How to transfer data from Xiaomi to Samsung: all the ways 2026

Contents

• Introduction: Why Transferring Data Between Brands Is Not a Trivial Task
• Preparation of devices: what to do before transfer
• Official way: Samsung Smart Switch
• Alternative: Xiaomi's Mi Mover
• Cloud services: Google Drive vs Mi Cloud
• Manual transfer: when automation doesn't work
• Typical problems and their solutions
• Frequent questions

The transition from Xiaomi to Samsung is not just a change of smartphone, but a migration between two ecosystems with different approaches to data storage. While within the same brand (for example, when upgrading the Redmi Note 10 to Redmi Note 12), the transfer is almost automatic, when changing the manufacturer, users face incompatibility of backup formats, different synchronization protocols and even operating system-level restrictions.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods of portability — from official utilities to manual methods — and also warn against typical errors. For example, did you know that when using Samsung Smart Switch with Xiaomi on Android 13+, you must pre-disable the MIUI Data Protection feature, otherwise the program will not see the files? Or that contacts synchronized through Mi Account will not be transferred automatically to Samsung without additional actions?

We have tested all methods on pairs of Xiaomi 13 Pro → Galaxy S23 Ultra and Redmi Note 11 → Galaxy A54 devices, so the instructions are relevant for modern models.If your gadgets are older than 2020, check compatibility in the table below.

Preparation of devices: what to do before transfer

Before you start migrating, follow the mandatory steps on both smartphones, and neglecting them can lead to data loss or incomplete portability.

• 🔋 Charge both devices to at least 50 percent. Data transfer is a resource-intensive process, and battery drainage in the middle of an operation can interrupt it.
• 📶 Connect to stable Wi-Fi. Mobile traffic will not be enough to transfer large volumes of files (photos, videos.
• 🔒 Make sure there are no locks. On Xiaomi, turn off Settings. → Password and security → Data protection MIUI, Samsung Smart Switch will not be able to scan files.
• 🗃️ Clear out unnecessary data. Transferring duplicate photos, app cache, or old messages will increase the time of operation.

Pay special attention to the amount of free memory on Samsung. If you transfer data from Xiaomi to 256 GB Galaxy with 128 GB, you will have to vacate space in advance or use cloud storage as an intermediate step.

Charging both devices >50%|Connecting to a single Wi-Fi network|Disable data protection MIUI|Clearing cache and duplicates|Checking the free space on Samsung-->

⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi has Encrypted Storage enabled (found on models for the European market), Samsung Smart Switch will not be able to read files.

Official way: Samsung Smart Switch

Samsung Smart Switch is a proprietary data migration utility that supports porting from devices to Android 4.3+ and iOS. For Xiaomi, it works with limitations, but remains the most reliable way.

How to transfer data:

1. Download Smart Switch to Samsung from the Galaxy Store (pre-installed on most models).
2. On Xiaomi, install the app from Google Play.
3. Run Smart Switch on Samsung, select Get Data → Android.
4. On Xiaomi, select Send Data → Wireless Transfer.
5. Confirm the connection on both devices and select data types to transfer.

The programme supports the transfer:

• 📞 Contacts (including call histories)
• 💬 Communications (SMS and MMS)
• 📷 Photos and videos (except hidden folders)
• 🎵 Music and documents
• 📅 Calendars and notes

Not portable: applications (only their data if they support backup), system settings, Wi-Fi passwords.

Alternative: Xiaomi's Mi Mover

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s answer to Smart Switch, but with more modest features.The app is designed to transfer data to Xiaomi devices, however, some users have successfully used it to transfer files to Samsung through the intermediate stage.

How it works:

1. Install Mi Mover on both devices from Google Play.
2. On Xiaomi, choose I am the sender, on Samsung, I am the receiver.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 No messages and call logs are transferred.
• 🚫 No support for applications and data.
• 🚫 Transfer speeds are lower than Smart Switch (on average) 5-7 MB/s 10-12 MB/s).

The main advantage of the Mi Mover is the support of older Xiaomi models (up to the Redmi 4A), which may not be recognized in the Smart Switch.

💡

If Mi Mover is “hanging” during the connection phase, try disabling the VPN or antivirus on both devices. Also helps to restart the application with the pre-cleaning of the cache in Settings → Applications → Mi Mover → Storage.

Cloud services: Google Drive vs Mi Cloud

Cloud storage is a universal way to transfer, but with nuances, and the main advantage is that data is stored in the cloud and can be downloaded to any device, including Samsung, minus the limited free volume (15 GB in Google Drive, 5 GB in Mi Cloud) and possible synchronization problems.

Comparison of services:

• 🌐 Google Drive: ✅ Transfers contacts, calendars, photos (via Google Photos), documents. ✅ Cross-platform: Works on any Android device. ❌ It's not. SMS, call logs, application settings.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: ✅ Keeps it. SMS, Call logs, Mi Notes notes. ✅ Seamless integration with Xiaomi (automatic backup). ❌ Mi Cloud data cannot be downloaded directly to Samsung, manual export is required.

The following steps are provided for Google Drive:

1. On Xiaomi go to Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Enable backup for contacts, calendars, photos and other data.
3. Wait for the sync to complete (check the backup folder in Google Drive).
4. On Samsung, log in to the same Google account and restore data to Settings → Accounts and Archiving → Data Recovery.

To transfer data from Mi Cloud:

1. Export the data you need to Xiaomi (e.g. SMS via SMS Backup & Restore).
2. Save export files to Mi Cloud or your computer.
3. Download files to Samsung and import them through the appropriate apps.

💡

Cloud services are the most reliable way to transfer contacts and photos, but for a complete migration (SMS, applications, settings), they will have to be combined with other methods.

Manual transfer: when automation doesn't work

If none of the automated methods worked (for example, because of an outdated version of Android or incompatible models), then manual transfer is left. This method takes longer, but guarantees control over the process.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with USB-port (Windows/macOS/Linux).
• 🔌 Cables. USB-C Adapters or adapters (depending on device models).
• 📂 File management software: Android File Transfer (for macOS), Total Commander or ES Conductor (for Android).

Step-by-step:

1. Contacts: On Xiaomi, export contacts to the VCF file: Contacts → Settings → Export. Transfer the file to Samsung and import through Contacts → Settings → Import.
2. Photo/video: Connect Xiaomi to your computer in File Transfer (MTP) mode. Copy DCIM and Pictures folders on your PC. Connect Samsung and transfer files to similar folders.
3. Messages: Install SMS Backup & Restore on both devices. On Xiaomi, back up and save it to your computer. Move the file to Samsung and restore the messages.

Annexes:

• Use it. APK Extractor on Xiaomi to save APK-file.
• Move the APK to Samsung and install manually (allowing installation from unknown sources).
• 🔴 Note: Application data (e.g. saved in games) will not be migrated!

For Wi-Fi password transfer:

• On Xiaomi, install WiFi Password Viewer (root rights required) or use it. QR-Network code (Wi-Fi settings) → Share).
• Scan it. QR-Samsung camera code or enter password manually.

⚠️ Attention: When manually transferring applications (APK) Samsung Knox may block their installation due to a digital signature mismatch, in which case you will have to look for analogues in the Galaxy Store.

Typical problems and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users encounter errors, and we've collected some of the most common problems and ways to solve them:

If none of the solutions worked, try alternative programs:

• 📱 Clone Phone (from Huawei, but works with most Android devices).
• 📱 Send Anywhere – to transfer files directly.
• 📱 Xender – wireless transfer without volume restrictions.

To diagnose complex cases (for example, when the Smart Switch freezes in the Preparation stage), check the system logs:

adb logcat | grep -i "smartswitch"

This command (executed via ADB on the computer) will show errors associated with the transfer.

Frequent questions