Data portability between Xiaomi and Huawei: full guide 2026

The transition from Xiaomi to Huawei (or vice versa) is often accompanied by the problem of data transfer: contacts, photos, messages and even app settings — MIUI and EMUI (HarmonyOS, or HarmonyOS, are not always compatible, and as a result, standard tools like Google Accounts may not be able to handle a 100-hour task%.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to transfer data, from the simplest (via the cloud) to the most advanced (using a PC), focusing on transferring messages from Mi Messages to Huawei Messages, one of the most difficult tasks that users face most often, and learn how to avoid data loss when changing the ecosystem and what nuances are important to consider when working with Chinese firmware.

If you move from Huawei to Xiaomi, most of the methods will mirror, but we'll highlight the different ways in which you do things, and for those who like automation, we've prepared a comparative analysis of the speed and reliability of each method -- see the table at the end of the article.

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Preparation for transfer: what to do before the start

Before you start the transfer, make sure that both devices are ready for the procedure, which will help to avoid errors such as interrupted transfer or loss of files.

On Xiaomi (data source):

• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 50% – transfer can take up to an hour.
• 📶 Connect to stable Wi-Fi (if you use cloud services).
• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📁 Free up space: If you transfer to Huawei with a small amount of memory, delete unnecessary files in advance.

On Huawei (data receiver):

• 📱 Reset the settings to factory (Settings) → System system → Reset) if the phone is new or used, this will eliminate data conflicts.
• 🔑 Put the debugging on. USB (Settings → The phone. → Build Number – Tap 7 times, then return to For Developers).
• 📡 Make sure there is enough space on the device for all the data being transferred.

⚠️ Note: If you are transferring data from Huawei to Xiaomi and using Huawei Mobile Cloud, export the backup to your PC in advance.The service may block access to files after changing your device.

Also check the compatibility of Android versions:

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2. Method 1: Transfer through Google Account (the easiest one)

This is a method that works for basic data: contacts, calendars, notes, and parts of applications. SMS, Photos in original quality or system application configurations, but works on 100% of devices.

Instructions:

1. On Xiaomi, open Settings → Google accounts and make sure sync is enabled for Contacts, Calendar and Gmail.
2. On Huawei, when you first turn on, select Restore Data from a backup and log in to the same Google account.
3. Confirm the data recovery. It takes 5 to 20 minutes depending on the volume.

What's going on?

• 📇 Contacts (including groups and tags).
• 📅 Calendar events.
• ✉️ Gmail emails (if you use an email client).
• 📱 Some application settings (such as Google Maps or Chrome).

What won't happen:

• 📸 Photos and videos (only thumbnails from Google Photos if sync is enabled).
• 💬 SMS and MMS.
• 🎵 Music and uploaded files.
• 🔧 Settings MIUI or EMUI.

⚠️ Note: If Huawei has HarmonyOS installed (not Android), some of the data from Google Account may not sync.In this case, use the method with Huawei Mobile Cloud (see method 3).

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Method 2: Direct Wi-Fi transmission (without PC)

Both brands offer branded tools for wireless transfer:

- Xiaomi: Mi Mover (built-in) MIUI).

Huawei: Phone Clone (available from AppGallery)

These applications allow you to transfer almost all types of data, including SMS, And the main advantage of this is that you don't need a PC or a cable.

Instructions for transferring from Xiaomi to Huawei:

1. On Huawei, install Phone Clone from AppGallery (or download it) APK from the official Huawei website).
2. On Xiaomi, open Settings → Additional → Mi Mover.
3. On Huawei in Phone Clone, select This is a new phone, and on Xiaomi, This is an old phone.
4. Scan it. QR-code from the Huawei screen on Xiaomi or connect via Wi-Fi Direct.
5. Select data types to transfer (we recommend that you note everything except System Applications – they may conflict).
6. Wait until it's done. Don't interrupt the connection!

What's going on?

• 📸 Photo and video (without compression).
• 💬 SMS and MMS (attachment).
• 📞 Call magazine.
• 📁 Documents and APK-file.
• 🎵 Music and ringtones.

Transmission speed: ~500 MB/min (depending on Wi-Fi module).

Charge both phones to 60%+

Connect to a single Wi-Fi network (or use Wi-Fi Direct)

Free up space on the target device

Disable VPNs and Firewalls

Close background applications (especially messengers)

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4. Method 3: Mi Cloud and Huawei Mobile Cloud

If you’ve used Xiaomi or Huawei’s proprietary clouds, you can transfer data through them, which is convenient if you already have backups, but has limitations on volume (free – up to 5 GB on Mi Cloud and up to 15 GB on Huawei Mobile Cloud).

Moving from Xiaomi to Huawei via Mi Cloud:

1. On Xiaomi, create a backup: Settings → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud → Backup.
2. Download the archive to your PC via the web version of i.mi.com (Section Backups).
3. Unpack the archive and transfer the necessary files (contacts in.vcf format, photo, SMS in.xml) on Huawei.

