Changing your smartphone is always stressful, with the risk of losing important photos, contacts, and app settings, and is especially acute when you move between ecosystems, such as when you decide to move data from a Huawei device to a Xiaomi device. Fortunately, modern technology makes it as simple and secure as possible, even if you change the operating shells.
In this article, we will take a look at all the migration options available, from the Mi Mover app to Google’s cloud services to manual file copying, and learn how to save folder structure, call history, and passwords from Wi-Fi networks without losing quality.
Regardless of the model of your old Huawei (be it the P30, Mate 20 or more recent series) and the new Xiaomi (Redmi Note or flagship Mi), the algorithm of actions will be similar.
Preparation of devices for data transfer
Before you start the process of transferring information, you need to make sure that both smartphones are ready to work. The battery on both devices should be charged at least 50%, as active transfer of large amounts of data can significantly consume energy.
It’s important to make sure that your old Huawei phone has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on. While some methods use cable, the wireless connection often works more stable for transmitting settings and contacts. Make sure the screens of both devices don’t go out too quickly: set the screen timeout to 10 minutes or 30 minutes in the display settings.
⚠️ Note: Do not interrupt the data transfer process or block smartphone screens during migration, this may cause file damage or application installation error.
If you plan to use the cable for transmission, make sure you have a suitable adapter (usually USB Type-C to Type-C or Type-C to Micro-USB, depending on the Huawei model).
Using the Mi Mover app for migration
The most effective and official way to transfer data is to use the Mi Mover utility, which is designed specifically for users to migrate to the Xiaomi platform and supports the transfer of contacts, messages, call logs, photos, music, videos, documents and even installed applications.
On Xiaomi’s new smartphone, the Mi Mover app is often preinstalled in the Tools folder. If it’s not, download it from Google Play or GetApps. On an old Huawei phone, you also need to install the program. After you launch on both devices, follow these steps:
- 📲 On the new Xiaomi, select the role “I’m a recipient).
- 📲 On the old Huawei, select “I’m a sender).
- 📲 Scan it. QR-code that appears on the screen of the new phone, the camera of the old device.
- 📲 Wait for the connection and select data types to copy.
After selecting data categories (contacts, messages, gallery, applications), click the "Send" button. The speed of the transfer depends on the amount of information and the quality of the wireless connection, and in the process you will see the progress bar different end times.
☑️ Check before launching the Mi Mover
The Mi Mover feature is that the app tries to adapt the interface settings of the old phone to the shell of MIUI or HyperOS. However, system settings, such as alarm clocks or specific network parameters, can be reset to factory values on the new device.
Synchronization through Google Account
If you have stable internet access, the most reliable way to save contacts, calendar and notes is to sync through Google.This method is universal and does not depend on the phone brand.
Go to Huawei phone settings, search for Accounts and select Google. Make sure the sliders opposite Contacts, Calendar, Notes (if supported) and Drive are activated. Press the sync button to make sure all data is uploaded to the cloud.
| Type of data | Method of conservation | Where to find it new |
|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Google Contacts | Phone book |
| Photo/Video | Google Photo | Gallery/Google Photos |
| Annexes | Google Play Store | Play Market |
| Passwords. | Google Password Manager | Settings -> Google |
On the new Xiaomi, when you first turn on, just type in the same email address and password.The system will automatically prompt you to restore data from Google's backup.This will take some time, but ensures the integrity of your digital identity.
What to do if your contacts are not synchronized?
Hand-over of multimedia files
For users who are used to storing music, movies and documents in a specific folder structure, manual copying may be preferable, especially if the media is larger than 100GB and the wireless transmission takes too long.
You can connect both phones to your computer through USB-On your computer, open the conductor, find Huawei’s internal memory (usually a disc with the model name) and copy the folders you want (DCIM, Music, Download, Documents. Then plug in Xiaomi and paste the files into the appropriate directories.
The alternative is the use of OTG-If your Xiaomi supports the cable. USB Host, you can plug a flash card or an external hard drive into an old phone, copy the data there, and then move the drive into a new smartphone. FAT32 ExFAT can be read by both devices without any problems.
⚠️ Note: When manually copying system files and databases of messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) may not work correctly without using special export functions within the applications themselves.
Once you copy files, it is recommended to check their integrity on the new device. Open a few photos and video files to make sure they are not corrupted during transfer, especially for large video files in 4K resolution.
Transferring the history of messages and calls
SMS history and call log are the data that is often lost when changing phones unless you use specialized tools. Standard file export may not be suitable for importing to a device with a different shell, so it is better to use assistant apps.
One of the proven solutions is the SMS Backup & Restore app. Install it on Huawei, create a full backup of messages and calls. Save files to Google Drive or locally. Then install the same app on Xiaomi and recover the data from the created file.
- 📩 Launch the app on your old phone.
- 📩 Select “Create a backup copy».
- 📩 Specify the location of the save (local or cloud).
- 📩 Repeat the procedure on the new phone by selecting “Restore».
It is important to note that the recovery of call logs can take some time, and during this period the phone book may temporarily not display the latest numbers.
Nuances of application and data portability
When you switch from Huawei to Xiaomi, you may find that some apps don’t port with their data, due to differences in security and certification systems for Google Play Services, especially on new Huawei models without Google services.
Social networks and instant messengers (Telegram, Viber, WhatsApp) require special attention. WhatsApp needs to back up chats through the settings of the application itself (Settings -> Chats -> Backup Chats), selecting Google Drive. On the new phone, WhatsApp will offer to restore the history of correspondence when you install it.
Banking applications and programs with increased security requirements may require re-authorization, which is a normal security response to a change in device (Device change). ID). Prepare phone numbers in advance to receive SMS-confirmation code.
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Before resetting your old phone, make sure you log out of all Huawei ID and Google accounts, and remove the Find Device protection, otherwise the new owner may face lockdown.
For gaming apps, progress is often saved through Google Play Games or Huawei ID accounts. If the game is tied to Huawei ID only, you may need to additionally set up or use the GSpace plugin on a new device, although Xiaomi with Google services installed usually does not have problems.
Completion of setup and system verification
After all the data has been transferred, do not rush to delete information from the old device. Watch the new smartphone for 1-2 days. Check the alarm clock, calendar, synchronization of mail and notifications.
The MIUI shell has its own power management features. If you notice that some apps don't send notifications, go to the battery settings and allow auto-start for important messengers. This is a common situation after data migrates from other Android smartphones.
Only by making sure everything is working correctly can you perform a full Wipe reset on an old Huawei, which ensures that your personal data does not fall into the wrong hands and the new phone becomes your primary and only device.
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Successful data transfer is not just copying files, it is a check of the health of all services on a new device within a couple of days after the migration.