Transferring games between smartphones of different brands is a challenge that many gamers face when changing devices. S23 Redmi Note 13 Pro+ Xiaomi 14 Ultra, you can copy it. APK-The game file is not enough: you will lose all progress, purchases and settings. In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to port games with data storage, including cloud services, specialized utilities and manual methods.
The difference between Samsung and Xiaomi is that One UI (Samsung) and MIUI/HyperOS (Xiaomi) store data differently, for example, games with Google Play Games or Xiaomi Game Center are easier to port than local projects without cloud synchronization, and we will look at the options for both cases, as well as the nuances of working with and without root rights.
1.Move over Google Play Games (for cloud sync games)
The easiest way is to use built-in sync through Google Play Games, which is suitable for most popular games (Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile, Clash of Clans, etc.), where developers have implemented cloud-based storage support.
To move the data:
- 📱 Open the game on Samsung and check that your Google Play Games account is connected (usually there is a Sign in with Google option in the game settings).
- ☁️ Download saves to the cloud: some games do this automatically, others need to manually press Save to Cloud.
- 🔄 Install the same game on Xiaomi via Google Play, log in to the same Google account and download saves from the cloud.
Important: Not all games support cloud sync, like PUBG Mobile saves progress through Facebook or Twitter, and Minecraft saves progress through a Microsoft account. Check the documentation of a particular game.
2. Use of Smart Switch (for local data)
Samsung Smart Switch is the official application for transferring data between Samsung devices, but it can also export some game files to other Android devices.
Instructions:
- Install Smart Switch on both phones (available from Google Play and Galaxy Store).
- On Samsung, select Send Data → Wireless Transfer.
- On Xiaomi, select Get Data → Android.
- Confirm the connection and select Application Items and Other Files (there may be game saves).
⚠️ Note: Smart Switch does not transfer data of all games – only those that store files in standard folders /Android/data/ or /Android/obb/. For games with protection (for example, Honor of Kings), this method will not work.
Which games will not be transferred through Smart Switch?
3. Manual transfer of game files via PC
If the game is not synced to the cloud and portable via Smart Switch, you can copy files manually, and this will require a PC and a USB-Type C cable (or an adapter for Samsung DeX).
Algorithm of action:
- 🖥️ Connect Samsung to your PC and enable File Transfer Mode (MTP).
- 📁 Go to the Internal folder. Storage/Android/obb/ (for large files or internal Storage/Android/data/ (preserve).
- 📋 Find a folder with the game name (e.g. com.mojang.minecraftpe for Minecraft) and copy it to your PC.
- 🔄 Connect Xiaomi and paste files into the same folders (obb/ or data/).
A critical nuance: Xiaomi with MIUI 14+ may require permission to access the Android/data/ folder through a file manager (such as Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer). If the folder does not appear, turn on the display of hidden files and give root rights (if there is root).
☑️ Preparation for manual transfer
4. Helium transfer (for root and without root)
Helium (formerly Carbon Backup) is a backup app for applications including games, which works with and without root rights (but with limitations).
Step-by-step:
- Install Helium on both phones from Google Play.
- On Samsung, back up the game (select it from the list and click Backup).
- Export the backup to Google Drive or PC.
- On Xiaomi, import the backup and recover the data.
| Method | Need root? | Supports conservation? | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Play Games | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes (only cloud-based) | ⭐ |
| Smart Switch | ❌ No. | ⚠️ Partially. | ⭐⭐ |
| Manual transfer | ⚠️ Sometimes. | ✅ Yes. | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Helium | ⚠️ Preferably. | ✅ Yes. | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Titanium Backup | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi with HyperOS (new firmware), Helium may not see some system folders. In this case, try using Titanium Backup (requires root).
5.Move through Xiaomi Game Center (for games from Xiaomi)
If you are porting a game developed or adapted for Xiaomi (such as Black Shark versions of games), you can use Xiaomi Game Center. This service automatically synchronizes progress between Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices.
How it works:
- 🎮 Install Game Center on Samsung (available in the APK Xiaomi).
- 🔑 Sign in to your Mi Account (same as you do on Xiaomi).
- 📤 Upload game data to the cloud through Settings → Synchronization.
- 📥 On Xiaomi, open the Game Center and download saves.
Limitation: This method only works for games supported by Xiaomi Game Center (the full list is available on the official website).
💡
If the game does not support cloud sync, but there is a function Export / Import saves in its settings (for example, in Brawl Stars), use it – it is often easier than manual file transfer.
6. Transfer of games with root rights (for experienced users)
If you have root access on both devices, you can use Titanium Backup or ADB-commands for full data transfer, including game system files, suitable for emulators (e.g., for example, PPSSPP Dolphin or games with deep integration into the system.
Example of commands for ADB:
adb backup -f game_backup.ab com.game.package
adb restore game_backup.ab⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB or root can cause data loss or locking of the device. TWRP Or OrangeFox Recovery.
💡
Root methods offer maximum portability control, but require technical skills, and for most users, cloud synchronization or manual file copying is enough.