How to download data from Huawei to Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

The transition from Huawei to Xiaomi is not only about changing the ecosystem, but also about moving all the important data from contacts to photos of the last vacation. Many users are afraid of losing information or spending hours manually copying files. 15-40 The main thing is to prepare properly and avoid typical errors, such as interrupting transmission or ignoring backups.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to transfer data, including official tools from Xiaomi and Huawei, cloud services and even methods for devices without access to Google Mobile Services. SMS, And also the nuances of working with proprietary formats (like Huawei Backups), and if you've tried to migrate data and you've encountered errors, there's a section at the end of this article that addresses some of the most common problems.

Smartphones store gigabytes of personal information, and losing it can be both inconvenient and serious. For example, business messaging contacts or email archives can sometimes be impossible to recover even through the cloud. So the first step is always to back up both devices. Next, we'll look at how to do this as quickly as possible and without loss.

We will focus on the myths about data transfer:

• 🚫 "Computers are a must – 80% of users successfully transfer data directly over Wi-Fi or cable.
• 🚫 "All apps will automatically install on a new phone, which only works with some services (like Google Play), but not all.
• 🚫 "Photos lose quality when transmitted, depending on the method chosen, but modern protocols (such as Wi-Fi Direct) retain the original resolution.

Before proceeding with the transfer, check:

• 🔋 Battery charge on both phones (minimum 50%).
• 📶 A stable Internet connection (for cloud-based methods).
• 📁 There is enough free space on Xiaomi (the data will take up as much as on Huawei).

1.Official way: Mi Mover app from Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a proprietary tool from Xiaomi that allows you to transfer data from most Android devices, including Huawei.The app is pre-installed on all new Xiaomi smartphones, but it can also be downloaded from Google Play or the Mi App Store.The main advantage is support for transfer over Wi-Fi Direct, which eliminates the need for cable or the Internet.

How it works:

1. Install Mi Mover on both phones (if Xiaomi doesn’t have it by default).
2. On Huawei, select Send mode, on Xiaomi, Get mode.
3. Scan it. QR-code from the Xiaomi screen with the Huawei camera (or enter) PIN-manually).
4. Select data types for transfer (contacts, messages, photos, video, audio, applications).
5. Confirm the transfer and wait for the completion (time depends on the amount of data).

Important nuances:

• 📱 Not all apps will migrate, only those available in Google Play or Mi App Store.In-app data (such as saving in games) will only be transferred if they support cloud backup.
• 🔄 If the transfer is interrupted, start again – Mi Mover does not support the resumption.
• 📂 The folder structure is saved, but files with the same names can be overwritten.

Install Mi Mover on Huawei (if not)|Charge both phones at least 50 times%|Connect to a single Wi-Fi network (optional)|Free up space on Xiaomi (minimum) +10% of the data volume)|Shut down. VPN firewalls-->

⚠️ Note: If Huawei has a shell installed EMUI 12+, You may need to temporarily disable Privacy Protection in your security settings, otherwise Mi Mover will not be able to access your files.

2.Transfer via OTG cable: fast and without internet

If you don't have time to set up Wi-Fi, or if you're afraid of interrupting transmissions, connecting directly through a cable is the most reliable way. USB-C OTG-adapter (or cable) USB-C to USB-C, If you're on Xiaomi Type-C, the method works even without an Internet connection and allows you to transfer files at speeds up to the Internet. 480 Mbit/s (in) 2-3 Time faster than Wi-Fi).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Huawei to Xiaomi via OTG-Adapter. On the Huawei screen, select "File Transfer" mode" (MTP).
2. On Xiaomi, open Explorer (or any file manager, such as Mi File Manager).
3. In the Devices section, find the connected Huawei and open its memory.
4. Copy the right folders (DCIM for photos, downloads, etc.) to internal memory or SD-Xiaomi.
5. To transfer contacts and SMS, export them to.vcf and.xml files respectively (instruction below).

Advantages of the method:

• 🚀 Maximum speed – suitable for carrying tens of gigabytes.
• 🔒 Security – Data does not pass through third-party servers.
• 📱 It works even on devices without Google Mobile Services (e.g. Huawei Mate 50 Pro).

Limitations:

• 🔌 Required. OTG-adapter (stands) 200-500 ruble).
• 📁 Applications are not portable – only files and media.
• 🔄 You need to manually copy system data (contacts, SMS).

3. Cloud services: Google Drive, Mi Cloud and Huawei Cloud

If you have access to the Internet, cloud storage is one of the most convenient ways to transfer, and the main advantage is that data is available on any device and can be downloaded in parts, but there are nuances: for example, Huawei Cloud does not sync with Mi Cloud, so you will have to use an intermediate service (for example, Google Drive).

Comparison of cloud services for transfer:

Step-by-step instructions for Google Drive (recommended method):

1. On Huawei, open Google Drive and click "+ → Downloading".
2. Select files to transfer (you can download entire folders).
3. On Xiaomi, log in to the same Google account and download files through the Drive app.
4. For contacts, enable synchronization in Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of contacts.

💡

If you have slow internet, upload data to the cloud at night or use offline mode in Google Photos: files will download as soon as Wi-Fi appears.

⚠️ Note: When transferring photos via Huawei Cloud.HEIC (The iPhone is automatically converted to JPG, To avoid this, manually convert files through the application before downloading. HEIC to JPG Converter.

4. Computer Transfer: For Large Data

If you need to transfer more than 50GB of data (for example, a video collection to a video store) 4K Or backups of applications, the most reliable way to do this is to use your computer as an intermediary, and this method is also useful if Huawei has unstable firmware installed or there are errors in direct transmission.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Two. USB-cables (preferably original).
• 📁 Enough free space on the hard disk (at least 20% more than the amount of data transferred).

Instructions:

1. Connect Huawei to your computer and select File Transfer Mode" (MTP).
2. Copy all the folders you need (DCIM, Pictures, Downloads, etc.) on the computer.
3. Disable Huawei and connect Xiaomi, also in MTP mode.
4. Transfer files from your computer to Xiaomi.
5. For contacts and SMS Use export/import via.vcf and.xml files (see spoiler above).

Advantages of the method:

• 🗃️ Backup on your computer – data will not be lost even if something goes wrong.
• 🔧 You can sort files before perenosom (remove duplicates, rename folders).
• 🛠️ Suitable for corrupted files – they can be restored on the computer before copying.

💡

If you transfer data from Huawei to Xiaomi via Mac, install Android File Transfer – the standard Finder does not support MTP-protocol.

5. Alternative methods: Clone Phone, SHAREit and LAN

If standard methods don't work (for example, because of firmware incompatibility or lack of Internet), you can use third-party applications, and we tested three of the most reliable options:

1. Clone Phone (from Xiaomi)

• 📲 It works on the Mi Mover principle, but supports more Huawei models.
• 🔗 Transmit data via Wi-Fi Direct or QR-code.
• ⚠️ Does not tolerate some system settings (for example, wallpaper or sound circuits).

2. SHAREit

• 🌐 Supports cross-platform transfer (including iOS).
• 📡 Up to 20MB/s (faster than Bluetooth).
• ❌ May display advertisements and collect data (use) VPN safe).

3. Local area network (FTP-server)

• 📡 Launch it on Huawei FTP-server FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer.
• 🖥️ On Xiaomi, connect to the server locally IP (for example, ftp://192.168.1.100:2221).
• 🔒 The method requires skills, but is suitable for transfer without cables and clouds.

Comparison of alternative methods:

Common mistakes and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems. TOP-5 errors and ways of correcting them:

1 Mi Mover does not see Huawei device

• 🔹 Check if Wi-Fi Direct is enabled on both phones.
• 🔹 Turn off Power Saving Mode – it can block background processes.
• 🔹 Upgrade the Mi Mover to the latest version (sometimes older versions don’t support new Huawei models).

2.Photos moved but not displayed in Xiaomi Gallery

• 🔹 Restart your phone – sometimes the media scanner doesn’t update the database right away.
• 🔹 Check if files are hidden (the.nomedia folder can block the display).
• 🔹 Use Explorer to manually search for files along the way /storage/emulated/0/DCIM.

3. Contacts are duplicated after the transfer

• 🔹 Open Google Contacts and use the “Find and Combine Duplicates” function".
• 🔹 Export contacts to.vcf, delete all current contacts and import again.
• 🔹 Turn off sync with unnecessary accounts (e.g. Mi Account and Huawei) ID).

4. apps are not installed on Xiaomi

• 🔹 Check if they are supported on a new firmware (some of them are supported by the new firmware). APK Huawei may not work for Xiaomi).
• 🔹 Enable “Installation from Unknown Sources” in the security settings.
• 🔹 Download apps again from Google Play or Mi App Store – so they are guaranteed to be compatible.

5. "Not enough space" error during transfer

• 🔹 Free up space on Xiaomi by deleting unnecessary files or transferring them to Xiaomi SD-map.
• 🔹 Break the transmission into parts (for example, first photo, then video).
• 🔹 Use your computer as an intermediate storage device.

💡

If after transferring to Xiaomi, the wallpaper or notification sounds disappeared, check the theme settings in Settings → Registration → My themes. Sometimes they're reset when you change the device.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions