How to sync Samsung phone with Xiaomi: all the ways 2026

The transition from Samsung to Xiaomi (or vice versa) is often accompanied by the question: how to transfer contacts, photos, messages and applications without loss? Synchronization between phones of different brands seems difficult due to proprietary technologies, but in practice there are at least 5 working methods - from standard tools to workarounds.

Many users mistakenly assume that file transfers require a computer or cable. In fact, wireless protocols (Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 5.0+) and cloud services do as well, and sometimes faster. However, there are nuances: for example, Samsung Smart Switch does not support Xiaomi directly, and Mi Share can slow down when transferring large volumes. Let's examine each method in detail, taking into account the limitations and life hacks to speed up the process.

In this article you will find:

• 🔄 Comparison of all synchronization methods in terms of speed and reliability
• 📱 Step-by-step instructions for Samsung Galaxy (including models on the One) UI 5/6) and Xiaomi. MIUI 14/15)
• ⚠️ Common Errors That Don’t Transfer Data (and How to Avoid Them)
• 🔒 Security: How to protect personal data during transfer

1. Mi Share: The Official Way From Xiaomi

Mi Share (formerly Mi Drop) is Xiaomi’s proprietary tool for wireless file transfer between devices, and it works on Wi-Fi Direct protocol, allowing data to be exchanged at speeds up to 20 MB/s (in theory). In practice, the speed depends on the Samsung model: for example, the Galaxy S23 transfers files faster than the Galaxy A12 due to different versions of the Wi-Fi module.

To sync your phones through Mi Share:

1. On Xiaomi, open the Mi Share app (if not, download it to Google Play).
2. Click Send and select files (photos, videos, documents).
3. On Samsung, turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, then select your Xiaomi from the list of available devices.
4. Confirm the acceptance of files on Xiaomi.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Does not transmit contacts, messages and applications – only media files and documents.
• 🐢 Speed decreases when transferring files > 1GB.
• 🔌 Some Samsung models (such as the Galaxy J-series) may need to enable Developer Mode for stable performance.

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If Mi Share doesn’t find the device, try turning off Adaptive Wi-Fi in Samsung’s settings (Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi → More).

2.Samsung Smart Switch: A workaround through PC

Samsung Smart Switch is the gold standard for data transfer between Samsung devices, but it doesn’t support Xiaomi directly. However, there is a workaround: first transfer data from Samsung to your computer and then to Xiaomi.

• 📞 Contacts and call log
• 💬 Communications (SMS/MMS)
• 📷 Photos and videos (including Google Photos albums)
• 🎵 Music and documents
• 📱 System settings (wallpaper, sounds, alarm clocks)

Instructions:

1. Install Samsung Smart Switch on your PC (official website).
2. Connect Samsung to your computer via USB-cable (select File Transfer Mode).
3. In Smart Switch, click Backup and select the data to save.
4. Once complete, disconnect Samsung and plug in Xiaomi.
5. Copy the backup manually (like the Download folder) or use the Mi PC Suite to recover.

Install Smart Switch on PC|Check the free space on the disk (>10GB)|Use the original USB-cable|Disable screen lock on both phones-->

Important: Smart Switch does not port applications (.apk) to Xiaomi - only their data (for example, save in games). APK Extractor or Google Play.

3. Cloud services: Google Drive, Mi Cloud, Samsung Cloud

Cloud storage is a universal way of syncing, but with limitations in terms of volume and speed, for example, Google Drive gives 15 GB for free, and Mi Cloud only 5 GB.

How to transfer data via Google Drive:

1. On Samsung, open Settings → Accounts and Archiving → Backup and Restore.
2. Select Google Drive and click Create Backup.
3. On Xiaomi, log in to the same Google account and restore data to Settings → System → Backup.

⚠️ Note: When you restore contacts through Google on Xiaomi, they may be duplicated. Before syncing, clear contacts in the Contacts app (Management) → Delete duplicates).

Local area network 4: FTP-server SMB

If you have an SMB-enabled router at home (such as Xiaomi Router or Keenetic), you can set up local storage for file sharing, a method that is suitable for transferring large volumes (such as 50+GB of photos and videos) without the limitations of cloud services.

Customization through FTP-server:

1. Install the FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer app.
2. Turn it on. FTP-server in the application settings (usually in the Network section).
3. Remember the server address (e.g. ftp://192.168.1.10:2221).
4. On Samsung, open any file manager (like Files by Google) and connect to FTP by entering the address.

Advantages of the method:

• 🚀 Speed is limited only by your router (up to 100MB/s on Wi-Fi 6).
• 🔒 Data does not go to the Internet - the transfer is only on the local network.
• 📂 You can transfer any files, including backups of applications (.apk,.obb).

5. Bluetooth and NFC: for small files

Bluetooth 5.0+ and NFC are the slowest but most versatile synchronization methods. They are suitable for transferring 1-2 files (such as contact or photos), but are not suitable for large volumes. Bluetooth speeds on the Samsung Galaxy S22 and Xiaomi 13 reach 2 MB / s, but in practice usually 0.5-1 MB / s.

How to transfer files via Bluetooth:

1. On both phones, turn on Bluetooth and make the devices Visible.
2. On Samsung, select the file → Share → Bluetooth.
3. Select your Xiaomi from the list and confirm acceptance on it.

NFC is even slower (~0.1 MB/s), but is convenient for sending contacts or links.

• 📇 Put the phones back to each other.
• On Samsung, open a contact and select Share via NFC.
• Xiaomi will receive a notification of data acquisition.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10) NFC It's disabled by default. To activate it, go to Settings. → Connection and sharing → NFC and turn on the option.

6 Third-party applications: Send Anywhere, Xender, SHAREit

If standard methods don’t work, third-party apps often come to the rescue, often bypassing the limitations of branded tools and offering additional features (such as app transfers or call history).

How to use Send Anywhere:

1. Install the app on both phones.
2. On Samsung, select files and click Send.
3. A 6-digit key is generated or QR-code.
4. On Xiaomi, enter the key or scan the QR – the transfer will begin.

Through the cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud)| Cable via PC|Wireless applications (Send Anywhere, Xender)| Through Bluetooth/NFC|In another way-->

Comparison of all methods: which one to choose?

The choice of synchronization method depends on the type of data, volume and availability of additional devices (PC, router).

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To port applications, it is better to use Smart Switch + PC or Send Anywhere. Cloud services and Mi Share do not transfer.apk files.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with the right method, synchronization can be interrupted due to common errors, and here are the most common problems and solutions.

• 🔌 Devices can't see each other on Wi-Fi Direct: Turn off Power Saving Mode on both phones. Restart router if you're using a LAN. On Samsung, check your settings Mobile data → Access Point and modem → Wi-Fi modem (must be turned off).
• 📱 contact is not transferred or SMS: Check if your contacts are synchronized with Google (Settings) → Accounts. → Google → Contact synchronization. SMS Use specialized applications, for example SMS Backup & Restore.
• ⚡ Slow file transfer: Close all background apps (especially instant messengers and games). If you use Mi Share, try reducing the packet size (e.g., sending files at 500MB).

Additional advice:

• 🔋 Before syncing, charge both phones at least 50% – long data transfers severely drain the battery.
• 🛡️ If you are transferring sensitive data (passwords, documents), use encryption applications (Send Anywhere, Resilio Sync).
• 📡 For stable Wi-Fi transmission, turn off the Smart Connect function on the router (it can automatically switch devices between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies, interrupting the connection).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions