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

The transition from Xiaomi to Samsung is not just a smartphone change, but a complete migration of digital life: apps, accounts, settings and personal data. Many users face the challenge of migrating installed programs so that they do not lose progress in games, configure messengers and do not waste hours on re-authorizing services. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to transfer applications between the two most popular brands of Android devices, assess their pros and cons, and provide solutions for typical errors.

It is important to understand that Xiaomi and Samsung use different shells (MIUI One UI So, for example, a standard backup through a Google Account will only transfer the list of applications, not their data, and branded tools like Mi Mover or Samsung Smart Switch have limitations. 2023-2026 years, including the Redmi Note 12, Galaxy S23 Galaxy A54) And they've identified the most reliable options.

If you plan to transfer not only applications, but also photos, contacts or SMS — at the end of the article FAQ-Now, let's get to the main thing: how to save the installed programs and their data when you switch to a new phone.

1.Preparation for the transfer: what to do on Xiaomi before the transition

Before you start migrating, you need to prepare an old Xiaomi smartphone. 10-15 First, update all apps to the latest version through Google Play, which minimizes the risk of conflicts during recovery. Second, check the space available: you will need at least a minimum of a full backup to create a full backup. 1-2 GB on the internal storage.

Pay particular attention to the following points:

• 🔒 Unplug your Mi Account (Settings) → Xiaomi account → This will prevent the device from locking after resetting.
• 📱 Make sure that the debugging is enabled USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Developer settings → Debugging by USB). Some transfer methods will be required.
• 🔄 Sync data with Google (Settings) → Accounts. → Google → Even if you don’t plan to use Google backup, it will save your contacts and calendar.
• 🎮 Save progress in games through Google Play Games accounts, Facebook or proprietary systems (e.g., Genshin Impact has cross-platform save).

A critical mistake many users make is to migrate apps without first logging into a Google Account on the new Samsung, without which a Google Play recovery won't work even if the backup is created, and check that both devices have Wi-Fi or mobile internet enabled -- some methods require a network connection.

2. Method 1: Transfer through Google Account (the most universal way)

This method is suitable for transferring a list of applications and some of their data (for example, settings of some programs), it does not store cache or application files, but it works on 100% of devices and does not require additional software.

1. On Xiaomi go to Settings → System system → Backup and enable Backup to Google Drive. Make sure Apps and Application Data are selected.
2. Click Create Backup Now and wait until it is completed (can take up to 30 minutes depending on the number of applications).
3. On Samsung, select Copy Data when you first turn on → From cloud storage. → Google. If the phone is already set up, reset it to factory settings (Settings) → General management → Reset) and repeat the step.
4. Log in to the same Google Account and select the latest backup. Confirm the recovery.

⚠️ Attention: This method does not tolerate:

• 📁 Application files (e.g. downloaded maps in Google Maps or offline music in Spotify).
• 🎮 Save games if they are not tied to Google Play Games.
• 🔐 Wi-Fi passwords (they will have to be re-entered).

Sign in to the same account on both devices

Make sure there is enough space on Samsung to install apps

Connect both phones to charge (the process may take time) 1-2 hour)

Disable battery optimization for Google Play Services (Settings) → Annexes → Google Play Services → Battery → No restrictions)-->

If some applications do not appear after recovery, check the My profile section. → Application and Device Management → The library in Google Play will show all previously installed programs that can be installed manually.

Method 2: Using Samsung Smart Switch (official tool)

Samsung Smart Switch is a proprietary data portability utility that supports the transition from Xiaomi (and other Android devices), which allows you to transfer not only applications, but also:

• 📞 Contacts, messages, call log.
• 📷 Photos, videos, music and documents.
• 📅 Calendar and notes (if synced with your Samsung account).
• 🎯 Some system settings (wallpaper, sound profiles).

But there are nuances:

• ❌ Not all apps are portable with data (for example, WhatsApp will require a separate backup).
• ❌ Xiaomi needs to pre-disable battery optimization for Smart Switch.
• ❌ The transfer takes a long time (up to the end) 2-3 clocks with a lot of data).

Step-by-step:

1. Download Samsung Smart Switch to both phones from Google Play (or the official website).
2. On Xiaomi, allow the utility to access files and contacts.
3. Connect the phones through USB-cable (original cable from Samsung recommended) or Wi-Fi (slower).
4. On Samsung, select Get Data → Android and follow the instructions.
5. Select the data to transfer (required to mark the Applications) and start the process.

After the transfer, check if all the apps are installed. If some are missing, you can manually install them through the Galaxy Store or Google Play. Note that some Xiaomi system applications (such as Mi Home or Mi Fit) may not work correctly on Samsung - they are better removed and alternatives installed.

Method 3: Manual transfer APK-Files (for experienced users)

If you need to migrate specific applications with their data saved (for example, rare utilities or modified ones) APK), You can use a manual method. It takes longer, but it gives you complete control:

• 📱 Xiaomi with root rights (optional, but simplifies the process).
• 💻 Computer installed ADB (or file manager with access to the root folder).
• 📁 Memory on Samsung for storage APK data.

Instructions:

1. Download App Backup & Restore (or similar app from Google Play) on Xiaomi.
2. Create a backup copy of the necessary applications (APK + The files will be saved in the folder. /Backup internal.
3. Move the backup folder to Samsung (via cable, cloud, or other devices) SD-map).
4. On Samsung, install the same recovery app (App Backup & Restore) and recover data from the backup.

⚠️ Attention: This method has risks:

• 🚨 Annexes with DRM-protection (e.g. banking or streaming services) may not work.
• 🚨 Data from some apps (such as WhatsApp) is tied to the device and will not be restored.
• 🚨 Samsung can work Knox protection if you install modified APK.

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If the application after the transfer gives an error "Incompatible version", try to clear its cache (Settings) → Annexes → [Name of name] → Memory. → Clear the cache or install a newer version from Google Play.

To port system applications (such as Mi Browser or Mi Video) will require root rights on both devices, without which such programs will either not install or will not work correctly.

Method 4: Moving over cloud services (for individual applications)

Some applications have built-in functions for exporting/importing data through the cloud, which is suitable if you need to migrate specific programs, not all at once.

For most messengers and social networks (VK, Instagram, Facebook, just log in to a new phone, all the data will be automatically downloaded, except for games and some utilities (e.g. Mi Fit), where progress is tied to the manufacturer's account (Xiaomi:

1. Create a Samsung Health account on your new device.
2. In Mi Fit on Xiaomi, export your data to Google Fit (Profile) → Settings → Connected applications).
3. On Samsung, connect Google Fit to Samsung Health.

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Cloud services are the most reliable way to transfer data for applications that support synchronization, but a combination of methods will be required to fully migrate all programs.

6. Method 5: Transfer through Titanum Backup (root only)

If you have root rights on both devices, Titanium Backup is the most powerful tool for porting all data applications, including system ones.

• 📦 Save. APK + data + cash.
• 🔄 Restore applications to a new device with a different firmware.
• 📝 Move over SMS, call log, Wi-Fi settings.

Instructions:

1. Install Titanium Backup on Xiaomi (root required).
2. Backup all the necessary applications (Backage Action) → Backup of all user applications).
3. Move the folder. /TitaniumBackup Samsung (via cable or cloud).
4. Install Titanium Backup on Samsung, provide root access and recover data.

⚠️ Attention:

• 🚨 On Samsung with One UI 5.0+ System Application Recovery May Not Work Due to Knox.
• 🚨 Some apps (such as banking) refuse to work on root devices.
• 🚨 Mi Remote: Porting Xiaomi-specific apps (like Mi Remote) is pointless – they won’t work on Samsung.

If you don't have root rights, the alternative is Swift Backup (which works on some devices without root, but with restrictions). + Google Account.

7.Typical errors and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common errors and ways to correct them:

If none of these methods worked, try a combination approach:

1. Transfer the basic data via Smart Switch.
2. Restore applications through Google Account.
3. Manually transfer critical applications through APK + data (method 3).
4. Set up sync for instant messengers and social networks through the cloud.

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If widgets or wallpaper are missing after transferring to Samsung, check compatibility: some widgets from Xiaomi do not work on One UI. Install alternatives from the Galaxy Store.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions