The transition from Samsung to Xiaomi 11 is not just a smartphone change, but a complete migration of digital life: photos, correspondence, app settings and even passwords. Many users face the problem: how to transfer all data without loss and as quickly as possible? In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods – from standard MIUI tools to third-party solutions that will help even in difficult cases (for example, if the screen is broken or the cable is not available).
Xiaomi 11 (including Xiaomi 11 Lite, 11T, 11 Pro) features support for the Mi Mover branded tool, but it doesn’t work with all Samsung devices. So we tested alternative methods: cloud services, PC intermediaries, and even manual transfer via ADB. It’s important to note that some data (such as WhatsApp messages or Smart Things settings) require a separate approach – we’ll talk about this too.
Before you start, check:
- 🔋 Charge of both phones (minimum 50% – transfer can take up to 1 hour)
- 📶 Stable Internet connection (for cloud-based methods)
- 🔌 Original. USB-cable (cheap cables often don't transmit data)
- 📱 Version MIUI Xiaomi 11 (Update to the latest via Settings) → The phone)
1.The official way: Mi Mover by Xiaomi
Mi Mover is a proprietary application from Xiaomi that should automatically offer data transfer when the Xiaomi 11 is first turned on.
- ✅ Works with most Samsung on Android 8.0+
- ❌ Does not carry applications (only data: contacts, photos, videos, etc)
- ❌ It can freeze 99% (the solution is to restart both phones)
How to use:
- Turn on Xiaomi 11 and go to the Data Portability screen. Select Mi Mover.
- Download Mi Mover from Google Play on Samsung.
- Connect your phones via a USB-OTG adapter (if there is no direct Type-C → Type-C cable).
- On Samsung, select the role of “Sender”, on Xiaomi 11 – “Receiver”.
- Select the data for transfer and confirm.
What if the Mi Mover doesn’t see Samsung?
The important thing is that Mi Mover doesn’t carry social media accounts and two-factor authentication settings, it has to be manually configured, and it can also “forget” to transfer Samsung Notes notes, which are better exported separately to.pdf via the app menu.
2. Transfer through Google Account (the most reliable way)
If you’ve been syncing with Google on Samsung, most of the data is already available on Xiaomi 11.
- 📇 Contacts (synchronized through Google Contacts)
- 📅 Calendar (Google Calendar)
- 📎 Notes (Google Keep)
- 📷 Photo and video (Google Photos if Autoboot was enabled)
- 🎵 Music and Documents (Google Disc)
How to check sync on Samsung:
- Open Settings → Accounts and Archiving → Account Management.
- Select your Google account.
- Make sure that synchronization is enabled for the data you want (sliders must be active).
On Xiaomi 11:
- When you first turn on, log in to the same Google account.
- Wait for automatic synchronization (can take up to 30 minutes).
- For photos and videos, open Google Photos and click "Restore" in the notification.
Check the synchronization enabled on Samsung
Free up space in Google Drive (if necessary)
Remember your account password (required for Xiaomi)
Make sure that Xiaomi 11 has stable internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network)
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Limitations of the method:
- 🚫 Not tolerated. SMS/MMS (need to be used SMS Backup & Restore).
- 🚫 Applications are only transferred as a list for installation (themselves) APK-files).
- 🚫 Some game data (such as the progress in Genshin Impact) is tied to the game’s account, not Google.
3. Computer Transfer (for large amounts of data)
If you have tens of gigabytes of photos/video or you don't have a stable Internet connection, the best option is to use a PC as an intermediary.
- 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
- 🔌 Two. USB-cables (preferably original)
- 📂 10-15 GB of free space on the PC (temporary storage)
Step-by-step:
- Connect Samsung to your PC and copy all the files you need to your desktop folder (for example, Samsung_Backup). Pay special attention to the folders: DCIM (Photo/video) Downloads (downloads) Pictures (images from messengers) WhatsApp/Media (media)
- Turn off Samsung, plug in Xiaomi 11.
- Copy files from Samsung_Backup c the corresponding folders on Xiaomi 11.
- For contacts, export them to Samsung in the.vcf file (Contacts → Management → Export), then import them to Xiaomi 11.
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If your computer doesn’t see Xiaomi 11 as a removable drive, turn on file transfer mode: swipe down the screen, click “USB for file transfer” and select “File transfer (MTP)”.
Advantages of the method:
- ✅ Full control over the data transferred.
- ✅ It works even with damaged phones (if the screen doesn’t respond, but the PC sees the device).
- ✅ You can filter out unnecessary files (for example, app cache).
Disadvantages:
- ❌ It takes a lot of time at a large volume (100 GBs can be copied 1-2 hour).
- ❌ Requires technical skills (e.g., finding hidden folders with application data).
4. porting applications and their data (including WhatsApp)
Standard methods do not transfer installed applications and their data (for example, save in games or correspondence in instant messengers).
| Type of data | Tool. | Instructions | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local backup | 1. On Samsung: WhatsApp → ⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup copy. 2. Copy the folder. /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases PC-only. 3. Install WhatsApp on Xiaomi 11, confirm the number. 4. Restore the backup from the Databases folder. | It requires the same phone number. It doesn't work on a change. SIM-map. | |
| Games (progress) | Helium or Swift Backup | 1. Install Helium on both phones. 2. Connect to a PC, make a backup of the game's data. 3. Move the backup to Xiaomi 11 and restore. | It doesn't work with all games. It requires ROOT on some devices. |
| SMS/MMS | SMS Backup & Restore | 1. Install the app on Samsung. 2. Make a backup in XML. 3. Move the file to Xiaomi 11 and restore. | It does not carry investments (photo / video in SMS). |
Important: WhatsApp on Xiaomi 11 may not restore the backup if the Databases folder was copied without the msgstore.db.crypt14 file. Check that the folder has all files with the.crypt* extension.
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To migrate these apps, always check if it supports cross-platform backup. For example, Telegram syncs through the cloud, and Viber requires a manual backup.
5. Alternative methods: for experienced users
If standard methods don't work, you can use advanced tools, they require technical knowledge, but they can do things that are beyond the reach of conventional methods.
Method 1: ADB (Android Debug Bridge)
Allows you to transfer all data, including system settings, suitable if:
- 🔧 You need to transfer Wi-Fi settings, passwords or system application data.
- 🔧 You have experience with the command line.
Transfer commands (executed on a PC with ADB installed):
adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab
adb restore backup.abNote:
Xiaomi 11
MIUI Optimization
Method 2: TWRP and Nandroid Backup
If Samsung has a custom TWRP recavator installed, you can make a full backup of the system and restore it to the Xiaomi 11.
- ⚠️ It only works if both phones are on the same Android version.
- ⚠️ Can cause driver conflicts (e.g., camera or sensors will stop working).
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Before using ADB or TWRP, back up data on both phones. These methods can result in loss of information or a device blink.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even if you follow the instructions, you can get errors, and we've collected some of the most common ways to fix them.
- 🔄 Mi Mover is getting stuck on 99%: ⚠️ Attention: This is a typical problem when carrying large volumes (over 20 GB). Solution: Disconnect both phones from charging. Reboot them. Repeat the transfer by selecting only contacts and photos (transfer the video separately).
- 📱 Xiaomi 11 doesn't see Samsung through cable: ⚠️ Attention: The problem is often in mode USB. On Samsung in the notification curtain, select File Transfer (MTP), If it doesn't work, try another device's cable.
- ☁️ Google Photos Doesn't Restore All Photos: ⚠️ Note: Check if Samsung has a Traffic Saving option in Google Photos settings. It can block downloading of originals. Also make sure that Xiaomi 11 has enough download space.