How to transfer files from Huawei to Xiaomi: the full guide

Changing a smartphone is always an exciting process, often overshadowed by the need to transfer a huge amount of accumulated data. Huawei device owners who decide to move to the Xiaomi ecosystem are faced with the question of how to quickly and without loss copy contacts, photos and applications to a new device. Fortunately, modern technology offers many solutions to avoid manually copying each file individually.

In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods of data migration, from built-in system utilities to cloud storage. You will learn how to properly prepare both gadgets for information transfer, what nuances exist when working with different versions of Android and how to avoid common mistakes. No matter the size of your library, you will find a way that will suit you.

Using the Mi Mover app for quick migration

The most efficient and preferred way to transfer data is to use the official tool from the manufacturer of the new device, Mi Mover. This specialized application is designed specifically for migrating from any Android smartphone, including Huawei, to Xiaomi devices, it allows you to transfer contacts, messages, call logs, photos, music, videos and even installed applications along with their data.

The process starts with installing the app on both devices, and on Xiaomi’s new phone, it’s often preinstalled in the Tools folder, but Huawei owners will have to download it. APK-You can find a file or an app on Google Play, and then you can choose the role of the device, and you can choose Xiaomi, "I'm the recipient," and Huawei, "I'm the sender," and you can create a Wi-Fi hotspot that you can connect to.

• 📲 Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network or use the access point you create.
• 📂 Select file types to transfer: contacts, messages, gallery, applications.
• ⚡ Wait for the process to be completed without turning off the device screens.

It is important to note that the data transfer speed over Mi Mover is much higher than with Bluetooth, since it uses a direct Wi-Fi channel. However, it is worth considering that some system settings and passwords from Wi-Fi networks may not be transferred due to security reasons for the Android system.

⚠️ Warning: During the Mi Mover operation, the screens of both smartphones must be turned on. If the sender device goes into sleep mode or the screen goes out due to a timeout, the data transfer may be interrupted and the process will have to start anew.

Transferring data through Google Account and Cloud Services

An alternative and reliable method is sync through a Google account, ideal for those who want to keep contacts, calendar and notes safe and sound, regardless of the phone model. Since both Huawei and Xiaomi are based on Android (except for the latest Huawei models without Google services, which will be discussed below), logging into the same account automatically pulls up all your personal information.

To implement this method on the old Huawei, you need to make sure that sync is enabled. Go to the settings of your Google account and check if the ticks are against contacts, calendar and other important points. After that, on the new Xiaomi, when you initially set up or in the account menu, you just need to enter the same login and password.

For photos and videos, Google Photos is the best service. By installing this app on Huawei and enabling Autoboot, you guarantee that all images are safe in the cloud. On the new device, it is easy to open the app, and the entire library will be available instantly, which also saves the internal memory of the phone.

• 🌐 Sign in to the same Google account on both devices.
• ☁️ Enable contact and calendar synchronization in account settings.
• 📸 Use Google Photos to Back Up Images.

The main advantage of this method is that it is independent of the physical condition of the old phone, and even if Huawei crashes or gets lost, your data will remain in the cloud, but to upload a large amount of photos you will need a stable and fast Internet connection, which can be a problem with limited traffic.

Local transmission via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct

When you don't have the Internet or the ability to install third-party apps, classic local transmission methods come to the rescue. Bluetooth remains the universal standard built into every mobile device. Although the speed of transmission over this channel is slow, for contacts, documents and a small number of photos, it is quite a workable option.

A more modern alternative is Wi-Fi Direct technology or fast transfer features like Xiaomi Share (similar to AirDrop). To transfer files from Huawei to Xiaomi via Xiaomi Share, both devices must have this feature enabled in the notification curtain. Once you select a file in the gallery or file manager, the system will find a nearby device and offer to send data at high speed.

When using Bluetooth, it is important to remember the pairing procedure: Devices should be visible to everyone, and on both screens you need to confirm the connection request, often entering the same pin code.This adds a security step, but can take time when transferring many small files.

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To speed up the transfer of large video files via Wi-Fi Direct, make sure that both devices are enabled with the “Do not turn off Wi-Fi in sleep mode” mode in the battery settings.

Use of the USB-cable

The most old-school method that never fails when dealing with huge amounts of data is using a PC as an intermediary. USB-cable MTP (File transfer, you get access to the file system like a flash drive. DCIM, Download and Music to your hard drive, you can then connect Xiaomi and upload the data there.

This is especially true if wireless methods are unstable or interrupted, the cable provides a stable connection and allows you to control the copying process, and you can immediately audit files on your computer, removing unnecessary debris before transferring to a new smartphone, which will save space.

There is also the possibility of connecting two phones directly through USB-cable, if you have an adapter USB OTG. By connecting a cable from Huawei to a Xiaomi port (via an adapter), the system can recognize an external device and prompt you to copy files. MIUI and file system type.

• 💻 Connect Huawei to your PC and select File Transfer Mode».
• 📂 Copy the required folders to the computer.
• 🔌 Connect Xiaomi and transfer the data to the appropriate directories.

Remember, when you copy through a computer, the folder structure can change a little. For example, it's better to put photos in a folder. DCIM/Camera, So they're going to be displayed correctly in the Xiaomi gallery, and you should put the music tracks in the Music folder for the player to tag correctly.

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Using a computer is the most reliable way to transfer hundreds of gigabytes of data, since it eliminates the risks of interruption of communication and does not depend on the speed of the Wi-Fi router.

Huawei portability nuances without Google services

Owners of new Huawei smartphones released after the imposition of sanctions face a lack of GMS services (Google Mobile Services), which makes its own adjustments to the transfer process, since standard synchronization through a Google Account on the sender side is impossible.

In such cases, the most effective is Huawei’s own Phone Clone app, available in the AppGallery store and able to transfer data to devices from other brands, including Xiaomi. QR-The app can even carry some system settings and home screen layout.

For contacts and calendar on devices without Google, you use a Huawei ID account. By exporting contacts to a.vcf file through the Contacts app on Huawei, you can transfer this file to Xiaomi in any convenient way (via the messenger, Bluetooth or the Huawei Cloud cloud) and import it. All contacts will be recorded in the memory of your phone or Google account, if it is added to Xiaomi.

⚠️ Note: When transferring data from devices without Google services, applications that depend on the GMS (You can't have your login data, like YouTube, maps, some banks, you can't transfer your login data, you have to log in again on a new device.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)