How to transfer data from Huawei phone to Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Why Data Transfers between Huawei and Xiaomi Need a Special Approach

The transition from Huawei to Xiaomi is not just a smartphone change, but a transition between two fundamentally different ecosystems, unlike the transfer of data within the same brand (for example, from the Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi). 13T), Here you will find three key difficulties:

First of all, EMUI (Huawei shell) and MIUI (Xiaomi’s shell uses different backup protocols, with Huawei actively promoting its own cloud services (Huawei Mobile Cloud), while Xiaomi is integrated with Mi Account and Google Drive. Second, many Huawei models in recent years have been deprived of Google services (due to US sanctions), which makes it difficult to synchronize through standard Android tools. MIUI.

This article will help avoid common mistakes, from losing contacts to not being able to restore chats in instant messengers. We tested all methods on current models of 2023-2026 (including Huawei). P60 Pro, Mate 50, Xiaomi 14 and Redmi Note 12 have highlighted the only method that is guaranteed to carry 100% of data without loss – even if you have Huawei without Google Mobile Services (GMS).

Method 1: Xiaomi’s official “Mi Mover” app is a fast but limited option

Mi Mover (pre-installed on all Xiaomi) is positioned as a universal tool for transferring data from Android to Android MIUI. It runs on Wi-Fi Direct, eliminating the need for cable or cloud, but it has critical limitations when switching from Huawei:

• 📱 Supports only Huawei models with Google services (starting with Google) EMUI For devices without GMS (for example, Huawei P40 Mi Mover will not see the phone.
• 📁 Not all types of data: no support for.apk-files of applications, some system settings and data from the Chinese versions of messengers (for example, WeChat).
• ⚡ Transfer speed depends on the version MIUI: Xiaomi 14s MIUI 15 process is 2-3 times faster than on Redmi MIUI 12.

Step-by-step:

1. On Xiaomi, open Settings → About Phone → Mi Mover (or find the app in the menu).
2. On Huawei, install Mi Mover from APKMirror (officially not available on Google Play: https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/xiaomi-inc/mi-mover/.
3. On both phones, select “I’m a new user” (on Xiaomi) and “I’m an old user” (on Huawei).
4. Scan it. QR-code from the screen Xiaomi camera Huawei for pairing.
5. Select data types for transfer (contacts, SMS, Photos, videos) and confirm the transfer.

⚠️ Note: If the Mi Mover is “hanging” at the connection stage, check whether Huawei has enabled the developer mode and debugging. USB (Settings → The phone. → Assembly number (7 taps) → For developers → Debugging by USB). This often solves the compatibility problem.

Charge of both phones > 50% |

Disable VPNs and firewalls |

Install Mi Mover on Huawei from APKMirror|

Enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices |

Release. ≥ 2 GB of memory on Xiaomi for temporary files-->

Method 2: Backup through Huawei Mobile Cloud + Xiaomi recovery

Huawei Mobile Cloud allows you to create a full copy of your data, but you can’t directly restore it to Xiaomi, but it’s ideal for moving contacts, calendars, and notes, if you follow a workaround:

First, export data from Huawei Cloud to universal formats:

1. On Huawei go to Settings → Huawei ID → Cloud. → Backup and create an archive.
2. After the copy is completed, open the Settings → Huawei ID → Cloud. → Data management.
3. Select "Export Data" and save files to your computer or external drive. Contacts will be in.vcf, calendar.ics, and notes in.zip with HTML-file.

Then import them to Xiaomi:

• 📇 Contacts: Open the Contacts app on Xiaomi, click «⋮» → «Imports/Exports» → select the.vcf file.
• 📅 Calendar: Use the Calendar app» → «Settings» → «Imports» → Show the way to.ics.
• 📝 Notes: Install Google Keep or ColorNote, then import HTML-files via the application menu.

⚠️ Warning: Huawei Mobile Cloud stores data on servers in China, if you have a model for the European market (with a suffix) CXX in the title, for example P50 Pro C00E), In this case, use local backup on microSD (Settings) → System system → Backup → Local backups).

Method 3: Using a Google Account is a universal but incomplete method

Syncing through Google Account is the most reliable way to transfer basic data (contacts, calendar, mail), but it has critical limitations for Huawei:

• 🚫 It doesn't work on models without GMS (For example, Huawei Mate 40 Pro or P50 Check if Google Play is available on your device.
• 📱 Only transfers data linked to Google: SMS, Multimedia and Calls Are Not Synchronized.
• ⏳ Requires pre-setting: on Huawei, you need to manually enable synchronization for each data type (Settings) → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of the account).

How to make the most of it possible:

1. On Huawei, add your Google Account (if not) via Settings → Accounts. → Add an account → Google.
2. Enable synchronization for all categories: contacts, calendar, tasks, Chrome (bookmarks), Gmail.
3. On Xiaomi, log in to the same Google account when you first set up or through Settings → Accounts.
4. Wait for automatic synchronization (can take up to 24 hours for large amounts of data).

