfunction of the new smartphone.

• 🔋 Charge both phones to at least 50 percent. Data transfer is a resource-intensive process, and battery drain in the middle of an operation can interrupt it.
• 📶 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network. Mobile Internet is not suitable for sending large volumes (such as video or backups).
• 🧹 Clean up unnecessary files on Samsung. It doesn't make sense to carry garbage (cache, duplicate photos, old APK) - it will take too much time and space on the Redmi 8 Pro.

Pay special attention to the compatibility of Android versions. Redmi 8 Pro runs on MIUI 12-14 (depending on firmware) and supports Android 9-11. If your Samsung runs Android 12+, some system settings may not be transferred correctly, in which case it is better to use Google Account or SD- card (more on this below).

⚠️ Warning: If Samsung has data encryption enabled (Settings → Security → Encryption), cable or Mi Mover transfers may be slower.

2. Method 1: Mi Mover is the official tool of Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a proprietary application from Xiaomi, designed to quickly transfer data from Android and iOS to Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO devices. It supports the transfer of:

• 📞 Contacts, messages (SMS/MMS) and call logs
• 📷 Photos, videos and audio files
• 📁 Documents (PDF, DOC, XLS, etc.)
• 🎮 Some applications (without data, only APK)
• 🔧 Basic system settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, sounds)

However, the Mi Mover has limitations:

• ❌ Does not transfer application data (for example, save in games or setup messengers).
• ❌ Does not work with some manufacturers (e.g. Huawei with EMUI 10+).
• ❌ Can freeze if a custom launcher (e.g. Nova Launcher) is installed on Samsung.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Mi Mover on Samsung from Google Play.
2. On Redmi 8 Pro, open the Mi Mover app (already preinstalled).
3. Select I am a sender on Samsung and I am a receiver on Xiaomi.
4. Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network or use a hotspot.
5. On Samsung, select files to transfer and confirm the transfer.

Install Mi Mover on Samsung| Disable VPN on both devices |Close background apps |Connect to one Wi-Fi network |Charge phones up to 60%+

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The speed of transmission depends on the amount of data:

⚠️ Warning: If the Mi Mover is stuck in the File Preparation phase, try restarting the app and turning off battery optimization for it in Samsung's settings. Also check if the antivirus (e.g. McAfee or 360 Security) is blocking the transmission.

Method 3: Transfer through Google Account (for contacts, calendar and photos)

If you only need to transfer contacts, calendar, notes and photos, the most reliable way is to sync through Google Account, which works even if you don’t have a cable or Mi Mover refuses to start.

Advantages:

• ☁️ Data is stored in the cloud and is available on any device.
• 🔄 Automatic synchronization – no need to repeat the process when changing the phone.
• 🛡️ Protection against data loss (e.g., when a phone breaks down).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Free storage is limited to 15 GB (the original photo takes up a lot of space).
• ❌ Messages, apps and music are not portable.
• ❌ Slow loading with large data.

Instructions:

1. On Samsung, open Settings → Accounts and Archiving → Google Accounts.
2. Select your account and enable sync for: Contact Google Calendar Photos Google Drive (if you need to move documents)

Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Synchronization

Redmi 8 Pro

Google Account

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If you have a lot of photos, turn on the “Saving Space” option in Google Photos (Settings → Storage Management) which will compress the photo to 16 MP, but save space in the cloud.

You can use Google Drive to transfer music and videos:

1. Upload files to the Drive via the app or web version.
2. On Redmi 8 Pro, download files back to your phone’s memory.

Step-by-step:

1. Insert the SD- card into Samsung or connect the OTG- drive.
2. Open the file manager and copy the folders you need: DCIM (photo/video), Download (download), Music (music) Documents (documents) Android/data (save games)
3. Remove the card/drive and paste it into the Redmi 8 Pro.
4. Copy files into internal memory or leave them on the SD- card (if it is used constantly).

⚠️ Note: Do not copy the entire Android folder – this can cause conflicts with system files MIUIYou just carry it. Android/data (save games) and Android/obb (Additional application files).

5. Method 4: Transfer over a computer (the most reliable method)

If you need to migrate all the data without exception (including hidden files, application settings, and system data), the best way is to use a computer (Windows, macOS, or Linux) which takes longer, but guarantees 100% control over the process.

Advantages:

• 💻 You can select any file, including system files.
• ⚡ Top speed (USB 3.0 is 5-10 times faster than Wi-Fi).
• 🔍 The ability to view files before the perenosom.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with USB- port (preferably USB 3.0).
• 🔌 USB cables for both phones (original or quality)
• 📁 A file transfer program (e.g., Windows Explorer, Android File Transfer for macOS or Total Commander).

Instructions:

1. Connect Samsung to your computer and enable File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Copy all the folders you need to your computer (we recommend creating a separate folder, for example, Samsung_Backup).
3. Turn off Samsung and plug in the Redmi 8 Pro.
4. Transfer files from your computer to Xiaomi.

To transfer data applications (such as WhatsApp, Telegram, or games), use backup:

• 🔄 For WhatsApp: Settings → Chat → Backup (saved in Google Drive).
• 📱 For Telegram: Data is synchronized automatically through the cloud.
• 🎮 For games: Use the built-in cloud (e.g. Google Play Games for saves).

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Transferring over a computer is the only way to guarantee that all data is saved, including hidden files and application settings, but it takes more time and technical skills.

Method 5: Transferring data-saving applications (advanced method)

The hardest part of migrating is migrating apps with their data (like game progress, messaging settings, or local databases), and standard methods like Mi Mover don't.

Option 1: Titanium Backup (requires Root)

• ✅ Stores applications + data.
• ✅ Works with system applications.
• ❌ Requires Root rights on both devices.

Option 2: Swift Backup (without Root but with limitations)

• ✅ Works on Android 9+ without Root.
• ✅ Stores data from most applications.
• ❌ Does not work with some system applications.

Option 3: ADB Backup (for power users)

If you don’t have a Root, but you have access to the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), you can create a full backup:

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab

Then restore it to the Redmi 8 Pro:

adb restore backup.ab

⚠️ Warning: Backups created through ADB or Titanium Backup may not be restored to MIUI due to differences in system folder structure. Before restoring, check compatibility on forums (e.g., 4PDA).

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

When migrating data from Samsung to Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro, users often encounter common errors.

If after transferring the Redmi 8 Pro began to brake, follow the following steps:

1. Reboot the phone.
2. Clean the cache in Settings → Memory → Cleaning.
3. Turn off automatic synchronization of unnecessary data (Settings → Accounts → Google).
4. Check if the application updates are loaded with the background.

8. What to do after the data transfer?

To make the Redmi 8 Pro work as efficiently as possible, you can do a few extra steps:

• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🛡️ Set up security: Enable fingerprint unlock (Settings → Password & Security). Set up Google Find My Device in case of losing your phone.
• 📱 Personalize the interface: Set your favorite wallpapers and themes in Mi Themes. Set up control gestures (Settings → Additional → Gestures).
• 🔋 Battery Optimize: Enable Battery Mode (Settings → Battery → Battery Mode) Disable Auto-Run unnecessary apps.

If you have transferred music or videos, make sure they are displayed in standard MIUI apps:

• 🎵 For music, use Mi Music or Google Play Music.
• 🎬 For video, Mi Video or VLC.

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After transferring the data, be sure to check the key functions: calls, SMS, mobile Internet, and GPS. If something doesn’t work, reset the network settings (Settings → SIM- cards and mobile networks → Network Settings Reset).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions