How to Download Data from Samsung to Xiaomi: All Ways to Move in 2026

Why moving data between Android smartphones of different brands is not a trivial task

The transition from Samsung to Xiaomi is not just a change of gadget, but the migration of all digital life: photos, correspondence, passwords and even the usual settings. It would seem that both systems work on Android, but manufacturers impose their own shells: One UI Samsung and MIUI/HyperOS These shells not only change the interface, but they also store backups, sync contacts and manage files in different ways.

The main problem is the lack of a universal tool. Samsung offers Smart Switch and Xiaomi offers Mi Mover, but these utilities are not always compatible with each other. For example, Smart Switch may refuse to work on Xiaomi due to manufacturer restrictions, and Mi Mover will not see a backup with Samsung, as a result, users are faced with lost data, duplicate contacts or can not transfer some types of files at all.

In this article, we will analyze 5 working ways to transfer data – from the simplest through the cloud to advanced using ADB. Each method is tested on current models of 2023-2026 (including the Galaxy S23 Ultra and Xiaomi 14 Pro) and takes into account the nuances of the latest versions of Android 14 and HyperOS.

Method 1: Transfer through a Google Account (most reliable, but incomplete)

Google Account Sync is a basic method that works on all Android devices, and it is suitable for transferring contacts, calendars, notes (from Google Keep), emails, and parts of apps, but it has critical limitations:

• 📁 What is portable: contacts, calendar events, Gmail, Chrome bookmarks, some system settings (Wi-Fi passwords, wallpaper).
• ❌ What's not tolerable: SMS/MMS, Call history, photos (only if they are uploaded to Google Photos separately), application files (e.g. saving games).
• ⚡ Speed: Depends on the speed of the internet, but usually takes 5-15 minutes.

How to do this:

1. On Samsung, go to Settings → Accounts & Archiving → Account Management and select your Google profile.
2. Activate sync for all the right categories (be sure to check Contacts, Calendar, Chrome).
3. On Xiaomi, when you first turn on, select Recover Data and log in to the same Google account. If your phone is already set up, go to Settings → Google Accounts → Sync and start the process manually.

⚠️ Note: If Samsung used a Samsung Account for backup, this data will NOT be transferred to Xiaomi).

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Before syncing, check if there's enough space in Google Drive. Only 15GB is available for free, and photos in their original quality take up a lot of space. If necessary, temporarily clear the cart or buy extra space.

Method 2: Transfer files via OTG cable (fast and without internet)

If you have a USB-C cable (or USB-A → USB-C adapter for older Samsung models), you can transfer files directly, without clouds or volume constraints.

• 📸 Photos and videos (including folders) DCIM, Pictures, Downloads).
• 🎵 Music and podcasts.
• 📄 Documents (PDF, DOCX, XLSX).
• 🎮 Game saves (if stored in a folder) Android/data).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Samsung to Xiaomi via cable. On the Samsung screen, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. On Xiaomi, open the Files app (or any file manager, such as Solid Explorer).
3. In the Devices section, a folder will appear with the name of the Samsung model (such as the Galaxy S22), copy the files you want to remember Xiaomi.

⚠️ Note: Do not copy the entire Android folder – this can disrupt the work of applications on Xiaomi. Android/obb).

Make sure that Xiaomi has enough free space (check in Settings → Memory)

Use the original cable or certified USB-C

Unlock both phones (do not transfer data in lock mode)

Turn off battery optimization for file manager (Settings → Applications → Files → Battery)

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Method 3: Export contacts and SMS via Samsung Account (if you don’t use Google)

Many Samsung users store contacts and SMS in Samsung Account instead of Google, in which case standard synchronization will not work, and the data will have to be exported manually.

For contacts:

1. On Samsung, open the Contacts app → ⋮ (Menus) → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Exports.
2. Select the.vcf (vCard) format and save the file to internal memory or to the file. SD-map.
3. Transfer the file to Xiaomi (via cable, cloud, or Bluetooth) and import it in the Contacts app.

For SMS and call history:

• 📱 Install the application on Samsung SMS Backup & Restore (available on Google Play).
• 🔄 Create a backup (select.xml or.json format).
• 📲 Transfer the file to Xiaomi and restore messages through the same app.

Method 4: Using Mi Mover (official solution from Xiaomi)

Mi Mover is a proprietary utility from Xiaomi for transferring data from other Android devices. It supports transfer:

• 📞 Contacts (including linked accounts).
• 💬 Communications (SMS and MMS).
• 📷 Photos and videos (but not in original quality!).
• 🎵 Music and documents.
• 📱 Some applications (APK-files, but no data).

How to use Mi Mover:

1. Download Mi Mover on both phones from Google Play (for Samsung) and the App Store (for Xiaomi, if it’s new).
2. On Xiaomi, choose I am a new user, on Samsung I am an old user.
3. Scan it. QR-code from the screen Xiaomi camera Samsung.
4. Select data types to transfer and wait until it is completed (may take up to 30 minutes).

⚠️ Note: Mi Mover often doesn't see Samsung devices due to conflict with Smart Switch.Before using, disable Smart Switch in Samsung settings (Settings) → Accounts and archiving → Smart Switch).

Through Google Account

Direct Cable (OTG)

Mi Mover by Xiaomi

Third-party applications (e.g. ShareIt)

Manual export/import of files

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Method 5: Advanced ADB Transfer (for power users)

If you need to transfer all data without loss (including application settings, cache, and system files), you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires unlocked USB debugging and command line knowledge, but gives you maximum control.

What can be transferred through ADB:

• 📱 Full backup of applications (adb backup).
• 🗃️ System settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, wallpaper).
• 🔑 Application data (for example, saving games or login passwords from the browser).

Step-by-step:

1. Enable Developer Mode on both phones: Settings → About Phone → Build Number (click 7 times)
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → System → Developer Mode.
3. Connect Samsung to your PC, open the terminal, and execute: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab (this will create a backup.ab file with a full copy of the data).
4. Connect Xiaomi and recover data: adb restore backup.ab

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ADB is the only way to migrate app data (like progress in games or messaging settings), but it requires unlocking the bootloader on Xiaomi. On newer models (like Xiaomi 13T), this can result in a reset of all data!

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following instructions, users face problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

Critical information: Xiaomi with HyperOS (2026) has disabled SMS import via standard means, the only working way is to use the SMS Backup & Restore or ADB application.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions