How to transfer files from Xiaomi to Samsung: proven methods

Changing your smartphone is always stressful, not so much with getting used to a new interface as with the risk of losing important data. The MIUI ecosystem owners who choose to switch to Samsung One UI devices often face the question of compatibility and choosing the right tool. Fortunately, modern technology allows you to make this process as transparent and fast as possible, regardless of the size of your media gallery.

There are several proven migration methods, each with its own advantages depending on the type of data being transmitted: you can use a wired connection for maximum speed or wireless protocols for convenience, and it is important to prioritize whether you want to transfer speed or select specific files.

In this article, we will take a look at all the current methods, from branded utilities manufacturers to cloud storage, we will help you avoid typical mistakes, such as loss of message history or violation of folder structure, preparation will take a few minutes, but save hours of nerves in the future.

Preparing devices for data synchronization

Before any copying process begins, both devices must be prepared in a basic manner, which will ensure stable connection and prevent transmission interruption halfway, and first check the battery level on both smartphones, which should be at least 50-60%.

Both phones should be connected to the same Wi-Fi network if you plan to use wireless methods.Make sure there is enough free space on a Samsung device to host all files with Xiaomi.It is also recommended to close background apps that may consume traffic or processor resources.

⚠️ Note: If you are using a public Wi-Fi network (cafe, airport), data transmission may be blocked by router security rules or interrupted due to an unstable signal.

Remember to unlock both devices before you pair. Some Android security systems require confirmation of access when you first connect to a new device, and it is also worth turning off the power saving mode so that the system does not “fall asleep” at the most critical time.

Use of Samsung Smart Switch app

The most reliable and official way to transfer data is Samsung’s proprietary utility, Smart Switch, which is designed specifically for migrating users from any platform (iOS, Android) to the Galaxy, which automatically determines the type of data and optimizes it for the new file system.

The process starts with installing the app on both smartphones, which is downloaded from Google Play or GetApps on Xiaomi, and is often pre-installed on Samsung, and after launch, you have to choose the role of the device: Send data on the old phone and Get data on the new one.

The app will offer several options for connecting: wireless or via a USB-C to USB-C cable. The cable method is much faster and more stable, especially if you carry gigabytes of photos and videos. The wireless method is convenient if there is no suitable adapter at hand, but it can be senses.

Mi Drop (Mi Share) method for fast transfer

Xiaomi devices have long used the Mi Drop feature, which has now evolved into Mi Share.This tool allows you to transfer files over the Wi-Fi Direct protocol at very high speeds without consuming mobile traffic. To work with Samsung, it is important that support for this standard is enabled on the receiving device.

On modern Samsung smartphones, this feature is often integrated into Quick Share. You need to open a gallery or file manager on Xiaomi, select the files you want, and click the Send button. Your new phone should appear on the list of available devices.

The transmission speed with this method can reach 20-40 MB/s, which is comparable to cable transmission, and it's a great choice for throwing heavy video files or whole folders of documents, but for contacts and calendars, this method is less convenient, because it doesn't structure data, it just copies files.

Sync with Google Account and Cloud

The cleanest way to transition, which does not require installing third-party software, is synchronization through Google Account. If your Xiaomi has enabled synchronization of contacts, calendar and notes, then it is enough to simply enter a username and password on Samsung, so that all data appears automatically.

For photos and videos, Google Photos is the best option. Make sure your old phone has the originals fully uploaded to the cloud. Once you install the app on your new device, all your images will be available in their original quality, taking up space in the cloud instead of in the phone's memory.

This is ideal for those who want to start with a clean slate, keeping only the most important things, eliminating the transfer of system debris and temporary files, which are often copied along with data when cloning the system, but it is not suitable for a full copy of the settings.

Wired connection and file managers

For users who prefer complete control of the process, there is a classic method of connecting via cable: you will need a USB-C to USB-C or OTG adapter. When connected, the phones will identify each other as external drives.

Using a built-in file manager, such as Explorer on Samsung or Files on Xiaomi, you can manually copy the DCIM (photo), Download, and Documents folders, which ensures that no bytes are lost or compressed by cloud services algorithms.

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When copying large amounts of data through a cable, use the original cable from the kit. Cheap cables can only support charging or have a low data rate (USB 2.0 instead of 3.0).

The main disadvantage of the method is that it doesn't automatically sort, so you have to transfer and import.vcf contacts yourself, and you can't move your Wi-Fi application settings and passwords, because they're stored in secure partitions.

Solving format compatibility issues

When switching between different Android shells, there are sometimes problems reading certain file formats or privacy settings. For example, Samsung Gallery may display albums created in MIUI differently.

Sometimes users are faced with the fact that some applications do not open portable files, this is due to access rights in Android 11/12/13/14. You may need to re-authorize applications to access the storage in the privacy settings.

If you have used specific notes or voice recorder apps from Xiaomi, their data may not be automatically transferred, in which case it is recommended to export notes to.txt or.pdf format within the application itself before switching.

Completion of migration and data verification

Once the copying process is complete, don't rush to reset your old phone to factory settings. Do a thorough review of the new device. Check for all contacts, open a few photos from different folders and make sure they're not damaged.

Pay special attention to messengers. WhatsApp and Telegram can be different in their recovery process. WhatsApp on Android, it is important that the backup is made on Google Drive, not locally, otherwise the new phone will not see it.

⚠️ Note: Once the data is transferred, banking applications and some secure services will require re-authorization, which is a normal security response to a device change, not a port error.

Make sure that two-factor authentication is configured on a new number or device if you change SIM-Only after full confidence in the performance of the new smartphone, you can start cleaning the memory of the old device.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)