How to Transfer All Data from Xiaomi to Samsung: From Contacts to Apps

The transition from Xiaomi to Samsung is not just a smartphone change, but a migration of all digital life: photos, correspondence, app settings and even call history. Many users are faced with the problem: how to transfer data without wasting hours on manual synchronization? In this article, we’ll break down all the current ways, from standard Samsung Smart Switch tools to workarounds for specific data (such as Mi Notes notes or settings). MIUI).

The main difficulty lies in the differences in ecosystems: Xiaomi uses its own cloud services (Mi Cloud), and Samsung uses Samsung Account and Google. S23 Ultra to identify nuances: where required USB-OTG, which data cannot be transferred automatically (for example, Wi-Fi passwords or settings for always-on VPN), If you're afraid of losing important files, this guide will help you avoid common mistakes.

1.Preparation for the transfer: what to do on Xiaomi before you start

Before you migrate, optimize your data on your old phone, which will speed up the process and prevent crashes. Start by cleaning the app cache, especially for messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram), where gigabytes of unwanted media are accumulated. Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management, select messenger and click Clear cache.

Check the amount of data that will be transferred:

• 📸 Photo and video: open the Gallery and remove duplicates (use the built-in Cleanup function in the Gallery) MIUI).
• 📱 Applications: Uninstall unnecessary programs – they take up space and may conflict when transferring them.
• 📞 Contacts: export backup to.vcf via Contacts → Settings → Imports/Exports.
• 🔒 Passwords: If you use Mi Account to store passwords, transfer them to Google Password Manager in advance.

Pay special attention to accounts: if you have used Mi Cloud, log in to the new Samsung via Google, which will make it easier to sync your email and calendar, and turn off the device search feature in Mi Account to avoid being blocked after a reset.

⚠️ Note: If data encryption is enabled on Xiaomi (Settings) → Additionally. → Encryption), some transfer methods (e.g., through USB-OTG) In this case, use a cloud backup.

2. Method 1: Samsung Smart Switch Official Tool

Samsung Smart Switch is a proprietary migration solution that supports porting from Xiaomi (and other Android devices), copying contacts, messages, photos, music, calendars, and even some of the system application settings.

• 🚫 Not portable: apps (only their data if they support backup), Wi-Fi passwords, settings MIUI (for example, themes or gestures).
• 🔌 Required: cable USB-C to USB-C (or USB-OTG adapter for older Xiaomi models).
• 📱 Compatibility: runs on Xiaomi with Android 8.0+.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Smart Switch to Samsung from the Galaxy Store (or Google Play).
2. Connect both phones with cable. On Xiaomi, select File Transfer Mode (MTP).
3. On Samsung, run Smart Switch and select Get Data → Android.
4. Wait for the scan. Check the data types to be transferred (we recommend leaving everything except the Application - they may conflict).
5. Press Move and do not turn off the cable until it is completed.

Install Smart Switch on both phones

Connecting the original cable (not cheap) OTG)

Charge both devices by at least 50%

Disable VPNs and Firewalls

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The speed of transfer depends on the amount of data: 30 GB of photos will be required ~20 to 30 minutes. If the process is interrupted, try again, and the program will continue from the stop.

⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi has custom firmware installed (for example, LineageOS), the Smart Switch may not recognize the device.

3. Method 2: Transfer through Google Account (for contacts, mail, calendar)

If you only need to transfer basic data (contacts, mail, calendar, Google Keep notes), syncing through a Google Account is the easiest option.This method requires no cables and works even if the Samsung Smart Switch refuses to see Xiaomi.

How to set up:

1. On Xiaomi go to Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Select your account and activate sync for all categories (Contacts, Calendar, Gmail, etc.).
3. Wait for the sync to complete (check in Settings → Accounts → Google → Sync).
4. On Samsung, add the same Google Account and enable sync.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ It works without cables and additional programs.
• ✅ Data updated in real time (if autosynchronization is enabled).
• ✅ Supports call history (if sync is enabled through Google Contacts).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ No photos/video, messages, applications.
• ❌ If your contacts are saved in Mi Account on Xiaomi, you must export them to Google first.

Smart Switch (cable)

Google Account (Sync)

Cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud)

Manual transfer (flash drive, PC)

Another option

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4. Method 3: Porting photos and videos via Google Photos

Photos and videos usually take up the lion’s share of memory, and their transfer requires special attention. Google Photos is the best solution if you do not want to lose the quality of images. The service offers unlimited storage for compressed photos (up to 15 MP) and video (up to 15 MP) 1080p), Original quality (with Google One quota).

Instructions:

1. On Xiaomi, install Google Photos (if not installed).
2. Open the app and log in to your Google Account.
3. Go to Settings → Backup and Synchronization and turn on the function.
4. Choose quality (High for free storage or Original for lossless storage).
5. Wait until the download is complete (you can track the progress in notifications).
6. On Samsung, install Google Photos, log in to the same account and wait for sync.

If you have a lot of photos (over 50GB), consider alternatives:

• 🖥️ Transfer over PC: Connect Xiaomi to your computer, copy files to disk, then transfer to Samsung.
• 🌐 Mi Cloud: upload photos to the Xiaomi cloud, then download them to Samsung via the browser (but this is long with a large volume).

⚠️ Attention: If you choose Original Quality in Google Photos, note that 15GB of free space on Google One will run out quickly.clean the cart and delete unnecessary files before porting.

1. Wi-Fi connection (mobile internet can block the download of large files).

2. Battery settings: add Google Photos to optimization exceptions (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery).

3. Permissions: Give the app access to storage and camera.

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5. Method 4: Transfer of messages and calls (SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram)

Messages are one of the most difficult categories to transfer, especially when it comes to instant messengers, and let's look at the different types of correspondence:

5.1. SMS call history

For transfer SMS and call log use Smart Switch (described in Method 1) or specialized applications:

• 📲 SMS Backup & Restore: Creates a.xml backup that can be restored on Samsung.

Important: When Recovering SMS On Samsung, some apps (like Google Messages) may not display old messages.In this case, use the standard Samsung Messages app.

5.2. WhatsApp

Transferring WhatsApp correspondence from Xiaomi to Samsung requires a mandatory backup on Google Drive:

1. On Xiaomi, open WhatsApp → ⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup copy.
2. Click Create a copy and wait until it is completed (make sure the backup is saved to Google Drive).
3. On Samsung, install WhatsApp, log in to the same account and restore chats the first time you run.

If the backup is not restored:

• Check that Samsung uses the same phone number and Google Account.
• Remove WhatsApp and reinstall it – sometimes it helps.
• If the backup is too big (>2 GB), use local copy (save file) msgstore.db.crypt14 On PC, then transfer to Samsung in a folder WhatsApp/Databases).

5.3. Telegram

Telegram is stored in the cloud, so it is enough:

1. On Samsung, install Telegram and log into your account.
2. All chats and media files will be downloaded automatically.

For secret chats and local media files, use manual export via Settings. → Data and memory → Chat data export.

6. Method 5: Transfer applications and their data

Porting installed apps is the most problematic part of the migration. Samsung Smart Switch only copies data from some apps (like games that support Google Play Games), but not the apps themselves. APK-Here's how to migrate applications completely:

6.1 Through APK-files (manual method)

Use backup apps APK:

• 📦 APK Extractor: Extracts the installed APK Xiaomi.

Algorithm:

1. On Xiaomi, create a backup APK Copy files to your PC or cloud.
2. Move it. APK Samsung and manually install (allow installation from unknown sources in Settings) → Security).

6.2. via Google Play (automatic method)

If the apps were installed via Google Play:

1. On Samsung, log in to the same Google Account.
2. Open the Play Store → Library → Established.
3. Click Update All – this will restore previously installed apps.

Limitations:

• ❌ Not all apps support data portability (e.g., Mi Fit settings don’t migrate to Samsung Health).
• ❌ Some games (such as Genshin Impact) require re-loading cache.

7. Comparison of transfer methods: which one to choose?

To make the choice easier, we have collected the key characteristics of each method in the table:

Selection recommendations:

• 🔹 If you need to move it fast → Use the Smart Switch + Google Photo.
• 🔹 If only contacts and mail are important → Enough synchronization through Google Account.
• 🔹 If you have a lot of photos/video → Combine Google Photos (for new files) and manual transfer via PC (for old archives).
• 🔹 If you need data applications → Use App Backup & Restore + hand-mount APK.

1. Smart Switch (Contacts, SMS, setting).

2. Google Photos (media files).

3. Manual export (applications, passwords, specific data).

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8. Frequent problems and their solutions

Even when you follow the instructions, you can make mistakes.-5 problems and ways of solving them:

8.1 Smart Switch doesn't see Xiaomi

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔌 Non-Original Cable: Use a Corporate Cable USB-C cable from Samsung or Xiaomi.
• 📱 An outdated version MIUI: Update Xiaomi to the latest firmware.
• 🔒 Lockdown OTG: In Settings → Additionally. → For developers, turn on debugging by USB.
• 🖥️ Driver conflict: connect Xiaomi to PC, install Mi drivers PC Suite, then try again.

8.2 No photos/video transferable

Check it out.

• 📁 folder DCIM: Sometimes Smart Switch ignores files outside of standard folders. DCIM/Camera.
• 🔍 File format: if the photo is in HEIC (iPhone format, convert to JPEG Google Photos.
• 📡 Cloud Backup: If Cable Transfers Don’t Work, Upload Files to Google Drive and Download to Samsung.

8.3 WhatsApp does not restore chats

Frequent errors:

• ☁️ Different Google Accounts: Backup must be created and restored from one account.
• 📱 Different phone numbers: if SIM-The map has changed, WhatsApp will not find a backup.
• 🗃️ Not enough space: Samsung should be free at least 2 times more than the weight of the backup.

8.4 Apps fly out after transfer

Decisions:

• 🔄 Reinstall the app from Google Play.
• 📋 Clear the cache: Settings → Annexes → [Name of name] → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔒 Permissions: Make sure the application has all the necessary permissions (Settings) → Annexes → Permits).

8.5 Call history missing

If Smart Switch doesn’t move the call log:

• 📞 Export manually: Call Logs Backup & Restore on Xiaomi.
• ☁️ Sync through Google: Enable Call History Sync in Google Contacts.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions