How to clone a Huawei phone on Xiaomi: a complete guide with proven methods

Transferring data between smartphones of different brands is a challenge that every second user faces when changing devices. This problem is especially relevant when switching from Huawei to Xiaomi: two ecosystems with fundamentally different approaches to synchronization, backup and cloud services. If you think it is enough to copy files to a flash drive or send yourself by mail, you risk losing up to 40% of data (messaging in messengers, application settings, call history).

In this article, we will explore all the current methods of cloning, from the standard Mi Mover and Phone Clone tools to manual methods for power users, you will learn how to transfer not only media files, but also media files. APK-We'll focus on data-saving application packages, Wi-Fi settings, social media accounts, even game profiles. EMUI and MIUI, which often cause problems with the transfer.

Why you can’t just copy files from Huawei to Xiaomi

Many users make the critical mistake of connecting both phones to a PC and dragging DCIM, Downloads and Pictures folders to a new device, which only works for 30 percent of the data.

• 📱 Annexes and their data: APK-files without cache and settings (for example, save in games or chat history in Telegram).
• 📞 Call log: Huawei keeps it in a closed database contacts2.db, smackable.
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords: stored in encrypted form /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml — rootless.
• ⚙️ System settings: Screen brightness, power saving modes, gestures – all this is tied to the user profile in the user’s headset. EMUI.

Xiaomi also uses its own MIUI File System, which may incorrectly display metadata from files transferred from Huawei (such as photo or geotagging dates), leading to gallery chaos and sorting problems.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) Google Mobile Services instead (GMS), Standard methods of transferring your Google Account will not work.You will need to export your data from Huawei separately. ID.

Comparison of cloning methods: which to choose

We tested 5 ways to transfer data and made a table of their effectiveness.

For most users, the best solution would be a combination of Mi Mover for basic data + manual transfer of critical files via PC. If you have Huawei without Google services, give priority to Phone Clone and then sync through Huawei Cloud.

Method 1: Official Mi Mover utility (for Xiaomi)

Mi Mover is a pre-installed app on all Xiaomi smartphones designed to transfer data from other devices, and it supports Huawei, but with the caveat: not all EMUI models are correctly recognized by the system.

1. On Xiaomi, open Settings → About Phone → Mi Mover (or find the app in the menu).
2. Select the option "I am a new user" (on some firmware - "Receive data").
3. On Huawei, install Mi Mover from APKMirror (officially not in AppGallery).
4. Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network or use a hotspot on Xiaomi.
5. On Huawei, select data for transfer: contacts, messages, photos, video, audio, applications.

Important nuances:

• 🔌 The battery charge on both phones should be above 50%, and the charge below 30% will be interrupted.
• 📶 Wi-Fi 5 GHz is faster, but can be unstable. 10+ GB) use 2.4 GHz.
• 🚫 Not portable: Wi-Fi passwords, lock screen settings, data of some banking applications.

⚠️ Warning: If Huawei has enabled Data Optimization (in battery settings), turn it off. It may interrupt the connection between phones.

Shut down. VPN both-device|Make sure that Xiaomi has enough memory (at least 20% free space)|Close all background applications, especially messengers|Check the compatibility of models on the Xiaomi website (list of supported Huawei)-->

Huawei’s Method 2: Phone Clone (for devices without Google)

If your Huawei is running HMS (Huawei Mobile Services) instead of GMS (Google Mobile Services), standard methods of transferring through Google Account will not work. In this case, use Phone Clone, a Huawei-branded utility, which is available in AppGallery and supports porting to Xiaomi, but with restrictions:

Algorithm of action:

1. Install Phone Clone on both phones (on Xiaomi download APK from the official website of Huawei).
2. On Huawei, select “This is an old phone” and on Xiaomi, “This is a new phone.”
3. Scan it. QR-code from the screen Xiaomi camera Huawei.
4. Select data to transfer. Phone Clone will show approximate size and transfer time.
5. Confirm the transfer on both devices. the process will take from 10 minutes (for 5 GB of data) to 1 hour (for 50 + GB).

