Why moving data between Android devices of different brands is not a trivial task
Switching from Samsung Galaxy to Xiaomi Redmi/POCO — It's not just a change of gadget, but a migration between two ecosystems with unique proprietary solutions. S22 → Galaxy S24) It is enough to use Samsung Smart Switch, then when switching to Xiaomi, users are faced with incompatibility of proprietary data transfer tools. The fact is that Mi Mover (analogue of Smart Switch from Xiaomi) does not support direct migration from Samsung newer devices than the other devices. 2021 due to changes in the data exchange protocol.
In this article, we will discuss 5 current ways of transferring – from official utilities to workarounds using cloud services and physical media. Particular attention will be paid to preserving the folder structure, migrating.apk-application files (including cache data) and solving the problem of duplicate contacts that often occurs when synchronizing through a Google account. If you move from the flagship Galaxy S23 Ultra to Xiaomi 14 Pro or from the budget Galaxy A14 to POCO X6, the instructions below cover all scenarios.
Method 1: Official Mi Mover utility (for Samsung devices until 2021)
Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary data migration solution pre-installed on all of the brand’s smartphones (starting with the latest smartphone). MIUI 9) The utility supports transferring contacts, messages, photos, videos, audio files and even some system settings. However, there is a critical limitation: Mi Mover is only compatible with Samsung devices based on Android 10 and below (released before 2021).+, This method won't work.
To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:
- 📱 Make sure that Xiaomi has the latest version installed. MIUI (Check in the settings → The phone. → Updating the system).
- 🔌 Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network (required 2.4 GHz – 5 GHz is not supported!).
- 📲 Download Mi Mover from Google Play (official app).
- 🔄 On Xiaomi go to Settings → Memory. → Data Import and Select "With Samsung".
Charge of both phones > 50% | Disable VPN and firewalls | Delete unnecessary files from Samsung (free up space) |Sync your contacts with Google (backup)
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The transfer process will take 10 to 40 minutes depending on the amount of data, and an important caveat is that if Samsung has enabled storage encryption (the default on new models), Mi Mover may not see some files. → Security → Encryption using the PIN-code instead of pattern lock.
What to do if the Mi Mover is 99% frozen?
Method 2: Samsung Smart Switch + manual export (for new Samsung models)
If your Samsung is released after 2021 (e.g., Galaxy S22/23/24, Galaxy A54/A34), Mi Mover will not work.In this case, the best option is to use Samsung Smart Switch to back up your PC and then manually transfer data to Xiaomi.This method takes longer, but ensures that all files, including.apk apps and their data, are safe.
Algorithm of action:
- Install Smart Switch on PC (Windows or macOS).
- Connect Samsung to your computer via USB-C (File Transfer Mode).
- In Smart Switch, select “Backup” and tick all the necessary categories (contacts, messages, photos, apps, etc.).
- After you have finished copying, connect Xiaomi and transfer files manually: 📁 Contacts: Export from Smart Switch in.vcf format and import to Xiaomi via Contacts → Settings → Imports/Exports. 📷 Photo/video: copy the folders DCIM Pictures in the root catalog of Xiaomi. 📱 Applications:.apk files are in the folder SmartSwitchBackup/apps — You can install them on Xiaomi through the File Manager.
1. Use the original USB cable (not cheap analogues).
2. Enable USB Debugging on your phone (Settings → About Phone → Assembly Number (7 taps) → For developers → USB debugging).
3. Update Samsung drivers on PC through the official website.
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⚠️ Note: When you migrate apps over.apk, your data (such as game progress or messaging settings) may not be saved. For critical applications (such as WhatsApp or Telegram), use the built-in chat export: 💬 WhatsApp: Settings → chat → Backup (saves history in Google Drive). 📤 Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Exporting chat history (forms.zip archive). Method 3: Cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud, Samsung Cloud) The most versatile, but not always reliable method is synchronization through cloud storage. The advantage is that there is no physical connection of devices, and the disadvantage is the limitation on the amount of free space and possible errors when downloading large files. Let's look at three options: Service Volume Free What can be transferred Google Drive Restrictions 15 GB Contacts, calendars, photos (via Google Photos), documents Photos compressed when downloaded in "High Quality" Samsung Cloud 5 GB Contacts, messages, notes, application data Available only for Samsung devices (first need) Export data) Mi Cloud 5GB Contacts, SMS, Photos, records Does not support porting apps and their data To move over Google Drive: On Samsung, open Settings → Accounts and archiving → Archiving and restoration → Archive data and select Google Drive. tick the desired categories and click "Archive". On Xiaomi, log in to the same Google account and restore data through Settings → Google → Recovery. Critical problem with this method: Google Photos by default compresses images to resolution 16 MP (if "High Quality" is selected) to transfer the photo in the original resolution: 📸 In Google Photos settings on Samsung, select “Original Quality” (more space will be required in the cloud). 🔄 After downloading, download the archive to Xiaomi via your browser (photos.google.com) → Photo Photo → Choose all. → More. → Download. Google Drive.|Samsung Cloud|Mi Cloud|iCloud|Other|Don't use the clouds.--> Method 4: Direct transfer via cable OTG If you don’t have access to a PC or stable Wi-Fi, the most reliable way is to connect Samsung to Xiaomi directly through the phone. OTG-cable USB-C → USB-C). This method works for 100% devices independent of the Android version and allows you to transfer files of any structure, including hidden folders (for example,.thumbnails or other files). Android/data). Step-by-step instructions: Buy OTG-plug-in USB-C (male) → USB-C (male) (cost ~300-500 ₽). For older Samsung models with microUSB, you will need an adapter. On Xiaomi, turn on File Transfer Mode (Settings) → Additionally. → Regime. USB Connect the cable: Samsung will act as USB-Xiaomi is like a host device. On Xiaomi, open the File Manager. → Select a connected Samsung and copy the folders you want (DCIM, Downloads, WhatsApp, etc.) to internal memory. 💡When transposed OTG Do not disable the cable until you have finished copying, as this can damage the file system on Samsung (especially if the mode was used). MTP). ⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note) 12 or POCO X5) Samsung may not be recognized as a drive due to protocol conflict MTP and PTP. Solution: Go to Samsung Settings → Connections → USB and select File Transfer (not Image Transfer) if Xiaomi can't see the device anyway, try connecting via an adapter. USB-A (some OTG-Cables require additional power. Method 5: Transfer over a local area network (FTP Send Anywhere, if you don't have one OTG-You can use a cable, but you can have access to one Wi-Fi network, you can use applications to transfer files over a local network: 📡 Send Anywhere (cross-platform application with support for large files up to 50 GB). 🌐 FTP-server (built into many file managers, such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer! Instructions for Send Anywhere: Install the app on both phones from Google Play. On Samsung, select files to send and click "Send" → It generates 6-digit code. On Xiaomi, type this code in the "Get it" field". Wait for the transfer to be completed (speed depends on Wi-Fi, usually 10-20 For MB/s. FTP-On Samsung, open Solid Explorer → side-menu → "FTP-server" → "Run it. Remember the address of the view. ftp://192.168.x.x:xxxx. On Xiaomi, in any file manager, enter this address in the path bar and copy the desired files. 💡To accelerate transmission by FTP Turn off Adaptive Wi-Fi on both phones (Settings) → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Adaptive Wi-Fi: This will prevent automatic switching to mobile data. Frequent problems and solutions Even when following instructions, users often encounter common errors, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them: The Mi Mover solution does not see Samsung incompatible versions of Android or MIUI Update your firmware on Xiaomi or use an alternative method (Method) 2 or 4). Photos moved but not displayed in Gallery Files copied to the wrong folder or missing.nomedia file Move files to Gallery DCIM/Camera and restart the phone. Contacts are duplicated after transfer Sync with multiple accounts (Google) + Samsung) Open Contacts → Settings → Combine duplicates. Applications are not installed after porting.apk Architecture incompatibility (ARM64 vs ARMv7) Download the current versions of apps from Google Play. ⚠️ Note: If notifications from messengers (WhatsApp, Viber) stopped working after transfer to Xiaomi, check the energy saving settings: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management. Select the problem messenger → "Battery" → "No restrictions. Enable "Stop" and "Show notifications". FAQ: Can you transfer data from Samsung to Xiaomi without a computer? Yes, there are three ways without a PC: Mi Mover (only for Samsung to Xiaomi) 2021 year-end). OTG-The most reliable way to connect your phones is to use Google Drive, Send Anywhere — OTG-cable, as it does not depend on the speed of the Internet and the limitations of cloud storage, whether saves from games (for example, Genshin Impact or the Internet) will be transferred. PUBG)? Game saves are usually stored in a folder. Android/data or Android/obb. To move them: Copy the folder with game data (e.g. com.miHoYo.GenshinImpact) on Xiaomi to the same location. Install the game from Google Play (don't overwrite.apk manually!). If the game uses cloud-based saves (e.g., through Google Play Games or Mi Account), log in to the same account. For Genshin Impact, additionally check if your account is linked to mail or HoYoverse Account – without this saving, you can not restore. SMS From Samsung to Xiaomi, if Mi Mover doesn't work? There are two reliable ways: through Smart Switch + export XML: Create a backup copy SMS In Smart Switch on PC. Export messages to.smb or.xml. Use the app SMS Backup & Restore on Xiaomi for import. via Google Drive (only for Android 8)+): On Samsung, enable backups SMS In Google Drive (Settings) → Google → Backup → Messages. On Xiaomi, restore data from the same account. If messages are not restored, check if sync is enabled. SMS Is Face Unlock going to work on Xiaomi if you migrate data from Samsung? No, Face Unlock data (like fingerprints) is tied to Samsung's hardware module and is not portable. On Xiaomi, you'll have to adjust the face unlock again: Go to Settings → Screen locking → Add face unlock. Follow the on-screen instructions (good lighting required). Note: on some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note) 11) Face Unlock only works with you. 2D-Recognition that is less secure than 3D Samsung Galaxy S/Note. Can I transfer the Wi-Fi settings and passwords from Samsung to Xiaomi? Yes, but not all the ways. Here are the working options: 🔄 Through Google Account: If Samsung has enabled Wi-Fi password synchronization (Settings) → Google → Backup → Wi-Fi passwords will automatically be pulled up to Xiaomi when you log in to the same account. 📱 Through Smart Switch: When creating a backup on a PC, tick the box "Wi-Fi settings". 🚫 Through Mi Mover or OTG: Wi-Fi passwords are not portable by these methods due to Android security limitations. If passwords are not moved, use the WiFi Password Viewer app (root rights required) or export them manually through Settings. → Wi-Fi → Saved networks (on some firmware).