How to Move Apps from Samsung to Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to Comparing All Ways

The transition from Samsung to Xiaomi is not only about changing the ecosystem, but also the need to migrate dozens of applications, their data and settings. Many users face problems: some programs are not restored through the cloud, some of them are not restored through the cloud. APK-files refuse to be installed on MIUI, In this article, we'll look at all the current transfer methods, from official tools to manual methods, and also reveal nuances that are not written in the standard instructions.

It is important to understand that Samsung and Xiaomi use different shells: One UI (Android-based and MIUI This affects the compatibility of backups, the operation of synchronization services and even the ability to install some of the APK. For example, Samsung Knox apps will not work on Xiaomi, and some games with a Samsung account binding will require re-authorization.

We tested every method on Galaxy devices S22 Ultra (One UI 5.1) and Xiaomi 13 Pro (MIUI 14) to provide up-to-date data.If you are switching from an older model (e.g., Galaxy) A50 In 2019, some of the functions may be different – we will also mention this.

1.Official method: Smart Switch + Mi Mover

The most obvious, but not always working, option is to use proprietary utilities from both brands: Samsung Smart Switch and Xiaomi Mi Mover are designed to migrate data, but their sharing has limitations.

How it works: Smart Switch backs up on Samsung, and Mi Mover tries to unpack it on Xiaomi, and the problem is that Mi Mover only officially supports porting from iPhones and some Android models (mainly Xiaomi and Redmi).

• 📱 Install Smart Switch on Samsung and back up in.sbk format (select “Inner Memory” as your save location).
• 🔗 Connect Xiaomi to your computer and copy the SmartSwitchBackup.sbk file to the Download folder.
• 🛠️ Use third-party software like this. SBK Extractor (requires Python) to extract APK-files from the archive. Details are in the spoiler below.

What's going to happen: APK-Application files (without data!) Contacts, photos and SMS It is better to sync separately through Google Account.

⚠️ Note: If Samsung has enabled device encryption, Smart Switch will create a password archive. Without the original password from the phone, it will be impossible to extract data. → Biometrics and safety → Other security parameters → Encryption.

2.Move through Google Account: Pros and Cons

Synchronization through Google is the most universal method, but with serious limitations, it is suitable for transferring data applications (for example, progress in games, bookmarking the browser), but not the very same. APK.

What exactly is synchronized:

• 📱 Google Play apps (list of installed files, not the files themselves).
• 🔄 Settings of some programs (if they support Google Backup).
• 📁 Contacts, calendars, notes (if linked to a Google Account).
• 🎮 Save games if the developer has integrated Google Play Games Services.

How to set up:

1. On Samsung: Go to Settings → Accounts and archiving → Archiving and restoration → Archiving data and enabling backup.
2. On Xiaomi: When you first turn on, select “Restore from backup” orlater go to Settings → The phone. → Backup and reset → Data recovery.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with MIUI 12+ The recovery function from Google Backup can be hidden. To activate it, go to Settings → About the phone and 5 times click on "Version" MIUI". There will be a menu for developers where you need to enable Restore from Google.

Manual transfer APK: step-by-step

If the official methods do not work, then manual copying remains. APK. This method is suitable for porting applications that are not available in Google Play (for example, Samsung branded utilities or modified ones). APK).

What you need:

• 📎 Samsung with Developer Rights (to access system folders).
• 📎 Xiaomi with permission to install from unknown sources.
• 📎 Cable USB-C — USB-C or OTG-adapter.
• 📎 File Manager with access to root folders (e.g. Solid Explorer or Solid Explorer) FX File Explorer).

Put the debugging on. USB on Samsung (Settings) → The phone. → Assembly number → 7 times press)

Allow installation from unknown sources on Xiaomi (Settings) → Annexes → Special permits → Installation of unknown applications)

Download a file manager with root support (such as Mixplorer)

Connect both phones to the PC or use it. OTG direct-copy

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Step-by-step:

1. On Samsung, go to the folder. /data/app/ (root rights are required) or /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ (For some applications, it's stored here. APK all established programs.
2. Copy the files you want with the.apk extension on Xiaomi (for example, in the Download folder).
3. On Xiaomi, open the file manager, find the copied ones. APK and set them up manually.

Samsung Knox-protected apps (such as Samsung Pay or Secure Folder) won’t work on Xiaomi even after installation APK. They will have to be replaced by analogues (for example, Google Pay or Xiaomi’s Private Space).

1. delete the old version of the application (if any).

2. Insert compatibility mode in MIUI: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Settings (⚙) → Compatibility mode.

3.Use APK Mirror Installer to bypass restrictions.-->

4. ADB Transfer: For Power Users

If you need to move not only APK, but also application data (e.g. game saves or settings) can be used ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method requires command line skills, but it saves almost everything, including cache and databases.

Warning: Not all apps work properly after such a transfer, for example, messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) may require re-authorization.

Instructions:

1. Install ADB on your computer (download Platform Tools from Google).
2. Connect Samsung and execute the command to create a backup: adb backup -f backup.ab -apk -obb -shared -all A confirmation request will appear on the phone – allow backup.
3. Disable Samsung and connect Xiaomi. recover data: adb restore backup.ab

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Not all apps support adb backup (for example, Facebook or Instagram block backup data).
• 🚫 Nana MIUI You may need to disconnect MIUI Optimization in the settings for developers.
• 🚫 Backup takes up a lot of space (up to several gigabytes).

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ADB-Transfer is the only way to save application data (e.g., progress in games without cloud synchronization), but it requires technical skills and does not guarantee 100% performance of the transferred programs.

5. Alternative transfer programs

If the standard methods don't work, you can use third-party utilities, and we tested 5 popular programs and selected the two most reliable ones:

Recommendation: For most users, the best choice is Send Anywhere – it is free, does not require root rights and allows you to transfer files directly over Wi-Fi. Clone Phone is convenient if you switch to Xiaomi from another Android device, but can not cope with the transfer of data from applications.

How to use Send Anywhere:

1. Install the app on both phones.
2. On Samsung, select files/APK send and generate 6-code-mark.
3. On Xiaomi, enter this code and confirm receipt.
4. After the transfer, install APK manually.

6.Moving apps from the Galaxy Store: what to do?

Many Samsung users install apps from the Galaxy Store, which are not synced to Google Play and are not portable through standard methods.

• 🔍 Check if there is a Google Play analogue, for example, instead of the Samsung Internet, you can use Google Chrome.
• 📥 Download. APK from reliable sources (e.g. APKMirror) Make sure the version is compatible with the MIUI.
• 🚫 Some apps (such as Samsung Members or Samsung Free) will not work on Xiaomi.

List of popular Galaxy Store apps and their alternatives:

⚠️ Attention: When installed APK The Galaxy Store may have a "App Not Optimized for Your Device" error on Xiaomi, which is due to the architecture of the processor. ARM64 (Most modern Xiaomis use this architecture).

7. Data transfer applications: games, instant messengers, social networks

The hardest part is the data transfer within apps, like game progress, messaging history, or social media settings, and there's no one-size-fits-all solution, but we've compiled instructions for popular services:

• 🎮 Games: If the game supports Google Play Games, progress is automatically synced when you log in to the same account. For games with your own accounts (such as Genshin Impact), link your profile to an email or social network. Games without cloud storage (such as some offline projects) can only be transferred through the ADB (see section 4).
• 💬 Messengers: WhatsApp: backup in Google Drive (configure in Settings) → chat → Backup. Telegram: cloud sync (data tied to phone number) Viber: backup to Google Drive or memory card.
• 📱 Social media: Instagram, Facebook: data is linked to the account, but cache and settings are not portable. TikTok: browsing history and drafts are not saved when you change device.

Samsung Messages: If you used the standard SMS-Samsung messenger, you can transfer the story via Smart Switch (export to the.smb file) or using the SMS Backup & Restore (an app from Google Play). on Xiaomi, use Mi Messages or Google Messages to import.

8.What to do if the application does not work after the transfer?

Even after successful transfer, some programs may not behave as they do, and here are the typical problems and solutions.

• 🔄 App crashes when you start: Clear the cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management → [Title of the programme] → Clear the cache. Check the permissions: Settings → Annexes → Permissions. If the problem persists, remove and install the app again from Google Play.
• 🔒 Error "Device not certified": Register Xiaomi on Google Play as a certified device: go to Settings → Google → Device certification. If no item is available, check the status on Google Uncertified Devices.
• 📱 The app does not appear in the menu: Check the folder "Hidden applications" in the MIUI: Swipe up the screen and press. ⚙ → Hidden applications. APK installed, but no icon, try restarting your phone.

For root-access apps: If you’re porting programs like Titanium Backup or Lucky Patcher, consider that Xiaomi may need to:

1. Unlock the bootloader (fastboot oem unlock).
2. Install Magisk for root rights management.
3. Turn on USB Debugging in the settings for developers.

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If the application requests a reauthorization after the transfer (for example, banking programs or instant messengers), this is normal. Most services link the session to the device, and changing the phone is considered a new login.

FAQ: Frequent questions about app portability