How to transfer data from Samsung to Xiaomi Redmi

Changing from one flagship smartphone to another is always stressful for the user, associated not so much with getting used to a new interface, but with the risk of losing important information accumulated over the years. The transition from the Samsung ecosystem to Xiaomi or Redmi devices seems difficult due to the differences in the shells of One UI and MIUI (HyperOS), but in fact the migration process is as automated as possible and does not require deep technical knowledge. Modern tools allow you to copy contacts, call history, messages, photos and even placement of applications on the desktop in minutes.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can migrate information, from the regular Mi Mover app, which is the most reliable option, to Google’s cloud services and manual copying via your computer. You’ll learn how to avoid common mistakes like losing passwords from Wi-Fi networks or missing some system apps after you move. Properly preparing both devices before starting the procedure ensures you get a fully configured phone right after you turn on.

You should pay special attention to compatibility of Android versions and the availability of free space, as these are critical parameters for successful completion of the operation. You should not rely on only one method if the data volume is calculated in tens of gigabytes - a combined approach often gives the best result. Below is a detailed guide to help you quickly get comfortable in the new MIUI environment.

Preparing devices for data migration

Before you start active actions to copy files, you need to perform a number of preparatory procedures on both smartphones. First of all, make sure that the Samsung device and the new Redmi are charged at least 50-60% of the battery, as the process of intensive data transfer over Wi-Fi Direct can significantly consume energy.

The second important step is to check for free space on the receiving device. If you plan to carry the entire amount of internal memory of an old phone, make sure that Xiaomi has 10-15% storage available. The file system should be clean, and ideally the device should be just unpacked or reset to factory settings for clean installation.

It’s also worth making sure both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless enabled. Although an internet connection is not required to run local migration utilities, the wireless interfaces themselves must be active to create a direct access point between the gadgets. Check that the screens of both smartphones don’t lock too quickly by setting the display timeout to “15 minutes” or “30 minutes” in the settings.

  • 🔋 Charge both smartphones to at least 60% or connect them to chargers.
  • 📶 Make sure that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are activated on both devices.
  • 💾 Check the availability of sufficient free space on the new Xiaomi Redmi.
  • 🔒 Turn off the screen lock or increase the display timeout for convenience.

Ignoring the preparation phase can lead to interruption in the middle, which requires a fresh start, especially for owners of older Samsung models, where the battery can hold the charge worse, and the stability of the connection is the key to the success of the entire operation.

Using the Mi Mover app for full portability

The most effective and recommended way to migrate is to use the proprietary Mi Mover utility, designed specifically for users who are switching to the Xiaomi platform. On new Redmi smartphones, this application is often preinstalled in the Tools or Services folder, but Samsung owners will have to download it manually. For Android devices not from Xiaomi, the APK version is available, which can be found in official sources or through the built-in application search on the new phone.

The process starts with running the program on a new Xiaomi device, where you have to select the “I’m a recipient” role, and then the phone creates a local Wi-Fi network. On the old Samsung, run Mi Mover, accept the user agreement, and select the “I’m a sender” role. Scanning. QR-The code displayed on the screen of the new phone will instantly link the devices.

⚠️ Note: During the transfer process, do not switch between apps or block smartphone screens, as this can break the Wi-Fi Direct connection and interrupt the copying of large files.

Once the connection is established, the system will suggest selecting data categories to transfer. You can select all items at once or manually mark only the necessary ones: contacts, messages, call history, photos, videos, music and documents. that system settings and passwords from Wi-Fi can also be copied if the Android versions on both devices are compatible.

☑️ Checklist before Mi Mover launch

Done: 0 / 4

The speed of transfer depends on the amount of data and the version of the Wi-Fi standard supported by both devices. On average, transferring 32 GB of data takes 10 to 20 minutes. Once the process is complete, the new phone will suggest restarting or immediately start indexing the transferred files.

  • 📲 Download and install Mi Mover on Samsung from a reliable source.
  • 🔗 Create a couple of devices by scanning QR-code.
  • 📂 Select data types to copy (photos, contacts, applications).
  • ⏳ Wait for the process to be completed without interrupting the connection.

Synchronization through Google Account

An alternative and often more reliable method for transferring basic user information is sync through the Google cloud.This method is ideal for contacts, calendar, notes and even passwords stored in the Google password manager. On Samsung, make sure that all necessary items are synced in the Google account settings, and click the Sync button to force the latest changes to the cloud.

When you first turn on the new Xiaomi Redmi, the system will prompt you to enter a Google account.Using the same email and password, you will automatically access all calendar laws and events.Apps that were installed on Samsung and are available on the Google Play Store can also be downloaded automatically if you agree to restore from a backup.

However, there are limitations to this method: Photos and videos take up space in the cloud, which is limited to 15 GB for free accounts. If your library is larger, then full cloud migration is impossible without buying additional space. In addition, system settings, widget layout and data inside applications (for example, progress in games without cloud storage) are not portable in this way.

What to do if no contacts appear?
If contacts don’t show up immediately after you sign in, go to the Contacts settings, look for Display Contacts and make sure you select the All Contacts option or a specific Google account, not just your phone’s memory.

It’s important to note that MIUI has its own Mi Cloud service system, but it’s more convenient to switch from Samsung to Google’s universal standard to avoid creating unnecessary intermediate copies. Once you’ve set up, you can enable sync with Mi Cloud to back up on your new device.

Manual transfer of multimedia and documents

For users who have a huge amount of high-resolution photos and videos, the fastest way is often to directly copy through a computer. USB-cable, select file transfer mode (MTP) and copy the folders. DCIM, Pictures, Download and Documents on your computer hard drive.

Then plug in the new Xiaomi and transfer those folders to the appropriate internal memory directories. Android folder structure is standard, so photos are automatically determined by the gallery. The good thing about this method is that it doesn't depend on Wi-Fi speed and allows you to control the integrity of each file.

Type of dataLocation on SamsungWhere to copy on XiaomiImportance
Photos and videos/DCIM/Camera/DCIM/CameraTall.
Screenshots/Pictures/Screenshots/Pictures/ScreenshotsMedium
Downloads./Download/DownloadMedium
Documents/Documents/DocumentsTall.

When manually copying, you should pay attention to hidden folders whose names begin with a dot, for example.WhatsApp. If you need to transfer the history of messenger correspondence, simply copying folders may not work without using built-in backup functions inside the applications themselves.

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Use a USB 3.0 cable and a USB 3.0 port on your computer for maximum speed copying of large amounts of data. Older cables can significantly slow down the process.

Migration of data messengers WhatsApp and Telegram

Special attention should be paid to transferring correspondence in messengers, as they are stored in secure databases. For Telegram, the process is as simple as possible: you just install the application on the new Redmi and log into your account by phone number. All correspondence history, except for secret chats, will be downloaded from the servers automatically.

WhatsApp is more complicated. When you initially set up Xiaomi via Mi Mover or log in to a Google account, the system may suggest restoring a backup from Google Drive. Make sure that Samsung has a fresh save in Google Drive in its WhatsApp settings (Settings → Chats → Backup Chats).

If the automatic port didn't work, you can use the Chat Transfer feature inside WhatsApp itself, and when you register a number, you'll be prompted to transfer the story from another device on your new phone. QR-The code that appears on the Xiaomi screen and wait for the process to be completed, it is important that both phones are on the same Wi-Fi network.

  • 📱 Telegram syncs all data automatically when you log in to your account.
  • 💾 WhatsApp requires a backup in Google Drive before changing phone.
  • 🔄 Use the built-in migration function inside WhatsApp when you first install it.
  • 🔐 Telegram Secret Chats Aren't Portable or Saved in the Cloud.

⚠️ Note: Do not remove WhatsApp from your old phone until you have fully verified that all of your correspondence history and media files are correctly displayed on your new device.

Solving and eliminating errors

Users may experience a number of common problems during migration, such as some apps that may not install automatically if they are not compatible with the Android version on the new Redmi or are not in the user region on Google Play. APK-manually or look for analogues.

Another common problem is broken links to files in the gallery. If photos don't open after transfer, try clearing the Gallery app's cache or starting the media scan by restarting the device. Sometimes the file system takes time to index new files.

📊 What data transfer method do you think is most convenient?
Mi Mover (annex)
Google Account (Cloud)
Manual copying via PC
I just buy a new phone and start from scratch.

If you encounter contacts being displayed in duplicates, use the “Joint Duplicates” feature in Google’s Contacts app or the standard contact app. MIUI. This often happens when the contact is maintained and SIM-In your phone and in your Google account at the same time.

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The most common mistake is to interrupt the process during the Preparation phase, and always wait for the file copy progress bar to appear before releasing your phones.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Will the data from the old Samsung be deleted after the transfer?
No, the migration process involves only copying the information, your data on Samsung will remain safe and sound, and the deletion will only happen if you decide to reset your old phone to the factory settings manually.
Can I transfer apps that are not on Google Play?
Mi Mover app will try to move it. APK-files of such programs, but they may not install automatically due to Android security policy.You will have to allow installation from unknown sources in the settings of the new phone and install them manually.
What if the Mi Mover doesn’t see the second phone?
Make sure that both devices are enabled with GPS (geolocation), as in modern versions of Android it is a mandatory requirement for Wi-Fi Direct to work. Also check that the antivirus or firewall does not block the connection.
Is the widget layout on the desktop portable?
Unfortunately, due to the differences in launchers (One UI vs. MIUI Launcher), an exact copy of the layout of widgets and icons is usually not saved. You will have to adjust the appearance of the desktop again, although the wallpaper and application icons can be pulled up from the cloud.