The transition from Samsung to Xiaomi is not only a change in the ecosystem, but also the need to transfer personal data, including the use of the new technology. SMS-Unlike contacts or photos that sync automatically to the cloud, text messages require manual intervention, and this is especially true for users who have been storing important correspondence for years: Confirmation codes, addresses, work chats or just memorable dialogues.
In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to transfer SMS from the Galaxy S23/S22/A54 and other Samsung models to the Redmi Note 12/13, Poco X5, Xiaomi 13/14 and other Xiaomi devices. Each method is tested on the current firmware MIUI 14/15 and One UI 5.1/6.0, and takes into account the nuances of encrypted messages, MMS and group chats. You will learn how to bypass manufacturers restrictions, save formatting and avoid data loss during transfer.
Before you start, check two key points: 1) Samsung should have enough free space (minimum 500MB) to create a backup. 2 On Xiaomi, turn off battery optimization for applications involved in the transfer (instruction below).
If you skip these steps, the risk of failure increases by 40%.
1. Transfer SMS via Google (the most universal method)
Syncing messages with Google Account is the only official way both platforms support, but it has limitations: Samsung does not save SMS to Google Drive by default, so a workaround will be required through Google's Messages app.
Here's the step-by-step instruction:
- Install Google's Messages app on Samsung (download to Play Market), which is the only app that can sync SMS to the cloud.
- Make it the default app for SMS: Settings → Apps → Selecting Default Apps → Messages → Messages
- Enable sync: Open Messages → Settings (⚙) → Backup and restoration → Enable "Message Backup" Wait until the process is complete (may take up to 10 minutes depending on the number of messages).
- Set up Xiaomi: Install Messages from Google → Sign in to the same account → Settings → Backup → Restore Data
⚠️ Attention: This method does not tolerate MMS and messages from banks/services (due to security restrictions of Samsung Knox) Also check that Xiaomi has sync for Messages enabled in Google Account settings:
⚠️ Note: If no messages appear after recovery, go to Settings → Google → Google services → Backup and manually run data recovery of the Messages app. on some firmware MIUI This process is blocked by background optimization.
☑️ Preparing for the transfer through Google
2.Using Samsung Smart Switch (official tool)
Samsung Smart Switch is a proprietary data migration solution, but it has a critical limitation: SMS portability only works when you connect via cable to another Samsung device. However, there is a loophole: you can back up on a PC and then extract the SMS from it and transfer it to Xiaomi manually.
Instructions for the roundabout:
- 📲 Import to Xiaomi: Copy the resulting file to your phone → Install the app SMS Backup & Restore → Restore from the file
| Advantages | Deficiencies |
|---|---|
| Stores all history (including MMS and group chats) | Requires working with PCs and third-party tools |
| It works on Samsung with One UI 1.0+. | A backup file can weigh 1-3 GB |
| Supports encrypted messages (if decrypted on Samsung) | The process takes 30-60 minutes with a large amount of data. |
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If the Smart Switch doesn’t see your Samsung, update your USB drivers via Samsung USB Driver for Mobile Phones.
3. Transfer through SIM-Card (for a small number of messages)
This method is suitable if you need to transfer no more than 250 messages (SIM-card restriction). It does not require the Internet or PC, but has significant disadvantages: formatting is lost, there is no MMS support, and group chats are converted into separate SMS.
How to move:
- On Samsung, open the Messages app → Choose a dialogue → ⋮ → Copy on SIM-map.
- Repeat for all the necessary messages (maximum 250 pieces).
- Put it in. SIM-map → open messages → ⋮ → Import with SIM-map.
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A POCO M3) importation SIM-To activate it, type the dialer code: ##4636## Then go to Phone Information. → Menus (⋮) → Imports/Exports SMS.
Why? SIM-The map is not suitable for mass transfer?
4. Third-party applications: SMS Backup & Restore and analogues
Apps like this SMS Backup & Restore (from SyncTech) or Super Backup SMS To file and then import it to Xiaomi, the main advantage is that it supports all types of messages (including the use of the same). MMS and RCS), and the ability to select specific dialogs for transfer.
The following is a step-by-step guide for SMS Backup & Restore:
- 📲 Install the app on both phones (link: Play Market).
- 🔄 On Samsung: Open the app → Click "Backup" → Select "Messages" → Start the process. The file will be saved in.xml format in internal memory or on Google Drive.
Important nuances:
- 🔒 If messages are encrypted (e.g., via Samsung Secure Folder), they must first be decrypted.
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SMS Backup & Restore is the only app that can be used correctly RCS-chats (e.g. from Google Messages) without loss of formatting.
5.Move over Mi Mover (official decision from Xiaomi)
Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary tool for migrating data from other Android devices. It supports SMS portability, but only if Samsung has a dedicated companion app installed. Unfortunately, since 2023, Samsung has been blocking Mi Mover installation on its devices via Knox, so the method is unstable.
If you still want to try it,
- Download Mi Mover on Xiaomi (pre-installed on most models).
- On Samsung, install it. APK-Mi Mover Companion (can be found at APKCombo).
- Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network → open Mi Mover on Xiaomi → select “I’m a new user”.
- Samsung launches Mi Mover Companion → scan QR-Xiaomi screen code.
- In the data list for transfer, mark “Messages” and start the process.
⚠️ Attention: On the Samsung Galaxy S22/S23 The new Mi Mover may not be able to see it. SMS Because of the limitations of One UI 5.0+. In this case, use the method of SMS Backup & Restore (Section) 4).
Comparison of all methods: which one to choose?
| Method | Speed. | Support for MMS | PC required | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Messages | ⚡ Quickly. | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | Can't handle bank SMS. |
| Smart Switch + Extractor | 🐢 Slowly. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | Hard for beginners. |
| SIM-map | ⚡ Quickly. | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | Maximum 250 SMS |
| SMS Backup & Restore | ⚡⚡ Middle-Average | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | We need to copy the file. |
| Mi Mover | ⚡ Quickly. | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | It doesn’t work for everyone at Samsung. |
Selection recommendations:
- 🔹 If you need to move everything, including MMS group chats) → use SMS Backup & Restore or Smart Switch + Extractor.
- 🔹 If there are few messages (up to 250) → enough SIM-map.
- 🔹 If simplicity is important → Try Mi Mover (but be prepared for crashes).
- 🔹 If you use Google Messages → sync through Google Account.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even when following the instructions, users encounter common errors, and here's how to fix them:
- 🚫 "Can't be restored. SMS Xiaomi: Check that the phone has disabled battery optimization for the application that recovers messages. Also make sure that the backup file is not corrupted (try opening it on your PC through a text editor - if there is garbage instead of junk). XML, repeat reservations).
- 🔄 "Posts duplicate after port: This happens if Xiaomi has already had messages with the same numbers. delete duplicates manually or use the app SMS Microsoft Organizer (there is a function of cleaning duplicates).
- 🔒 "Not tolerated. SMS Banks/Services: These messages are often protected by Samsung Knox or Google Play Services. Solution: Send them to your email before transferring them (click the message). → "Send it over" → Choose Gmail).
- 📵 "Mi Mover doesn’t see Samsung: Make sure Samsung has power saving turned off and is allowed to install apps from unknown sources (Settings) → Security → Unknown sources).
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If none of the methods worked, try manual export: copy the folder /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db from Samsung (root needed) and import it to Xiaomi via ADB. This method requires technical skills!