How to Transfer Photos from Samsung Phone to Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to Comparing All Methods

The transition from Samsung to Xiaomi is not only about changing interfaces and functions, but also about moving personal data. Photos tend to take up the most space and have the most value. Unlike contacts or notes, sharing them requires special attention: preserving the quality of the images, avoiding waste and not spending hours on the process.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to transfer photos from Samsung Galaxy (including models). S23 Ultra, A54, S22+ and others on any Xiaomi smartphone (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 13, etc. You will learn which method is the fastest, which is the most reliable, and which will work if you do not have a computer or Internet at hand, we will also compare the speed of transmission, possible limitations and give tips on how to optimize the process.

Preparation for transfer: what to do before the start

Before you start transferring photos, follow a few key steps to avoid errors and speed up the process:

• 📱 Check the space available on Xiaomi: if there are a lot of photos (for example, 20 photos)+ GB), make sure the new phone has enough memory. Use Settings → Memory for analysis.
• 🔋 Charge both phones to at least 50%: transferring large amounts of data drains the battery faster than usual.
• 🔒 Turn off screen locking (if possible) or increase autolock time: this will eliminate the need to constantly unlock devices during transmission.
• 📡 Connect to stable Wi-Fi (for cloud methods): Mobile internet may not be able to handle large files.

Pay special attention to the format of photos. Modern Samsung (starting with the Galaxy) S20) often save pictures in format HEIF/HEIC (Not all Xiaomi models open them correctly without additional codecs:

⚠️ Note: If your Samsung saves your photo in HEIC, Before transferring them, convert them to JPEG via Galery (Edit) → Save how JPEG). This ensures compatibility with any Xiaomi.

2. Method 1: Transfer over OTG cable (fastest method)

Cable use OTG (adapter USB-C to USB-C) — This is the fastest way to transfer photos directly between phones, and it can go up to 40-60 MB/s (depending on the version). USB), This is 5-10 times faster than Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and it's suitable for large archives (100).+ GB) without loss of quality and without third-party services.

You'll need:

• 🔌 Cable OTG (adapter USB-C to USB-C new-model).
• 📁 File Manager on both phones (e.g. Mi File Manager on Xiaomi and My Files on Samsung).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the OTG cable to Xiaomi (host device).
2. Connect Samsung to the other end of the cable. On the Samsung screen, select File Transfer Mode (MTP).
3. On Xiaomi, open Mi File Manager → Go to section USB-The storage device (will appear after connection).
4. Find the file. DCIM → Camera (or Pictures) on Samsung.
5. Select the photos you need (or the entire folder) → press Copy.
6. Return to the Xiaomi root directory, select a folder to save (for example, DCIM) → Insert.

The transfer speed depends on the USB version:

⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi does not see Samsung through OTG, Check: The cable should support OTG (not USB-The cables fit!. on Samsung in Settings → Connected devices → USB File Transfer mode must be selected on some Xiaomi models (e.g., file transfer mode, POCO F4) need to be included USB-debugging → The phone. → Version. MIUI (7 times press) → Additionally. → For developers.

Method 2: Computer Transfer (Reliable and Universal)

If you have a computer (or laptop) with USB-So this is going to be a middle ground between speed and reliability, and it's going to be able to carry any amount of data, and it doesn't require any additional applications, and the main advantage is that you can look at and sort photos before you copy them on Xiaomi.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 Two. USB-cable (or one if carried alternately).
• 📁 Enough space on the hard disk (temporary storage).

Instructions for Windows:

1. Connect Samsung to your computer via USB. Select File Transfer Mode (MTP).
2. Open the Conductor. → Go to this computer. → [Samsung model].
3. Find the file. DCIM → Camera (or Pictures) and copy the photos to your computer (for example, to your desktop).
4. Disable Samsung, connect Xiaomi (also in mode) MTP).
5. Transfer the photos from your computer to your folder DCIM or Pictures on Xiaomi.

💡

If photos are not copied due to the error "File is too big for the target file system", format the flash drive or drive on Xiaomi in exFAT format (supports files). >4GB).

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ You can edit photos before transfer (turning, cropping, converting to a new one). JPEG).
• ✅ There are no limits on volume (unlike cloud services).
• ✅ It works even if the phone doesn’t support it. OTG.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Computer required.
• ❌ It takes longer if there is a lot of data (dual copying).

4. Method 3: Cloud Services (Google Photos, Mi Cloud, Yandex Drive)

Cloud services are convenient if you have a stable Internet connection and don't have to carry hundreds of gigabytes; they allow you to transfer photos wirelessly and even remotely (for example, if the phones are in different places); but there are nuances: volume limitations, possible loss of quality, and dependence on Internet speed.

Compare popular services:

Instructions for Google Photos (recommended option):

1. On Samsung, install Google Photos (if not installed).
2. Open the app. → tap on the avatar → Photo settings → Backup and synchronization → turn on.
3. Choose Original Quality (if it is important to keep resolution) or High Quality (free but compressed to 16 MP).
4. Wait until the loading is complete (may take hours with a large volume).
5. On Xiaomi, log in to the same Google account → Open Google Photos → Choose the photos → Save it to the device.

⚠️ Note: When using High Quality in Google Photos, photos with a resolution above 16 MP will be reduced. S23 Ultra (200 MP) or Xiaomi 13 Pro (50 MP) – Use original quality even if you have to pay for the seat.

5. Method 4: Transmission over Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth (without the Internet)

If you don't have a cable, a computer or access to the cloud, you can use wireless technology, which is suitable for transferring a small number of photos (up to 1-2 GB), because the speed is limited:

• Wi-Fi Direct: ~5-10 MB/s (faster than Bluetooth, but not all models support Bluetooth).
• Bluetooth: ~1–3 MB/s (very slow for large files).

Instructions for Wi-Fi Direct:

1. On Samsung, open Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi Direct.
2. On Xiaomi, go to Settings → Wi-Fi → Additional → Wi-Fi Direct.
3. Select Samsung from the list of available devices on Xiaomi and confirm your connection.
4. On Samsung, open Galery, highlight photos → Share. → Wi-Fi Direct → Choose Xiaomi.
5. Take the files to Xiaomi.

Instructions for Bluetooth:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on both phones and pair them.
2. On Samsung in Galery highlight photos → Share. → Bluetooth → Choose Xiaomi.
3. Confirm acceptance on Xiaomi.

💡

Wi-Fi Direct is 3-5 times faster than Bluetooth, but both methods are not suitable for transferring large archives (from 5 GB).

Warnings:

• 🚫 Do not interrupt the transfer – this can cause file damage.
• 🔋 Battery charge will be used faster due to active Wi-Fi/Bluetooth.
• 📶 The distance between phones should not exceed 10 meters (for Wi-Fi Direct).

6. Method 5: Applications for file transfer (ShareMe, Xender, Snapdrop)

Specialty file sharing apps often offer faster speeds than standard Android tools and support transfer without size restrictions.

• 📲 ShareMe (from Xiaomi) – optimized for Xiaomi devices, speeds up to 20 MB/s.
• 📲 Xender – cross-platform solution, works without the Internet.
• 🌐 Snapdrop – web service (does not require installation), transfer via browser.

Instructions for ShareMe:

1. Install ShareMe on both phones (available from Google Play and Mi App Store).
2. On Samsung, select Send, on Xiaomi, Receive.
3. Scan it. QR-Xiaomi code from Samsung screen (or connect manually through device search).
4. Select photos on Samsung and click Send.

Comparison of annexes:

⚠️ Note: When using Xender or similar applications, disable battery optimization for them in Android settings. Otherwise, the transfer may be interrupted due to background restriction: Settings → Annexes → [Title of the annex] → Battery → No restrictions.

7. How to transfer photos to the specifics of Xiaomi

Xiaomi has a few features to consider when transferring photos:

1.Folder. DCIM default:

Unlike Samsung, where photos can be stored in the DCIM/Camera or Pictures, on Xiaomi's main folder — DCIM/Camera. If you move photos to another folder (like Downloads), they may not appear in the standard Gallery:

• Open Mi File Manager.
• Move the files to DCIM/Camera.
• Update the Gallery (pull down for an update).

2. Format HEIC:

As mentioned earlier, Xiaomi may not be able to open correctly. HEIC-Solutions, solutions:

• 📱 Convert to JPEG on Samsung before transfer.
• 🖥 Install on Xiaomi codec HEIF Image Extensions from Google Play.
• 🌐 Use cloud services (e.g. Google Photos automatically converts) HEIC into JPEG).

Optimization of memory:

After transferring photos to Xiaomi, it is recommended to:

• 🗑 Clear the Gallery cache (Settings) → Annexes → gallery → Memory. → Clear the cache).
• 📊 Check the occupied space in Settings → Memory and, if necessary, transfer files to a memory card (if supported).

💡

On Xiaomi, you can enable Auto Sort in the Gallery: it groups photos by date and event, making it easier to search. → Settings → Categories.

8. Frequent errors and their solutions

When you move photos, you often have a problem with the typical problems, and here's how to solve them:

1. Phones can't see each other through the phone. OTG/USB:

• Check the cable (should be supported) OTG and MTP).
• On Samsung in Settings → Connected devices → USB Select File Transfer.
• On Xiaomi, turn it on. USB-debugging (see section 2).

2. The photos are not copied (the error "File corrupted"):

• Try copying files one by one, and a particular image may have been damaged.
• Use a different transmission method (e.g. a computer instead of a computer). OTG).
• Check the file system on Xiaomi: if it is FAT32, She doesn't support files. >4GB. Format your memory card in exFAT.

3. Slow transmission Wi-Fi/Bluetooth:

• Make sure that the phones are close by (within 1-2 meters).
• Disable other devices connected to Wi-Fi (they may interfere).
• Close the background applications that consume the Internet (for example, YouTube, instant messengers).

4. Google Photos does not upload photos:

• Check if there is enough space in your Google account (15 GB for all services).
• Turn off traffic savings in Google Photos settings.
• Update the app to the latest version.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions