How to transfer data from HTC to Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Moving from an old HTC smartphone to a new Xiaomi is always exciting, but the process of data transfer can seem complicated, especially when it comes to different ecosystems: HTC has traditionally used pure Android or Sense UI shell, while Xiaomi runs on proprietary MIUI with its own services. The main problem is the lack of a universal solution: what worked to transfer between devices of the same brand may not work here.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to migrate data from HTC to Xiaomi in 2026, from the official Mi Mover app to manual methods over the cloud or PC. You’ll learn how to save contacts, messages, photos, videos, apps and even Wi-Fi settings without losing important information. And what hidden nuances of MIUI can interfere with the transfer and how to get around them.

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 save time and prevent data loss.

On HTC:

• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 50% – the process can take up to an hour.
• 📶 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (if you plan to use the cloud or Mi Mover).
• 🔐 Unlock the screen and disable the fingerprint/face lock – some methods require constant access.
• 📁 Make room: if on HTC less than 1 GB of free space, the transfer may be interrupted.

On Xiaomi:

• 📱 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔄 Reset your Mi Mover settings: go to Settings → Additionally. → Mi Mover → Reset data (if the application has already been used).
• 🛠️ Install the latest updates for Google Play Services and Xiaomi Cloud in the Play Market.

⚠️ Attention: If HTC Encryption of data (Settings) → Security → Phone encryption, some transfer methods (e.g. via cable) OTG) It might not work. In this case, use the cloud or the PC.

2. Method 1: Mi Mover – official solution from Xiaomi

Mi Mover is an application built into MIUI that allows you to transfer data from Android devices (including HTC) to Xiaomi wirelessly, and works on most models, but there are limitations:

Pros:

• 🔄 Transfers contacts, messages, photos, videos, apps and even Wi-Fi settings.
• 🚀 Faster cloud services (data is transferred directly between devices).
• 🆓 Free and does not require registration.

Cons:

• ❌ Does not tolerate notes, calendars, and some application data (e.g. saves in games).
• 🔌 Requires Wi-Fi or mobile internet for initial synchronization.
• 📵 Some of the older models HTC (for example, HTC One M7/M8) may not start.

Step-by-step:

1. On Xiaomi, open Settings → Additional → Mi Mover.
2. Choose Me Receiver (on Xiaomi) and I Send (on HTC).
3. Download Mi Mover from the Play Market on HTC (if it’s not on the system).
4. Scan it. QR-code from the screen Xiaomi on HTC.
5. Select the data to transfer and confirm the start of the process.

⚠️ Note: If Mi Mover is stuck in the “Data Preparation” phase, try disabling Battery Optimization for the application in the settings HTC. On some Sense firmware UI That solves the problem.

Method 2: Transfer over cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud)

Cloud services are a one-stop solution that works even if you don’t have a cable or Mi Mover refuses to start, and the main advantage is that the data is stored in the cloud, and you can restore it to Xiaomi at any time.

Comparison of services:

Instructions for Google Drive:

1. On HTC, open Settings → System → Backup.
2. Select Backup in Google Drive and enable sync for the data you want.
3. On Xiaomi, when you first turn on, select Restore from backup and log in to the same Google account.
4. Confirm the data recovery.

Instructions for Mi Cloud:

1. On HTC, install Mi Cloud from Play Market.
2. Register a Xiaomi account (or sign in to an existing one).
3. Enable synchronization for Contacts, Photos and other data.
4. On Xiaomi, log in to the same Mi Cloud account and wait for sync to complete.

Method 3: Transfer over a computer (manager programs)

If wireless methods are not suitable (for example, because of slow Internet or a lot of data), you can use the PC as an intermediary, which is reliable, but requires additional hardware.

Tools required:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows or MacOS.
• 🔌 Two. USB-cable (for HTC Xiaomi).
• 💾 File Management Program: Xiaomi PC Suite, MobileTrans or Syncios.

Step-by-step instructions (on the example of MobileTrans):

1. Install MobileTrans on your PC and start the program.
2. Connect both phones to your computer via USB (enable USB Debugging on HTC).
3. Select Phone Transfer mode and specify HTC as the source, Xiaomi as the receiver.
4. Check the data for transfer (contacts, messages, multimedia).
5. Press Start and wait until it is completed (can take 20-40 minutes).

⚠️ Note: When transferring via MobileTrans or similar programs, do not disable USB-Interrupting may result in loss of some data or failure of the file system on the phones.

💡

If the program does not see HTC, try to enable MTP mode in the USB connection settings. To do this, when connecting to a PC, select File Transfer in the notification curtain instead of Charging Only.

5. Method 4: Transfer over OTG cable (for photos, videos and documents)

If you only need to transfer multimedia and documents, and there is no computer at hand, you can use it. OTG-This method works even in the oldest models. HTC.

What you need:

• 🔌 OTG-adapter (adapter with USB Type-C/microUSB on USB-A).
• 💾 flash drive or external drive (formatted in FAT32 exFAT).

Instructions:

1. Connect the flash drive to HTC through OTG-adapter.
2. In the Explorer (My File Manager), copy the desired files to the flash drive.
3. Disconnect the flash drive from HTC and connect to Xiaomi.
4. Transfer files to internal memory or SD-map.

This method is suitable for transferring:

• 📷 Photos and videos (including folders) DCIM and Pictures).
• 📄 Documents (PDF, DOCX, XLSX).
• 🎵 Music and recorded voice messages.

Limitations:

• ❌ Does not tolerate contacts, messages and applications.
• ⚠️ The flash drive should be formatted in FAT32 (Otherwise, Xiaomi will not see the files).

💡

OTG-adapter is the most reliable way to transfer large files (video to 4K, archives), as it does not depend on the speed of the Internet and does not require synchronization.

Method 5: Manual transfer of contacts, messages and applications

If the automatic methods don't work, you can manually transfer the data, which takes longer, but it guarantees control over the process.

Transfer of contacts:

1. On HTC, open Contacts → Settings → Export.
2. Save the.vcf file to your device or send it to an email.
3. On Xiaomi, open the.vcf file and import contacts.

Postponement of messages:

• 📲 Use the app. SMS Backup & Restore:

Portability of annexes:

• 📱 Xiaomi does not support direct porting of installed applications (due to differences in architecture and signatures).
• 🔄 Alternative: Export the app list through App List Backup (from Play Market), then install them manually on Xiaomi.

⚠️ Note: When manually transferring, do not copy folders with the app cache (for example, Android/obb). This can cause malfunctions in the work of programs on Xiaomi due to data incompatibility.

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

Even when following instructions, you may have difficulty, and here are the most common ways to eliminate them:

Problem 1: Mi Mover doesn't see HTC

• 🔄 Reboot both phones.
• 📶 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes the router blocks the connection).
• 🔧 Nana HTC Turn on Developer Mode and activate Debugging by USB.

Problem 2: The cloud doesn’t sync photos

• 📁 Check if there is enough space in the cloud (remove unnecessary files).
• 🔄 In Google Photos Settings, select High Quality over Original (saves space).
• 🛠️ Update the Google Photos app to the latest version.