To transfer photos and videos, use Google Photos:

1. Install the app on Huawei (if you have Google Play) or download it APK from apkmirror.com.
2. Enable autoboot (Settings) → Backup and sync and wait until it is completed.
3. On Xiaomi, install Google Photos and log in to the same account – files will be downloaded automatically.

Mi Mover (Wi-Fi Direct)|Google Account|Manual cable copying|Cloud services (Dropbox, Yandex Disk)|Other-->

Method 4: Direct copying through cable OTG Computer (for advanced users)

If you need to transfer large amounts of data (for example, 100)+ GB photo/video, or apps with settings, direct cable transfer, is the most reliable option:

Option A: Cable USB OTG (computer-free)

• 🔌 Connect Huawei to Xiaomi via USB-C OTG adapter (needs cable with connector) USB-C ↔ USB-C).
• 📂 On Xiaomi, open Files by Google or Mi File Manager and select Mode «USB-accumulator».
• 📄 Copy the folders. DCIM (Photos, Downloads, Pictures and Movies with Huawei on Xiaomi.

Option B: Through a computer (for full control)

1. Connect Huawei to your PC via USB, Select the file transfer mode (MTP).
2. Copy all the folders you need to your computer (we recommend using TeraCopy for large files).
3. Connect Xiaomi and transfer the data to the appropriate directories (for example, photos - in the phone). /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera).

How to transfer applications and their data:

This will require ADB (Android Debug Bridge and root access (optional, but increases the chances of success):

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


adb restore backup.ab

This team creates a full backup of apps and data on Huawei, and then restores it to Xiaomi, and it’s important that not all apps support recovery on another device (especially instant messengers and banking apps).

⚠️ Note: When copying through a computer, do not change the folder structure, for example, if you transfer a photo from the computer. DCIM/Camera In Pictures, Xiaomi Gallery may not recognize them as photos, but as regular files. Also avoid copying system folders (Android, data) so as not to cause conflicts in the system. MIUI.

Method 5: Third-party applications – when standard methods don’t work

If none of the above methods are suitable (for example, you have Huawei without the need to use it). GMS or you need to transfer data of a particular application, use specialized utilities:

Instructions for Clone Phone (recommended option):

1. Install Clone Phone on Huawei from APKMirror (officially only available for Xiaomi).
2. On Xiaomi, open the app through Settings → The phone. → Clone Phone.
3. Select “I’m a new phone” on Xiaomi and “I’m an old phone” on Huawei.
4. Connect through QR-code or enter 6-digit code manually.
5. Select data to transfer and wait until completion (may take up to 1 hour for 50)+ GB).

To port WhatsApp:

Use Dr.Fone — WhatsApp Transfer or Backuptrans (paid solutions).

1. On Huawei, make a backup chat in WhatsApp Settings → chat → Backup copy.
2. Copy the file. msgstore.db.crypt14 from /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases computer.
3. Install WhatsApp on Xiaomi, confirm the number and do not restore the backup automatically.
4. Substitute the new one. msgstore.db.crypt14 It is copied from Huawei (root or need to be rooted). ADB).
5. Remove and reinstall WhatsApp – chats will recover.

💡

If after the transfer to Xiaomi lost contacts from SIM-Maps, import them manually: open the Contacts app» → «⋮» → «Imports/Exports» → «Import with SIM-map».

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following instructions, users face typical problems.-5 mistakes and their solutions:

• 🔄 Mi Mover doesn't see Huawei: Make sure both phones have Wi-Fi Direct and Bluetooth enabled. GMS, Use Clone Phone.
• 📵 Not tolerated. SMS: Install. SMS Backup & Restore on Huawei, build a backup in.xml format, then restore it to Xiaomi.
• 🔒 Xiaomi asks for unlocking the bootloader: This is normal when transferring through ADB. Follow the instructions on the screen (requires binding to Mi Account).
• 📱 Applications are not restored:.apk files can only be transferred if you have root rights. In most cases, applications will have to be re-installed.
• 🔋 Phone discharges during transfer: Connect both devices to charge. The process can take several hours with large amounts of data.

How to check that all data is transferred correctly:

• 📞 Call 2-3 contacts from different groups (work, friends, family).
• 📷 Open the gallery and make sure that all photos and videos are displayed in chronological order.
• 💬 Send a test message to yourself. WhatsApp/Telegram — The chat history should be preserved.
• 🎵 Launch music from the Music folder – check the metadata (track titles, album covers).

💡

If after the transfer to Xiaomi appeared duplicate contacts, use the built-in function of the merger: open "Contacts» → «⋮» → «Contact management» → «Combine the takes».

FAQ: Answers to popular questions