How to transfer photos from Huawei to Xiaomi: all working ways in 2026

Sharing photos between smartphones across brands is a challenge that one in five users face when changing devices, especially for owners of Huawei and Xiaomi, where ecosystems are closed to direct synchronization. Unlike transferring within the same brand (for example, through Mi Mover or Huawei Backup), interbrand sharing requires workarounds – from classic cable to cloud services with nuanced authorization.

The main problem lies in different data protocols: Xiaomi uses MIUI Quick Share (formerly Mi Drop) by default, and Huawei uses Huawei’s own technology Share. These systems are directly incompatible, so users have to choose between universal methods. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of 2026, taking into account the limitations of MIUI 14/15 and EMUI 13/14, including hidden functions and bypassing locks for Chinese firmware.

1. Transmission via OTG cable: the fastest way

Use of the USB-cable-backed OTG It is the most reliable method for transferring a large amount of photos (from the 5 GB and higher. Copying speeds up. 40-60 MB/s - in 3-5 It's faster than Wi-Fi. It's important that both smartphones have to keep the mode running. USB Mass Storage or MTP (Most of the Huawei and Xiaomi models after 2018 year-round).

The connection will require:

• 🔌 Cable USB-C → USB-C (Adapters, if the ports are different)
• 📱 Activated developer mode on Xiaomi (unless the drive is determined)
• 🔄 File Manager (built-in or Solid Explorer)

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Huawei to Xiaomi with a cable. On the Huawei screen, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. On Xiaomi, open the notification USB-Connect and enable File Transfer.
3. Run a file manager on Xiaomi, find the DCIM/Camera folder on a connected Huawei.
4. Select the photos and copy them to the Pictures or DCIM folder on your device.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models with MIUI 14+ You may need permission to access USB-If your smartphone can't see Huawei, check the settings for developers → Configuration USB default.

Connect the OTG cable to both devices

Enable MTP on Huawei

Allow access to files on Xiaomi

Check the free space on Xiaomi (at least +10% of the photo volume)

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2.Cloud Services: Google Photos vs Huawei Cloud vs Mi Cloud

Cloud storage is convenient for transferring photos without cables, but has speed and volume limitations.

Instructions for Google Photos (recommended method):

1. On Huawei, install Google Photos from AppGallery or APK.
2. Sign in to one Google account on both devices.
3. On Huawei, enable autoboot: Settings → Backup and Sync.
4. On Xiaomi, wait for synchronization and download photos through Photo → Library → Archive.

Huawei Cloud is suitable if you already have a backup in their ecosystem.

• 🌐 Download photos from cloud.huawei.com on PC.
• 📤 Flip them to Xiaomi via cable or send them to yourself by mail.

⚠️ Note: When using Mi Cloud, photos in their original quality occupy the storage quota. If you choose the option "Optimized Storage", the quality will decrease to 16 MP even for the first time. RAW-snapshot.

Google Photo

Huawei Cloud

Mi Cloud

Other (Yandex, iCloud, etc.)

I don't use clouds.-->

3. Wireless transmission over Wi-Fi Direct or LocalShare

If the cable is not available and the clouds seem slow, Wi-Fi Direct or specialized applications like LocalShare (from Xiaomi) will be a good alternative, transfer speeds up to 20-30 MB / s – faster than Bluetooth 10-15 times.

How to send photos via LocalShare:

1. Install LocalShare on both smartphones (available on AppGallery and Google Play).
2. On Huawei, select a photo in the gallery → Share → LocalShare.
3. On Xiaomi, accept the connection request (make sure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled).
4. Confirm the transfer – the photo will be saved to the folder Download/LocalShare.

For Wi-Fi Direct (without third-party applications):

• 📶 On Huawei: Settings → Wireless networks → Wi-Fi Direct.
• 🔗 On Xiaomi: Settings → Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi Direct and select your Huawei device.
• 📁 After connecting, use the file manager to transfer.

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If LocalShare does not find the device, check if Visibility for All mode is enabled in the app settings on both smartphones.

4.Bluetooth: When there are no other options

Bluetooth is the most versatile, but also the slowest method (speed ~1-2 MB / s), it should be used only for transferring a few photos (up to 50 pieces), the main plus is that it works even without the Internet and on older models.

Step-by-step:

1. On both smartphones, turn on Bluetooth: Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Make Huawei detectable (the “Visibility” or “Device Search” option).
3. On Xiaomi, find Huawei in the list and connect (code confirmation will be required).
4. In the Huawei gallery, highlight a photo → Share → Bluetooth → choose Xiaomi.
5. Accept files on Xiaomi (save to Bluetooth or Download).

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with MIUI 13+ The file size limit can be triggered via Bluetooth (maximum) 50 MB in one gear. To get around, break the photo into batches by gear. 10-15 piece.

Advantages and disadvantages of Bluetooth:

• ✅ It works on all models (even without the internet)
• ✅ No need to install applications
• ❌ Very low speed (10 photo = ~2-3 minute)
• ❌ File size limitation (problems with RAW and Live Photos)

5. Specialized applications: Xender, ShareMe, Snapdrop

The side of file transfer applications often offer faster speeds than standard tools and support cross-platform sharing.-3 decision:

How to use Xender:

1. Install the app on both smartphones.
2. On Huawei, choose Send, on Xiaomi, Receive.

Snapdrop is convenient because it does not require installation:

• 🌐 Open snapdrop.net on both smartphones in the same Wi-Fi.
• 📱 The devices will automatically detect each other.
• 📤 Drag a photo from Huawei to the Xiaomi icon in the browser.

6 Computer Transmission: Reliable, but Longer

Using a PC or laptop as an intermediary is relevant if:

• 🖥️ You need to transfer more than 1000 photos (for example, archive over several years).
• 🔒 Requires backup before Huawei dumps.
• 🛠️ There were problems with direct connection of smartphones.

Step-by-step instructions for Windows/macOS:

1. Connect Huawei to your computer with a cable and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Copy photos from the DCIM or Pictures folder to your hard drive.
3. Disable Huawei, connect Xiaomi and transfer files back.

For macOS, additional software may be required:

• 🍎 Install Android File Transfer (official app from Google).
• 🔌 Connect your smartphones in turn and use Finder to copy.

⚠️ Attention: On Huawei with firmware EMUI 12+ folder DCIM To see it, turn on the display of hidden files in Windows Explorer (View) → Hidden elements).

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Computer transmission is the only way to transfer photos without loss of quality (including RAW and Live Photos) if other methods fail.

Comparison of all methods: what to choose?

The choice of method depends on the number of photos, the availability of the Internet and the technical capabilities of the devices.

Selection recommendations:

• 📸 1-50 Photo: Bluetooth or LocalShare.
• 📷 50-500 Photo: Cable OTG Xender.
• 🖼️ More than 500 photos: Computer or Google Photos (if time is available).
• 🔒 Confidential photos: Cable or computer (no clouds).

FAQ: Frequent Questions and Problems