How to transfer data from Xiaomi to Samsung Galaxy A12: 5 proven ways

Why is it difficult to transfer data between Xiaomi and Samsung?

The transition from Xiaomi to the Samsung Galaxy A12 is not just a change of gadget, but a migration between two different ecosystems. Unlike the transfer within the same brand (for example, from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 13), here you will find nuances: different proprietary shells (MIUI vs One UI), differences in synchronization with the cloud and even limitations at the operating system level. The main problem is that Samsung Smart Switch (the official solution for portability) does not always work correctly with Xiaomi devices due to the closed MIUI protocols.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current portability options in 2026, including workarounds for troublesome cases: when the Samsung A12 can’t see Xiaomi on the cable, messages aren’t loaded or notes are missing. We’ll focus on saving WhatsApp and SMS chats — they’re most often lost when you move. If you’re afraid of losing data, go straight to the backup section.

Step 0: Backup data on Xiaomi

Before you start the transfer, make sure that all data on Xiaomi is duplicated. Even if you plan to use a Smart Switch or Google Account, a backup will save the situation if you crash. MIUI has a built-in backup tool, but it does not save some system settings.

• 📱 Local backup MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Backup. Select System Data, Applications and Multimedia. The copy will be saved in the folder. MIUI/backup/AllBackup internal.
• ☁️ Google Drive: In Settings → Accounts. → Google → Sync enable reservations for contacts, calendar and photos (via Google Photos).
• 💬 WhatsApp chats: Open WhatsApp → ⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup. Save a copy to Google Drive (you will need a Google account linked to Samsung) A12).

⚠️ Note: If data encryption is enabled on Xiaomi (in Settings) → Security, local backup may not be restored on Samsung.

Method 1: Transfer via Samsung Smart Switch (official method)

Samsung Smart Switch is a proprietary migration solution, but it doesn’t work well with Xiaomi, and the problems arise from different data protocols: MIUI uses a modified MTP that is not always recognized by One UI. However, it’s worth trying.

You'll need:

• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (better from Samsung, as cheap cables may not support data transmission).
• 📱 Smart Switch on Samsung A12 (installed by default in the Samsung folder).
• 🔄 File transfer mode on Xiaomi (in the curtain notifications when connecting) USB).

Instructions:

1. Connect both phones to charge (the battery must be at least 50% charged).
2. On the Samsung A12, open the Smart Switch and select Accept Data → Android.
3. Connect Xiaomi to Samsung via USB-cable (use adapter) OTG, if ports are incompatible).
4. On Xiaomi, in the notification curtain, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
5. Wait for Smart Switch to scan the data, tick the categories you want (contacts, messages, photos) and click Transfer.

⚠️ Warning: If Smart Switch is stuck in the “Data Preparation” stage, turn off the Optimization function on Xiaomi MIUI In Settings → It's a known transmission bug.

Method 2: Sync through Google Account

If Smart Switch doesn’t work, the most reliable option is to use a Google Account, which is suitable for transferring contacts, calendar, mail, notes (from Google Keep) and some apps, the main advantage is that the data will automatically be loaded onto the Samsung A12 when you first turn on if you log in to the same account.

What is automatically transferred:

• 📇 Contacts (if synced to Settings) → Accounts. → Google).
• 📅 Calendar and reminders.
• 📎 Notes from Google Keep or Mi Notes (if exported manually).
• 📷 Photos and videos (if uploaded to Google Photos with original quality).

How to check sync on Xiaomi:

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Select your account and make sure the switches for Contacts, Calendar and Disk are enabled.
3. For photos, go to Google Photos → Profile → Settings → Backup and Sync.

On the Samsung A12, after you log in to your Google account, your data will automatically be uploaded within 5 to 30 minutes (depending on the volume).

• In Settings → Accounts → Google is enabled contact sync.
• In the Contacts app, whether Google Book (not Device) is selected.

💡

If Xiaomi has multiple Google accounts, make sure you are logged into the same account on the Samsung A12 that was used to sync contacts.

Method 3: Manual transfer via computer

If the automatic methods don’t work, the classic way is to copy files via PC, the only option that is guaranteed to transfer all media, including hidden folders (for example, screenshots from games or downloads from instant messengers). You will need a computer with Windows, Mac, or even Linux. USB-cables for both phones.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your PC via USB, in the notification curtain, select File Transfer (MTP).
2. Copy the following folders to your computer (they are in internal memory): DCIM (Photos and videos) Pictures (screenshots, saved pictures) Download (downloads from the browser) MIUI (if there are backup copies) WhatsApp/Media (chat-media)

Xiaomi

Samsung A12

SMS

SMS Backup & Restore

Samsung

⚠️ Warning: Do not copy the entire Android folder, as this can lead to conflicts between these applications.

Method 4: Transfer WhatsApp and other messengers

One of the most painful things about changing phones is the WhatsApp transfer. Meta doesn't officially support direct chat transfer between Android devices of different brands, but there's a workaround through Google Drive and local backup. Importantly, this method only works if you use the same phone number on the Samsung A12.

Instructions for WhatsApp:

1. On Xiaomi, open WhatsApp → ⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup copy.
2. Back up your Google Drive (make sure your Google account is the same as your Samsung A12).
3. Install WhatsApp on the Samsung A12 and sign in with the same number.
4. When requested, restore chats from Google Drive.

💡

If you change your phone number when you switch to the Samsung A12, you can’t transfer WhatsApp chats, in which case use third-party tools like Backuptrans (requires a PC).

Method 5: Using Third-Party Applications

If standard methods don’t work, you can use third-party utilities, which are paid, but often save in difficult cases (for example, when transferring SMS, call log or game data).

How to use MobileTrans (for example):

1. Install the program on your PC and connect both phones via USB.
2. Select Phone Transfer Mode → Phone to Phone.
3. Specify Xiaomi as the source, Samsung A12 as the receiver.
4. Tick the desired categories and click Start.

⚠️ Warning: When using third-party utilities, disable the antivirus on your PC – it can block data transmission, taking it for suspicious activity.

What to do if the data is not transferred

If, after all the manipulations, some data is missing on the Samsung A12, don't panic.

1. Check Hidden Folders: Some files (such as screenshots from MIUI) may be in /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots.
2. Update apps: Go to Google Play on the Samsung A12 and update all apps – this can recover lost data (e.g. in games).
3. Check out cloud services: 📷 Photo: Google Photo 📝 Notes: Google Keep or Mi Notes (export manually) 🎵 Music: YouTube Music or SoundCloud

Reset the network settings

Settings → General management → Reset → Network settings reset

If you lose SMS or call logs, try recovering them using SMS Backup & Restore:

1. Install the app on Xiaomi and create a backup.
2. Transfer the backup file (.xml) to the Samsung A12.
3. Install the same app on Samsung and recover the data.

To speed up the process:

1. Connect your phone to charging for 1-2 hours.
2. Reset the device.
3. In Settings → Device Maintenance → Battery, check which applications consume the most power.

If the problem does not disappear after 3 days, follow Settings → General Management → Reset → Resetting (without deleting data).