How to download files from Samsung to Xiaomi: all ways to transfer data in 2026

Why Samsung and Xiaomi Data Transfers Need a Special Approach

The shift from Samsung to Xiaomi is not just a brand change, but a transition between two fundamentally different ecosystems: One UI (based on Android with Samsung’s proprietary tweaks) and MIUI (a deeply customized shell of Xiaomi), which affects how devices interact with each other when transferring data. For example, standard Android Beam (which was used to transfer files over NFC) has long been abolished, and alternative solutions like Google’s Nearby Share work unstablely between devices from different manufacturers.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to move data in 2026, including official tools (such as Mi Mover), cloud services, direct cable transmission, and even methods for users who have one of the devices locked or not turned on. Why Samsung’s Smart Switch is not always suitable for Xiaomi, how to get around the restrictions MIUI What to do if the transfer is interrupted by 99%.

The important thing is that if you switch from the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra to the Xiaomi 14 Pro, or vice versa from a budget model like the Galaxy A14 to the Redmi Note 13, the process will be the same, the only difference is the transfer speed (flagships will cope faster thanks to UFS 4.0) and the amount of data (the top models usually have more files).

Method 1: Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s official migration tool

Mi Mover is a proprietary application from Xiaomi, designed specifically to transfer data from devices of other brands (including Samsung) to Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones.

• 📱 Contacts (including groups and notes)
• 📷 Photo and video (in original resolution)
• 🎵 Music and audio files
• 📄 Documents (PDF, DOCX, XLSX etc.)
• 📅 Calendars and events
• 🔄 Annexes (only) APK-files, no data)

However, Mi Mover does not tolerate:

• 🚫 Messages from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.)
• 🚫 System application settings (e.g., camera settings)
• 🚫 Wi-Fi passwords
• 🚫 Game data (conservation, progress)

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

1. Download Mi Mover on both devices: On Xiaomi: the app is preinstalled (find through the menu search). On Samsung: download from Google Play.

• On Samsung, it says, “I’m a sender.”
• On Xiaomi, it says, “I’m a receiver.”
• Xiaomi will appear QR-Scan it with a Samsung camera.
• Select the data types to be transferred and confirm the start of the process.

Charge of both devices > 50% | Disconnect VPN and power saving modes | Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network | Close background applications, especially instant messengers

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⚠️ Note: If the transfer has been suspended during the “Data Preparation” stage, check:

• Does the antivirus (e.g., McAfee on Samsung) block access to files?
• Is not the Xiaomi mode Private storage (in Settings → Privacy) enabled?
• Does the total data volume exceed 10 GB – in this case, the Mi Mover may not work stable.

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If Mi Mover doesn’t see the device, try connecting through a hot spot: on Xiaomi, turn on the Wi-Fi distribution, and Samsung connect to this network. QR-code.

Method 2: Direct transmission via cable (OTG + adapter)

If you don't have access to Wi-Fi or data is too big (like a 4K video collection), the most reliable method is direct transmission over cable.

• 🔌 USB-C — USB-C cable (if both devices are modern).
• 🔌 adapter USB-C — USB-A (If Samsung has a Type-C connector and Xiaomi has a Micro-USB connector, which is unlikely for models after 2020).
• 🔌 OTG-cable (if you need to connect the flash drive as an intermediary).

Instructions:

1. Connect Samsung to Xiaomi with a cable. On the Samsung screen, select File Transfer (or MTP) mode.
2. On Xiaomi, open Explorer (or any file application, such as Solid Explorer).
3. In the Devices or Network section, look for a connected Samsung (usually displayed as a Galaxy S... or SM-...).
4. Copy the files you want to use in Xiaomi memory (internal or on-board) SD-map).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 12) have their root directory disabled by default. MTP. To turn it on:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 7 times on the MIUI version to activate Developer Mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Activate the USB Debugging option and Select USB Configuration (select MTP).

Method 3: Cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud, Samsung Cloud)

If you have a slow cable or no physical access to both devices (e.g. Samsung is broken but turns on), cloud services will be a lifeline.

1. Google Drive (Universal Method)

Suitable for transferring any files, but has a limit of 15 GB on a free account.

1. On Samsung, open Google Drive and click “+” → “Download”.
2. Select files (you can folders) and wait for the download to be completed.
3. On Xiaomi, log in to the same Google account, find the files and download them.

2.Samsung Cloud (Samsung owners only)

If you have previously synced data with Samsung Cloud, you can transfer it to Xiaomi via the web interface:

1. On PC or Xiaomi, open the Samsung Cloud.
2. Log in and select the files to download.
3. Transfer them to Xiaomi via cable or send them to yourself by mail.

⚠️ Note: From November 1, 2021, Samsung Cloud no longer supports photo and video backup.If you haven't synced data before that date, the method won't work.

3.Mi Cloud (for backup on Xiaomi)

This method is suitable if you have already transferred the basic data and want to create a backup on Xiaomi:

1. On Xiaomi, go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Enable synchronization for the desired types of data (contacts, notes, photos).
3. On Samsung, export your contacts to a.vcf file and upload them to Mi Cloud via the web version.

Google Drive|Samsung Cloud|Mi Cloud|Yandex Drive|iCloud|Other |Not used-->

Method 4: Transmission via computer (Windows/Mac)

If you have a PC or a laptop, this is the best way to control the process.

• 🖥️ Transferring large amounts of data (>50GB).
• 🔄 Selective copying (for example, only photos from the last year).
• 🛠️ Data recovery from damaged Samsung.

Step-by-step instructions for Windows:

1. Connect Samsung to your PC via USB-Cable. Select file transfer mode (MTP).
2. Open This Computer – Your Samsung will appear as a removable drive (like the Galaxy S22 (G:)).
3. Copy the desired files to a folder on your PC (for example, to the desktop).
4. Disable Samsung, connect Xiaomi and transfer files back.

Macs will require additional software, as macOS does not support MTP out of the box.

• Android File Transfer (official solution from Google)
• Commander One (paid, but with trial period)

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When copying via PC, avoid Cyrillic paths (e.g. Documents/Photos). Some versions of MIUI do not display such folders correctly. Use the Latin alphabet Documents/Photos.

Method 5: Transfer via messengers and mail (for small files)

If you need to transfer only a few files (for example, documents or individual photos), you can use:

• 📧 Email (Gmail, Mail.ru) – limit to 25 MB per letter.
• 💬 Telegram – up to 2 GB per file (without compression).
• 📎 WhatsApp – up to 100 MB, but with strong photo/video compression.

Instructions for Telegram:

1. On Samsung, open a chat called “Saved Messages”.
2. Attach files (up to 100 pieces at a time).
3. On Xiaomi, open the same chat and download files.

⚠️ Note: When transmitting via messengers:

• Photos and videos are compressed (except Telegram).
• File names may change (for example, IMG_2023.jpg → photo_1.jpg).
• WhatsApp videos longer than 3 minutes are cut off.

Method 6: Transfer data from a locked or broken Samsung

If your Samsung is not turning on, locked with a pattern lock, or has a broken screen but is responding to a PC connection, try the following methods:

Recovery Mode (Recovery Mode)

If the phone is turned on but locked:

1. Turn off the Samsung.
2. Press Volume Up + Power + Bixby (on new models) or Volume Up + Home + Nutrition (on old models).
3. From the Recovery menu, select Apply update from ADB.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and use the command: adb pull /sdcard/ <path> copy.

2. Extraction SD-cards (if any)

If the files are stored on a microSD:

1. Remove the card from Samsung.
2. Insert it into Xiaomi or a PC adapter.
3. Copy the data.

3. Service centres

If the phone is physically damaged (for example, the connector is not working) USB), Many workshops offer data extraction service from damaged devices (cost: from 1,500) ₽).

FAQ: Frequent questions about data transfer from Samsung to Xiaomi