What's important to know:

• 🔒 Application data is only transferred to programs installed from AppGallery. APK from other sources, but without any.
• 📁 The folder structure on Xiaomi may be different. Huawei/Pictures/Screenshots fall into DCIM/Screenshots.
• 🔄 Updates: If Xiaomi is worth it MIUI Update Phone Clone to the latest version before transfer (otherwise, crashes may occur).

Method 3: Manual transfer via ADB (for power users)

If you need to migrate 100% of your data, including system settings and application files, the only reliable way is to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires command-line skills and unlocked bootloader on Xiaomi (for some operations).

Preparation:

1. Install ADB and Fastboot Tools on your PC (download from Google’s website).
2. Enable USB Debugging on both phones: Settings → About Phone → Assembly Number (tap 7 times) Settings → System → Developers → Debugging on USB
3. Connect both phones to your PC and confirm debugging permission.

Transfer commands (execute in cmd or terminal):

Cloning of the list of applications (without data)


adb -s [ID_Huawei] shell pm list packages -f > huawei_apps.txt




adb -s [ID_Xiaomi] install-multiple $(cat huawei_apps.txt | awk '{print $2}')




Application data transfer (requires root)



adb -s [ID_Huawei] pull /data/data/[package_name] C:\Backup\




adb -s [ID_Xiaomi] push C:\Backup\ /data/data/[package_name]




Export of contacts (in vCard format)



adb -s [ID_Huawei] shell content query --uri content://com.android.contacts/contacts > contacts.vcf




adb -s [ID_Xiaomi] push contacts.vcf /sdcard/Download/

Advantages of the method:

• 🛠️ Complete control over the data being transferred (specific files can be selected).
• 🔄 Preserving folder structure and metadata.
• 🔒 No volume restrictions (unlike Wi-Fi transfer).

⚠️ Attention: Application data portability (/data/data/) It requires root rights on both devices, and on Xiaomi, it will cause Widevine to reset. L1 (downgrade DRM), What will make streaming on Netflix and Disney worse?+.

💡

If you don’t need root rights but need to migrate data from a particular application (like a game), use the Backup feature within the app itself. Many programs (like Brawl Stars or Clash of Clans) allow you to link your progress to a Google/Facebook account and restore it to a new device.

Method 4: Cloud services (Google Drive, Huawei Cloud, Mi Cloud)

Cloud services are convenient for data transfer over distance or if you don't have a cable, but they have limitations:

• 📁 Google Drive: Free available only 15 GB. To transfer photos and videos in original quality will require a paid tariff.
• ☁️ Huawei Cloud: Works only for devices with HMS. Xiaomi data will have to be downloaded through the browser.
• 🔵 Mi Cloud: Supports backup, but data recovery is only possible on Xiaomi with the same firmware.

The following steps are provided for Google Drive:

1. On Huawei, open Settings → System → Backup.
2. Select “Google Drive Backup” and log in.
3. Check the data for copying: contacts, calendar, photo (via Google Photos), SMS (Google Messages application is required).
4. On Xiaomi, log in to the same Google account and restore data to Settings → Accounts → Google → Restore.

For Huawei Cloud:

1. On Huawei, go to Settings → Huawei ID → Cloud.
2. Activate backup for the desired categories.
3. On Xiaomi, open your browser, go to cloud.huawei.com and download the archive with data.

💡

Cloud services are the slowest, but most versatile way, and they're suitable for transferring data between devices on different continents, or if you don't have physical access to both phones at the same time.

Problems After Cloning and How to Solve Them

Even after successfully migrating data, you may encounter problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If Xiaomi started to slow down after the transfer, follow the following steps:

1. Reboot your phone (hold the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Clear the cache of system applications: Settings → Applications → Application management → Filter (system) → Clear the cache.
3. Turn off "Adaptive Brightness" and "Window Animation" in the developer settings.
4. If the lags are saved, do “Soft Reset” (Settings → Additional → Settings Reset), but don’t choose “Internal Memory Cleanup.”

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions