How to transfer photos from Samsung to Xiaomi: all working ways of 2026

Porting photos between smartphones of different brands is a challenge that every second user faces when changing devices, and this issue is especially relevant for owners of Samsung and Xiaomi, whose ecosystems have fundamental differences in the organization of data storage. Unlike transferring files within a single brand (e.g. between Galaxy) S23 Galaxy A54), where the proprietary synchronization of Samsung Cloud works, when switching to Xiaomi, you have to use universal tools or workarounds.

In this article, we will analyze 7 proven methods of photo transfer, from classic (cable, Bluetooth) to modern (cloud services, specialized applications). S24 Ultra, Xiaomi 14 Pro, Redmi Note 13 and others will learn not only how to transfer pictures, but also how to avoid common mistakes – for example, loss of quality during compression or problems with format compatibility.HEIC (iPhones, but sometimes found in Samsung).

We'll focus on speed, data security and folder structure -- these are critical if you're carrying thousands of photos with a long history. For convenience, we've compiled a method comparison table with 10GB of photo transfer time (see section below). And if you need to move not only photos, but also contacts, messages or applications, there's a bonus section at the end of the article with instructions for full data migration.

1.Photo transfer via USB-cable: the most reliable method

Use of the USB-cable (preferably original or certified) USB-C to USB-C) remains the most stable method, especially if the volume of photos exceeds 5 GB. The main advantage is the lack of compression and maximum speed (up to 480 Mbps when using the photo). USB However, there are nuances: Xiaomi can block access to the file system by default through the use of the file system. MTP (Media Transfer Protocol, and Samsung sometimes requires a developer to unlock for stable transmission.

To avoid problems, follow this algorithm:

• 🔌 Connect Samsung to Xiaomi via cable. On the Samsung screen, select File Transfer mode).
• 📂 On Xiaomi, open Explorer (or Files) and go to the section USB-The photo folder is usually on the way. DCIM → Camera.
• 📤 Select the necessary photos (long pressing) → select multiple files) and click Copy. then go to Xiaomi's internal memory (like Pictures) and paste the files.
• ⚡ To accelerate, turn off the option on Xiaomi Transfer Optimization in the settings USB (if available).

Make sure the cable supports data transfer (not just charging)

On both phones, turn off the power saving mode.

Battery charge for both devices – at least 30%

Check out the free space on Xiaomi (photos are taken) ~3-5 MBT each)-->

If Xiaomi does not see Samsung through the USB, try:

1. Reconnect the cable by selecting Samsung mode PTP (for cameras instead MTP.
2. Update the firmware on both devices (in Settings) → Update of the PO).
3. Use the adapter USB-OTG, If the phone ports are incompatible.

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If the transfer is interrupted on large files (for example,.ARW from SLR cameras, break them into archives of 1-2 GB using the application RAR or ZArchiver.

2. Transfer via cloud services: Google Photos vs Mi Cloud

Cloud storage is convenient when you don’t have a cable on hand or need to transfer photos to multiple devices at once. However, there are pitfalls here: free space limits, quality compression and loading time. For example, Google Photos offers unlimited storage only for photos in resolutions up to 16 MP (compressed to High Quality), and the originals take up space in Google Drive (15 GB free).

Compare two popular services:

Instructions for Google Photos:

1. On Samsung, install the Google Photos app (if not installed).
2. Go to Settings → Backup and Sync and turn on the option.
3. Choose the original (if quality is important) or high (to save space).
4. Wait until the download is complete (you can track the progress in notifications).
5. On Xiaomi, log in to the same Google account and download photos via Google Photos → Photo Photo → Choose. → Download.

Alternatively, Xiaomi’s Mi Cloud is suitable if you plan to use the brand’s devices for a long time, but it is less convenient for initial porting due to the 5GB limit. But there is a feature called Album Sync that preserves the folder structure with Samsung.

3. Wireless transmission over Wi-Fi Direct or LocalShare

If you don't have a cable and the cloud seems slow, use direct Wi-Fi. Modern smartphones support Wi-Fi Direct protocols or proprietary solutions like LocalShare (from Xiaomi) and Quick Share (from Samsung), which is especially convenient because it works on the principle of AirDrop in the Apple ecosystem.

The following steps are provided for Quick Share:

1. On Samsung, open the Gallery, select a photo and click Share → Quick Share.
2. On Xiaomi, turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, then activate Visibility for nearby devices in the settings.
3. On Samsung, select Xiaomi from the list of available devices and confirm the transfer.
4. Accept files on Xiaomi (they will be saved in the Download or QuickShare folder).

Limitations:

• 🚫 Quick Share only works with Samsung One UI 2.1+ (2020 models and newer).
• 📶 Transfer speed depends on the Wi-Fi standard: on Wi-Fi 6 (~1 GB/min, on Wi-Fi 4 (~200 MB/min).
• 🔋 Battery charge drops 10-15% when 5GB of data is transferred.

Po Po Po USB-cable

Through the Cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud)

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi Direct

Special Applications (SHAREit, Xender)

Another way.-->

For older Samsung models (until 2019) or if Quick Share doesn’t work, use LocalShare:

1. Install LocalShare on both phones from Google Play.
2. On Samsung, select a photo in the gallery → Share. → LocalShare.
3. On Xiaomi, confirm the acceptance of files (they will be saved in the LocalShare/Received).

Bluetooth 4: Slowly but without internet

Bluetooth transmission is the most versatile, but also the slowest, and should only be used for a small number of photos (up to 50 pieces) or if other methods are not available, transmission speeds rarely exceed 2-3 MB / s, and with a weak signal, there may be breaks.

How to transfer photos over Bluetooth:

1. On both phones, turn on Bluetooth in the quick access panels.
2. On Xiaomi, make the device visible: Settings → Bluetooth → Visibility.
3. On Samsung, find Xiaomi in the list of devices and pair (may require code entry).
4. In the Samsung Gallery, select a photo → Share. → Bluetooth → Choose Xiaomi.
5. Confirm reception on Xiaomi (photos will be saved in Bluetooth or Downloads).

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Bluetooth 5.0 (available on Xiaomi 11 and newer, Samsung Galaxy) S10 and newer) speeds up the transfer by 2 times compared to Bluetooth 4.2, but still inferior to Wi-Fi Direct by 10-20 times.

Typical problems and solutions:

• 🔄 If the transmission is 99% down, turn off and switch on Bluetooth on both devices.
• 📱 If Xiaomi doesn’t see Samsung, update your firmware or reset your Bluetooth settings (Settings) → System system → Reset → Resetting Bluetooth settings).
• 🔋 To save charge, turn off Wi-Fi and mobile data during transmission.

5. Specialized applications: SHAREit, Xender, Send Anywhere

Fast file transfer applications (e.g. SHAREit, Xender, Send Anywhere) use direct Wi-Fi between devices, which can be up to 10-20MB/s — 5-10 times faster than Bluetooth — and are especially useful if you want to transfer a large amount of data (e.g., 5,000 photos at a time) without cable.

Comparison of popular applications:

Instructions for Send Anywhere (we recommend as the most reliable option):

1. Install the app on both phones.
2. On Samsung, select a photo. → Send. → Create a key (or QR-code).
3. On Xiaomi, enter a 6-digit key or scan QR.
4. Confirm the reception – the photos will be saved in the SendAnywhere folder.

1. Restart the application on both devices.

2. connect to one Wi-Fi network (even without the Internet).

3. Use the hotspot mode on Samsung and connect Xiaomi to it.-->

Warning:

⚠️ Note: Apps like SHAREit and Xender often collect user data (app list, geolocation) and display intrusive advertising. If privacy is important, use LocalSend (open source) or Send Anywhere (encrypted).

6. Computer Transfer: For Full Control of Files

If you need to not only transfer photos, but also sort them, convert formats or compress them without loss, it is more convenient to use a computer (Windows, macOS or Linux), this method is also useful if Xiaomi has little space, you can temporarily save the photos on your PC, and then transfer them in portions.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Samsung to your computer via USB and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Copy the DCIM folder (or selected photos) to your computer’s hard drive.
3. Connect Xiaomi and move files to the Pictures folder or DCIM/Camera.
4. (Optionally, use programs to optimize: 🖼️ FastStone Photo Resizer – for batch size resizing. 🔄 XnConvert – for conversion.HEIC into.JPG. 🗃️ Duplicate Cleaner – to remove duplicates.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔍 Possibility of previewing and sorting photos.
• 🛠️ Control over formats (e.g. conversion.HEIC into.JPG compatiblely).
• 💾 Backup on PC before penos.

Disadvantages:

• ⏳ It takes more time (connect, copy, disconnect).
• 💻 You need to have a computer on hand.

7.Magneto: For phones with microSD support

If both of your phones support microSD cards (which is true for Samsung Galaxy A, Xiaomi Redmi Note lines), this method will be the easiest: UHS-I (up to 100 MB / s) cope with 10 GB of photo in 2-3 minutes, and the usual Class 10 – in 10-15 minutes.

How to transfer photos via microSD:

1. Insert the memory card in Samsung.
2. Open My files. → Memory of the device → DCIM And copy the folder from the photo to the map.
3. Remove the card and paste it into Xiaomi.
4. Find a map in the guide (usually) /storage/XXXX-XXXX) Move the photo to your internal memory.

Important:

• 🔄 If Xiaomi doesn’t see the map, format it in FAT32 (But it'll delete all the data!).
• 📸 Photos will be saved in their original quality, but the folder structure will have to be restored manually.
• 🚫 Do not remove the card during transfer – it can damage the file system.

Modern flagships (Samsung Galaxy) S24, Xiaomi 14 is often devoid of a microSD slot, but can be used for them USB-adapter OTG. The process is similar:

1. Connect the flash drive to Samsung via OTG.
2. Copy the photo onto a flash drive.
3. Connect the flash drive to Xiaomi and transfer the files.

Bonus: how to transfer not only photos, but also other data

If you’re switching from Samsung to Xiaomi completely, you’ll probably need to transfer not only photos, but also:

• 📞 Contacts – export them to.vcf via Contacts → Management → Export to Samsung, then import to Xiaomi.
• 💬 Messages - use SMS Backup & Restore (saves to.xml).
• 🎵 Music and video in the same way as photos (USB, cloud, Wi-Fi).
• 📱 Applications – the list of installed programs can be exported through the App List Backup, but the list itself can be exported. APK-files will have to be re-downloaded.

To automate the process, use Mi Mover (the Xiaomi-branded migration app):

1. Install the Mi Mover on both phones.
2. On Xiaomi, select I am a new user.
3. On Samsung, select I'm an old user and scan. QR-code.
4. Select data to transfer (photos, contacts, messages) and wait for completion.

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Mi Mover portes lossless data but does not support some formats (e.g., Mi Mover,.HEIC Files from Secure Folder on Samsung).

What can't be transferred:

• 🔒 Data from Secure Folder (Samsung) or Private Mode – you must first deactivate it.
• 🎮 Save games – use Google Play Games accounts or manually copy the folder to do this Android/obb.
• ⚙️ System settings (wallpaper, sound circuits) - they will have to be configured again.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions