How to move apps from Samsung to Xiaomi: all the ways 2026

The transition from Samsung to Xiaomi is not only about changing the ecosystem, but also the need to migrate dozens of apps, their data and settings. Even if you save accounts on Google Play, many programs (especially banking, messengers or games) require manual configuration on a new device. In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to port applications, from automatic services to manual methods for power users.

It’s important to understand that MIUI (Xiaomi shell) and One UI (Samsung) use different backup mechanisms. For example, Samsung’s Smart Switch is not compatible with Xiaomi’s Mi Mover at the system file level. So there’s no one-size-fits-all solution – the choice of method depends on your priorities: speed, data security or minimum effort.

We tested all the methods on devices from 2022 to 2026 (Galaxy S23 Ultra, Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Xiaomi 13T) to take into account the features of the latest firmware versions. If you have an older model, check compatibility in the table below.

1.The official way: Mi Mover by Xiaomi

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary tool for migrating data from other Android devices, and supports porting installed apps (without data), contacts, photos, and some system settings.

• 🔹 Only works when you first set up a new Xiaomi (after resetting).
• 🔹 Does not transfer application data (e.g., WhatsApp correspondence or saves in games).
• 🔹 Requires a USB-C-USB-C cable (or an adapter for older Samsung models with Micro-USB).
• 🔹 Samsung must have its Developer Mode disabled (otherwise, the connection may be interrupted).

How to use:

1. On the new Xiaomi, when you first turn on, select Data Transfer → With Android.
2. Connect both phones with cable. Samsung will be asked to install Mi Mover (download it from the Galaxy Store or QR- code from the Xiaomi screen).
3. On Samsung, allow access to files and run a scan. Select "Applications" in the data list to transfer.
4. Wait until the program is completed (it can take 10–30 minutes depending on the number of programs).

⚠️ Warning: If Xiaomi has already done the initial setup, Mi Mover will not work. In this case, use factory reset (Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset) or other methods from this article.

Charge both phones at least 50% | Prepare a USB-C cable - USB-C| Disable VPN on both devices | Make sure Samsung has enough free space (at least 1 GB) | Turn off power saving mode on Xiaomi-->

2. Transfer through Google Account (partial)

Syncing with a Google Account is the easiest, but also the most limited way. It will only restore:

• 📱 List of installed apps (from Google Play).
• 🔑 Settings for some programs (if they support cloud synchronization).
• 📧 System application data (Gmail, Calendar, Contacts).

What's not going to happen:

• 🚫 Application local data (e.g. game saves or settings VLC).
• 🚫 APK- files that are not installed from Google Play (e.g., via.apk).
• 🚫 Samsung Pay, Knox, Secure Folder (Samsung Pay, Knox)

Instructions:

1. On Samsung, open Settings → Accounts and Archiving → Archiving and Recovery → Data Archiving and enable synchronization.
2. On Xiaomi, when setting up, select Restore from a backup → Google Account.
3. Select the last backup and wait for the recovery (the applications will start installing automatically).

If Xiaomi is already set up, go to Settings → Google → Restore and select backup manually.

💡

Before transferring, check which apps support cloud sync, such as WhatsApp backs up chats in Google Drive and Spotify backs up playlists in your account, and the rest of the data (such as Telegram or Viber) will require manual export.

Manual transfer APK-Files (for experienced users)

If you need to migrate all applications along with their data (for example, save games or configure programs), the only reliable way is to manually copy APK- files and folders /data. This method requires root rights to Samsung or use ADB.

Important: transferring system applications (Samsung Health, Bixby) to Xiaomi is impossible due to the incompatibility of Knox and MIUI services.

Step 1: Export APK and data (no root):

1. Install the Titanium Backup app on Samsung (Developer Mode and USB Debugging is required).
2. Run backup of the desired applications (select Save APK + data).
3. The files will be saved in the /TitaniumBackup folder on internal memory.

Step 2. Transfer to Xiaomi:

1. Copy the Titanium Backup folder on Xiaomi (via cable or cloud).
2. Install Titanium Backup on Xiaomi and restore apps from the backup.
3. Data applications (e.g. games) may require manual editing of access rights via ADB:

adb shell pm grant com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS


adb shell pm grant com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE

⚠️ Warning: Some applications (e.g. banking) block the work on devices with root or modified data. After transfer, check them through SafetyNet (Settings → Google → SafetyNet).

4. Use of third-party services (Send Anywhere, CLONEit)

If the official methods don't work, you can use third-party data transfer applications.

Recommendation: For maximum portability, use CLONEit – it copies not only the APK, but also some user data (for example, the settings of Nova Launcher or Spotify cache).

Instructions for CLONEit:

1. Install CLONEit on both phones from Google Play.
2. On Samsung, select Sender, on Xiaomi, Recipient.
3. Connect via Wi-Fi Direct or Hotspot.
4. Select the category "Apps" and start transfer.

💡

The third-party services do not carry system applications (Samsung Pay, Bixby) and data protected by Knox.

5. Transfer over ADB (for technical users)

If you want to migrate all data applications without loss, the most reliable way is to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires command line skills, but guarantees data security.

Advantages:

• 🔧 Transfers all user applications (including system applications if there is root).
• 📦 Stores application data (cache, settings, saves).
• 🚀 Works even if Xiaomi is already set up.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Requires debugging on USB and ADB on a PC.
• ⚠️ Some applications may not work due to differences in architecture (ARM vs ARM64).
• ⚠️ Banking applications may block access (due to a change in device signature).

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB and Fastboot on PC.
2. On Samsung, enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → Assembly Number (shoot 7 times) → Developer Settings → USB Debugging).
3. Connect Samsung to your PC and execute a command to get a list of apps:

adb shell pm list packages -f | grep "/data/app"

1. Copy APK and data to your PC (example for WhatsApp):

adb pull /data/app/com.whatsapp-1/base.apk


adb backup -f whatsapp.ab com.whatsapp

1. Connect Xiaomi and install the apps:

adb install base.apk


adb restore whatsapp.ab

To automate the process, you can use a script:

for app in $(adb shell pm list packages -f | grep "/data/app" | cut -d= -f2 | sed 's|/base.apk||'); do


adb pull "$app"/base.apk




adb backup -f "$(basename "$app").ab" "$(basename "$app")"




done

⚠️ Warning: When transferring banking applications (SberBank Online, Tinkoff) through ADB they may require reauthorization or block access.

6. data transfer of specific applications (messengers, games, banks)

Some applications require a personalized approach to data transfer, and let's look at the most popular ones:

📱 Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber)

• WhatsApp: Backup in Google Drive (on Samsung) → Restore on Xiaomi when you first set up. Important: phone number must be the same!
• Telegram: All data is synced to the cloud automatically, just log in to your account on a new device.
• Viber: Backup to Settings → Account → Backup (save to Google Drive or locally).

🎮 Games (Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile, Brawl Stars)

• Genshin Impact: Link your account to miHoYo or Google Play Games.
• PUBG Mobile: Use Facebook or Twitter to sync your progress.
• Brawl Stars: Attach to Supercell ID (Settings → Link).

💳 Banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff, VTB)

• Most banks block data transfer through backups, and you will need to re-authorize (by SMS, biometrics or password).
• Xiaomi may need to disable Developer Mode and check SafetyNet.
• For SberBank Online and Tinkoff, it is enough to log in to the login / password - the history of operations will be adjusted automatically.

💡

Before you move your banking apps, check if your Xiaomi supports Google Pay (some models for the Chinese market don’t).

Comparison of transfer methods: what to choose?

Selection recommendations:

• 🔹 If Xiaomi is new and not yet configured →, use Mi Mover.
• 🔹 You only need to transfer the list of applications → Google Account.
• 🔹 Requires the transfer of these games / messengers → Titanium Backup + ADB.
• 🔹 No time to set up → CLONEit or Send Anywhere.

FAQ: Frequent questions