How to Transfer All Data from Xiaomi to Samsung: 5 Proven Ways

The transition from Xiaomi to Samsung is not just a brand change, but also a migration of all digital life: photos, chats, passwords and settings. Many users fear losing data or spending hours manually transferring files. In practice, the process can be completed in 15-40 minutes if you choose the right method and avoid typical mistakes.

In this article, we will discuss 5 ways to transfer data, from official utilities (Samsung Smart Switch, Mi Mover) to cloud services and manual copying, SMS, Apps, media files), how to get around manufacturers' restrictions and what to do if the transfer is interrupted. MIUI 14+ You may have problems with Smart Switch and how to fix them.

Preparation for transfer: what to do before the start

Transferring data between different brands requires pre-configuring both smartphones, and if you skip this step, you risk synchronization errors or losing some files.

• 🔋 Both phones have a 50 percent battery charge, and it can take up to an hour to complete the process, and a sudden shutdown will interrupt the transmission.
• 📶 Stable Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile Internet) 4G/5G). Cloud methods will require downloading/downloading tens of gigabytes.
• 📱 Free space on Samsung is at least 10-15% of the volume of data transferred. For example, 64 GB files need 6-10 GB of free space.
• 🔄 Firmware Updates: Check Relevance MIUI on Xiaomi and One UI on Samsung through Settings → Update of the PO.

Important: if Xiaomi has enabled the function "Data Protection" MIUI" (In Settings → Password and security, it must be disabled, otherwise Samsung Smart Switch will not be able to access files (PIN, pattern lock on both devices – this will speed up the connection process.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with MIUI 13 and older, when you first connect to Samsung via cable, you may receive a request to unlock "USB-Don't ignore it, without it, you won't be able to migrate over Smart Switch. → The phone. → Version. MIUI (7 times tap the version, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → USB-debugging).

2. Method 1: Samsung Smart Switch Official Method

Samsung Smart Switch is a proprietary data migration utility that supports porting from Xiaomi, iPhone and other Android devices, copying contacts, messages, photos, videos, music, calendars, notes, and even some of the system applications’ settings.

• 📱 It only works when connected via cable. USB-C/USB-A (Wi-Fi version of the utility does not support Xiaomi).
• 🚫 Does not transfer installed applications (only their data, if the application is already installed on Samsung).
• ⚠️ On Xiaomi MIUI 14+ You may need to manually activate the mode MTP in the notification curtain after connecting the cable.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Smart Switch to Samsung from the Galaxy Store (pre-installed on most models).
2. Connect Xiaomi to Samsung with a cable. On Xiaomi, select File Transfer Mode" (MTP).
3. On Samsung, launch Smart Switch and select Get Data" → "Android".
4. Wait for the scan. The utility will show you a list of data that you can transfer, and you can check the categories you want.
5. Click "Transfer" and wait until the end (time depends on the amount of data).

Critical feature: if Xiaomi has enabled the function of "Dual applications" (cloning messengers), Smart Switch will transfer data only from the main account. To save data from clones, pre-export them manually (for example, WhatsApp chats through Settings). → chat → Backup copy).

Download Smart Switch on Samsung|Connect Xiaomi with a cable in mode MTP|Permission. USB-debugging|Disable screen lock|Check the free space on Samsung-->

Method 2: Mi Mover – Xiaomi’s alternative

Mi Mover is an analogue of Smart Switch, but from Xiaomi. MIUI It supports porting to other Android smartphones, including Samsung:

• 🔄 Ports apps along with data (e.g. save games, WhatsApp settings).
• 📶 Wi-Fi Direct (no cable required).
• 📁 Keeps the folder structure (for example, DCIM/Camera remain unchanged).

How to use:

1. On Xiaomi, open Settings → Memory. → Mi Mover.
2. Select "I am the sender" → "Android".
3. On Samsung, download Mi Mover from Google Play and select "I am the recipient."
4. Scan it. QR-code from the screen of Samsung on Xiaomi.
5. Select the data to transfer and confirm the start of the process.

Limitations:

• 🚫 I can't stand it. SMS and call logs for some Samsung models (depending on the One version) UI).
• ⏳ Wi-Fi Direct transmission speed is lower than cable (average 5-8 MB / s versus 20-30 MB / s in Smart Switch).

⚠️ Note: If Samsung has One firmware installed UI 5.0+, After transferring through Mi Mover, the order of photos in the gallery can be confused. EXIF between MIUI One UI. To avoid the problem, before transferring the photo by date in the standard app Gallery on Xiaomi.

4. Method 3: Google Account – Cloud Transfer

Google Account Sync is a universal way, independent of the brand of the device, and it is suitable for transferring contacts, calendars, notes, mail and some settings.

