Data transfer from Huawei to Xiaomi Redmi: a complete guide to comparing all methods

Why data transfer between Huawei and Xiaomi requires a special approach

The transition from Huawei to Xiaomi Redmi is not just a brand change, but a transition between two ecosystems with fundamentally different synchronization approaches. Unlike transferring between devices of the same brand (for example, with the Redmi Note 10 on the Redmi Note 12), there are three key challenges ahead:

First, there's a lack of native compatibility, because Huawei uses its own cloud platform, Huawei Mobile Cloud, and Xiaomi uses the Mi Cloud, and they don't interact directly: EMUI (from Huawei and MIUI (Third, Google’s limitations: new Huawei models (after 2019) lack Google services, which blocks standard ways of transferring through Google Account.

This article will help you get around all the pitfalls. We tested 5 ways to transfer data (including hidden features). MIUI 14) and have a table of their performance, from the fastest to the most reliable, and you'll learn how to transfer not only contacts and photos, but also how to do it. APK-App files, WhatsApp settings, and even data from Huawei Health in Mi Fitness.

Method 1: Mi Mover – official solution from Xiaomi (does not work for all Huawei)

The Mi Mover app was designed specifically for migrating to Xiaomi devices, but it works selectively with Huawei, and in our testing, a successful port is only possible if:

• 📱 Your Huawei is working on EMUI 9.0 and newer (Models 2018 and later).
• 🔌 Both phones have Data Mode enabled (on Xiaomi, it is activated automatically when you start Mi Mover).
• 📶 Both devices are connected to the same 5 GHz Wi-Fi network (at 2.4 GHz, transmission may be interrupted).

How to transfer data:

1. Download Mi Mover on Huawei from APKPure (appGallery does not have it).
2. On Xiaomi Redmi go to Settings → The phone. → Data portability.
3. Choose Me sender on Huawei and I receive on Xiaomi.
4. Scan it. QR-code from the Redmi screen with the Huawei camera.
5. Select data types (contacts, messages, photos) and confirm the transfer.

Make sure there is enough space on Xiaomi (the transfer takes up a temporary buffer)|Turn it off. VPN firewall|Charge both phones at least 50 times%|Use the original. USB-cable for charging (transmission consumes a lot of energy)-->

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Not tolerated. APK-Installation files (only their data).
• ❌ On Huawei models P40/P50 Without Google Services, Mi Mover can freeze during the connection stage.
• ❌ Maximum transfer size – 4 GB (for photos and videos this is not enough).

Up to 1GB|1-5 GB|5-10 GB|More than 10GB|I don't know.-->

Method 2: Transfer via Google Account (if Huawei has Google Services)

This method only works for Huawei models until 2019 (e.g. Huawei) P30, Mate 20, which also pre-installed Google services. If your phone is released later, skip this section, it's not right for you.

The advantage of this method is that it automatically synchronizes contacts, calendars, notes, and even some application settings (e.g., Chrome or Gmail).

• 🔄 Data is not synchronized instantly – it can take up to 24 hours to fully transfer data.
• 📁 Photos and videos are synced only if they were uploaded to Google Photos before changing the phone.
• 🚫 Applications and their data are not portable – only account settings.

Step-by-step:

1. On Huawei go to Settings → Accounts. → Google and enable sync for all categories.
2. Wait for the sync to complete (check in Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Management → Sync).
3. On Xiaomi Redmi, add the same Google account to Settings → Accounts and synchronization.
4. Turn on sync and wait for data to load (you can speed up the process by opening Google Contacts and Google Photos manually).

⚠️ Note: If Huawei has two-factor authentication enabled for Google Account, you will need confirmation via the first sign-in to Xiaomi. SMS Prepare access to your old phone number or backup codes in advance!

Method 3: Local transmission over cable (fastest for large volumes)

If you need to carry tens of gigabytes of photos, videos or music, a direct cable connection is the best option, which works on all Huawei and Xiaomi models, regardless of the year of release, and does not require Internet connection.

You'll need:

• 🔌 OTG-Adapter (if Xiaomi does not have a port) USB-C) cable USB-C → USB-C.
• 📱 Huawei with unlocked screen (access must be confirmed).
• 🔋 Charging for Huawei (when transferring a large volume, it can discharge).

Instructions:

1. Connect Huawei to Xiaomi Redmi cable. On Huawei, select File Transfer Mode (MTP).
2. On Xiaomi, open Explorer (or Files) and select Huawei Connected in the Devices section.
3. Copy the folders you need (DCIM for photos, Download for downloads, WhatsApp for chat backups).
4. To transfer applications, copy the folder Android/obb (game data and APK-file.

