How to copy data from Samsung to Xiaomi: the full guide 2026

The transition from Samsung to Xiaomi is not just about changing the brand, but also the need to transfer all the important data: contacts, photos, messages and even app settings. Many users fear this process, considering it difficult or risky, but in fact there are several reliable ways to migrate, which take from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the amount of information.

The main problem is that the Samsung and Xiaomi ecosystems use different synchronization protocols: the first one is focused on Samsung Account and Smart Switch, the second one is focused on Mi Account and Mi Mover. Fortunately, manufacturers have provided tools for cross-platform data sharing. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods – from official utilities to manual copying via PC – and also explain how to avoid data loss and why some files may not be migrated.

It is important to consider that the transfer speed depends not only on the chosen method, but also on the device model. For example, the flagship Galaxy S23 and Xiaomi 14 Ultra support Wi-Fi Direct 6E, which speeds up wireless exchange to 1.5 GB / s, while budget models like the Galaxy A14 or Redmi Note 12 are limited to the Wi-Fi 5 standard (up to 866 Mbit / s).

1.Official method: Smart Switch + Mi Mover

The most reliable method is to use proprietary utilities from Samsung and Xiaomi, which works on the principle of a “bridge”: data is first exported from Samsung to an intermediate format, and then imported to Xiaomi, the main advantage is the preservation of the structure of folders and metadata (for example, the date of creation of a photo).

This will require:

• 📱 Install Samsung Smart Switch on your old phone (available from the Galaxy Store or Google Play).
• 📱 Install Mi Mover on the new Xiaomi (pre-installed on most models, otherwise download from the App Store).
• 🔌 Cable USB-C to USB-C (Adapters, if the ports are different).
• 🔋 Charge of both phones at least 50% (process can take up to 40 minutes).

Step-by-step:

1. On Samsung, open the Smart Switch, select Send Data → Cable.
2. On Xiaomi, run Mi Mover, select Get Data → Android.
3. Connect the phones with a cable. Samsung will be asked to allow the transmission, confirm.
4. In Mi Mover, tick the types of data you want to copy (contacts, messages, photos, videos, audio, calendar) and you can't move the apps, you'll have to reinstall them from Google Play.
5. Press "Start" and wait until it's done. Don't interrupt the connection!

⚠️ Note: If you are on Xiaomi MIUI 14 and newer, and on Samsung - Android 13+, In this case, upgrade the Mi Mover to the latest version or use an alternative method (see Section 3).

The cable supports data transfer (not just charging)

Developer mode is enabled on both phones (optional, but it will help with errors)

Free space on Xiaomi exceeds the amount of data transferred

Disabled. VPN Firewalls (they can block the connection)-->

2. Wireless transmission via Wi-Fi Direct

If you don't have the right cable or you prefer to do without wires, you can use Wi-Fi Direct, which is slower (up to 300 Mbps), but doesn't require additional accessories. It's suitable for transferring files up to 20 GB.

Instructions:

1. On Samsung, go to Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi Direct and turn on the feature.
2. On Xiaomi, open Settings → Wi-Fi → Additional → Wi-Fi Direct.
3. Select your Samsung name from the list of available devices on Xiaomi and confirm pairing on both phones.
4. On Samsung, open My File (or any file manager), select the files you want, click Share → Wi-Fi Direct, and select Xiaomi.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 No need for cables or PCs.
• 📁 You can selectively transfer only the necessary folders.
• 🔒 Data is transmitted directly, without uploading to the cloud.

Disadvantages:

• ⏳ Speed 3-5 times lower than cable.
• 📵 With a weak signal, the connection may be interrupted.
• 🚫 Contacts, messages and application settings are not transferred.

Cable (quick and reliable)

Wireless (Wi-Fi Direct)

Google Drive (Mi Cloud) and Google Drive (Mi Drive)

With the help of a PC

I haven't decided yet.-->

3. Cloud Transfer: Google Drive vs Mi Cloud

Cloud storage is a universal way to do it even when phones are physically far apart, but it has limitations: Google Drive offers only 15GB of free pricing, while Mi Cloud offers 5GB. For large amounts of data, you’ll have to buy extra space or break it down.

Comparison of services:

How to transfer data via Google Drive:

1. On Samsung, open Google Drive, click + → Download and select files.
2. Wait until the loading is complete (may take hours with a large volume).
3. On Xiaomi, log in to the same Google account, open Drive and download files.

⚠️ Note: If you use Mi Cloud, please note that photos and videos are automatically compressed to resolution. 1920×1080 To maintain the original quality, buy a premium subscription (from the 100 GB for 990 ₽/year).

4. Copying via computer (Windows/Mac)

If you have a PC or a laptop, this is the best way to control the process, so you can manually choose which files to copy, check for viruses, and even edit them before you run a penos, minus the extra device and the time you need to connect.

Step-by-step instructions for Windows:

1. Connect Samsung to your PC via USB, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Open This Computer, find a Samsung device, and copy the files to your hard drive.
3. Disable Samsung, plug in Xiaomi and repeat the action, but already transferring files from PC to phone.

Macs will require additional software, as Android File Transfer is often unstable.

• 🖥️ Android File Transfer (official but buggy).
• 🖥️ HandShaker (more stable, drag-and-drop support).
• 🖥️ Commander One (paid but supported) FTP).

Warnings:

• Don’t copy the entire Android folder – it can disrupt the system applications on Xiaomi.
• Files with the.nomedia extension will not be displayed in the gallery.

1. Switch USB mode on your phone (Settings → Additional → USB Mode → MTP).

2. Update drivers through Device Manager (Windows).

3. Use another cable (sometimes the problem is a damaged cord).-->

5. Posting Contacts and Messages Separately

Contacts and SMS are often lost when switching between brands, as they are stored in different formats. To avoid this, use specialized tools.

Method 1: Through Google Account

1. On Samsung, go to Contacts → Settings → Contact Management → Import/Export → Export to VCF file.
2. Save the file to a memory card or to the cloud.
3. On Xiaomi, import it through Contacts → Settings → Import.

Method 2: SMS Backup and Restore

This app saves XML messages and restores them to the new device, including attachments (photos, videos). Importantly, Xiaomi needs to make it the default SMS application before restoring (Settings → Applications → Default → SMS).

💡

Contacts synced to Google are automatically transferred when you add an account to Xiaomi, but if they are stored only in the memory of the phone or the phone. SIM-The map will have to be exported manually.

6. Transfer of applications and their data

Unfortunately, it is not possible to migrate installed applications with their data (for example, save in games or configure messengers), due to the differences in the architecture of Samsung (using Knox) and Xiaomi (using MIUI Optimization).

For games and social media:

• 🎮 Use built-in sync through your account (Google Play Games, Facebook, VK).
• 🔄 For WhatsApp, back up to Google Drive on Samsung, then restore to Xiaomi.

For the remaining applications:

• 📲 Reinstall them from Google Play.
• 🔧 To transfer settings (for example, in Nova Launcher) use the built-in export / import.

Exceptions:

• ❌ Samsung (Samsung Health, Samsung Pay) apps don't work on Xiaomi.Look for analogs in the Mi App Store.
• ❌ Some banking applications require re-authorization on a new device.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

⚠️ Note: If some files are missing after transferring to Xiaomi, check the Internal Storage folder → MIUI → Backup → Sometimes Mi Mover saves data there rather than in the main directories.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions