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

Transferring data between Android devices: why is it not so easy?

Shifting data from Samsung Galaxy to Xiaomi Redmi/POCO seems trivial only at first glance, as users face compatibility issues with MIUI and One UI, limitations on proprietary services (such as Samsung Cloud not synced with Xiaomi Cloud), and data losses when using standard tools like Google Account. It is especially difficult to transfer application settings, call history and SMS – this data is often “lost” when automatically migrating.

In this article, we’ll break down 5 working methods, from official tools to workarounds for power users. Each method is tested on pairs of Galaxy S23 Ultra → Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and Galaxy A52 → POCO F5 with the latest versions of MIUI 14 and One UI 6.1. Importantly, if you use Xiaomi with global firmware (EEA/Russia), some features may differ from the Chinese version (CN).

Method 1: Xiaomi’s official tool – “Data Transfer” (Mi Mover)

The most reliable method for beginners is the built-in Mi Mover utility, which automatically detects the donor device (Samsung) and offers to transfer basic data. The tool works on the Wi-Fi Direct protocol, so it does not require an Internet connection, but both phones must be charged at least 50%.

How to start:

• 📱 On Xiaomi: Go to Settings → The phone. → Data transmission (or Settings) → Additionally. → Transfer of data on older versions MIUI).
• 🔄 On Samsung: Open Settings → Cloud and accounts → Smart Switch and select Send Data → Wireless transmission.
• 🔗 Bring the devices to each other (distance not more than 10 cm) and wait for the appearance QR-Scan it with a Samsung camera.

What's being transmitted:

⚠️ Note: If Samsung has enabled Knox Protection, Mi Mover may block the transfer of some system files.

Turn off VPN on both devices | Make sure Xiaomi has enough space (at least +10% of the data volume being transferred) |Close all background apps | Turn off power saving mode

-->

Method 2: Google Account is universal, but not perfect

Syncing through Google Account seems like an obvious solution, but it has critical drawbacks: First, Xiaomi does not restore app settings by default (for example, game progress or messenger data); Second, photos and videos are synced only in compressed quality, unless you have a Google One subscription.

Step-by-step:

1. On Samsung: Settings → Accounts and Backups → Account Management → Google → Account Sync Enable Contact, Calendar, Google Photos and Notes sliders (if you use Google Keep).
2. On Xiaomi: Settings → Accounts → Google → Sync Choose the same categories and wait until the process is complete (can take up to 24 hours).

Challenges and solutions:

• 📸 Low resolution photo: Before syncing in Google Photos, go to Settings → Backup and synchronization → Download quality and select Original Quality (will require space in the cloud).
• 📱 Apps not restored: Use Google Play → Library → Installed to manually install missing programs.
• 🔄 Data duplicated: After the transfer, turn off sync on Samsung to avoid conflicts.

Google Account|Mi Mover (Xiaomi)|Smart Switch (Samsung)|Manual transfer via PC|Other-->

Method 3: Local backup + manual transfer

If you need to migrate all data without exception (including game saves, app settings, and system files), the only reliable option is to create a full backup on Samsung and restore it to Xiaomi via ADB or custom recovery. This method requires an unlocked bootloader on Xiaomi and root rights (for some operations).

Instructions for experienced users:

1. Creating a backup on Samsung: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f /sdcard/samsung_backup.ab This team maintains: 📦 All applications (-apk) and their data (-obb) 📁 Shared files (-shared) 🔧 System settings (-all)

File. samsung_backup.ab It will appear in the root folder of internal memory.

Transfer the file to Xiaomi:

/sdcard/

Xiaomi

Recovery:

Xiaomi

TWRP

adb restore /sdcard/samsung_backup.ab

⚠️ Note: Restore backup from Samsung to Xiaomi can lead to system conflicts due to different versions of Android and shells. Before the procedure, make a full wipe (Dalvik, Cache, System, Data) in the TWRP.

Method 4: Transfer over PC (most reliable for large volumes)

If you have more than 50 GB of data (for example, a collection of photos in RAW or 4K video), wireless methods will be too slow or simply fail to work.

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
• 🔌 Two. USB-cables (preferably original)
• 📂 Synchronization software (e.g. Syncthing or FreeFileSync)

Step-by-step algorithm:

1. Connect Samsung to your PC and copy all the files you need to a separate folder (e.g., file file file, D:\Samsung_Transfer). Pay attention to the hidden folders: Internal Storage\Android\data\ — This is where the Internal application data is stored. Storage\DCIM\ — Photos and videos by Internal Storage\Download\ — load

Advantages of the method:

💡

If your PC doesn’t recognize Xiaomi as a drive, turn on File Transfer (MTP) mode in the notification curtain when you connect to USB. Some models (such as the POCO F4 GT) need to additionally allow access to Settings → Additional → USB resolutions.

Method 5: Cloud Services (for selective transfer)

If you only need to transfer photos, documents or music, the easiest way to do this is to use cloud storage, and the main advantage is that you don't have to connect devices to each other, but there are limitations to each service.

* - when using Telegram Premium (up to 4 GB / file)

How to transfer data via Telegram (the fastest way for small files):

1. On Samsung, open the Saved Messages chat.
2. Attach files (maximum 2GB at a time) and send them to yourself.
3. On Xiaomi, open the same chat and download files.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use WeTransfer or similar services to transfer personal data (photos, documents) These platforms do not encrypt files on their servers, which creates a risk of leakage.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following instructions, users face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

• 🚫 Mi Mover doesn't see Samsung: Check if Wi-Fi Direct is enabled on both devices. Reboot both phones and try again. If you're using Samsung on Android 12 or lower, upgrade your Smart Switch to the latest version.
• 🔄 Data duplicated after transfer: Before migrating, disable Google Account sync on Samsung. use Files by Google app to find and remove duplicates.
• 📵 Wi-Fi Transfer Interrupted: Go to Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Wi-Fi mode and select 5GHz (less interference). Turn off Adaptive Wi-Fi in Xiaomi settings.

If none of these methods worked, check:

• 🔋 Battery charge: Xiaomi switches off background processes, including data transfers, at below 15.
• 🛡️ Antivirus: Some applications (such as Avast) are blocked ADB and Wi-Fi Direct.
• 📶 Regional settings: on Chinese versions of Xiaomi (CN) Google Services may be disabled.

💡

Before you start transferring data, always check the space on Xiaomi, which should be at least 20% larger than the volume of files transferred, otherwise the system may interrupt the process or damage the data.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions