How to transfer data from Huawei to Xiaomi: from contacts to applications

Why data transfer between Huawei and Xiaomi requires a special approach

The transition from Huawei to Xiaomi is not just a brand change, but a transition between two fundamentally different ecosystems: EMUI (with Google’s limitations) and MIUI (with the integration of Google and Xiaomi services), the main problem is that standard tools like Google Account or Clone Phone are unstable due to the features of firmware, for example, Huawei after the sanctions of 2019 uses its own cloud services (Huawei Mobile Cloud), which are incompatible with Xiaomi’s Mi Cloud.

The second nuance is the differences in storage structure: files on Huawei are often encrypted via File-Based Encryption (FBE), making it difficult to directly copy them to devices with MIUI 14+, which uses a hybrid encryption system, meaning that simply transferring them via a cable or memory card can lead to the loss of some data (such as notes or call histories).

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods of transferring – from universal (via Google) to specific (using ADB), as well as the typical errors and ways to avoid them, and pay special attention to the portability of applications with data (for example, Viber or WhatsApp), since this process is often difficult for users.

Method 1: Transferring your Google Account (most reliable, but not complete)

This is a good way to do basic data: contacts, calendar, email and photos, but it doesn't handle SMS, call history, apps and data, and it's relevant for Huawei with EMUI 10+ and Xiaomi with MIUI 12+.

Steps for Huawei:

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Select your account (or add a new one).
3. Activate sync for Contacts, Calendar, Gmail and Google Photos.
4. Wait for the sync to complete (check in Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync).

Steps for Xiaomi:

1. When you first turn on, select Restore from Google Account.
2. If the phone is already set up, go to Settings → Accounts → Google and enable sync.
3. For photos, install the Google Photos app and wait for the media files to download.

⚠️ Note: If Huawei is used by Huawei ID As your main account, unplug it from services (e.g. Huawei AppGallery) before transferring it, otherwise the data may be blocked.

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

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary solution for transferring data from Android devices, including Huawei. It supports contact, SMS, photos, videos, music and some (but not all!) apps, the main limitation is that it only works when Xiaomi is first turned on or after resetting.

Instructions:

1. On Huawei, download Mi Mover from APKMirror (appGallery does not have it).
2. On Xiaomi, when you first start, select Data Transfer from Android.
3. Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network.
4. On Huawei, open Mi Mover, select Me sender and scan. QR-code.
5. Select the data to transfer and wait until it is completed (it can take up to 30 minutes).

What's transferable:

• 📞 Contacts (including groups)
• 💬 SMS and MMS (investless)
• 📷 Photos and videos (without albums)
• 🎵 Music and documents
• ⚠️ Annexes (only) APK-files, no data!

⚠️ Note: If storage encryption is enabled on Huawei (Settings) → Security → Encryption, Mi Mover won't be able to read some files. Decrypt the device before transfer (reset will be required!).

Disable VPN on both devices | Charge phones at least 50% | Connect to a stable 5GHz Wi-Fi network |Free 10-15% of memory on Xiaomi | Delete unnecessary files from Huawei-->

Method 3: Transfer via OTG cable or adapter (for large volumes)

This is a way to transfer media files, documents and APKs, but not system data (SMS, calls), the advantage of high speed and no dependence on the Internet.

• 🔌 Cable USB-C → USB-C (adapter USB-A → USB-C)
• 📱 Huawei with Unblocked Debugging USB (Settings → The phone. → Assembly number → 7 taps → Developer settings)
• 📱 Xiaomi with enabled file transfer mode (MTP)

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Huawei to Xiaomi via cable.
2. On Huawei, select File Transfer in the notification bar.
3. On Xiaomi, open Explorer and go to the section USB-storage.
4. Copy the folders you need (DCIM, Downloads, Pictures) to Xiaomi’s internal memory.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Application settings (for example, saves in games) are not transferred).
• ❌ Files with the.nomedia extension may not be displayed.
• ❌ Folders of some applications (such as WhatsApp) are protected and not copied.

Method 4: Transfer over ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work (for example, due to encryption or corrupted files), you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which allows you to transfer all data, including system files, but requires command-line skills.

Tools required:

• 🖥️ Computer installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 📱 Huawei with enabled Debugging USB.
• 📱 Xiaomi with unlocked bootloader (for full access).

Transfer commands:

Connect Huawei and do:


adb pull /sdcard/ ~/huawei_backup/




Connect Xiaomi and download the data:



adb push ~/huawei_backup/ /sdcard/

To transfer applications with data, use:

# List of all applications on Huawei:


adb shell pm list packages -f




Copying APK and data (example for WhatsApp):



adb pull /data/app/com.whatsapp-1/




adb pull /data/data/com.whatsapp/




Transfer to Xiaomi (root rights required!):



adb push com.whatsapp-1/ /data/app/




adb push com.whatsapp/ /data/data/

⚠️ Attention: Transfer of system data (/data/data/) without root rights to Xiaomi will cause application failure.

💡

If ADB doesn’t see the device, update the drivers via Huawei HiSuite (for Huawei) and Mi PC Suite (for Xiaomi). Also check that Settings → System → For developers, the option is enabled to debug via USB (allow debugging).

Method 5: Cloud Services (for selective transfer)

If you only need to transfer photos, videos or documents, the easiest way to use cloud storage is to:

• 🌥️ Google Drive – 15GB free, integration with MIUI.
• ☁️ Yandex Disk – 10 GB free, high speed in Russia.
• 📁 Huawei Mobile Cloud → Mi Cloud – Contacts and Notes Only (Partial Compatibility).

Instructions for Google Drive:

1. On Huawei, upload files to Google Drive (via the app or drive.google.com).
2. On Xiaomi, log in to the same Google account.
3. Download files via Drive or Google Files.

Comparison of cloud services for transfer:

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To transfer large amounts of data (more than 50 GB), it is better to use a physical medium (OTG cable or memory card), cloud services in this case will be slower and may require a paid subscription.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following instructions, users face problems, and here are the most common ones:

1. The “Not Enough Space” Error on Xiaomi

Solution: Free up space through Settings → Storage → Clean up or use a memory card. Mi Mover requires at least 10% free space from the amount of data being transferred.

2. Interrupting the transfer through the Mi Mover

Solution: Turn off power saving mode and auto-update apps on both phones, and check for Wi-Fi stability (it's better to use a router than an access point).

3. SMS or call history not transferred

Solution: Use third-party applications like SMS Backup & Restore:

1. On Huawei, back up your XML.
2. Transfer the file to Xiaomi.
3. Recover the data through the same application.

4.Apps are not restored after the transfer

Decision: APK-Files are transferred, but application data is not. For games, use Google Play Games (save to the cloud), for instant messengers, use local backups (see WhatsApp spoiler above).

5.Photos and videos are not displayed in the Xiaomi Gallery

Solution: After transferring, start the Media Scanner:

adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.MEDIA_SCANNER_SCAN_FILE -d file:///sdcard/

Or install the Rescan Media app from Google Play.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions