How to transfer data from Android Samsung to Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Why Samsung and Xiaomi need a special approach

The transition from Samsung Galaxy to Xiaomi Redmi/POCO is not just a brand change, but a transition between two fundamentally different ecosystems. Unlike the transfer between devices of the same brand (for example, from the Galaxy S22 to the Galaxy S23), here you will find nuances: from incompatibility of proprietary applications to differences in the structure of file storage. The main problem is the lack of a universal solution: what works for Samsung Smart Switch may not be supported by Xiaomi’s Mi Mover, and vice versa.

Statistics show that 68% of users lose some information when they move between brands themselves — most often it is the history of messages (especially in Samsung Messages) and app configurations. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of migration, including those that are not officially advertised by manufacturers, but work steadily.

Method 1: Mi Mover – the official solution from Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a built-in app on all Xiaomi, Redmi and other smartphones. POCO, It supports Wi-Fi Direct (without the Internet), but there are limitations: for example, not all Samsung models are correctly defined by the system.+.

How to start the transfer:

• 📱 On Xiaomi: Open Settings → The phone. → Mi Mover (or search through the settings).
• 🔄 On Samsung: Download Mi Mover from Google Play (official app from Xiaomi).
• 🔗 Select the role of “Sender” on Samsung and “Receiver” on Xiaomi, then scan. QR-code.
• 📤 Select data to transfer: contacts, messages, photos, videos, audio, documents and even some Wi-Fi settings.

What's not going to happen:

• ❌ Applications and their data (cache, logins) - only APK-Files (and not always).
• ❌ Samsung ecosystem settings (e.g. Samsung Pay, Bixby Routines).
• ❌ Notes from Samsung Notes – they must be exported separately to.sbn and converted.

⚠️ Note: If Samsung has Knox Protection enabled (check Settings) → Biometrics and safety → Other security options, Mi Mover can block access to some folders. In this case, use Method 3 (cloudback).

Charging both phones > 50%|Shut down. VPN firewalls|Connect to a single Wi-Fi network (if you have a Wi-Fi connection) QR-code doesn't work)|Release. 10-15% Xiaomi memory for temporary files-->

Method 2: Samsung Smart Switch (reverse migration)

Samsung Smart Switch is usually used to port to Samsung devices, but with some tricks it can be made to work in the opposite direction. 10+ and Xiaomi MIUI 12+. The main advantage is to maintain the history of calls and SMS/MMS original.

Instructions:

1. On Samsung, install Smart Switch (unless it is installed by default).
2. Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi or use a USB cable (the original USB-C to USB-C is recommended).
3. In Smart Switch on Samsung, select Send Data → Wireless Transfer.
4. On Xiaomi, manually create a SmartSwitchBackup folder in the root directory of internal memory.
5. After you complete the transfer to Xiaomi, use Mi Mover to import data from this folder.

⚠️ Note: If you use Secure Folder on Samsung, its contents will not be visible to Smart Switch. Pre-transfer files from the protected folder to the main storage via Settings → Biometrics and safety → Secure Folder → Additionally. → Transfer of media files.

No, first time.|Mi Mover|Smart Switch|Google Account|Other-->

Method 3: Cloud Backup (Google Drive, Samsung Cloud, Mi Cloud)

Cloud services are the most versatile, but also the slowest way, suitable if you have an unstable Internet connection or devices can not see each other on Wi-Fi, the main advantage is the ability to selectively restore (for example, only contacts or photos).

Step-by-step:

1. Samsung: 📁 For contacts/calendar: Settings → Accounts and archiving → Archiving and restoration → Archive data (select Google Drive). 📸 For photo/video: use Google Photos (enable Backup in the app settings). 💬 For messages: export through SMS Backup & Restore (Save the file to Google Drive).

On Xiaomi:

• 🔄 Log in to the same Google account.
• 📥 For contacts: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronize.
• 🖼️ For photos: install Google Photos and wait for the download.
• 📄 For messages: install SMS Backup & Restore and Restore from Backup.

Critical detail: if Samsung used the Samsung Cloud (not Google Drive), you will need to first transfer data from there to the Google ecosystem. To do this, on Samsung, open Settings → Accounts and Archiving → Samsung Cloud → Data Management → Data Export and select a format compatible with Google (for example,.vcf for contacts).

Method 4: Transfer via OTG + adapter cable

If wireless methods don’t work (for example, because of Knox or older versions of Android), physical connectivity is a reliable alternative.

• 🔌 USB-OTG adapter (to connect a flash drive or a second phone).
• 📱 Cable USB-C to USB-C (if you connect directly).
• 💾 Flash drive (formatted in FAT32 exFAT).

Algorithm of action:

1. On Samsung, plug in a flash drive via OTG and copy the data manually (e.g., a DCIM folder for a photo).
2. Turn off the flash drive and connect to Xiaomi.
3. Use the File Manager to transfer data to internal memory.
4. For contacts, export them to.vcf via Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/exports.

⚠️ Note: When copying the WhatsApp folder (if any), remember to also transfer the file. msgstore.db.crypt14 from /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases. Without it, chat history won’t recover even after reinstalling the app.

💡

If Xiaomi doesn’t see the flash drive, check the format: NTFS is not supported on most Android devices. Reformat the flash drive to exFAT via a computer or special applications like USB OTG Checker.

Method 5: Third-party applications (for advanced users)

If the standard methods didn't work, you can use specialized tools. We tested 5 applications, and the best results were:

How to choose:

• 📲 For full portability (including settings) – Clone Phone.
• 📎 For large files (video, backups) - Send Anywhere.
• 🔄 For transfer between older devices (Android) 6-7) — Xender.

💡

Apps may request access to contacts, SMS, and storage. Check permissions in Settings → Apps → Permissions before using and disable unnecessary ones after transfer.

What to do after the transfer: customizing Xiaomi for yourself

Data portability is only half the battle, and to make Xiaomi as comfortable as Samsung, follow these steps:

• 🔧 Personalization: Set up MIUI Subject: Subject: Settings → Screen. → Topics (download official or custom) Gestures: Settings → Screen. → Full-screen gestures (similar to Samsung Gestures) Notification panel: Settings → Notification panel (set up quick switches).
• 🔒 Security: Set up Face Unlock or fingerprint in Settings → Password and security: Enable malware protection (McAfee on Samsung).
• 📡 Network: Move your Wi-Fi settings from the backup or enter passwords manually. Check your mobile network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access point (APN).

If you have used Samsung DeX, Xiaomi provides similar functionality MIUI+ (requires a Windows 10+ PC).

1. Install MIUI+ from the official Xiaomi website.
2. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (file transfer mode).
3. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (7 times press) → Additional → For Developers.

FAQ: Frequent Problems and Solutions

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