How to transfer data from Huawei phone to Xiaomi: the complete guide

Introduction: Why Data Transfers Between Brands Are a Challenge

The transition from Huawei to Xiaomi is not just a change of smartphone, but a migration between two ecosystems with different approaches to data storage. While within the same brand (for example, when upgrading the Redmi Note 11 to Redmi Note 13), the transfer often occurs automatically through the proprietary clouds, when changing the manufacturer, the user has to face incompatibility of services, limitations of proprietary formats and the risk of loss of information.

The main problem is that Huawei is actively promoting its own services – Huawei Mobile Cloud, AppGallery and Huawei ID, while Xiaomi is focused on Mi Account, Xiaomi Cloud and integration with Google Mobile Services. This means that direct synchronization between devices is impossible without intermediaries. Fortunately, there are universal tools and workarounds, which we will discuss in detail below.

In this article, you will find 5 proven methods of data transfer – from standard solutions (via Google account) to advanced ones (using PC and ADB), and we will also compare them in speed, reliability and supported data types so that you can choose the best option for your situation.

Method 1: Transfer through a Google account (most universal)

If your Huawei has Google account sync set up, it will be the easiest and fastest way to do this, and it’s suitable for transferring contacts, calendars, notes (from Google Keep), Gmail and parts of apps, but keep in mind that photos, videos and messages (SMS/MM) won’t be migrated through this method — they will require additional steps.

Instructions:

• 📱 On Huawei: Open Settings → Accounts. → Google and make sure that sync is enabled for all the right categories (contacts, calendar, etc.) If necessary, click Sync Now.
• 🔄 On Xiaomi: when you first turn on, select Recover Data and log in to the same Google account. If your phone is already set up, go to Settings → Accounts. → Google and start syncing.
• ⚙️ For apps: in Google Play on Xiaomi, open the Library → Previous Installed – All programs that were on Huawei (but not their data) will be displayed here!).

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If Huawei didn’t have Google services (a GMS-free model), use the alternative of exporting contacts to the VCF file through the Contacts app and importing it to Xiaomi.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ No additional devices or cables are required.
• ✅ It works even if Huawei is already dropped or unavailable.
• ✅ Supports automatic data updates when changes are made.

⚠️ Note: If Huawei was used for Huawei ID For backup, data from it will not be transferred to a Google account automatically; it must first be exported manually (see Method 3).

Method 2: Using the Mi Mover app (official solution from Xiaomi)

Mi Mover is a proprietary tool from Xiaomi, designed to transfer data from devices to Android (including Huawei) and even iPhone.The application supports the transfer of contacts, messages (SMS), photos, videos, audio, documents and even some of the system settings.

• 🚫 No applications are installed (only their APK-files, no data).
• 🔌 Required. USB-cable OTG (or adapter) for direct connection of telephones.
• 📶 Both devices must be charged at least 50% – the process can take up to 30 minutes.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Mi Mover on both phones: On Huawei: from AppGallery or via APK (link). On Xiaomi: the app is preinstalled (look at Settings → About Phone → Mi Mover).

Xiaomi

I'm getting data.

Huawei

I'm sending data.

USB-C → USB-C

Huawei

USB debugging

Settings → About the phone → Assembly number

Settings → System → For Developers

Select data types to transfer and wait for completion.

Install Mi Mover on both phones|Charge devices >50%|Prepare. USB-C cable OTG-adapter|Enable debugging on USB on Huawei (if required)|Free up space on Xiaomi (at least 10% of the data portable)

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Method 3: Backup through Huawei Cloud and Manual Export

If you’ve been using Huawei’s services extensively, some of the data may have been saved to Huawei Mobile Cloud, a method that is relevant for owners of the Mate, P, or Nova series, where the cloud is on by default.

• 🔒 Access to Huawei Cloud is only possible from Huawei devices or through the web version (cloud.huawei.com).
• 📁 Photos and videos are stored in a proprietary format – they need to be downloaded one by one or archived.
• 📞 Contacts and notes can be exported to standard formats (VCF, CSV).

How to transfer data:

1. On Huawei, open Settings → Huawei ID → Cloud and check what data is synced.
2. For contacts: Open Contacts → Management → Import/Export → Export to file. Select.vcf format and save the file to memory card or internal memory. Transfer the file to Xiaomi (via cable, Bluetooth or cloud) and import to Google Contacts.
3. For photo/video: In Huawei Cloud, select Gallery → Select files → Download. Download files will be in the Download folder – transfer them to Xiaomi in any convenient way.

⚠️ Warning: Huawei Cloud automatically deletes data from the cloud after 6 months without activity.If you haven't used your phone for a long time, some files may have been lost.

Method 4: Local backup on PC (for full control)

This is suitable for those who want to save 100% of data, including applications with their settings, game saves and system files.

Tools required:

• 🖥️ Huawei HiSuite (official utility for Huawei.
• 📱 Xiaomi PC Suite (an informal but reliable alternative) or ADB for advanced users.
• 🗄️ External drive (flash drive or flash drive) HDD) backup.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Huawei HiSuite on your PC and connect Huawei over USB (enable File Transfer on your phone).
2. In the program, select Backup and mark all the necessary categories (applications, multimedia, contacts, etc.) and start creating a backup in.hbk format.
3. Once completed, connect Xiaomi to your PC and use: Xiaomi PC Suite to restore contacts and media files. ADB to transfer applications (team: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab).

Xiaomi

adb restore backup.ab

Through a Google account|Mi Mover (direct connection)|Huawei Cloud + hand-export|Backup on PC|Another option-->

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Complete control of data – you choose what to keep.
• ✅ Ability to transfer game saves and application settings.
• ✅ It works even if the phones don’t support direct synchronization.

⚠️ Attention: When in use ADB Do not interrupt the backup process – this can damage the backup files.If Xiaomi has an unlocked bootloader, restore the data before the first system is turned on.

Method 5: Transfer through third-party applications (for advanced users)

If standard methods do not work, you can use specialized programs, which often offer additional features, such as transferring call history, application data (including WhatsApp), or files from external drives.

Top.-3 portability:

How to use Clone Phone:

1. Install the app on both phones from Google Play or APK.
2. On Huawei, select Send Data, on Xiaomi, Receive Data.
3. Connect your phones via Wi-Fi Direct or OTG cable.
4. Select data categories and confirm the transfer.

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The app side often offers features not available in standard tools (such as transferring WhatsApp history), but may contain ads or charge for the full version.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

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

Selection recommendations:

• 🔹 If you need to transfer only contacts and mail → Use a Google account.
• 🔹 If it matters SMS, photo → Mi Mover or Clone Phone.
• 🔹 If you need a full backup with applications → localization.
• 🔹 If Huawei had data on Huawei Cloud → export them manually.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data transfer