Moving from Huawei to Xiaomi via Huawei Mobile Cloud:

1. On Huawei, back up: Settings → Huawei ID → Cloud. → Backup.
2. Export data to your PC via cloud.huawei.com (may be required) VPN access to certain regions).
3. Import contacts and calendars to Xiaomi via Mi Account or manually.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 You can transfer data gradually (not all at once).
• 🌍 Access from anywhere in the world (unless there are regional restrictions).
• 📱 Older models are supported (even without current firmware).

Disadvantages:

• ☁️ Limited free storage capacity.
• ⏳ Long upload/upload time of large files.
• 🔒 Some data (e.g., some data, SMS) They are stored in proprietary formats and require conversion.

💡

If you have a lot of photos, compress them with the Google Photos app before uploading to the cloud. This will save space and speed up the transfer.

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5. Method 4: Transfer through a memory card or OTG-accumulator

The most reliable, but also the most time-consuming method is manual transfer of files over a microSD or a microSD. USB-supportive OTG. Suitable for large amounts of data (e.g. photo/video collections) or if other methods don’t work.

Instructions:

1. Insert a memory card in Xiaomi (or plug in) OTG-accumulator).
2. Copy the necessary files: Photo / video: folder DCIM Music: Music folder. Documents folder or Download. Contacts: export to.vcf via Contacts → Settings → Exports.

Huawei

Copy the files into the corresponding folders on the new device.

Contacts → Settings → Imports

For transfer SMS You will need a third-party application, for example SMS Backup & Restore:

1. Install the app on Xiaomi and create a backup.
2. Copy the.xml file to the memory card.
3. Install the same app on Huawei and restore it SMS file-based.

⚠️ Note: When you manually transfer photos, check if the metadata (shoot date, geotagged) is saved. Some file managers reset it. Use Google Photos or ExifTool to restore it.

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Method 5: Transfer over PC (for power users)

This is a good method if you need to migrate all the data without exception, including application settings, saved games or system files. Windows/Mac Mi programs PC Suite (for Xiaomi) and HiSuite (for Huawei).

Step-by-step:

1. Set up Mi. PC Suite from the official Xiaomi website and connect Xiaomi to the USB (Enable File Transfer).
2. Create a backup copy through Mi PC Suite (Backup section) Select all data categories.
3. Install HiSuite and connect Huawei. In the Restore section, select a backup file with Xiaomi.
4. Wait for the recovery to be completed. Reboot Huawei.

What's going on?

• 📱 All applications and their data (including game saves).
• 📁 System settings (MIUI → EMUI partly).
• 🔧 Settings Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, APN.
• 📂 Files and folders in the original structure.

Limitations:

• 🖥️ Requires a PC with Windows 7+ or macOS 10.12.+.
• ⚙️ Some settings MIUI inconsistent EMUI (for example, themes or gestures).
• 🔌 We need originals. USB-cables (cheap cables may not transmit data).

The alternative is the use of ADB (for advanced users):

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab


adb restore backup.ab

⚠️ Note: When you restore backup to Huawei via HiSuite, some apps (such as banking) may require re-authorization!

💡

Transferring over a PC is the only way to save application data (for example, progress in games or setting up messengers).

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7. Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To make the choice easier, we have collected the key characteristics of each method in the table:

Selection recommendations:

• 🔄 If you need to transfer everything at once, use a PC.
• 📸 For photo / video, a memory card or Wi-Fi Direct is best suited.
• 📇 Just contacts and email? Google account is enough.
• 💬 For SMS and call logs choose Wi-Fi Direct or manual export.

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8. Frequent problems and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem 1: Mi Mover or Phone Clone doesn’t see the second device.

• 🔌 Check if Wi-Fi Direct is enabled on both phones.
• 📶 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network (do not use mobile Internet).
• 🔄 Reboot both phones and try again.
• 📱 On Huawei, turn off energy saving for Phone Clone app.

Problem 2: Not tolerable SMS or they're represented by hieroglyphics.

• 📱 Use it. SMS Backup & Restore for Manual Export/Import.
• 🔤 Check the encoding of the.xml file – it should be UTF-8.
• 📌 If SMS If not displayed, try another backup app, such as Super Backup.

Problem 3: The photos were moved, but no shooting date.

• 📅 Use Google Photos to Recover Metadata.
• 🛠️ Install ExifTool on your PC and fix dates manually:

Problem 4: Applications have been moved but are not working.

• 📱 Reinstall them from Google Play or AppGallery.
• 🔑 Banking applications may require re-authorization.
• 🔧 If the application gives an error, clear its cache: Settings → Annexes → [Name of name] → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

Problem 5: HiSuite does not restore backup with Xiaomi.

• 🖥️ Make sure the HiSuite version is up to date (download from the official website).
• 🔌 Try another one. USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📂 Check the integrity of the backup file (it should not be corrupted).
• 🔄 Create a new backup on Xiaomi with decryption disabled.

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FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions