How to Transfer Data from Xiaomi to Samsung with All Settings and Programs: Full Guide

Why Shifting Data Between Xiaomi and Samsung Is Not a Trivial Task

The transition from Xiaomi to Samsung is not just a brand change, but a transition between two fundamentally different ecosystems. If within the same line (for example, from the Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 13), data migration is almost automatically thanks to the fact that the data is not only a new model. MIUI Cloud, then when changing the manufacturer, there are nuances: Samsung uses its own services (Samsung Account, Smart Switch), and Xiaomi – solutions based on Google and Mi Cloud. As a result, direct migration through standard tools often results in loss of application settings, call history, or even a portion of media files.

The key problem is backup incompatibility. Backup file created through Settings. → The phone. → Backup on Xiaomi is not recognized by Samsung as recoverable. APK-Application files: even if you copy the folder /data/app manually, most programs will not work due to differences in the Android architecture (for example, Samsung often uses modified versions of the firmware with proprietary libraries). 100% Data – a combination of cloud services, third-party utilities and manual copying of critical files.

Preparing for the transfer: what to do on Xiaomi before the migration

Before you start the transfer, make sure your Xiaomi is ready for the procedure. The main user error is trying to migrate with a dead battery or without a backup. This can lead to data loss if the failure occurs.

Backup to Mi Cloud (even if you don’t plan to use it)

Charge both phones to at least 50%

Delete unnecessary files (cache, duplicate photos) to speed up the process

Record logins/passwords from accounts (Mi Account, Google, social networks)

Disable the screen lock (if you use it) PIN/graphical)-->

Pay special attention to synchronizing contacts and calendars. Xiaomi saves them in Mi Account by default, but Samsung can't directly import data from there.

1. Open Contacts → Settings → Contact Management.
2. Choose Export/Import → Export to a file and save contacts in.vcf format to a memory card or internal memory.
3. Repeat the operation for the calendar through the calendar → Settings → Import/Export (.ics format).

💡

If you have dual apps installed, export each account separately, for example, for WhatsApp, this is done through Settings. → chat → Backup copy.

Don’t forget about local storage applications (for example, 1Password, Keepass, or offline save games, their data doesn't move through the cloud, they'll need to manually copy folders from the cloud. /Android/data/[package_name] or /Android/obb.

Samsung’s Smart Switch 1: Official, but Not Perfect

Samsung Smart Switch is a proprietary migration utility that works both on cable and Wi-Fi. It supports the transfer of contacts, messages, photos, videos, music and even certain settings (for example, wallpaper or alarm clocks).

• 🚫 Does not transfer installed applications (only their data, if APK It is already installed on the new device).
• 🚫 Ignores system settings (power saving modes, gestures, screen settings).
• 🚫 May “lose” messages from some messengers (for example, Viber or Telegram).

How to use Smart Switch:

1. Install the app on both phones from Google Play or Galaxy Store.
2. On Samsung, select Accept Data → Android.
3. On Xiaomi, start sending data → Connect to Samsung.
4. Select the method of connection: Cable (requires an adapter) USB-C to USB-C or OTG). Wi-Fi (both phones must be on the same network).

Check the data category for transfer and wait for completion.

If the Smart Switch is “hanging” during the connection stage, try:

• Shut down. VPN Power saving mode on both devices.
• Use the original cable from Samsung (cheap cables may not support data transfer).
• Reboot both phones before trying again.

Method 2: Mi Mover – Xiaomi’s alternative (with limitations)

Mi Mover is the Smart Switch, but it's from Xiaomi. It's built into the firmware. MIUI It's supposed to be able to transfer data to any Android device, but in practice, it works in an unstable way with Samsung, often interrupting the connection or transferring data in part.

How to start Mi Mover:

1. On Xiaomi go to Settings → The phone. → Backup → Mi Mover.
2. On Samsung, install Mi Mover from Google Play (if there is one, the app is often removed from stores for the convenience of the user).-Xiaomi device).
3. Select the role of Sender on Xiaomi and Recipient on Samsung.

If Mi Mover doesn’t find Samsung in the list of devices:

• 🔄 Reboot both phones and repeat the search.
• 📶 Disable mobile data on both devices (sometimes) 4G/5G Interfering with Wi-Fi Direct).
• 🔧 Enable the developer mode on Samsung and activate the debugging mode. USB (Sometimes it helps to stabilize the connection).

Method 3: Manual transfer via Google Account and cloud services

If the official utilities fail, you have to do a phased manual transfer, which is the most time-consuming, but it guarantees that all the data is safe.

1. Contacts and calendar: Export them to.vcf/.ics (As described above) and import to Samsung via Contacts → Settings → Imports/Exports.
2. Photo and video: Copy folders DCIM, Pictures and Movies on PC or external drive, then transfer to Samsung. Use Google Photos to speed up (enable Backup and Sync on Xiaomi, then log in to the same account on Samsung).
3. Communications SMS/MMS: Use the app. SMS Backup & Restore (available on Google Play) creates a backup in.xml format, which can then be restored on Samsung.
4. Applications and their data: For portability APK Swift Backup (requires root rights) or Titanium Backup (obsolete but working method) is suitable for settings — ADB backup (adb backup command) -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab).

For WhatsApp and other messengers:

• 📱 Create a local backup in the application settings.
• 📁 Copy the folder. /sdcard/WhatsApp on Samsung (same way).
• 🔄 Install WhatsApp on your new phone and restore data when you first start up.

💡

Do not use Google Drive to transfer WhatsApp backups between different brands.The app may block recovery due to mismatched device identifiers.

There's no manual portability for the system settings (wallpaper, sounds, gestures) -- you'll have to reconfigure them, but you can save some settings.

Method 4: Transfer over PC (most reliable, but longest)

If you have more than 50GB of data, or you want to be guaranteed to save everything, use intermediate copying to your computer, which takes longer, but minimizes the risk of loss of information.

Tools required:

• 🖥️ PC Windows/Mac and free disk space.
• 🔌 Cables. USB-C (preferably original).
• 📂 Programs: Android File Transfer (for Mac), Mi PC Suite (optional), Samsung Smart Switch for PC.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your PC in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Copy the following folders on your PC: /storage/emulated/0/DCIM /storage/emulated/0/Pictures /storage/emulated/0/Download /storage/emulated/0/Android/data (Only for applications with local storage) /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb
3. Export. SMS, call logs and contacts through specialized programs (e.g. MobileTrans or Dr.Fone).
4. Connect Samsung to your PC and transfer the copied data to the appropriate folders.
5. Install the missing apps through Google Play or Galaxy Store.

💡

To speed up copying large files (video, games) use archiving. compress folders to.zip on your PC, then unpack them to Samsung using the file. RAR for Android or ZArchiver.

If the PC does not see Xiaomi mode MTP:

• 🔄 Switch the connection mode in the notification curtain (from Charging to File Transfer).
• 🔧 Install Mi drivers PC Suite (even if you don’t use it).
• 🖱️ Try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 3.0).

What to do if the application does not work after transfer

Even if you successfully transferred APK-files and data, some applications can give out errors:

For offline save games (e.g. Genshin Impact, Honor of Kings):

• 🎮 Copy the folder with the saves (usually) /Android/obb/[game_package] or /Android/data/[game_package]/files).
• 📲 Install the game on Samsung via Google Play.
• 🔄 Replace the save files in the new game folder (pre-backup the original files!).

If the application requires a license (for example, paid programs from Google Play):

⚠️ Attention: Transfer APK-Buying apps without a license can result in account locking.Always install paid programs via Google Play on a new device to avoid Google Play Protect issues.

Samsung Optimizes After Data Transfer

After a successful migration, Samsung may be able to run slower due to fragmented data or setting conflicts to return the device to performance.

• 🧹 Clear the cache of system applications: Settings → Annexes → ⋮ → Clear the cache for everyone.
• 🔄 Restart your phone in Safe Mode (click the switch off button) → Restart in Safe Mode, then return to normal mode.
• 📉 Disable unnecessary system services: Settings → Annexes → ⋮ → Show system-based → Disable (e.g. Samsung Free, Bixby, if not used).
• 🔋 Optimize the battery: Settings → Maintenance of the device → Battery → Settings → Adaptive battery.

For advanced users:

• 🛠️ Install Good Lock from the Galaxy Store for fine-tuning the interface (One) UI).
• 📊 Use Package Disabler Pro to disable pre-installed Samsung apps (takes care!).
• 🔒 Set up Secure Folder to store sensitive data: Settings → Biometrics and safety → Secure Folder.

If the battery is quickly discharged after transfer:

⚠️ Note: Samsung may experience increased charge consumption in the first 2-3 days after the migration, due to file indexing and data synchronization in the background. If the problem persists longer, check Settings → Maintenance of the device → Battery → Using a battery for "gluttonous" applications.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data transfer from Xiaomi to Samsung