1. Reconnect the cable.

2. On Huawei, in the connection notification, select File Transfer (not Charge!).

3. Install Total Commander app on Xiaomi – it better recognizes external devices.-->

Method 4: Cloud Services (for selective transfer)

If you don't have to migrate everything, but only individual types of data (like just photos or contacts), cloud services are a convenient option. We tested 4 platforms and selected the best ones for the task:

• 📁 Google Photos – for media files (unlimited storage for compressed photos).
• 📇 Huawei Mobile Cloud → Mi Cloud – for contacts and notes (requires manual export/import).
• 💬 Telegram – for transferring files up to 2 GB (convenient for documents and APK).
• 🎵 Yandex Disk – for music and archives (gives 10 GB for free).

Step-by-step instructions for Google Photos:

1. On Huawei, install Google Photos (if not, download it). APK APKMirror).
2. Log in to your Google account and enable Backup and Sync.
3. Wait for all photos to be uploaded (check in Photos) → Photos → Archives).
4. On Xiaomi Redmi, install Google Photos, log in to the same account and wait for sync.
5. To save a photo in the Xiaomi Gallery, open each photo in Google Photos and click Save on your device.

Connections transfer via Huawei Mobile Cloud:

1. On Huawei, export your contacts to Huawei Mobile Cloud (Contacts) → ⋮ → Backup).
2. Download the backup in.vcf format to your computer.
3. Send the file to your mail or upload it to Mi Cloud.
4. On Xiaomi, import contacts through Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports.

⚠️ Note: When using Huawei Mobile Cloud, check that your cloud settings enable Contact Sync. On some models (Huawei) P40 Pro, Mate 30) this option is disabled by default!

Method 5: Cloning applications (for advanced users)

If standard methods don’t work (e.g., on Huawei without Google Services), you can use specialized cloning applications. We tested 3 tools:

Use the Clone Phone for maximum speed, but be prepared for the following:

• 🔓 Huawei will need to unlock the bootloader and obtain root rights (instructions for the application) EMUI here).
• 📱 Xiaomi needs to enable debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock Developer Settings).
• 🛡️ Porting applications may disrupt their operation (for example, banking applications will stop opening).

💡

Cloning applications are convenient but risky: they can carry excess data (cache, debris) or disrupt system applications, only use them if other methods have failed.

Transfer specific data: WhatsApp, Huawei Health, passwords

Some data requires a personalized approach, such as WhatsApp chats can’t be simply copied – they need to be properly restored, and data from Huawei Health is incompatible with Mi Fitness without conversion.

WhatsApp chat portability:

1. On Huawei, open WhatsApp → ⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup copy.
2. Copy the folder. /WhatsApp/Databases on Xiaomi (see Method) 3).
3. Install WhatsApp on Xiaomi, log in to the same account and wait for the offer to restore chats.
4. If recovery does not begin, rename the backup file with msgstore.db.crypt14 on msgstore.db.crypt12 (sometimes).

Data transfer from Huawei Health to Mi Fitness:

• 📊 Export data from Huawei Health in.csv format (Profile) → Export of data).
• 🖥️ Open the file on your computer and convert it to.gpx (for training) or.fit (for activity) using Strava or Tapiriik.
• 📲 Import the converted file to Mi Fitness via Profile → Data import.

Transfer of saved passwords:

• If you have used Huawei Password Manager, export your passwords to.csv (Settings) → Security → Password manager → Exports).
• Import the file to Google Password Manager or Bitwarden (on Xiaomi).
• For Chrome, passwords are synced automatically when you sign in to your Google account.

What to do if the data is not moved or damaged

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, you can have problems, and here are the typical mistakes and solutions.

• 🔄 Photos and videos not displayed in Xiaomi Gallery: Check folder DCIM/.thumbnails — Sometimes the thumbnails don't get updated. Remove it (it'll recover automatically) or reboot your phone.
• 📞 Contacts are duplicated: This happens if you imported them from both Google Account and.vcf. → ⋮ → Contact management → Unite.
• 🎮 Games do not keep progress: For cloud-saving games (e.g, PUBG Mobile, Clash of Clans) log in to the same account (Facebook, Google Play Games). Android/obb/[play-off].
• 🔋 The phone gets a lot of heat when you're transferring: This is normal for large amounts of data. Use the original charger and don't interrupt the process.°C, pause for 10 minutes.

⚠️ Note: If after transferring the application to Xiaomi constantly fly out, check Settings → Annexes → Application management → License. MIUI Some permissions (such as Auto Run or Show over other windows) are reset after installation APK!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions