How to transfer data from one Huawei phone to Xiaomi

Changing a smartphone is always an exciting process, not only with the joy of a new device, but also with the fear of losing important data. Especially relevant is the question when a user moves from the ecosystem of Huawei to Xiaomi, as the interfaces and software shells of these manufacturers are significantly different. Many owners of older models are afraid that the transition will take hours or lead to chaos in contacts and photos, but modern migration tools minimize these risks.

Fortunately, Xiaomi has developed a powerful tool called Mi Mover that allows you to transfer almost all the contents of an old phone to a new one in just a few touches. You don’t need to be a technician to perform this procedure. In this article, we will discuss how to properly prepare both devices, what nuances exist when transferring data from EMUI to MIUI (or HyperOS), and how to avoid common errors that can interrupt the copying process.

The main challenge in the transition from Huawei is that the new models of the Chinese brand may not have Google services, which requires a special approach to backup accounts. However, if you use the right algorithm of actions, you can (seamlessly) integrate into the Xiaomi ecosystem, saving message history, call log and even home screen layout.

Preparation of devices before the migration

Before you start the transfer process, you need to make sure that both smartphones are ready for active operation. Charge Huawei and Xiaomi to at least 60-70%, as the intensive operation of the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules while copying large amounts of data can quickly drain the batteries. If one of the phones runs out at a critical moment, the process will have to start again, which can take a long time.

It is also recommended to free up space on the receiving device. Although Mi Mover usually checks for free space itself, manually check in the Settings → Memory section.Remove temporary files or unnecessary applications that you do not plan to restore so that the new phone works as quickly as possible after turning on.

Version checks are an important step, and make sure that both devices have the latest available security updates installed, which minimizes the risk of compatibility conflicts when transferring system settings and passwords from Wi-Fi networks, on Huawei through the support menu or system settings, and on Xiaomi through the About Phone section.

Installation and configuration of the Mi Mover application

The Mi Mover app is a key tool for migration. On Xiaomi smartphones, it is often preinstalled in the Tools folder or searchable in the settings. If you don't find it, download the current version from the GetApps store or the manufacturer's official website. On Huawei device, the application must be downloaded from AppGallery or through the browser, scanning QR-code that will appear on the screen of the new phone.

Once installed, run the app on both devices. On the new Xiaomi, select the “I’m the recipient” (or “New Phone”) role, and on the old Huawei, “I’m the sender” (or “Old Phone”) role. The system automatically prompts you to enable the necessary permissions to access contacts, messages and media. Without all the permissions requested, Mi Mover will not be able to read the data correctly for transfer.

⚠️ Note: When you install an app on Huawei from third-party sources (not from AppGallery), the security system can issue warnings about potential hazards. APK-Make sure you download the app from the official mi.com website to avoid installing modified software.

When the roles are distributed, the screen of the new phone will appear QR-Hover the camera of the old device over this code to create a secure communication channel, the devices will connect via a direct Wi-Fi connection (Wi-Fi Direct), so the transfer speed will be high and Internet traffic will not be consumed. In some cases, you may need to manually confirm the connection on both screens.

Selection of data for transfer and copying process

Once the connection is successful, the app will scan the contents of the old phone and offer a list of categories to transfer. You can choose all at once or mark only the desired items (SMS/MMS), System settings, alarm clocks, and multimedia (photo, video, music) are also worth noting the possibility of transferring installed applications, although their performance on the new shell is not always guaranteed. 100%.

For users who store a lot of photos and videos, the moment with messenger folders is important. Mi Mover is able to transfer attachments from WhatsApp, but for a complete correspondence history in WhatsApp and Telegram, it is better to use the built-in backup functions of these applications (via Google Drive or local saving), since direct transfer of chats through the system tool may be incomplete.

The table below compares data types and how well they are transferred between devices of different brands:

Start the copying process by clicking the Start Transfer button, which may turn off the phone screens, but you can't interrupt the connection or turn off the Mi Mover app, and the transfer speed depends on the amount of data and the distance between the devices, but on average it's 10 to 40 MB/s.

Transfer of contacts and accounts

The most critical element for any user is contacts. When migrating from Huawei to Xiaomi, contacts are usually saved in vCard format and automatically imported into the new shell’s Contacts app. However, if you have hundreds of numbers, it is worth checking their availability immediately after the migration. SIM-Cards are not automatically transferred unless they have been stored in the phone or cloud.

Pay special attention to accounts. If your old phone used a Huawei ID, it doesn't have a direct analogy with Xiaomi Account. You'll have to re-sign in to all Google services, social networks, and banking applications. Wi-Fi passwords can be transferred automatically if both devices run Android 10 or higher, but for corporate networks, you'll have to manually type settings.

To ensure the safety of data in the future, it is recommended to activate synchronization with the Xiaomi Cloud or Google Photos cloud immediately after transfer, this will create an additional restore point in case of loss or breakage of the device in the future.

Solving Common Problems in Migration

While transferring data from Huawei to Xiaomi, users may face a number of technical difficulties, and one of the most common problems is disconnecting the connection in the middle of the process, which often happens if the old phone is power saving, which kills the background transmission process.

Another problem is broken applications, where some programs that are sharpened under the EMUI shell may not run on MIUI/HyperOS or not work correctly, in which case Mi Mover may show an installation error, and the solution is to remove such applications and install them cleanly from the Google Play store or GetApps.

⚠️ Note: If there is an error in the transfer process, do not try to free up space by deleting files while the program is running. It is better to interrupt the process, clear the memory with normal means and start the transfer again by selecting only the missing data categories.

Users also sometimes complain that Wi-Fi passwords or alarm settings are not portable, because they are deeply integrated into shell-specific system files, which may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, and in such cases, it is easier to reconfigure these settings, which will take a few minutes.

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If the transmission is stuck on 99%, Don't panic. Often, it means that one large file or system index is being copied. 10-15 minutes before the forced interruption of the process.

Completion and initial setup of Xiaomi

Once the progress bar reaches 100%, the new phone will offer a reboot or go straight to the desktop. Don't rush to delete data from the old Huawei during the first few days of using the new device. The run-in period is necessary to make sure that all contacts are in place, photos open, and applications are stable.

The MIUI shell (or the new HyperOS) has many settings that you should adapt to immediately. Check the notification settings, as Xiaomi’s power management system is more aggressive than Huawei’s, and can block messages from instant messengers if you don’t give permissions. Go to Settings → Apps → Permissions and make sure that important programs have access to autorun.

Now your Xiaomi is fully ready to go. You have successfully migrated with minimal time wasted. An old phone can be prepared for sale or transfer to relatives by pre-performing a full Wipe Data reset via the recovery menu so that your personal information does not fall into the wrong hands.

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Successful data transfer is not only about copying files, but also checking the health of key applications and synchronizing accounts in the first days of using a new device.