Xiaomi to Samsung: A Complete Guide to Data Migration and Adaptation

Changing your smartphone is always an exciting process, especially when it comes to the transition between the two largest ecosystems: MIUI from Xiaomi and One UI If you've been using Redmi devices for years, POCO If you look at Mi, the new Galaxy may seem alien — different gestures, different settings, your own services instead of the usual Mi Account and Xiaomi Cloud. But don’t panic: with the right approach, the transition will go smoothly, and many Samsung features may be even more convenient.

In this article, we will look at all the stages of migration, from backing up data on Xiaomi to fine-tuning the Galaxy to your habits, learn how to transfer contacts, photos and applications without loss, how the brand services of the two brands differ, and how to adapt to the new interface. We will focus on the hidden possibilities of One. UI, Which will help to fill the usual chips MIUI — For example, the Game Turbo analog or the notification panel setting. If you're hesitating between models, at the end of the article there's a comparison table of the key differences between the Xiaomi 13 and the Galaxy. S23 according to the current criteria of 2026.

1. Preparation for the transition: data backup on Xiaomi

Before you leave your old smartphone, be sure to save all the important data. Xiaomi offers several ways to back up, and better use the combination of them for reliability.

• 📱 Local copy through Settings → The phone. → Backup: This is a way of saving data to the device itself or to the memory card, and minus, if the phone breaks, access to the files can be lost.
• ☁️ Xiaomi’s cloud storage provides 5GB for free, but it may take more to complete backup (including apps). Check that all the right categories are included in the cloud settings: Contacts, Messages, Notes, Photos.

⚠️ Note: If you used Google Photos to automatically upload media files, check that all photos and videos are synced. Sometimes due to mobile traffic restrictions or battery saving settings, downloading is interrupted. Go to the Google Photos app, open Photos → Utilities. → Backups and make sure status – “Backups are up to date».

A critical mistake many users make is ignoring app data backups (such as chat history in Telegram or game progress).Most apps are synced through a Google account, but some (such as Xiaomi Home for smart home) are tied to Mi Accounts, which will have to be manually reconfigured to Samsung.

2.Switching data to the new Samsung: official and alternative ways

Samsung offers its own migration solution, the Smart Switch utility, which works both over cable and wireless, but there are nuances: not all data from Xiaomi is ported correctly. Let's consider both options.

Method 1: Smart Switch (Recommended)

Method 2: Google Account (Universal)

If Smart Switch refuses to work (this happens with custom firmware on Xiaomi), use sync via Google:

• 📧 On Xiaomi, check that sync is enabled for all the right categories: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of the account.
• 🔄 On Samsung, when you first turn on, log in to the same Google account – most of the data (contacts, calendar, mail, some settings) will be automatically pulled up.
• 📁 Use Google Drive or Google Photos for photos and files (if they have already been downloaded before).

Make sure that Xiaomi has enough charge (minimum 50%)|Disable screen lock on both phones|Connect to stable Wi-Fi (for wireless transfer)|Check the space available on Samsung (should be at least 20% more data portable)|Download the latest Smart Switch versions on both devices-->

3. Samsung setup after the transfer: what to change first

Interface One UI radically different MIUI, And you may feel uncomfortable in the first few days. Here are the key adjustments that you should make right away:

1. Notification panel and quick settings

V MIUI The notification bar opens down swipe anywhere on the screen, and in One UI — It's just a swipe from the top edge, to bring back the behavior:

1. Go to Settings. → Screen. → Notification panel.
2. Enable the Swipe down option for the notification panel.

2. Navigation gestures

Samsung offers three navigation options: classic buttons, One gestures UI And Android gestures, if you're used to gestures. MIUI (swipe from the bottom edge, select: Settings → Screen. → Navigation panel → Full-screen gestures.

3. Battery optimization

Default One. UI aggressively optimises the background of apps, which can interfere with notifications (e.g. Telegram or WhatsApp) to fix:

1. Go to Settings. → Maintenance of the device → Battery → Background work.
2. Add the right apps to the list of Never Optimize.

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To quickly open the camera on Samsung, double-press the power button – this works even on a locked screen (setting is included in Settings). → Additional functions → Quick camera launch).

4. Application and data portability: what doesn't automatically go

Even with Smart Switch, some data will have to be manually transferred, and this is what needs special attention:

🎮 Games and progress

Save in games (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile) linked to developer accounts:

• 🆔 For Mi Account games (e.g. Xiaomi Game Center) – transfer is impossible, you will have to start again.
• 🎮 For cross-platform games (e.g. Google Play Games or Facebook) sign in to the same Samsung account and progress will pick up.

📱 Applications from Xiaomi

Branded utilities (Mi Fit, Mi Home, Mi Browser) have no analogues on Samsung.

• 🏠 Mi Home → Samsung SmartThings (but not all Xiaomi devices are supported).
• 🏃 Mi Fit → Samsung Health (data will not be transferred, but the functionality is similar).
• 🌐 Mi Browser → Samsung Internet or Google Chrome.

🔐 Passwords and autocomplete

If you’ve used Mi Browser or Xiaomi’s built-in password manager, export your data before you switch:

1. In Mi Browser: Settings → Passwords. → Export passwords (save the file to a safe place).
2. On Samsung, import passwords through Samsung Pass or Google Password Manager.

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Don’t delete your old Xiaomi immediately after you transfer it! Keep it on hand for at least a week in case you need to move your forgotten data or log in to your old accounts.

5. Ecosystem comparison: what you lose and what you gain

Transition from MIUI one UI — It's not just changing your smartphone, it's moving to a different ecosystem with its pros and cons:

⚠️ Note: If you’ve used Xiaomi-specific features like Second Space or App Lock, there’s no analogue to them on Samsung. Instead of Second Space, you can use Samsung Knox (but it is less flexible), and instead of App Lock, you can use the built-in Safe Folder or third-party applications like Norton App Lock.

6. Optimizing Samsung for Your Needs: Hidden One Chips UI

One UI It hides a lot of useful features that Xiaomi users may not know about:

🔧 1. Mode "Laboratory" (for experienced users)

The analogue of hidden settings in MIUI. To turn on:

1. Open the phone and type the code #0#.
2. Go to Settings. → Additional functions → Laboratory (will appear after entering the code).
3. Here you can turn off animations, change the screen resolution or enable debugging for developers.

🎨 Topics and styles

Unlike in the past. MIUI, Where topics change the interface globally, One UI offers flexible customization:

• 🖌️ Settings → Registration → Color palette – the system will select the colors of the interface for your wallpaper.
• 📱 Settings → Registration → Styles and Wallpaper – Download themes from the Galaxy Store (there are free and paid ones).

🔋 3. Ultra Battery Saving Mode

If you have a Super Battery on Xiaomi, you have a Super Battery on One. UI It's an analogue, Ultra-Saving Mode, which turns off background processes and leaves only basic functions (calls, messages, hours) and turns on: Settings. → Maintenance of the device → Battery → Savings regimes.

🔊 4. Audio settings

Samsung offers unique features for audiophiles:

• 🎧 Settings → Sound and vibration → Sound quality and effects → Turn on Adaptive sound (sets the equalizer to your headphones).
• 🔈 Dolby Atmos for speakers – improves sound when watching movies.

7.Frequent post-transition problems and their solutions

Even with proper migration, there can be problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

📵 Problem: Notices from messengers are not coming

Decision:

1. Check that the app is not optimized by the battery: Settings → Annexes → [select the messenger] → Battery → Optimize battery use → No restrictions.
2. Enable Autostart: Settings → Annexes → [messenger] → Auto-start.
3. Check the notification settings inside the app itself.

🔋 Problem: Fast battery discharge

Decision:

• 🔄 Calibrate the battery: completely discharge the phone, then charge to 100% without interruptions.
• 📊 Check which apps are using up charge: Settings → Maintenance of the device → Battery → Battery utilization.
• 🔌 Turn it off. AOD (Always on Display, if you don't need it: Settings → Screen. → Always On Display.

📶 Problem: Network catches poorly (especially after Xiaomi)

Decision:

1. Update network settings: Settings → Maintenance of the device → Updating the software → Update network settings.
2. Reset network settings: Settings → General settings → Reset → Reset the network settings.
3. Check if it's on. 4G/5G: Settings → Connections → Mobile networks → Network mode.

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If you don’t have the “double touch to wake up” gesture after you switch to Samsung (as on Xiaomi), turn it on to Settings. → Additional functions → Movements and gestures → Double touch to wake up.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions