How to sync Huawei and Xiaomi smartphones: all ways of 2026

Transferring data across devices across brands is a challenge that one in five smartphone users face when switching. If you switch from the Huawei P50 Pro to the Xiaomi 14 Ultra or vice versa, it’s important to keep your contacts, photos, messages and settings intact. The main problem is that manufacturers use their own ecosystems: Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) from the Chinese giant and MIUI from Google services from Xiaomi. This creates technical barriers, but you can get around them — and we’ll show how.

In this article, you will find 5 working synchronization methods, including cloud services, on-premises transfer and specialized applications. We tested each method on pairs of devices Huawei Mate 60 Pro + Redmi Note 13 Pro + and Huawei nova 11 + POCO F6 to ensure that the instructions are up to date. Particular attention was paid to data portability without access to Google services, which is relevant for owners of new models of Huawei without GMS.

Before you start, check:

• 🔋 Battery Charging on Both Devices ≥ 50% (synchronization can take up to 1 hour)
• 📶 A stable Internet connection (for cloud-based methods) or ≥ 10 GB of free space (for local transfer)
• 🔐 Disable screen locking during transmission (some methods require constant access)

1. Sync through Google Account (for GMS devices)

This is the most versatile method for devices that support Google services, suitable for transferring contacts, calendars, notes and parts of applications. Xiaomi is integrated with Google by default, while Huawei needs to check for Google Mobile Services (GMS) – they are not in models after 2019 (except for the Mate 50 and P50 series for the European market).

Step-by-step:

1. On Huawei: go to Settings → Accounts → Google and enable sync for the data you need.
2. On Xiaomi: Sign in to the same Google account via Settings → Accounts and Sync → Add an account.
3. Wait for automatic synchronization (it can take up to 15 minutes).

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Not tolerated. SMS, Call history and files (photo/video)
• ❌ The new Huawei without GMS You will have to install Google services manually (risk of breach of warranty)

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If Huawei doesn’t have Google services but has access to the Play Market, try installing the Google One app – it sometimes lets you bypass HMS restrictions.

2. Local transmission via Huawei Phone Clone (recommended)

Huawei Phone Clone is a proprietary data migration solution that works with other brands’ devices, and the advantage of the method is that it even transfers SMS, call history and Wi-Fi settings, which cloud services do not. The app is available for Xiaomi via APK (download only from the official Huawei website).

Algorithm of action:

1. Install the Huawei Phone Clone on both devices (Xiaomi may require permission to install from unknown sources).
2. On Huawei, select “This is an old device” and on Xiaomi, “This is a new device.”
3. Scan it. QR-code from the screen Xiaomi camera Huawei.
4. Select data to transfer (we recommend disabling Applications – they may conflict with MIUI).

Critical note: when transferring more than 20 GB of data, use Wi-Fi Direct instead of mobile Internet – otherwise the transmission will be interrupted by 70-80%.

Install the app on both devices |Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network |Close background applications (especially messengers) |Connect power saving mode |Contact free space on the target device-->

3. Cloud sync via Huawei Cloud + Xiaomi Cloud

If you've used both brands' cloud services, you can move data through export/import, and it's suitable for contacts, photos and notes, but it requires manual control -- not all formats are cross-platform.

Table of format compatibility:

Instructions for transfer:

1. Export data from Huawei Cloud to a file (e.g. contacts in.vcf).
2. Upload the file to Xiaomi Cloud via the web version (cloud.xiaomi.com).
3. On Xiaomi, sync data from the cloud.

4. Computer Transfer (for large amounts of data)

If you need to transfer more than 50 GB of data (for example, a collection of photos to the data center) RAW video 4K), The local method through the PC will be more reliable than the cloud. USB-cable (preferably original) and synchronization software – for example, Syncthing (free) or EaseUS Todo PCTrans (paid, but with a trial period).

Step-by-step instructions for Syncthing:

1. Install the app on your PC and both smartphones (official website).
2. Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. On a PC, create a new repository folder and specify paths to folders on smartphones (for example, DCIM/Camera).
4. Start sync and wait until it is completed (speed depends on Wi-Fi).

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 There are no limits on the amount of data
• 🛡️ Transmission encryption (in Syncthing)
• 🔄 Selective synchronization (for example, only photos for 2023)

⚠️ Note: When connecting Huawei to a PC in File Transfer mode (MTP) You may need to install a HiSuite driver. download it from the official Huawei website to avoid device recognition issues.

5. Alternative applications: SHAREit, Xender, Send Anywhere

If the proprietary solutions don't work, you can use generic applications to transfer files, and we tested three of the most popular ones:

• 📲 SHAREit: speeds up to 20MB/s, but a lot of advertising. Supports app transfers (.apk).
• 🔗 Xender: simple interface, no file size restrictions, minus requiring you to connect to a single Wi-Fi network.
• 🌍 Send Anywhere: It works over the cloud, you can send files to remote devices, free up to 10 GB.

Recommendations for use:

1. On both devices, install the same application.
2. Select “Send” mode on Huawei and “Get” mode on Xiaomi.
3. To speed up, turn off VPN and power saving modes.

⚠️ Note: When transferred via SHAREit or Xender, files with the.apk extension (applications) may be blocked MIUI To set them, go to Settings. → Annexes → Special permits → Install unknown applications and allow installation for browser or file manager.

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For maximum transfer speed, use Wi-Fi Direct-enabled applications (such as Xender), which is 3-5 times faster than cloud or Bluetooth transmission.

6.Sync smart devices (watches, fitness bracelets)

If you're using the Huawei Watch GT 4 or Xiaomi Smart Band 8, you can synchronize them between ecosystems, and the rule of thumb is that one device can only be linked to one ecosystem, and you need to transfer data to:

Algorithm for fitness bracelets:

1. Untie the bracelet from your current smartphone via the Huawei Health or Mi Fitness app.
2. Back up your data to the relevant brand cloud.
3. On a new smartphone, install the app of another brand and sign in to the same account.
4. Reconnect the bracelet, and the data will come from the cloud.

Limitations:

• ❌ Huawei Watch is not synced with Mi Fitness (and vice versa)
• ❌ The history of activity for past periods may not be transferred completely

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even when following the instructions, users face problems, and we have collected the TOP-5 errors and ways to fix them:

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If after synchronization on Xiaomi lost contacts, check the account settings: Settings → Accounts. → Google/Huawei → Contact synchronization. Sometimes manual updates are required.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions