How to Download Data from Samsung to Xiaomi: The Complete Guide 2026

The transition from Samsung to Xiaomi is not just about brand change, but also about the migration of all personal data: photos, contacts, messages and even app settings. Many users are faced with the problem of how to transfer information quickly, safely and without loss? In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of data transfer between Android devices, including official tools from manufacturers, cloud services and manual methods.

The peculiarity of the transfer between Samsung and Xiaomi is that both brands use their own ecosystems: Samsung Knox and Xiaomi. MIUI. This means that standard tools like Google Account may not be able to handle all file types (such as notes or call histories). S23 Ultra and Xiaomi 14 Pro to help you choose the best option for your tasks.

Important: If you plan to sell or rent an old Samsung, back up first and reset it later, otherwise you risk losing data forever, especially when it comes to messaging and Wi-Fi passwords.

1. Official method: Samsung Smart Switch + Mi Mover

The most reliable method is to use proprietary utilities from both manufacturers: Samsung Smart Switch exports data to a universal format, and Mi Mover imports it to Xiaomi, which is suitable for transferring:

• 📞 Contacts (including groups and selected groups)
• 📷 Photo and video (with preservation of geolocation tags)
• 💬 Communications SMS/MMS (But not messenger messages!)
• 📅 Calendars and reminders
• 🔊 Calls (History and Selected Contacts)

How it works:

1. On Samsung, install Smart Switch from the Galaxy Store or Google Play.
2. Select Send Data → Wireless transmission.
3. On Xiaomi, run Mi Mover (preinstalled in MIUI) and select I'm a new user.
4. Scan the scanner on Xiaomi scan QR-code that will appear on Samsung.
5. Confirm the transfer on both devices and wait until it is completed (can take up to 30 minutes with a large amount of data).

⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi already has data (for example, you have used your phone for several days), Mi Mover will suggest erasing it before importing!

Make sure that both phones have a ≥50% charge

Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network (5GHz is preferred)

Disable VPNs and Firewalls

Close all background applications, especially messengers

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2. Cloud services: Google Drive vs Mi Cloud

If you prefer not to depend on wires or specialized applications, cloud services will be a good alternative, and the main advantage is that data is stored on the Internet, and you can download it to Xiaomi anytime, even in a few months.

Instructions for Google Drive:

1. On Samsung, open Settings → Accounts and Archiving → Data Backup.
2. Select Google Drive and click Create Backup (make sure all the right categories are selected).
3. On Xiaomi, log in to the same Google account and recover data through Settings → Memory → Restore.

For Mi Cloud:

1. On Samsung, download files manually through your browser at i.mi.com (you need a Xiaomi account).
2. On Xiaomi, open Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud and enable sync.

Google Drive

Mi Cloud

Yandex Disc.

iCloud

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3. Direct transmission via OTG cable

If you don't have Wi-Fi or mobile internet, an OTG (On-The-Go) cable is a lifeline, a method that is suitable for transferring large files (like 4K videos or app backups) because it doesn't depend on Internet speed.

• 🔌 Cable USB-C to USB-C (Adapters, if the ports are different)
• 📱 File Manager (e.g. Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer)
• ⚡ Charging. ≥30% on both devices

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Samsung to Xiaomi with a cable OTG. Xiaomi will receive a notification USB-The device is connected - click on it.
2. Select File Transfer Mode (MTP).
3. Open the file manager on Xiaomi and go to the section USB-storage device (this is Samsung memory).
4. Copy the folders you want (DCIM for photos, Downloads for downloads, etc.) into Xiaomi’s internal memory.

⚠️ Note: Some folders on Samsung may be hidden (such as those with Samsung Notes backups).To see them, in the file manager, enable the display of hidden files in the settings.

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If it's cable OTG It is not recognized, try reconnecting it or using another port. USB. On some Samsung models (e.g. Galaxy) A52) may need to be unlocked USB-debugging in Settings → The phone. → Information on POs → Assembly number (click 7 times).

4. Transmission via computer (Windows/Mac)

If you have a PC or a laptop on hand, this is the best way to control the process, so you can selectively copy files, sort them by folder, and even compress them with archives to save space.

• 🎵 Music and playlists
• 📄 Documents (.pdf,.docx,.xlsx)
• 🎮 Game saving (if stored locally)
• 📂 Backup copies of applications (.apk or.obb)

Instructions for Windows:

1. Connect Samsung to your PC via USB-In the notification curtain of the phone, select File Transfer.
2. Open this computer – your Samsung will appear as a removable disk.
3. Copy the desired folders (Pictures, Music, etc.) to the desktop or in a separate folder.
4. Disable Samsung, connect Xiaomi and transfer files back.

Mac will require additional software, as Android devices are not recognized in Finder by default. Install Android File Transfer (the official utility from Google) and follow the same steps.

5. Transfer of applications and their data

One of the most difficult aspects of migration is transferring installed applications and their settings. Unfortunately, neither Smart Switch nor Mi Mover copy. APK-- We're going to do it:

Method 1: Backup through Google

• On Samsung, open Settings → Accounts and Archiving → Data Backup.
• Enable Backup in Google Drive and wait until it is completed.
• On Xiaomi, log in to the same Google account and restore apps through the Play Store → Library.

Restriction: Only the list of applications, but not their data (for example, progress in games) will be restored.

Method 2: Hand-copying APK + OBB

1. On Samsung, install APK Extractor (from Play Store) and export the APK of the desired applications.
2. Copy.apk files and.obb folders (they are located in /Android/obb/) on Xiaomi.
3. Install the APK manually by allowing installation from unknown sources (Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install Unknown Applications).

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. banking or with) DRM-They may not work after manual installation, and then they will have to be downloaded from the Play Store again.

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To transfer these games (for example, Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) be sure to copy the folder. Android/obb — It stores game files up to several gigabytes in size.

6. Transfer of notes, messages and other specific data

Not all data is amenable to standard transfer methods.

📝 Samsung Notes → Xiaomi Notes

• Export notes from Samsung Notes to.sbn or.pdf format.
• Send files to yourself by email or messenger.
• On Xiaomi, open files in Mi Notes or Google Keep.

💬 Messages from Samsung Messages

• Install Backup & Restore SMS on Samsung.
• Create a backup in.xml format and save it to the cloud.
• On Xiaomi, restore messages through the same app.

🎵 Musical Playlists (Samsung Music) → Mi Music)

• Export playlists to.m3u via Samsung Music.
• Transfer files to Xiaomi and import them to Mi Music or Poweramp.

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If you’ve used Samsung Health, export your data to.csv via Settings → Data Export. On Xiaomi, import it to Mi Fitness or Google Fit.

7.What to do if the data is not transferred?

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have problems. Here are some common mistakes and solutions.

If none of these methods work, try alternative tools:

• 🔄 Cloneit – a cross-platform utility for data transfer between Android devices.
• 🖥️ Droid Transfer – PC software that copies data through USB.
• ☁️ Send Anywhere – transfer files over Wi-Fi Direct without size restrictions.

8.After the transfer: what to check on Xiaomi?

After the migration is completed, follow the following steps:

1. Check contacts: Open Contacts and make sure all numbers are in place (especially favorites). If contacts are duplicated, use the merge function in Settings → Contacts → Contact Management.
2. Test photos and videos: Open a few files in the Gallery to make sure they are not corrupted and play correctly.
3. Set up accounts: Add all emails and social media to Settings → Accounts. Some apps (like WhatsApp) may require re-authorization.
4. Update apps: Go to the Play Store → My apps and install all available updates.
5. Check your network settings: Make sure Xiaomi connects to Wi-Fi and mobile internet (sometimes manual APN input is required).

⚠️ Note: If you have transferred data from Samsung to Xiaomi via Mi Mover, do not reset your phone to factory settings for 7 days after the migration – this may result in the loss of unsynchronized data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data transfer