How to transfer data from Huawei to Xiaomi Poco X3: all the ways 2026

Why migrating data from Huawei to Xiaomi may be harder than it seems

Changing your smartphone is always an exciting process, especially when it comes to transitioning between different ecosystems. Huawei and Xiaomi use their own shells (EMUI and MIUI, respectively), which creates additional nuances when migrating data. Unlike moving within the same brand (for example, from Redmi Note 10 to Poco X5), here you will have to take into account differences in account synchronization, backup formats and even manufacturer restrictions.

The main problem is that Huawei actively promotes its services (Huawei Mobile Cloud, Huawei Share) that are incompatible with Xiaomi tools. For example, backup via HiSuite is not recognized by the Poco X3 system, and the standard Google Account does not always correctly transfer SMS or notes. In addition, Xiaomi Poco X3 does not have a pre-installed application for migrating with Huawei, unlike Samsung or Google Pixel models, which have built-in tools like Smart Switch.

In this article, we will look at 4 proven ways to transfer data, from simple copying files via cable to advanced methods using cloud services and third-party utilities, with a special focus on contacts, photos, videos, messages and applications, as these categories are the most common questions users have.

Method 1: Transfer over OTG cable (the fastest method)

If you have one on hand. USB-cable OTG (It's going to be the most reliable and fastest way to transmit photos, videos, music, documents and even some applications (in format). APK). The main advantage is the lack of dependence on Internet connection and cloud services.

You'll need:

• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C — USB Type-C (or adapter) OTG, if the ports are different)
• 📱 Huawei smartphone with unlocked screen
• 📱 Xiaomi Poco Smartphone X3 (preferably chargeable >50%)
• 🔄 File Transfer on both devices

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Huawei to Poco X3 via cable. On Huawei, select File Transfer Mode (not Charge!).
2. On Xiaomi Poco X3, a notification will open – click View Files or Use USB to transfer data.
3. Open the Explorer on Poco X3 and go to the section. USB-The device (usually displayed as HUAWEI-Phone).
4. Copy the right folders: 📷 Photos and videos: DCIM/Camera, Pictures 🎵 Music: Music or Media/Audio 📄 Documents: Documents or Download

Android/data

Android/obb

Pay attention.

APK

⚠️ Note: Do not copy system folders like this Android/secure Alarm – This could cause Xiaomi Poco to malfunction X3. Also avoid moving the folder. WhatsApp/Databases without prior backup – this is fraught with the loss of chats.

Battery charge of both smartphones > 30%

The cable supports data transfer (not just charging)

Xiaomi Poco X3 has enough free space

Battery optimizations for the Conductor are disabled

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Method 2: Wireless transmission via Xiaomi Migration (official method)

Xiaomi offers its own migration solution, Mi Mover (formerly Xiaomi Migration), which is pre-installed on the Poco X3 and supports data transfer from most Android devices, including Huawei, with the advantage of automating the process and preserving the file structure.

How it works:

• 🔄 At Xiaomi Poco. X3 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Migration of data (or find Mi Mover through search).
• 📱 On Huawei, download the Mi Mover app from Google Play (unless it is blocked in your region).
• 🔗 Run the app on both devices and select Me as the sender on Huawei and Me as the receiver on Poco. X3.
• 📶 Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network or create a Poco hotspot X3.
• 🔍 On Huawei, scan. QR-code that will appear on the screen of Xiaomi.
• ✅ Select data types for transfer (contacts, messages, media) and confirm the start of the process.

The speed of the transfer depends on the amount of data and the stability of the connection. On average, 10 GB of information is transferred in 20 to 40 minutes.

• 🔌 Reboot both devices.
• 📶 Switch to another Wi-Fi network (or use a mobile hotspot).
• 🚫 Shut down. VPN Firewalls that can block the connection.

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If Mi Mover doesn’t see your Huawei, try temporarily disabling the brandwall in Huawei’s security settings or allowing the app to access the local network.

Method 3: Cloud services (Google Drive, Huawei Cloud, Mi Cloud)

If you don't have a cable or Wi-Fi is unstable, cloud storage is a good alternative, and the main advantage is the ability to transfer data in the background and access files from any device, but there are also drawbacks: space limitations (for example, 15 GB in Google Drive) and possible synchronization problems.

Comparison of cloud services for transfer:

Step-by-step instructions for Google Drive (universal version):

1. On Huawei, open Settings → Google → Backup and enable Data Backup (make sure the right categories are selected).
2. Wait for the sync to complete (the progress can be seen in Google Drive → Backups).
3. On Xiaomi Poco X3, log in to the same Google Account and recover data through Settings → Accounts → Google → Restore.
4. For photos and videos, use Google Photos: on Huawei, turn on autoload, and on Poco X3, download files through the application.

⚠️ Note: If you have used Huawei Cloud for backup, export your data manually (e.g. contacts to.vcf file) as Xiaomi does not support direct imports from the Huawei Cloud. → Contacts → Export and send the file to the mail or messenger.

Method 4: Third-party applications (for advanced users)

If standard methods didn't work, or if you need to migrate specific data (e.g., call history, app settings, game saves), specialized utilities will come to the rescue, and we tested 5 applications and selected the most reliable ones:

Top.-3 migration-applications:

• 📲 Clone Phone (from Xiaomi) – optimized for Xiaomi devices, supports the transfer of applications, contacts, SMS, Cons: It doesn't always work correctly with the latest versions. EMUI.
• 🔄 Send Anywhere - transfer files over Wi-Fi Direct without limit on scope. Plus: does not require registration, supports direct transfer between devices.
• 📎 Samsung Smart Switch (yes, it works with Xiaomi!) – despite the name, the utility can transfer data from Huawei to Xiaomi via cable or wireless network. X3 need to be installed APK-Manual file (download from the official Samsung website).

Instructions for Send Anywhere (recommended for large files):

1. Install the app on both devices from Google Play.
2. On Huawei, select files to send and click Send.
3. 6-digit code is generated or QR-code.
4. On Poco X3, enter this code in the Receive field.
5. Confirm the transfer – files will start to be copied without using the cloud.

Through the OTG cable

Wireless Utilities (Mi Mover, Clone Phone)

Cloud services (Google Drive, Yandex Drive)

Third-party applications (Send Anywhere, Smart Switch)

Another option-->

Portability of applications and their data: what you need to know

One of the most difficult aspects of migration is the preservation of installed applications and their data (for example, progress in games, settings of messengers, cache cards). APK-Huawei files on Xiaomi are not always working because of the:

• 🔒 Differences in the architecture of processors (if Huawei is Kirin, and Poco) X3 — Snapdragon).
• 📱 Different versions of Android (on Huawei) EMUI 12 based on Android 10 and Poco X3 — MIUI 14 on Android 13).
• 🔑 Manufacturer restrictions (some apps, such as Huawei AppGallery, won’t work on Xiaomi).

How to transfer applications as painlessly as possible:

1. List of installed apps: On Huawei, open Settings → Apps and take screenshots or export the list through App List Backup (an app from Google Play).
2. Backup: For games: use Google Play Games (Save Sync). For instant messengers: on Telegram or WhatsApp, create a backup manually (Settings → Chat → Backup). For other applications, check if they support export/import settings (for example, Nova Launcher or KeePass).

Installation on Xiaomi Poco X3

• Download apps again from Google Play (recommended) or move APK-file.
• For local save games (such as Genshin Impact), copy the Android/obb folder from Huawei to Poco X3.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. banking or with) DRM-Security can block work on a new device due to a change in Android ID or IMEI. In this case, you will need a second authorization or appeal in support of the service.

💡

Not all applications can be moved as is, but the priority is to back up data (saves, chats) rather than the apps themselves. APK-file.

What to do after the transfer: checking and optimization

Data portability is only half the battle, and to keep the Xiaomi Poco X3 running smoothly, follow a few steps:

Checklist after migration:

• 🔍 Check contacts: Open Contacts and make sure all numbers are displayed correctly (sometimes duplicated or lost avatars).
• 📷 Photo and video: Make sure files are not corrupted (sometimes, when transferring over the cloud, resolution is lost).
• 📱 System settings: Personalize Poco X3 For yourself, set up Gestures, Dark Theme, Notifications (in the MIUI They work differently than in EMUI).
• 🔋 Battery Optimization: Go to Settings → Battery → Optimize the battery and turn it off for critical applications (messaging, banking).
• 🛡️ Security: Update Google Play Protection and check your device for viruses (e.g., via Malwarebytes).

If after the transfer of Xiaomi Poco X3 began to slow down:

• Clear the cache: Settings → Storage → Clear the cache.
• Turn off animation: in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 5 times, then Additional → Windows / hop animation = 0.5x).
• Check the space available: MIUI requires at least 10% free space for stable operation.

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If the Xiaomi Poco X3 doesn’t show gallery photos, try updating the Gallery app via Google Play or using an alternative like Google Photos or Simple Gallery.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data transfer from Huawei to Xiaomi Poco X3