Samsung to Xiaomi Transfer: How to Move Your Data

Switching from a Samsung to a Xiaomi phone means moving your contacts, photos, messages, apps, and settings to a different Android skin (One UI to HyperOS/MIUI). The good news is that you don’t need a computer or a paid app. Xiaomi’s built-in Mi Mover app handles the entire transfer wirelessly, and Google’s cloud backup provides a solid fallback for most data. This guide walks you through both methods, what each one moves, and how to avoid the common pitfalls that leave people with missing messages or duplicate contacts.

What Mi Mover Does (and Doesn’t) Transfer

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s official phone-to-phone migration tool, pre-installed on most Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO devices. It creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between the two phones, so no internet is needed. You select the categories you want to move, and it transfers them over.

• Transfers: Contacts, call logs, SMS/MMS messages, photos, videos, music, documents, system settings (wallpaper, Wi-Fi passwords, display settings), and most third-party apps (the APK file, not your in-app data).
• Does not transfer: App data (like game progress or logged-in sessions), WhatsApp chat history (use the in-app backup), and some system-level settings that are specific to the Android version.

For apps, Mi Mover moves the installation file. After the transfer, you’ll need to open each app and log in again. Some apps (especially banking or payment apps) may require re-verification.

Method 1: Transfer with Mi Mover (Recommended)

This is the fastest and most complete method for most users. Both phones need to be charged above 30% and stay on during the process.

1. On your Xiaomi phone: Go to Settings > Additional settings > Data transfer (or search for “Mi Mover” in the Settings app). If you don’t see it, download Mi Mover from the Xiaomi app store.
2. Choose role: On the Xiaomi phone, select I’m the new phone. It will show a QR code.
3. On your Samsung phone: Open the Mi Mover app. If it’s not installed, download it from the Galaxy Store or Google Play Store. Select I’m the old phone.
4. Connect: On the Samsung, tap Connect and scan the QR code shown on the Xiaomi. The phones will create a direct Wi-Fi hotspot.
5. Select data: Once connected, the Samsung phone will list the data categories. Check what you want to move, then tap Send.
6. Wait: The transfer time depends on the amount of data. A few gigabytes can take 10–20 minutes. Do not switch apps or lock the screen.

If the QR code fails: On the Samsung, tap Connect manually and enter the Wi-Fi SSID and password shown on the Xiaomi screen.

Method 2: Transfer via Google Account (Cloud Backup)

If Mi Mover isn’t working, or you want a backup that you can restore later, use Google’s built-in backup. This method is slower for large photo libraries but works reliably.

1. On your Samsung: Go to Settings > Accounts and backup > Google account > Back up my data. Make sure it’s toggled on. Also, back up your photos to Google Photos if you want them in the cloud.
2. On your Xiaomi: During initial setup, choose Restore from cloud backup and sign in with the same Google account. If you’ve already set up the phone, go to Settings > Accounts > Google > Restore backup.

Google restores contacts, calendar events, Wi-Fi passwords, and app data for apps that support it. It does not restore SMS messages or call logs (unless you used a third-party app).

Method 3: Using Samsung Smart Switch (Reverse Direction)

You might wonder if Smart Switch can help. Smart Switch is designed to move data from other phones to a Samsung. It does not work in the reverse direction (Samsung to Xiaomi). So, Mi Mover is the correct tool. If you have a Samsung tablet as well, you can use Smart Switch to move data from the tablet to the Samsung, then use Mi Mover to move everything to the Xiaomi.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

• Transfer keeps disconnecting: Both phones may have battery optimization killing the app. On the Samsung, go to Settings > Apps > Mi Mover > Battery > select Unrestricted. Do the same on the Xiaomi. Also, disable “Smart network switch” on the Samsung (in Wi-Fi settings) to prevent it from dropping the hotspot.
• Photos appear in wrong order or missing: Mi Mover sometimes changes file dates. After the transfer, open the Gallery app and let it index. If some photos are missing, check the MIUI/HyperOS hidden folder (in File Manager, look for a folder named MiMover).
• Apps transferred but won’t open: Some apps are incompatible with the new Android version or the Xiaomi’s hardware. Uninstall and reinstall from the Play Store.
• WhatsApp history not transferred: Mi Mover doesn’t handle WhatsApp. Use WhatsApp’s built-in Chat backup to Google Drive, then restore on the Xiaomi.

What to Do After the Transfer

• Check contacts: Open the Contacts app and ensure no duplicates. If you see duplicates, use the Merge duplicates option.
• Sign in to apps: Go through your app drawer and log in to each essential app. Enable two-factor authentication where possible.
• Update apps: Open the Play Store and update all transferred apps to the latest versions.
• Free up space: The transferred files might be in a temporary folder. Use the Xiaomi’s Cleaner app to remove junk files.

What About Samsung-Specific Features?

Samsung has some exclusive features that won’t transfer because they’re tied to One UI:

• Secure Folder: Any files or apps inside Secure Folder will not be moved. You’ll need to move them out manually before the transfer.
• Samsung Pay: Cards and rewards don’t transfer. You’ll need to set up Google Pay or Xiaomi’s payment service.
• Bixby Routines: These won’t come over. You can recreate them in Xiaomi’s Quick Ball or Shortcuts app (if available).
• Edge Panels: Not available on Xiaomi. You can install a third-party edge panel app from the Play Store if you miss it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Mi Mover work if I have a Samsung Galaxy S24 and a Xiaomi 14?

Yes. Mi Mover works on any Android phone, regardless of brand or Android version. As long as both phones can install the app and have a working Wi-Fi chip, the transfer will work.

Does Mi Mover transfer app passwords and login sessions?

No. Mi Mover only moves the app installation file. You must log in to each app again. For apps that use Google login, it’s usually a one-tap process.

Can I transfer from Samsung to Xiaomi without Mi Mover?

Yes. You can use Google’s cloud backup, or manually copy files via a USB cable and a computer. For contacts, you can export a .vcf file from Samsung Contacts and import it on the Xiaomi. For photos, use Google Photos or a USB cable.

Why is my transfer stuck at 99%?

This often happens with a large file (like a video) or a dropped connection. Wait a few minutes. If it doesn’t move, cancel the transfer, restart both phones, and try again with a smaller selection (e.g., move contacts first, then photos).

Does Mi Mover use mobile data?

No. It creates a direct Wi-Fi hotspot between the two phones. Your mobile data and home Wi-Fi are not used, so you won’t incur data charges.

Will my Samsung wallpapers and themes transfer?

Your home screen wallpaper and lock screen wallpaper will transfer, but Samsung’s theme store themes won’t. You can download new themes from Xiaomi’s theme store.

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