How to sync Huawei and Xiaomi smartphones: 5 proven ways

The transition from Huawei to Xiaomi (or vice versa) is often accompanied by the problem of data transfer: contacts, photos, notes, and even installed applications. Despite the fact that both brands run on Android, their branded shells – EMUI (Huawei) and MIUI (Xiaomi) – have unique features that complicate direct data exchange. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of synchronization, from standard Google tools to specialized applications, and also reveal nuances that are not written in the official instructions.

The main difficulty is that Huawei lost Google services on new models (Mate 40, P50 and later) after the 2019 sanctions, and Xiaomi, on the contrary, is actively integrated into the Google ecosystem.This means that a classic transfer through Google Account may not work for owners of fresh Huawei devices.

Important: Before synchronizing, check the free space on both devices (especially if you plan to transfer media files) and make sure that the battery is at least 50% charged.

1. sync through Google Account (for Huawei devices until 2019)

This is the easiest way to do this if your Huawei supports Google services (models up to the Mate 30/P40 inclusive). The algorithm works the other way around, from Xiaomi to Huawei, as long as the target device is not without GMS.

What can be transferred:

• 📇 Contacts (including groups and tags)
• 📅 Calendars and events
• 📝 Notes (if Google Keep is used)
• 📷 Photos and videos (via Google Photos)
• 🎵 Music and documents (via Google Drive)

Step-by-step:

1. On Huawei, go to Settings → Accounts → Google and enable sync for the data you need.
2. Wait for the process to complete (check in Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync).
3. On Xiaomi, add the same Google Account to Settings → Accounts and Sync.
4. Enable automatic synchronization or manually update data in each section.

⚠️ Note: If Huawei has disabled access to Google Play, try installing services manually through the Google Play service. APK-files (e.g. APKMirror) However, this may disrupt the stability of the device.

Make sure both devices have the same version of Android (or close ones)

Check Wi-Fi connection (mobile internet may limit speed)

Free up space in Google Drive (if you need to transfer files)

Record the login and password from Google Account (in case of login errors)

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2. data transfer via Huawei Mobile Cloud (for new Huawei devices)

For Huawei smartphones without Google services (such as the Mate 50 Pro, P60), the company has developed its own cloud storage, the Huawei Mobile Cloud, which allows you to back up almost all data and restore it to another Huawei device.

Solution: Use an intermediate computer. First download the backup from Huawei Cloud to your PC, and then transfer the files to Xiaomi via cable or wireless protocols.

Instructions:

1. On Huawei, go to Settings → Huawei ID → Cloud → Backup.
2. Select backup data (contacts, messages, photos) and click Backup.
3. Once completed, open Huawei Cloud in your browser on your PC, log in and download the archive.
4. Connect Xiaomi to your computer and copy the files to the appropriate folders (for example,.vcf contacts can be imported through the Contacts app).

⚠️ Warning: Huawei Mobile Cloud only provides 5GB of free storage, and if more data is available, you’ll have to buy extra space or break the backup into pieces.

Cloud services (Google, Huawei Cloud)

Direct transmission via cable or Wi-Fi

Third-party applications (SHAREit, Xender)

Manual transfer via computer

I'm not synchronizing data.-->

3. Direct transmission over Wi-Fi or cable (no clouds)

If you don't trust cloud services or you have slow Internet, use local transmission. Modern smartphones support several protocols:

• 🔌 USB-cable (via MTP or PTP regimes)
• 📶 Wi-Fi Direct (direct connection without router)
• 🔄 Bluetooth (slowly but suitable for contact)
• 🌐 Local area network (via FTP-server HTTP-shingle)

The fastest way is a USB-C to USB-C cable (or an adapter for old connectors), connect both devices to your computer and just drag and drop files between folders.

1. On Huawei, turn on Developer Mode (7 times click on the Build Number in Settings → About Phone).
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → System → For Developers.
3. Connect Xiaomi to Huawei via OTG-cable and select File Transfer Mode.
4. Use a file manager (e.g. Files by Google) to copy data.

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If your smartphones can’t see each other on Wi-Fi Direct, try turning on Access Point on one device and connecting to it from the other. Then use the FTP Server app (like Solid Explorer) to transfer files.

4. Synchronization through third-party applications

If the standard methods don't work, we've tested 5 popular apps and selected the best ones.

Recommendations for use:

• 🔐 To transfer applications (.apk files) use SHAREit or Send Anywhere – they store metadata.
• 📱 If you need to move your app settings, check if it supports backup to the cloud (like WhatsApp or Telegram).
• 🚫 Avoid applications with suspicious permissions (e.g. access to the app). SMS or call for no reason).

5. Transfer of applications and their data (advanced method)

The only way to do this is not to APK-files, but also user data of applications (for example, settings, cache, logins) - use ADB-It's a method that's suitable for advanced users and requires a computer.

Instructions for ADB:

1. Install Android SDK Platform-Tools on your PC.
2. Connect Huawei to your computer and execute the command to create a backup: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab (enter a password for encryption if needed).
3. Disable Huawei and connect Xiaomi, then restore the data: adb restore backup.ab

Limitations of the method:

• 🔒 Not all apps support backup through ADB (e.g. bank or with DRM-protection).
• 📱 Xiaomi may need to be disconnected MIUI Optimization in the Developer Settings.
• ⚠️ Some data (such as authorization tokens) may not be transferred for security reasons.

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ADB-Backup is the most complete way to transfer data, but it requires technical skills and does not guarantee 100% success for all applications.

6.Sync smart devices (watches, fitness bracelets)

If you have Huawei Watch or Xiaomi Mi Band gadgets in addition to smartphones, they can also be synchronized between ecosystems, but with reservations:

• 🕒 Huawei Watch officially only works with Huawei devices. To connect to Xiaomi will require third-party software like Notify & Fitness (with limited functionality).
• 🏃 Xiaomi Mi Band can be connected to Huawei via the Mi Fitness app, but some features (such as Mi Pay) will not be available.
• 📊 Health data (steps, pulse) from Huawei Health can be exported to.csv and imported to Mi Fit via Google Fit as an intermediary.

To transfer the activity history:

1. At Huawei Health, export data to Settings → Data Management → Data Export.
2. Open the.zip file on your PC and convert.csv to a Google Fit compatible format (e.g., via online converters).
3. Import data to Google Fit and then sync with Mi Fit.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users face problems, and we've collected errors and ways to fix them:

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If you lose your wallpaper or notification sounds after syncing on Xiaomi, check the /sdcard/Media folder – sometimes files are copied but not automatically applied. Restart the device or select wallpaper manually.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions