Changing your smartphone, especially from one popular ecosystem to another, such as Samsung to Xiaomi, is often accompanied by questions about privacy. Photos and videos are the most valuable files that are not to be lost. Fortunately, modern Android operating systems offer many ways to migrate data, making it as simple and fast as possible, even for inexperienced users.
You don't have to be a technician to successfully copy a gallery. There are several proven methods, from using cloud storage to connecting directly by cable or over a local network. The choice of the particular method depends on the size of your media library, the speed of the Internet connection and the availability of a computer. We will look at all the current options so that you can choose the most convenient for your situation.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the Mi Mover application, which is often ignored but is one of the most effective tools, and we will also focus on synchronization through a Google account, transfer through a Google account. USB-Each method has its own advantages and nuances that must be considered to correctly display photos on a new device.
Preparation of devices for data transmission
Before you start any file manipulation, both smartphones must be properly prepared, a basic step that can lead to interruption or read errors, and make sure that both devices have at least 50-60% battery charge, as large amounts of data can be very energy-consuming.
Turn on Wi-Fi on both smartphones. Even if you plan to use cable or mobile internet, having a stable wireless connection is often required for authorization and initial handshake of devices. Make sure the new Xiaomi has enough free internal memory to house your entire gallery.
☑️ Preparation for migration
It is also important to check for system updates. Sometimes older versions of One UI firmware on Samsung or MIUI/HyperOS on Xiaomi may have bugs in the data protocols. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update and make sure the software is up to date.
⚠️ Warning: Do not start the transfer process if one of the devices is power-saving mode. It can limit the work of background processes and break the connection at the most inopportune time.
Use of the Mi Mover app
The most efficient and quickest way specifically designed for Xiaomi app owners is the Mi Mover utility.This app is pre-installed on most new Xiaomi models, but if it isn't, it's free to download from the Google Play Market. On the old Samsung, you'll also need to install this app.
The process starts with running the program on both devices. On the new Xiaomi smartphone, select Receiver, and on the old Samsung, Sender, the application will create a temporary Wi-Fi network that you need to connect to, and the good thing about this is that it doesn't require mobile traffic and it works faster than Bluetooth.
Once you connect the devices, you'll be asked to select data types to transfer, and it's not just about clicking "All," but about looking at categories, and we're interested in "Images" and "Video," and the system will automatically scan the memory and show you the approximate amount of data.
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Mi Mover app allows you to transfer not only photos, but also contacts, messages and even some system settings, which significantly accelerates the development of a new phone.
The speed of transmission through Mi Mover can reach high values, but it is directly dependent on the distance between the phones and the presence of interference. Keep the devices close to each other and do not switch to other applications during the process.
| Parameter | Mi Mover | Google Photo | USB Cable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed. | High (up to 40 MB/s) | Depends on Wi-Fi. | Maximum |
| We need the Internet. | No (locally) | Yes. | No. |
| Saving folders | Partial | No (all in one pile) | Complete. |
| Difficulty | Low. | Medium | Tall. |
Synchronization through Google Photos
If you have stable Wi-Fi access and unlimited traffic, cloud sync through Google Photos is one of the most convenient methods, ideally because your photos will automatically appear on your new phone immediately after you log in, without having to keep your devices nearby.
On the old Samsung, make sure that the Google Photos app has Autoboot enabled. To do this, open the app, click on the profile avatar and select "Photo Settings → Autoboot." Make sure you select the "Original" quality if you want to keep your images as high as possible, even though it will take up space in the cloud.
Once all your photos are uploaded to the cloud ("Backup status complete"), take a new Xiaomi. Sign in to the same Google account. Your photos will start showing up automatically as they are uploaded. It's not an instant process, but it doesn't require you to actively participate.
What to do if the photos are not synchronized?
The main advantage of this method is security, and even if something goes wrong in the transfer process, your data is already stored in the cloud, but if you have hundreds of gigabytes of photos, it can take several days to download.
Transfer through USB-cable
The classic method that guarantees 100% control over files and their structure. for this you will need a computer (Windows or macOS) and a good one. USB-This is a technique that's often underestimated, but it's the only one that works if you want to move terabytes of data without compression or loss.
Connect Samsung to your computer. On your phone screen, select USB File Transfer or MTP. Open the Explorer on your PC, find your Samsung device, and go to the DCIM → Camera folder. This is where the main pictures are stored. Copy the desired folders to your computer's hard drive.
Now turn off Samsung and plug in Xiaomi. Similarly, select file transfer mode. Open the phone's memory on your computer and drag the copied photo folders to the appropriate DCIM directory on the new device. The computer simply copies the files, keeping them original quality.
⚠️ Note: When copying large amounts of data through USB Do not turn off the cable abruptly. Use secure device extraction in the computer operating system to avoid damaging the file system.
This method also makes it easy to sort photos by folder, delete duplicates or unnecessary screenshots before uploading to a new phone, and you act as your storage administrator.
Alternative Ways and Cloud Services
In addition to the basic methods, there are other options that can be useful in situations like using cloud drives like Yandex.Disk, Dropbox or Telegram, which, by the way, allows you to transfer files without compression, if you send them as a "File" rather than as an image.
Another option is to use Quick Share (formerly known as Nearby Share), which is the equivalent of AirDrop for Android. If both devices support this technology, you can select a photo in the Samsung Gallery, click Share, and select your Xiaomi from the list of nearby devices. Files will be transmitted over Wi-Fi Direct.
Samsung ecosystem users may be familiar with the Smart Switch app, but Xiaomi doesn't install it, however, if you have the option to use an intermediate device or SD-It's also a viable option. Just rearrange the memory card if the phone models allow it.
Alternative methods are often driven by the lack of internet or specific data security requirements, and local transmission via Quick Share is good because data stays on the perimeter of your devices.
Solving problems in transfer
Users often face typical difficulties in migrating, and one of the most common is the “Not enough space” error on a new device, even if there is free memory, which may be due to the system reserving space for cache and system files.
Another problem is chronological disruption, and when you move photos, they can get mixed up in the gallery, and that's solved by having a.nomedia file in the folders or by having the correct EXIF metadata. If the dates are off, try using a third-party file manager to check the file properties.
Sometimes it's 99 percent hanging, so don't panic, interrupt the connection, restart both smartphones, and try to repeat the procedure by selecting fewer files for the first batch. Breaking up a large amount of data into pieces often helps bypass software bugs.
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If no wireless method works consistently, always go back to the proven method. USB-Cable and computer is the most reliable "old-fashioned" method that works in 99% of cases.
Some older video formats or specific photo formats (e.g. HEIC with iPhone if it is also on the chain) may not be read by the standard Xiaomi gallery, which will help install a third-party player or convert formats.
Organizing a gallery on the new Xiaomi
Once the transfer is successful, it's important to organize the space properly. Xiaomi can group photos by date, place and people, but it takes time to index. Don't be surprised if the thumbnails are slow right after the transfer.
It is recommended to immediately configure cloud sync with Xiaomi Cloud or leave Google Photos as the main storage, so that in case of loss of the phone data is not lost. It is also worth checking the Recycle Bin folder, where previously deleted files could get, and clean it completely.
Now your new smartphone is fully ready to work with your personal media library, you have saved all the memories and got your hands on a modern device, and the right organization of files in the future will save you a lot of time.