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

The transition from Xiaomi to Samsung Galaxy is not just about brand change, but also about migrating all your data, from contacts and photos to your phone history and app settings. Many users fear this process, fearing losing important information or spending hours manually copying files. In fact, transferring data between these two ecosystems can be done quickly and without loss — if you know the right tools and sequence of actions.

In this article, we’ll break down 5 working ways to migrate data, including official utilities from Samsung and Xiaomi, cloud services, and even manual methods for those who prefer full control. We’ll focus on the typical errors that can lead to data loss, and give recommendations for optimizing the process. Whether you’re switching from the Redmi Note 12 to the Galaxy S23 Ultra or from the POCO X5 to the Galaxy A54, these instructions will help make the transition smooth.

Preparation for data transfer: what to do before the start

Before you start migrating, make sure both devices are ready to go, which will save you unexpected crashes and time wasted.

On Xiaomi, check:

• 🔋 Battery charge at least 50%, data transfer can take up to 30 minutes, and discharging in the process will interrupt the operation.
• 📶 Stable Internet connection (if you use cloud services) for large amounts of data (e.g. 100)+ GB photo is better to connect to Wi-Fi.
• 📱 Free space – Samsung should be at least 10-15% Free space from the volume of data transferred.
• 🔒 Turn off the screen lock (PIN, pattern lock) for the transfer time if you use a cable connection. Some utilities (for example, Smart Switch) require an unlocked screen.

On the Samsung Galaxy:

• 📦 Remove unnecessary files from internal memory if it is almost full. Use the built-in Settings utility → Caring for the device → Memory.
• 🔄 Update the software to the latest version. This ensures compatibility with portable utilities. → Update of the PO.
• 📎 Prepare the cable. OTG (If you plan to use a physical connection, new Galaxy models may need an adapter. USB-C to USB-C.

⚠️ Note: If data encryption is enabled on Xiaomi (in Settings) → Additionally. → Encryption and accounts, some portability techniques (e.g., via Smart Switch) may not work, in which case use cloud services or manual copying.

2.Samsung’s Smart Switch 1: Official and Most Reliable

Samsung Smart Switch is a proprietary data migration utility that the manufacturer recommends to use when switching from other brands. It supports the transfer of almost all types of data, including:

• 📞 Contacts, call log and SMS/MMS
• 📷 Photos and videos (including Google Photos albums)
• 🎵 Music and documents
• 📱 System settings (wallpaper, sounds, alarm clocks)
• 📦 Some application data (e.g. WhatsApp, Viber)

How to transfer data via Smart Switch:

1. Install Smart Switch on both devices: On Samsung Galaxy: the utility is pre-installed (find it in the app menu). On Xiaomi: download from Google Play.
2. Connect the devices: 🔌 Cable: Use it USB-C to USB-C Cable or adapter. On Xiaomi, select File Transfer Mode (MTP) plug-in. 📶 Over Wi-Fi: Both phones must be connected to the same network. On Samsung, select Wireless in Smart Switch.

Select data for transfer

⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi has custom firmware installed (e.g. LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the Smart Switch may not recognize the device).

Download Smart Switch on Xiaomi| Charge both phones up to 50%+| Connect to one Wi-Fi network (for wireless)|Free space on Samsung (at least 10% of the data volume)| Disable VPN on both devices-->

Method 3: Transfer through Google Account (for contacts, calendar and email)

If you only need to migrate contacts, calendar events, Google Keep notes and email, syncing through Google Account is the easiest way.It requires no additional utilities and works on any Android device.

Instructions:

1. On Xiaomi: Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google. Enable sync for Contacts, Calendar and other relevant data. Click Sync Now.
2. On Samsung Galaxy: Add the same Google Account to Settings → Accounts and Archiving → Account Management. Enable sync for the same data categories.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Instant transfer – data appears on Samsung within minutes.
• 🔄 Automatic Update – Any changes to one device will be synced to another.
• 📱 It works without a connection to the PC.

Limitations:

• 🚫 Photos, videos, music and messages are not transferred (only if they have previously been uploaded to Google Photos or Google Drive).
• 🔒 Some data (such as notes from Mi Notes) are not synced with Google.

💡

If your contacts on Xiaomi are duplicated after syncing, use Google Contacts to merge duplicate entries. Open contacts.google.com in your browser → Actions → Find and merge duplicates.

4. Method 3: Porting Photos and Videos to Google Photos or Mi Cloud

Multimedia files (photos, videos, screenshots) typically take up the lion’s share of smartphone memory, and their transfer requires special attention, especially if you are talking about tens of gigabytes of data. Consider two reliable options: Google Photos and Mi Cloud.

Option A: Google Photos (recommended for large volumes)

Google Photos offers 15GB of free cloud storage (together with Google Drive and Gmail), and if your library is smaller than that, it takes only a few steps to migrate:

1. On Xiaomi: Install Google Photos (if not installed). Open the app → click on profile avatar → Photo setup → Backup and sync. Enable backup and wait for the download to complete.
2. On Samsung Galaxy: Set up Google Photos and log in to the same account. All photos and videos will automatically upload to your device. To save them to the gallery, open the album. → press ⋮ → Save it to the device.

Option B: Mi Cloud (if you use the Xiaomi ecosystem)

Mi Cloud is a cloud storage from Xiaomi that offers 5GB for free (with the option to expand to 200GB for a fee), suitable if you previously synced data with this service.

How to move:

1. On Xiaomi, check that backup is enabled: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup Make sure there is Gallery and Photos on the list.
2. On Samsung Galaxy: Open your browser and go to i.mi.com. log in and download the photo archive manually or selectively upload files.

⚠️ Note: If you used the Hidden Albums feature in the Xiaomi Gallery, these photos will not be uploaded to Google Photos or Mi Cloud automatically. To move them, first make the album visible in the gallery settings.

5. Method 4: Manual copying via OTG cable or computer

If you prefer full control of the process or you don't have access to a stable Internet, manual file copying is a reliable option, and it's a method that can be used to transfer any data, including:

• 📁 Documents (Download, Documents)
• 🎵 Music and podcasts
• 📱 Backups of applications (e.g. Titanium Backup)
• 🎮 Game retention (if stored locally)

Instructions for copying via computer:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your PC via USB-In the notification curtain of the phone, select File Transfer mode (MTP).
2. Open this computer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) and find the Xiaomi device in the list of drives.
3. Copy the folders you need (DCIM for photos, Download for downloads, etc.) to your computer.
4. Disable Xiaomi, connect Samsung Galaxy and transfer files back.

Instructions for copying via OTG cable (without PC):

1. Buy it. OTG-adapter (e.g, USB-C to USB-C or USB-C Micro-USB, depending on the device ports).
2. Connect Xiaomi to Samsung via adapter. on Xiaomi, select mode USB-accumulator.
3. On Samsung, open a file manager (such as My Files) and copy the data from the connected device.

Advantages of the manual method:

• 🔍 Selective transfer – only the necessary files can be copied.
• 🛡️ Security – Data does not pass through the cloud.
• 📦 Suitable for large files (such as video) 4K).

Disadvantages:

• ⏳ Longer than automatic methods.
• 🔌 Requires additional accessories (cable) OTG computer).

💡

Manual copying is the only way to transfer data that is not supported by cloud services (such as game saves or custom fonts).

6. Method 5: Transfer of messages and application data (WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.)

Messages from instant messengers and SMS often contain important information that you don’t want to lose. Unfortunately, standard utilities (like Smart Switch) don’t always correctly transfer this data.

WhatsApp

To transfer WhatsApp history:

1. On Xiaomi: Open WhatsApp → ⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup. Create a backup to Google Drive (make sure you have the right account selected).
2. On Samsung Galaxy: Install WhatsApp and log in to the same account. When you request, restore chats from Google Drive.

Telegram

Telegram syncs messages to the cloud automatically, so it is enough:

1. On Samsung Galaxy, install Telegram and log into your account.
2. All chats and media files will be downloaded automatically (unless they have been deleted from servers).

SMS and MMS

For SMS/MMS transfer:

• 📲 Use Smart Switch (see Section 2).
• 📧 Or export. SMS file-by-app SMS Backup & Restore (available on Google Play) and then import it to Samsung.

⚠️ Note: If you are using two-factor authentication (2FA) In messengers, before the data penos, disable it or save backup codes. When you change your device, some services (for example, if you change your device, VK Banking applications may require re-activation 2FA.

7. Post-transfer validation and optimization

Once the data migration is complete, it is important to make sure that everything has moved correctly and the device is stable.

Contacts (no duplicates, all numbers saved)|Photo and video (no corrupt files, folder structure saved)|Messages (the history of chats in messengers is complete)|Applications (all necessary programs installed)|System settings (wallpaper, sounds, alarm clocks moved)|-->

If you find problems, use these tips:

• 🔍 Check if sync is enabled in Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of contacts.
• 📷 The photos don't open? They're probably saved in format. HEIF/HEIC (It is used on Xiaomi by default. Install the app on Samsung HEIF Viewer or convert files through Google Photos.
• 📱 Apps don't work? Update them through Google Play - sometimes re-installation is required after the transfer.

Important: If you have moved data over a Smart Switch but some files are not displayed, check the /SmartSwitchBackup folder on Samsung's internal drive. Sometimes the data is stored there as an archive.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data transfer from Xiaomi to Samsung