How to transfer data from the old Samsung to the new Xiaomi: all ways 2026

The transition from Samsung to Xiaomi is not just about brand change, but also about migrating all the data we've accumulated, from contacts and messages to photos and notes, which many users fear, thinking it will take hours or lead to the loss of important information, and actually, transferring data between Android devices can be done in 15 to 40 minutes if you choose the right method.

In this article, we will discuss 7 working ways to transfer data, from standard Xiaomi tools to universal cloud services, learn how to save SMS, call history, application settings and even data from instant messengers. And to avoid typical errors, we have added unique warnings that are not in the standard instructions.

Important: If your Samsung runs Android 10 or later and Xiaomi runs MIUI 12+, the process is simplified with built-in sync features. Older models (like the Galaxy S7 or Redmi Note 5) may need additional steps.

Preparation for transfer: what to do before the start

Before you start migrating, follow the mandatory preparatory steps – this will save time and prevent data loss.

On Samsung:

• 📱 Check out the Android version: Settings → Telephone information → Android version: If the version is older than Android 8.0, use the method with a Google Account or PC.
• 🔋 Charge both devices to at least 50% – transfer can take up to an hour with a large amount of data.
• 📡 Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network (for wireless methods) or prepare OTG-cable (for wire transfer).
• 🔐 Make sure that Xiaomi has disabled the Data Protection feature MIUI (if enabled: Settings → Passwords and security → Data protection.

On Xiaomi:

• 📦 Free up space: Transfer 64 GB of data will require at least 10-15 GB of free space on the new device.
• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🚫 Turn off optimization. MIUI (Can block background processes: Settings → Special facilities → Optimization MIUI.

If you are migrating data from Samsung to Xiaomi for the first time, we recommend using the official Mi Mover app – it automatically detects compatible file types and minimizes the risk of errors. However, additional steps will be required to migrate WhatsApp or Viber (see section 5).

⚠️ Note: If Samsung has enabled data encryption (Settings) → Security → Encryption), some methods (e.g. transfer through OTG) If you do, use Google Drive or PC.

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

Mi Mover is an integrated application on all Xiaomi smartphones designed to wirelessly transfer data from other Android devices.

• 📞 Contacts, call log, SMS/MMS
• 📷 Photos and videos (including Google Photos albums)
• 🎵 Music and documents
• 📱 System settings (wallpaper, sounds, labels)
• 📌 Notes and calendars (if synced with Google Account)

How to transfer data via Mi Mover:

1. On Xiaomi, launch the Mi Mover app (if not, download it from Google Play).
2. Select I am a sender on Samsung and I am a receiver on Xiaomi.
3. On Samsung, scan it. QR-code that will appear on the screen of Xiaomi.
4. Select data types to transfer and confirm the start of the process.
5. Wait until the end (time depends on the amount of data).

Install Mi Mover on Samsung (if not available)|Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network|Battery charge > 50%|Free up space on Xiaomi (minimum 10 GB)-->

Mi Mover can't stand it:

• ❌ Applications and their data (cache, settings)
• ❌ Data from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram)
• ❌ Wi-Fi passwords

⚠️ Warning: If the transfer is interrupted during the file transfer phase, do not restart the process immediately. Wait 5 minutes - Mi Mover can automatically resume the transfer from the cliff site. Forced restart will lead to duplicate files.

3. Method 2: Samsung Smart Switch (for Galaxy owners)

If your Samsung is in the Galaxy series (e.g., S21, Note 20, A52), use Samsung’s proprietary Smart Switch app, which allows you to export data in a format compatible with Xiaomi, but with some restrictions.

Instructions:

1. Install Smart Switch on Xiaomi from Google Play.
2. Connect both phones through OTG-cable (recommended) or via Wi-Fi Direct.
3. On Samsung, select Send Data, on Xiaomi, Receive Data.
4. Select files for transfer (maximum volume per session – 20 GB).
5. Confirm the transmission.

Smart Switch carries:

• 📞 Contacts, call log, SMS
• 📷 Photos and videos (without albums)
• 📅 Calendars and Notes (Samsung Notes)
• 🔊 Sound files and melodies

💡

If Smart Switch doesn’t see Xiaomi over Wi-Fi, try connecting via an access point: on Xiaomi, turn on Modem Modem and connect Samsung to it.

Limitations:

• Applications are only transferred in the form APK-files (without data).
• Data from WhatsApp and other messengers are not transferred.
• With a data volume of >20 GB, several sessions will be required.

Method 3: Transfer through Google Account (universal method)

Syncing with a Google Account is the most reliable way to transfer contacts, calendars, notes and parts of applications, and works on any Android device, but is not suitable for large files (photos, videos).

How to transfer data:

1. On Samsung, go to Settings → Accounts and Archiving → Google Accounts.
2. Make sure that the synchronization is enabled for: 📞 Contacts 📅 calendar 📝 Notes (Google Keep) 🎮 Game data (Google Play Games)

Xiaomi

Google Account

Wait until it is completed (it can take up to 1 hour with a large amount of data).

What is not transferred through Google Account:

• ❌ SMS call-book
• ❌ Photos and videos (use Google Photos separately)
• ❌ Application settings (such as WhatsApp)
• ❌ Local files (documents, music)

To transfer photos and videos, use Google Photos:

1. On Samsung, install Google Photos and enable Backup.
2. Wait for the download to complete (check in Settings → Backups).
3. On Xiaomi, log in to the same account and download files.

5. Method 4: Transfer WhatsApp and other messengers

Data from WhatsApp, Viber and Telegram are not portable by standard methods, and additional steps will be needed to save it.

For WhatsApp:

1. On Samsung, Create a Local Backup: Open WhatsApp → ⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup. Click Create a copy (the file will be saved in the folder) /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases).
2. Copy WhatsApp folder on Xiaomi: Through PC (Connect both phones by USB). Or through OTG-cable (use a file manager).

Xiaomi

WhatsApp

When requested, restore chats from the local backup.

For Telegram:

• 🔄 Use Chat Export in Settings → Data and memory → Exporting chat history.
• 📁 Save the file to Google Drive or copy it to Xiaomi.
• 📥 On a new device, import history through the same section.

For Viber:

• 🔐 Create a backup in Settings → Account. → Backup copy.
• 📎 Link the backup to Google Drive or copy the file manually.
• 🔄 On Xiaomi, recover data when you first run Viber.

⚠️ Note: If you use WhatsApp Business, the local backup is not compatible with the regular version of WhatsApp. Install the same version of the app on Xiaomi as it was on Samsung.

Method 5: Transfer over a computer (for large amounts of data)

If the data is more than 50 GB and the wireless methods are unstable, use a PC (Windows, Mac or Linux).

• 🎬 Video in resolution 4K or 8K
• 📂 Large collections of music or documents
• 📱 Full backup applications (with the help of ADB)

Instructions:

1. Connect Samsung to the PC through USB-cable and select File Transfer Mode (MTP).
2. Copy the desired folders (DCIM, Downloads, WhatsApp, etc.) to the hard drive.
3. Turn off Samsung and connect Xiaomi.
4. Transfer the files to the new device.

To transfer applications and their data, use ADB:

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


adb restore backup.ab

Where:

• -apk — retain APK-file;
• -obb — includes additional data;
• -shared — file-store SD-map;
• -all is a backup of all applications.

💡

Porting over a PC is the only reliable way for large files (>50GB) and full application backup, but it requires ADB skills to save those applications.

7. Method 6: Cloud Services (Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox)

If you have a slow one. PC or not OTG-cable, use cloud storage:

• 📁 Google Drive – 15 GB free, Android integration.
• ☁️ OneDrive – 5GB free, convenient for office files.
• 🗄️ Dropbox – 2GB free, fast sync.

How to transfer data:

1. On Samsung, upload files to the cloud through the appropriate app.
2. On Xiaomi, download files from the cloud.

Advantages:

• ✅ No dependence on cables or Wi-Fi Direct.
• ✅ Data is available on any device.
• ✅ Automatic backup.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Volume limit (free tariffs up to 15 GB).
• ❌ Loading a large amount of data can take several hours.

8. Method 7: Transfer through SD-card (for devices with support)

If both phones support microSD, use the memory card as an intermediary:

1. Put it in. SD-map.
2. Copy the files to the card (use the file manager).
3. Remove the card and paste it into Xiaomi.
4. Transfer the files to internal memory.

Please note:

• 🔹 Xiaomi supports microSD up to 1TB (depending on model).
• 🔹 The transfer speed depends on the class of the card (UHS-I or UHS-II).
• 🔹 Some files (for example, APK) They may not be opened from the card, but they must be copied into the internal memory.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data transfer