How to Transfer Data from Android to Huawei, Xiaomi or Redmi: A Complete Guide to 2026

Transferring data between smartphones to Android seems like a simple task – until you encounter the nuances of Huawei firmware (EMUI), Xiaomi (MIUI/HyperOS) Google Mobile Services’ restrictions on Huawei devices, Xiaomi’s closed ecosystem, and the difference in Android versions make routine operations a puzzle.This article will not just list the ways to copy files, but will reveal the hidden pitfalls of each method: from Wi-Fi Direct transmission to backup blocking MIUI account-change.

We tested all the current methods on a pair of devices: Huawei P60 Pro → Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy S22 → Redmi Note 13 Pro+, And even the Google Pixel 7. → Huawei Mate 60 (without Huawei) GMS). The result is an algorithm that takes into account the characteristics of each brand – from forced-encryption of Xiaomi backups to problems with Huawei authorization. ID You'll learn how to transfer not only photos and contacts, but also application settings, call history, and even data from instant messengers without loss of quality.

Important: If you are switching from Samsung, Google Pixel or another brand to Huawei, Xiaomi/Redmi, Prepare for standard tools like Google Backup or Smart Switch to fail 100%. Manufacturers are deliberately restricting interoperability to keep users in their ecosystem, but there are workarounds, and we'll uncover them.

1.Preparation for transfer: what to do before the beginning

The first step is to audit the data, and make a list of everything you want to transfer, dividing it into categories: critical data (contacts, SMS, Call history, media (photos, videos, music), apps (saved games, instant messenger settings), and system settings (wallpaper, shortcuts, Wi-Fi passwords) without it, you risk missing something important, such as, OTP-code SMS logins from two-factor authentication that are not automatically synchronized.

On the devices. Xiaomi/Redmi before transfer, necessarily:

• 🔓 Unlock. OEM Unlock in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times according to version, then return to additional → Without this, some transfer methods will be blocked.
• 📱 Turn off optimization. MIUI for donor apps (e.g. Google Photos or Huawei Mobile Clone), otherwise they will be killed by the background.
• 🔄 Update the firmware to the latest version – in HyperOS (the new shell of Xiaomi) the backup mechanism has changed.

Huawei’s key point is to verify Huawei Mobile Services (HMS). If you transfer data from a device without HMS (For example, with Google Pixel, install Huawei Mobile Clone through AppGallery in advance. on new models (Mate 60, P70) Huawei may need to be authorized ID on both devices, even if you copy data locally over a cable.

⚠️ Note: On Huawei with HarmonyOS (like the Mate 60 Pro), the standard Android Beam doesn't work. Use only Huawei Share or a wired connection.

Regardless of the brand:

• 🔋 Charge both phones to at least 50% – transfer data can take up to 2 hours.
• 📶 Connect to a single Wi-Fi network (if you plan to transfer wirelessly).
• 🛡️ Turn it off. VPN Firewalls – they can block data transfer between devices.

2. Method 1: Official utilities of manufacturers (the most reliable method)

Each brand offers its own solution for migration, and the plus is optimization for a particular firmware, the minus is limited compatibility with other devices.

For Xiaomi/Redmi: Mi Mover (built-in) MIUI/HyperOS)

Mi Mover works on all Xiaomi devices since the Redmi Note 5 (2018).

• 📞 Contacts, SMS, call-up
• 📸 Photo and video (without compression)
• 🎵 Music and documents
• 📱 Annexes (only) APK, data-free!)

How to use:

1. New. Xiaomi/Redmi When you first turn on, select Data Transfer.
2. Download Mi Mover from Google Play on your old phone (for no reason)-Xiaomi) or use the built-in application.
3. Connect via Wi-Fi Direct (automatically or via the QR-code.
4. Select the data for transfer and confirm.

Limitations of Mi Mover:

• Does not transfer application data (for example, save in games or chats in Telegram).
• On devices with HyperOS, you may need to log in to Mi Account.
• It doesn’t work with Huawei on HarmonyOS.

Huawei: Huawei Mobile Clone (or Phone Clone)

This solution supports even devices without GMS (For example, Mate 60 or Pura 70:

• 🔄 It works with iOS, but for Android requires you to install the app on both phones.
• 📲 Brings WhastApp and WeChat with a history (a rarity for such utilities!).
• 🔒 On new models, Huawei may request confirmation of the SMS plug-in.

Instructions:

1. Download Huawei Mobile Clone with AppGallery (for Huawei) or Google Play (for other Androids).
2. On the new Huawei, select This is a new phone, on the old one, This is an old phone.
3. Connect through QR-code or manually over Wi-Fi.
4. Select data. You will need additional confirmation to transfer WhatsApp.

⚠️ Note: If you transfer data from Samsung to Huawei, disable Knox in Samsung’s security settings – it can block file transfers.

Install the app on both phones

Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network

Disable battery optimization for Mobile Clone

Authorize with Huawei ID (if required)

Close all background applications-->

3. Method 2: Google Services (if available)

Google Backup works on all Android devices except Huawei without GMS. He's carrying it:

• 📇 Contacts (synchronized with Google Contacts)
• 📅 Calendar and tasks
• 📱 Some system settings (wallpaper, Wi-Fi network)
• 📲 Data from some applications (if they support Google Drive Backup)

How to set up:

1. On an old phone: Settings → Google → Backup → Enable backup on Google Drive.
2. On the new phone, when you first turn on, select Restore from backup and log in to the same Google account.

Challenges and solutions:

Huawei without. GMS Instead of Google Backup, use Huawei Cloud (available 5GB for free), but keep in mind:

• 🔄 Only contacts, calendar and notes are synchronized.
• 📸 Photos and videos must be downloaded manually through the Gallery. → Huawei Cloud.

💡

If you transfer data from iPhone to Xiaomi/Huawei, First back up to iCloud, then export your contacts in.vcf format via icloud.com and import them to Android via Google Contacts or a local file.

Method 3: Wireless Transfer through OTG PC

The most reliable method is if the wireless methods don't work.

• 🔌 Cable USB-C → USB-C (or adapter for Micro-USB).
• 💻 Computer (optional, for intermediate copying).

Option A: Direct phone connection (USB OTG)

It works on all devices, but Xiaomi may need to enable Manual File Transfer Mode:

1. Connect your old phone to your new phone via cable.
2. On the new phone, select File Transfer (not Charge Only).
3. On an old phone, unlock the screen and confirm access.
4. In the conductor of the new phone will appear folder old — copy the necessary data.

Nuances for different brands:

• 📱 Xiaomi/Redmi: HyperOS may need to be included USB-debugging (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 taper → For developers).
• 📱 On models with HarmonyOS, use Huawei Share instead of the standard conductor.

Option B: Transfer over PC (for large volumes)

If the data is more than 50 GB, it is better to use the computer as an intermediate storage:

1. Connect your old phone to your PC and copy all the files to a folder on the drive.
2. Turn off the old phone, plug in a new one.
3. Move files back, keeping the folder structure (especially important for the file) DCIM, Downloads, WhatsApp).

To port data applications (e.g., save games) use:

• 🛠️ Titanium Backup (requires root) – for full backup APK + data.
• 📦 Swift Backup (works without root on some firmware).

⚠️ Attention: On Huawei with HarmonyOS 4.0+ standard ADB backup (adb backup -apk -shared -all) Use Huawei Backup (built-in app) or HiSuite for PC.

5. Method 4: Wireless protocols (Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth, NFC)

A fast but unreliable method is suitable for small amounts of data (up to 5 GB).

Wi-Fi Direct (the fastest wireless method)

Transfer speeds up to 30 MB/s, but there are nuances:

• 📶 On Xiaomi, enable Wi-Fi Direct in Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi Direct.
• 📶 On Huawei, use Huawei Share (Settings) → Wireless networks → Huawei Share).
• 🚫 It doesn’t work between Huawei and Xiaomi – use third-party apps like Send Anywhere or Feem.

Bluetooth (slowly but universally)

Suitable only for contacts, small files or notes:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on both phones.
2. Connect devices (Huawei may need to do so) PIN-default code: 0000 or 1234).
3. On your old phone, select files to send through the Share Menu → Bluetooth.

NFC (only for contacts and links)

It works instantly, but only transfers:

• 📇 Contacts (format.vcf).
• 🔗 Links or small text notes.

How to use:

1. Turn on NFC on both phones.
2. On your old phone, open the contact and choose Share. → NFC.
3. Hold the phones back to each other (the NFC antenna is usually located at the top).

💡

To transfer large files (video, backups), use only wired methods or cloud services. Wireless protocols (Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth) break the connection when transferring files. >2 GB.

Method 5: Cloud Storage (for backup)

If you can't move directly (like phones in different cities), use the cloud.

How to move data through the cloud:

1. Upload files to the cloud from your old phone (e.g., through Google Photos for Media or Google Contacts for Contacts).
2. On the new phone, log in to the same account and download files.
3. For applications, use APK Extractor (extract) APK old phone) + Swift Backup (for data).

Critical information: On Xiaomi devices with HyperOS, Mi Cloud backups are encrypted by the account binding. If you change your Mi Account after the transfer, it will be impossible to restore data!

7. Transfer of specific data (messengers, games, passwords)

Not all data is carried by standard methods. Let's look at the complex cases.

Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber)

• 💬 WhatsApp: Use a local backup (/sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases) + recovery at first launch. GMS Install WhatsApp via AppGallery.
• 📌 Telegram: All chats synced through the Telegram cloud — just log in to a new phone. For secret chats, export manually.
• 🎤 Viber: Backup is created in Settings → Account → Backup. Move the viber.bak file to your new phone.

Games and applications with data

To save games:

• 🎮 If the game supports Google Play Games or Huawei GameCenter, log in to the same account on your new phone.
• 🛠️ For local saves (e.g. Genshin Impact) copy the folder /Android/obb and /Android/data.
• 🔓 Xiaomi may need to be disconnected MIUI Optimization in the Developer Settings.

Passwords and browser data

• 🔑 Google Password Manager: synced automatically when logged in to your Google account.
• 🦊 Mozilla Firefox: Export passwords through Settings → Privacy → Saved logins → Exports.
• 🌐 Samsung Internet: Move bookmarks through Samsung Cloud (if you switch from Samsung).

8. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have problems.

If nothing helps:

• 🔄 Reboot both phones.
• 📱 Check if the power saving mode is on – it can block data transmission.
• 🔧 Update the firmware on both devices to the latest version.

💡

On Xiaomi devices with HyperOS, be sure to turn off the function before transferring data MIUI Optimization in developer settings. It blocks background activity of the carrier applications, which leads to a transmission interruption.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions