Changing a smartphone often causes stress not because of the loss of a familiar device, but because of the fear of losing the accumulated digital life. Photos, important correspondence, banking application settings and contacts - all this must be kept safe when switching to a new gadget. Modern ecosystems Android offer powerful tools for automating this process, making migration almost invisible to the user.
In this article we will look in detail at how to correctly transfer information between devices of different brands, paying special attention to the transition to flagships Samsung and popular models Xiaomi. You will learn about the specifics of the operation of proprietary utilities, such as Smart Switch and Mi Mover, as well as how to avoid common mistakes that can lead to the loss of some media files or malfunctions of instant messengers.
Regardless of whether you have an old device or a completely new one, the algorithm of actions remains similar, but the connection nuances and data type choices may vary. We will consider both wireless transfer methods Wi-Fi Directand wired options that provide maximum speed for copying large amounts of information.
Preparing devices for the migration process
Before starting any copying procedure, it is critical to properly prepare both smartphones. Make sure that the battery level on both devices is at least 50-60%, since intensive work of the radio modules and processor during data transfer quickly consumes energy. If one of the phones dies in the middle of the process, this may result in corrupted files or the need to start all over again.
You also need to check the free space on the receiving device. The amount of available memory must be greater than the total size of the data you plan to migrate. It is recommended to delete unnecessary cache files or large videos on your old phone in advance to speed up the process. Do not forget that some system applications cannot be transferred and will be reinstalled from the store Google Play.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting the migration, be sure to fully synchronize your contacts with your Google account. This will create additional insurance in case of unexpected failures during direct copying between devices.
Update the operating system on both smartphones to the latest available version. Manufacturers often release security patches and improvements for migration tools that fix compatibility issues between different versions Android. Go to Settings → About phone → System update and check for new firmware.
☑️ Ready for transfer
Using Samsung Smart Switch to switch to Galaxy
If your new If the device is a smartphone from the Korean giant, then the best transfer tool will be a proprietary utility Smart Switch. This application is pre-installed on all modern models of the series Galaxy S, A i Note, but it can also be downloaded from the application store on any phone based on Android versions 4.3 and higher. The app supports transferring contacts, messages, photos, music, home screen settings and even keyboard layouts.
The process begins by launching the application on both devices. On the old phone, select the “Sender” role, and on the new one Samsung - “Recipient”. The system will prompt you to select a connection method: wireless or via cable. The wireless option is convenient if you don't have an adapter on hand, but it can be slower when transferring several gigabytes of data.
For a wired connection, you will need a cable USB-C and possibly an adapter OTGif the connectors on the phones are different. After physical connection, the devices recognize each other, and a list of categories of data to copy will appear on the screen of the new smartphone. You can select everything at once or mark only the necessary items, for example, excluding heavy video files.
When transferring to Samsung via cable, use the original cable included with the new device - it provides the most stable transfer speed and correct protocol coordination.
Particular attention should be paid to transferring data from instant messengers. Smart Switch can transfer chat history WhatsApp, but this requires first creating a backup copy inside the messenger itself. After the main migration is completed, launch WhatsApp on the new phone and restore chats from the local copy that the utility created.
Transferring data to Xiaomi using Mi Mover
For users who have chosen a brand smartphone Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO, the main tool is the application Mi Mover. It is built into the shell MIUI i HyperOS, usually located in the "Tools" folder or in the "Advanced" settings section. The main feature of this utility is its high speed and the ability to transfer system settings specific to the Xiaomi ecosystem.
Launch the application on both phones. On your new device, tap "I'm the recipient," and on your old device, tap "I'm the sender." Next, you will need to scan the QR code that appears on the screen of the new smartphone with the camera of the old device. This action will create a secure access point Wi-Fithrough which the data flow will flow.
Unlike universal solutions, Mi Mover allows you to transfer not only media files and contacts, but also installed applications along with their data (if this does not contradict the Android security policy). However, it is worth considering that applications that are not in the store GetApps or Google Playmay require manual installation of APK files after migration.
What to do if the transfer is stuck?
If the process is stuck at a certain percentage, do not panic. Most often this is due to an unstable Wi-Fi Direct signal. Try turning off Bluetooth on both devices as it may cause interference, and then restart the transfer. As a last resort, interrupt the process and try connecting the devices with a cable if the new phone model supports data input via USB.
After selecting data categories, the copying process will begin. Completion time varies depending on the amount of information: transferring 100 GB of photos and videos can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. During this time, do not block the device screens and keep them close to each other so as not to break the wireless connection.
Comparison of transmission methods: cable vs Wi-Fi
The choice of connection method directly affects the speed and stability of the process. Wireless transmission is convenient due to its versatility - you do not need additional accessories, but it greatly depends on the air traffic and the distance between devices. A cable connection is devoid of these disadvantages, providing constant high speed, but requires the presence of suitable adapters.
Below is a table comparing the main characteristics of the two data migration methods so that you can choose the best option for your situation.
| Characteristics | Wireless connection (Wi-Fi Direct) | Wired connection (USB Cable) |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer speed | Average (10-20 MB/s) | High (up to 40-60 MB/s and above) |
| Required equipment | Smartphones only | USB-C cable and OTG adapter |
| Connection stability | Depends on interference on the air | Maximum, without gaps |
| Battery consumption | High (operation of radio modules) | Low (recharging is possible) |
If you plan to transfer more than 50 GB of data, for example, a complete copy of the gallery over several years, using a cable will be the only reasonable solution. This will save you several hours of time and reduce the risk of devices overheating. To quickly migrate only contacts and settings, the wireless method is sufficient.
Nuances of transferring instant messengers and banking applications
The most delicate part of migration is transferring data from protected applications. Messengers like Telegram, Viber i WhatsApp store correspondence locally or in their clouds, and standard transfer tools cannot always process their databases correctly. To Telegram enough to simply log into your account using your phone number - the entire history will be downloaded automatically from the servers.
With WhatsApp the situation is more complicated. When switching between different brands (for example, from Xiaomi to Samsung), it is recommended to use the built-in backup function in the WhatsApp chat settings on your old device. Select save to Google Drive, wait until it finishes, and then on a new phone, when you first start it, restore a copy from this cloud.
- 🔐 Banking applications: For security reasons, session data and linked maps are never transferred automatically. You will have to re-authorize in each application using your login, password and SMS confirmation.
- 📱 Two-factor authentication: if you use Google Authenticator, be sure to export the codes through the "Account Transfer" function inside the application itself before resetting your old phone.
- 🎵 Streaming services: Yandex.Music, Spotify or Apple Music subscriptions are tied to your account, so you just need to install the application and log into your profile.
⚠️ Attention: Never delete the WhatsApp application or other instant messengers from your old phone until you completely make sure that the entire correspondence history is displayed correctly on the new device.
Some banking applications may require re-linking the device to the client profile. This is normal security practice. If you have installed Samsung Pass or a similar password manager from Xiaomi, make sure you remember the master password to restore access to saved credentials.
Solving common problems and errors
Even when using official utilities, users may encounter errors. One of the most common problems is the message “Not enough space” on the receiving device, even if there seems to be free memory. This is because the system requires temporary space to unpack and index files. Free up an additional 5-10 GB before starting the procedure.
Another common situation is the process freezing at 90-95%. This often happens when transferring a large number of small files or specific system settings. In this case, it is better to interrupt the operation, restart both smartphones and try to transfer the data selectively, dividing it into categories (first photos, then contacts).
If the transfer cannot be completed in any of the ways, use cloud synchronization of Google Photos for media files and Google Contacts for the phone book - this is the most reliable, albeit longer method.
Users also complain that application icons on the new phone are located in a chaotic order. Unfortunately, accurate reproduction of the desktop layout is only possible when switching between devices of the same brand or when using specific launchers. In other cases, the system will offer a standard grid of icons, which you will have to manually customize for yourself.
If, after transfer, some photos are displayed incorrectly or have damaged thumbnails, try clearing the cache of the "Gallery" application on the new device through the menu Settings → Applications → Gallery → Storage → Clear cache. This will force the system to re-index the media files.
Completing migration and initial setup
After successfully completing data copying, do not rush to delete information from the old smartphone. Use the new device in test mode for at least 2-3 days. Check the operation of all important applications, make sure that the synchronization of the calendar and notes was successful, and that all photos opened in full resolution.
Pay attention to the notification settings. When transferring to a new operating shell (for example, from pure Android to MIUI or One UI), the energy saving rules may differ. Go to your battery settings and allow auto-start for important messengers so you don't miss messages.
- ✅ Check that NFC and contactless payment work - cards will need to be added again to Google Pay or Samsung Pay.
- ✅ Make sure that alarms are rescheduled and go off at the right time, as some utilities do not copy these settings.
- ✅ Check your connection to Wi-Fi networks - the passwords should have been transferred, but in rare cases you may need to re-enter them.
Only after you are completely confident in the functionality of the new gadget can you start cleaning the old one. Perform a factory reset on your previous device to protect your personal data before selling or disposing of it. This ensures that no one will be able to recover your information.
Is it possible to transfer data if the old phone does not turn on?
If the screen of the old phone is broken, but the device responds to clicks, try connecting a USB mouse to it via an OTG adapter to control the interface and start backing up to the cloud. If the phone is completely dead, you can only extract data through a service center by connecting to the board directly, or if you had regular synchronization with your Google Account enabled earlier.
Will passwords from Wi-Fi and applications be transferred?
Passwords from Wi-Fi networks are often transferred along with system settings, especially when using Smart Switch. However, passwords for applications and websites saved in a browser or password manager require logging into the appropriate account (Google or the manufacturer's branded account) to synchronize. They are not copied like regular files.
How long does it take to transfer 128 GB of data?
If using a wired connection, the process will take from 40 minutes to 1 hour. Over a wireless network (Wi-Fi Direct), a transfer of this volume can take 2-3 hours, depending on the memory recording speed of the receiving device and the number of small files.
Do you need to insert a SIM card into the new phone before transferring?
It is advisable to insert the SIM card into the new device before the migration begins. This will allow you to immediately activate your phone, log into your Google account and receive SMS confirmations for authorization in instant messengers and banking applications immediately after transferring data.