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

Smartphone change without loss: why transferring data from Samsung to Xiaomi requires a special approach

The transition from Samsung Galaxy to Xiaomi is not just a brand change, but a transition between two fundamentally different ecosystems. If for devices of the same brand (for example, with the Galaxy S22 on the Galaxy S24), data is transferred automatically through the Smart Switch, then when you switch to Xiaomi, you will have to use other tools. The main problem is that MIUI (the firmware of Xiaomi) and One UI (the shell of Samsung) are incompatible at the level of system backups.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to transfer data, from the official Mi Mover app to manual copying via PC, and we will focus on transferring WhatsApp and Telegram messages, since these messengers store data in encrypted databases that are not copied by standard methods, and you will learn how to avoid the typical mistakes that cause users to lose photos or contacts during the transition.

Method 1: Mi Mover – the official solution from Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a proprietary application from Xiaomi designed to migrate data from Android devices (including Samsung) to Redmi, Poco or Xiaomi smartphones.

• 📞 Contacts (including groups and notes)
• 📷 Photos and videos (without loss of quality)
• 💬 Communications SMS/MMS (but not messengers!)
• 📅 Calendars and events
• 🎵 Audio files (music, recordings)
• 📄 Documents (PDF, Word, Excel)

However, Mi Mover does not tolerate:

• ❌ Installed apps (only their data if the app is already installed on Xiaomi)
• ❌ System settings (wallpaper, sound circuits, shortcuts)
• ❌ Data from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber)
• ❌ Wi-Fi passwords

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

1. Download the Mi Mover app on both devices: For Samsung: from Google Play For Xiaomi: the app is preinstalled (find it through search system)

Xiaomi

Mi Mover

I'm a new user.

Samsung

I'm an old user.

hotspot

Xiaomi

Samsung

Select the data types to transfer and wait for the process to be completed.

Charge both smartphones at least 50% | Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (5 GHz preferable) | Close all background apps on both devices | Make sure Xiaomi has enough free space (data portable 1:1) | Turn off VPNs and firewalls

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The speed of the transfer depends on the amount of data and the speed of Wi-Fi. On average, 30 GB of photos are copied in 20-40 minutes. If the process is interrupted, start again - partially copied data will not be saved.

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If the Mi Mover can't see a Samsung device, try connecting via Xiaomi's mobile hotspot. Sometimes this solves detection problems.

Method 2: Transfer through Google Account (for contacts, calendars, and part of apps)

If you've used a Google Account on Samsung, most of the data is already synced to the cloud, which is a good way to migrate:

• 📞 Contacts (if saved in Google, not in your phone’s memory)
• 📅 Calendars and reminders
• 📧 Gmail and email settings
• 📱 Some app settings (e.g. Chrome, YouTube, Google Maps)
• 📁 Google Drive files

Instructions for transfer:

1. On Samsung, check that sync is enabled: Settings → Accounts and Archiving → Account Management → Select Google → Account Sync Make sure all the data you need (contacts, calendars) is ticked.
2. On Xiaomi, when you first turn on, select “Restore from backup” and log in to the same Google Account.
3. If your smartphone is already set up, go to: Settings → Accounts → Google → Sync and enable sync for the desired data.

⚠️ Note: If contacts on Samsung are stored in the phone's memory (not Google's), they won't be transferred! To fix this, export them manually:

1. Open the Contacts app on Samsung.
2. Press. ⋮ (three-point) → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Exports.
3. Select "In.vcf" and save to a memory card or internal memory.
4. Transfer the file to Xiaomi and import it through the same menu.

Google Account|iCloud (for iPhone users)|Local backups|Sync through manufacturer (Mi Cloud, Samsung Cloud)|I don't sync data-->

Method 3: Copying via OTG cable or adapter (for large amounts of data)

If you have a lot of photos, videos or other files (over 50 GB), the most reliable way is to copy directly through the cable.

• 🔌 Cable OTG (s USB-C on USB-C or USB-A, depending on the Samsung model)
• 📱 Adapter (if Xiaomi does not have a port) USB-A)
• 🔋 Charging (both phones must be charged at least 30 times%)

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Samsung to Xiaomi via an OTG cable. On the Samsung screen, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. On Xiaomi, open Explorer (the Files app).
3. In the Devices section, you'll see Samsung folders, open the Internal Storage or SD Card.
4. Copy the folders you need: DCIM – photos and videos Downloads – Downloads Documents – WhatsApp/Media documents – media files from WhatsApp (but not chats!)

Xiaomi

⚠️ Note: Do not copy the entire Android folder, this can lead to conflicts with applications on Xiaomi. Also avoid transferring system files (for example, from the system folder), as they are incompatible with the application on Xiaomi. MIUI.

Method 4: Transfer over a computer (for full control of files)

If you want to selectively copy data or migrate large volumes (e.g. 100+GB), you should use a PC.

• 🔄 You don't have a cable. OTG
• 🖥️ You want to make a backup copy to the hard drive.
• 🔍 You need to sort files before transferring them.

Instructions for Windows/macOS:

1. Connect Samsung to your PC via USB-Cable. Select "File Transfer" mode" (MTP).
2. Copy the desired folders (DCIM, Downloads, WhatsApp, etc.) to your computer.
3. Turn off Samsung and plug in Xiaomi. Also select MTP mode.
4. Move files from your PC to Xiaomi to the appropriate folders.

To speed up the process, you can use programs:

⚠️ Note: When copying through a PC, do not change the folder structure (for example, do not move files from the PC to the PC). DCIM/Camera This can cause the Xiaomi gallery to fail to see the photos.

Method 5: Transfer WhatsApp and Telegram messages (the most difficult step)

The main problem with the transition from Samsung to Xiaomi is the transfer of chats from instant messengers. WhatsApp and Telegram store data in encrypted databases that are not copied through standard methods.

WhatsApp Delay

To transfer WhatsApp history, you will need to:

1. Create a local backup on Samsung: WhatsApp → ⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup: Make sure the copy is saved to internal memory or card SD (Not on Google Drive!).
2. Copy the WhatsApp folder (located in Internal Storage or SD Card) on Xiaomi via OTG or PC.
3. Install WhatsApp on Xiaomi and agree to restore from a local copy when you first start.

⚠️ Note: If you used Google Drive to backup WhatsApp on Samsung, you can’t restore them to Xiaomi – copies are tied to the device and Google Account from which you created them.

Telegram Delay

Telegram is easier in this regard, as it supports the export of chats:

1. On Samsung, open Telegram and go to: Settings → Additional → Export History
2. Select the chats for export and format (JSON or HTML). Files will be saved in the Telegram/Telegram Exports folder.
3. Move this folder to Xiaomi and import chats through the same menu.

For media files (photos, videos, documents) from Telegram:

1. Open the desired chat on Samsung.
2. Click on the chat avatar → “Media, files and links”.
3. Select Export and save the files to the folder.
4. Move the folder to Xiaomi.

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Make sure to use a local backup to port WhatsApp – Google Drive cloud copies are incompatible between different devices.

What to do after the data transfer?

Once all the data is copied, you have to set up Xiaomi for a comfortable experience.

• 🔒 Set up the unlock (fingerprint, Face) ID, graphical).
• 📶 Move it. SIM-Card or set up eSIM (if supported).
• 🔊 Check the sound: Xiaomi often disabled system sounds by default.
• 📡 Update the firmware: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system
• 🔄 Restore apps from Google Play (they don’t automatically portable!).
• 📱 Set up your gestures (in) MIUI They're different from One. UI).

We also recommend:

• 🛡️ Install antivirus (e.g., Xiaomi Security or Dr.Web).
• 🔋 Calibrate the battery (discharge to 0% and charge to 100% without interruptions).
• 📁 Clear the cache: Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache

If after the transfer you notice that:

• ❌ Photos are not displayed in the gallery → Restart your phone or use the Files app for manual scanning.
• ❌ Contacts are duplicated → combine them manually or use the Contacts app" → "Contact management" → "Unite".
• ❌ WhatsApp has not restored chats → Check that the WhatsApp folder is copied to the memory root, not to internal folders like Android/data.

FAQ: Frequent questions when transferring data from Samsung to Xiaomi