Synchronization instructions:

1. On Xiaomi go to Settings → Accounts. → Google and enable sync for all categories.
2. Wait for the sync to complete (check in Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Management → Sync).
3. On Samsung, add the same Google Account and enable sync.
4. Install apps from Google Play (they will automatically download from the list of My Apps and Games).

Google Photos allows you to transfer media files without loss of quality, using the option “High quality” (unlimited storage), however, for the original resolution (“Original quality”), you will need enough space in the cloud. The alternative is Samsung Cloud, but it is only available on flagship models (Galaxy). S/Note/Z series).

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If you use Google Photos to migrate, check your mobile traffic settings before you start. upload 50GB of photos by 4G It can spend the entire month limit in a few hours, it is better to connect to Wi-Fi or limit the download to Settings. → Networks. → Use of data → Google Photo.

Method 4: Manual transfer via computer

If automatic methods don't work (for example, because of firmware incompatibility), you can copy the data manually through a PC, which takes longer, but gives you complete control of the process.

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Two cables: USB-C → USB-A (Mac adapter).
• 📁 Enough space on the hard drive (temporary storage for files).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your PC and select File Transfer Mode" (MTP).
2. Copy the folders from Xiaomi’s internal memory to your computer: DCIM — Photos and videos. Downloads - uploaded files. WhatsApp/Media — Media from chat rooms (if necessary). Android/data — Application data (root rights required for full access).

Xiaomi

Samsung

Samsung

SMS and call logs

SMS Backup & Restore

Advantages of the manual method:

• 🔍 Full control over which files are transferred.
• 🛡️ No risk of data loss due to software failure.
• 🔄 You can convert formats (for example, HEIC Xiaomi JPEG Samsung).

⚠️ Note: When transferring manually, do not copy the folder Android/obb — This is a cache of games and applications. On a new device, it can cause errors due to differences in the architecture of the processors (Xiaomi often uses Snapdragon, and Samsung uses Exynos.

Method 5: Transfer through a memory card (microSD)

If both phones support microSD cards, this is the easiest way to transfer media files and documents.

• 📱 Samsung flagship series (Galaxy) S22+, S23 Ultras don’t have a microSD slot – check the specifications of your model.
• 🔄 ExFAT maps (capacity) >64GB) may not be readable on older Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 5).
• 🚫 No applications are portable, SMS and system settings.

Instructions:

1. Insert microSD in Xiaomi and copy the necessary files to it (for example, through Explorer).
2. Remove the card and paste it into Samsung.
3. Open My Files on Samsung and move the data to internal memory or leave it on a map.

To speed up the process, use a batch-enabled file manager, such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer: They let you select multiple folders at the same time and display the transfer speed.

7.Transfer specific data: what to do with messengers, games and settings

Not all data is transferred by standard methods, like WhatsApp chats or game saves, and we'll figure out how to move it without losing it.

7.1 WhatsApp and other messengers

To transfer WhatsApp chats:

1. On Xiaomi, create a backup: WhatsApp settings → chat → Backup copy.
2. Copy the folder. /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases on a PC (it has a file) msgstore.db.crypt14).
3. Install WhatsApp on Samsung, but don’t run it.
4. Move Databases to Samsung in the /sdcard/WhatsApp/.
5. Launch WhatsApp and restore chats from local copy.

For Telegram, sync is done automatically through the cloud, but secret chats are not portable – they need to be exported manually (Settings) → Additionally. → Chat data export).

7.2. Save games and applications

Most games sync progress through Google Play Games or Facebook to check:

1. Open the game on Xiaomi and find the "Sync" or "Cloud Save" option in the settings.
2. Tie up the account. Google/Facebook.
3. Install the game on Samsung and log in to the same account – progress will be automatically picked up.

For games without cloud sync (such as offline projects), use Helium or Swift Backup (root rights required).

System settings and wallpaper

Samsung and Xiaomi use different shells (One) UI and MIUI), So you can't move system settings (like gestures or themes) but you can save them:

• 🎨 Wallpaper: Copy images from /sdcard/MIUI/wallpaper/.
• 🔔 Notifications: Find them in the /system/media/audio/ (root).
• 📱 Icon Location: Take a picture of the main screen on Xiaomi and restore it manually on Samsung.

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Always use official backup tools to transfer instant messengers and games. Third-party utilities (such as Titanium Backup) can break chat encryption or cause errors in games.

8. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:

If neither method worked, try resetting the network settings on both devices (Settings). → System system → Reset → Network resetting. This often solves problems with connecting via Wi-Fi Direct or cable.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions