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

Moving from Samsung to Xiaomi is not just about changing your brand, it’s about saving everything from contacts to your message history. Many users fear losing photos, notes, or app settings when they change their device. In fact, the transfer process can be made quick and painless if they know all the methods available.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 working ways to migrate data, from official tools (Mi Mover and Samsung Smart Switch) to cloud services and manual copying, and learn how to migrate not only basic data (contacts, SMS), but also application settings, call history, and internal memory files, and focus on nuances that are often overlooked in standard instructions, such as how to avoid duplicate contacts or why some applications may not migrate.

Whether you’re already setting up a new Xiaomi or just planning a purchase, this article will save you time and nerves.All methods have been tested on current models from 2023-2026 (including the Galaxy S23/S24 and Redmi Note 12/Xiaomi 14) and work independently of the Android version.

1.The official way: Mi Mover by Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a proprietary application from Xiaomi designed to transfer data from other Android devices, pre-installed on all new smartphones of the brand and supports the transfer of most types of data, including:

• 📞 Contacts (including groups and tags)
• 💬 Communications (SMS and MMS)
• 📷 Photo and video (from the gallery and DCIM)
• 🎵 Audio files (music, recordings)
• 📥 Annexes (APK-file + data from some of them)
• 📅 Calendars and reminders

The advantage of Mi Mover is that it can be directly transmitted over Wi-Fi without having to use cloud or cables, but there are limitations.

• ❌ Data from some applications (such as WhatsApp or Viber) are not transferred – they need separate backups).
• ❌ On Samsung with Android 12+ You may need to have manual permission to access files.
• ❌ Transfer speed depends on the stability of the Wi-Fi network.

How to use:

1. On the new Xiaomi, when you first turn on, select Data Transfer → Mi Mover. If the phone is already configured, find the app in the menu.
2. Download Mi Mover from Google Play on Samsung.
3. On both phones, select Me sender (on Samsung) and I receiver (on Xiaomi).
4. Scan it. QR-code from the screen Xiaomi on Samsung.
5. Select data types to transfer and wait for completion.

Charge both phones at least 50 times%|Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network|Free up space on Xiaomi (at least 20% free space is needed)|Shut down. VPN both phones-->

⚠️ Note: If Samsung has Knox installed (corporate protection), Mi Mover may not be able to access some system data.

2.Alternative: Samsung Smart Switch

Samsung Smart Switch is a mirror tool from a Korean manufacturer that can export data, but with nuances. Unlike the Mi Mover, it supports porting to any Android device, including Xiaomi, but with limitations:

• ✅ Transferring contacts, SMS, Photos, videos, music and calendars.
• ✅ It works through cable. USB-C → USB-C or Wi-Fi.
• ❌ Does not transfer installed applications (only their data, if the application is already installed on Xiaomi).
• ❌ It may not work properly with Xiaomi on the base. MIUI 14+ Due to differences in file structure.

Instructions:

1. Install Smart Switch on Xiaomi from Google Play.
2. Connect your phones with cable (recommended) or via Wi-Fi.
3. On Samsung, select Send Data, on Xiaomi, Receive Data.
4. Select files to transfer and confirm the start of the process.

Through proprietary utilities (Mi Mover/Smart Switch)|Google Drive, Mi Cloud)| Manual copying over cable | I didn't transfer data, I configure my phone from scratch-->

3. Cloud services: Google and Mi Cloud

If direct transmission is not working (for example, because of firmware incompatibility), you can use cloud storage, which is universal, but requires sufficient cloud space and a stable Internet.

The most reliable options are:

• 🌐 Google Account: Syncs contacts, calendars, mail, Google Keep notes and some app settings. Go to Settings on Samsung for this → Accounts. → Google and enable sync for the data you want. On Xiaomi, just log in to the same account.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: Supports backup SMS, On Samsung, install Mi Cloud from Google Play, create a backup, and then restore it to Xiaomi.
• 📁 Google Drive: Allows you to upload any files (photos, videos, documents) and then download them to your new phone. To do this, on Samsung, select files in Google Photos or Files and click Save in Drive.

Important: When you migrate through Google Photos, photos and videos will only be saved in their original quality if you have a Google One subscription. Without it, files will shrink to 16 MP (photo) and 1080p (video).

The following steps are provided for Google Drive:

1. On Samsung, open Google Drive and click + → Download.
2. Select folders with photos (DCIM), videos (Movies) or documents.
3. On Xiaomi, open Google Drive, find uploaded files and download them.
4. To automatically sync photos, install Google Photos and enable autoload.

4. Manual transfer via OTG cable or computer

If clouds and wireless methods are not suitable (for example, with slow Internet or a large amount of data), you can copy files manually through an OTG cable or adapter.

You'll need:

• 🔌 Cable USB-C → USB-C (adapter OTG + flash-drive).
• 🖥️ Computer (optional, but convenient for backups).
• 📂 File Manager (e.g. Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).

Instructions:

1. Connect Samsung to your computer via cable and copy the folders you want (DCIM, Downloads, Pictures, etc.) to your hard drive.
2. Turn off Samsung and connect Xiaomi.
3. Transfer files from your computer to your new phone.
4. PC-free alternative: Use the OTG adapter and flash drive as an intermediate storage.

Where key data is stored on Samsung:

• 📞 Contacts: /data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db (Root rights are required for copying).
• 💬 SMS: /data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db.
• 📷 Photo Photo: /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera.
• 🎵 Music: /storage/emulated/0/Music.

⚠️ Note: Manual copying does not carry application data (e.g. save in games or WhatsApp settings.

💡

If you have a Mac, use Android File Transfer to access Samsung files. Windows may require installing Samsung USB Driver drivers for the correct connection.

5. Transfer of applications and their data

The hardest part of migration is migrating installed applications and their data. Most methods (including Mi Mover) only copy the data. APK-files, but not settings or saving. Here's how to fix this problem:

Method 1: Backup with Titanium Backup (requires root)

• Install Titanium Backup on Samsung.
• Create a backup of applications and their data.
• Transfer the backup file to Xiaomi and restore it through Titanium Backup.

Method 2: Built-in Application Functions

• 📱 WhatsApp: Settings → chat → Backup (saves history in Google Drive).
• 🎮 Games: Use a Google Play Games or Facebook account link.
• 💰 Banking apps: Most of them ban backup for security reasons.

Method 3: ADB-Backup (for advanced users)

If you have experience with ADB, you can create a full backup system:

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab

Then restore it to Xiaomi:

adb restore backup.ab

💡

Most banking and payment applications (SberBank, Tinkoff, PayPal) block data transfer because of security, and they will have to be reconfigured on a new phone.

6. Data portability of dormant or non-working Samsung

If your Samsung is broken (screen is broken, doesn’t turn on, or has a logo hanging on), but the data needs to be saved, there are a few ways out:

• 🔧 Connect to PC in Recovery Mode: Turn off phone. Press Power + Volume Down to log in to Download Mode. Connect to your computer and use Samsung Smart Switch to extract data.

USB OTG

+ mouse:

Google

Samsung Cloud

Xiaomi

without the original phone.

⚠️ Note: If Samsung has enabled data encryption (in the security settings), it will be impossible to extract files without a password.

7. What to do after data transfer

Once all files are successfully transferred, there are a few important steps left:

• 🔄 Check duplicates: Open Contacts and delete duplicate entries (use the option to Combine in Mi Contacts).
• 🔒 Set up security: Enable Find My Device on Xiaomi. Set a PIN or fingerprint. Check permissions for apps in Settings → Annexes → Permits.
• 📱 Optimize performance: Turn off autoloading unnecessary apps. Clear cache in Settings → Storage. Activate Performance Mode in MIUI.

We also recommend:

• 🔋 Calibrate the battery: Fully discharge and charge Xiaomi 2-3 times for accurate display of charge level.
• 📡 Update the firmware: Check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🎧 Tone tuned: B MIUI Have a Dirac leveller and effects – include them in Settings → Sound.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data transfer