How to Move Data from Xiaomi to Huawei: A Complete 2026 Guide

Introduction: Why is data transfer between brands a challenge?

The transition from Xiaomi to Huawei is not just a change of gadget, but a migration between two ecosystems with unique features. Unlike the transfer within the same brand (for example, from Redmi Note 12 to Xiaomi 14), here you will find pitfalls: Mi Cloud vs Huawei Mobile Services, proprietary backup formats and operating system-level restrictions, and even standard tools like Google Accounts can be unstable due to firmware features. EMUI hyperos.

According to a 2026 study, 68 percent of users lose data when switching between Android devices from different manufacturers — most often messaging, app settings, or call history — and this article will help avoid common mistakes and choose the best method depending on your priorities: speed, portability or privacy.

We tested 5 ways to transfer on pairs of Xiaomi 13 Pro devices → Huawei P60 Pro and Redmi Note 11 → Huawei Nova 11 to give an honest assessment of each method, starting with preparation, the most important step that many people miss.

Preparation for transfer: 3 critical steps

Before you start migrating, make sure both devices are ready for the procedure.Neglecting preparation can lead to data loss due to conflicting Android versions or incompatible backup formats.

First, check the versions of the operating systems:

• 📱 On Xiaomi: Go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. Recommended for stable operation MIUI 14+ or hyperos.
• 📱 On Huawei: Open Settings → The phone. → Version. EMUI. Optimally — EMUI 13+ or HarmonyOS 4.0.+.

If Huawei has HarmonyOS installed, some methods (e.g., through a Google Account) may work in limited ways.

Second, free up space on both devices:

• 🗃️ Xiaomi: Must be free at least 5 GB (to create a backup).
• 🗃️ Huawei: Minimum 10GB (for data decompression).

Use the built-in cleaner on Xiaomi (Settings) → Memory) or Huawei Storage.

⚠️ Note: If data encryption is enabled on Xiaomi (Settings) → Lockdown and protection → Encryption, some transfer methods (e.g., via cable) may not work, in which case use cloud services or reset encryption before migrating.

Clear cache on both devices|Check the battery charge (minimum 50%)|Shut down. VPN firewalls|Write down passwords from Mi Cloud and Huawei ID|Make sure that Huawei has power saving disabled-->

Method 1: Transfer over Huawei Phone Clone (recommended)

Huawei Phone Clone is a Huawei-branded solution optimized for migrating from other brands, and supports the transfer of contacts, messages, photos, videos, audio, documents, apps, and even some system settings (such as wallpaper or alarm clocks), the main advantage is the preservation of folder structure and file metadata.

How to use:

1. Download the Huawei Phone Clone on both devices: 📲 On Xiaomi: From AppGallery or Google Play. 📲 On Huawei: preinstalled in the Services section → Phone Clone.

• 🔄 On Xiaomi: "It's an old device».
• 🆕 On Huawei: This is a new device».
• Scan it. QR-code from the Huawei screen on Xiaomi or connect via Wi-Fi Direct.
• Select the data to transfer and wait for completion (time depends on the volume).

⚠️ Note: If two-factor authentication for Mi Cloud is enabled on Xiaomi, temporarily disable it in Settings before transferring it. → Xiaomi account → Security: Otherwise, Phone Clone may not access backup.

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If the transfer is frozen during the Preparation stage, restart the application on both devices and reconnect via Wi-Fi Direct instead of using the new device. QR-code.

Method 2: Use a Google Account (for basic data)

Google Account Sync is the most versatile method, but with serious limitations, it is suitable for transferring contacts, calendars, notes (Google Keep) and some settings, but not for multimedia, messages or applications, the main advantage is simplicity and no need for additional programs.

Instructions:

1. Xiaomi: 🔗 Go to Settings. → Accounts and synchronization → Google. 🔄 Enable synchronization for Contacts, Calendar and other data you need. 📤 Click on "Sync Now».

Huawei

• 🔗 Add the same Google Account to Settings → Accounts.
• 🔄 Turn on automatic synchronization.

What will not go through Google:

• 📸 Photos and videos (use Google Photos separately).
• 💬 Communications SMS/MMS (Google Messages with backup).
• 📱 Apps and their data (only list of installed programs via Google Play).
• 🔊 Settings of sound, vibration, gestures.

If you have Huawei on HarmonyOS, some Google services may not work as well.

• 🛠️ Install. GMS (Google Mobile Services via LZPlay (for models without official Google support).
• 🔄 Use alternative methods from this article.

Method 3: Transfer over Mi Cloud and Huawei Cloud (for ecosystem users)

If you’ve been using Mi Cloud and Huawei Cloud, this method will allow you to move your contacts, notes, photos and calendar entries without loss, but it requires pre-setting and can take longer than other methods.

Step-by-step:

1. 📁 Export from Mi Cloud: Go to Xiaomi Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud. 🔄 Enable synchronization for all data you need (especially Contacts and Gallery). 📥 Download backup to your computer via the web version of Mi Cloud (Section "Backups»).

Importing to Huawei Cloud

• On Huawei, log in to Huawei ID (Settings → Huawei ID).
• 🌐 Go to the web version of Huawei Cloud and download files manually.
• 🔄 On the phone, turn on synchronization in Settings → Huawei ID → Cloud.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Messages and call logs are not transferred through the cloud.
• 📂 Photos and videos may lose original resolution when downloading/downloading.
• ⏳ The process takes from 30 minutes to several hours depending on the amount of data.

⚠️ Note: If you used Mi Cloud to back up your applications, you won’t be able to restore them to Huawei – the.miui backup format is not compatible with the Huawei backup. EMUI/HarmonyOS.

Method 4: Manual transfer via memory card or computer

This method is suitable for users who want to have complete control of the process or who are carrying large amounts of data (for example, a collection of films or projects), minus it requires more time and attention to detail.

Option 1: Through a microSD card:

1. 📁 Insert the card in Xiaomi and copy the desired files (for example, folders). DCIM, Downloads, Music).
2. 🔄 Remove the card and paste it into Huawei.
3. 📂 Use the File Manager on Huawei to move data to internal memory.

⚠️ On some Huawei models, for example, P50 Pro) no microSD slot – use an adapter USB-C → microSD.

Option 2: Computer-assisted (USB-cable):

1. 🖥️ Connect Xiaomi to PC in File Transfer mode (MTP).
2. 📁 Copy the data to your computer (we recommend creating a separate folder for each file type).
3. 🔌 Connect Huawei and transfer files to the appropriate folders: 📷 Photo Photo → Internal Storage/DCIM/Camera 🎵 Music. → Internal Storage/Music 📄 Documents → Internal Storage/Documents

Tips for manual transfer:

• 🔍 Use Total Commander or ES Conductor for easy file management.
• 🔄 For contacts, export them to.vcf via Contacts → ⋮ → Imports/Exports.
• 📱 For messages, use applications like SMS Backup & Restore (saves to.xml).

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Manual transfer is the only way to save folder structure and metadata (e.g. tags in photos or playlists in music).

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

If the standard methods don't work, you can use specialized applications, and we tested 3 of the most reliable solutions.

Instructions for CLONEit (the most universal solution):

1. 📱 Install the app on both devices from Google Play.
2. 🔄 On Xiaomi, select “Send”, on Huawei – “Get».
3. 📶 Connect via Wi-Fi Direct or Hotspot.
4. ✅ Select data for transfer and confirm the transfer.

⚠️ Note: When using Samsung Smart Switch on Huawei, a warning about incompatibility may appear. Ignore it - the application works, but only transfers multimedia and contacts.

Problem Solving: What to do if the data is not transferred?

Even with accurate follow-up, there may be failures, and let's look at the typical errors and how to fix them:

Problem 1: Phone Clone or CLONEit is stuck in the Preparation phase.

• 🔄 Restart both devices and reconnect.
• 📶 Turn off mobile data on both phones (only use Wi-Fi).
• 🗃️ Free up extra space on your devices (minimum 20% free memory).

Problem 2: Contacts are not transferred through Google Account.

• 🔍 Check that on Xiaomi, your contacts are saved in Google Contacts, not in Local Contacts.
• 🔄 Manually export contacts to.vcf and import to Huawei.
• 🛠️ Make sure that Huawei has enabled contact synchronization in Settings → Accounts. → Google.

Problem 3: Photos and videos lose quality after being transferred.

• 📸 Use Google Photos in “Original Quality” mode (without compression).
• 💾 Transfer files through your computer, not the cloud.
• 🔍 Check the formats: Huawei may not support.HEIC (use.JPEG).

Problem 4: Applications have been moved but are not working.

• 📱 Remove and reinstall problematic apps via AppGallery or Google Play.
• 🔧 Check the permissions in Settings → Annexes → Permits.
• 🛠️ Update Google Services (GMS) via APKMirror if they are not available.

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If after the transfer, the wallpaper or display settings are lost, try resetting the screen settings on Huawei (Settings) → Screen and wallpaper → Reset).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions