How to quickly and securely copy data from Huawei to Xiaomi: all the ways of 2026

Moving from Huawei to Xiaomi is not just about changing your brand, it’s also about migrating all the important data: contacts, photos, messages, and even app settings. Many users have trouble trying to copy files because of the difference in firmware (EMUI Huawei and MIUI Xiaomi, manufacturers’ limitations, or simply lack of knowledge of effective methods. In this article, we will examine 5 proven ways to migrate data, including official tools, cloud services, and manual methods, taking into account all the nuances of 2026.

The peculiarity of the process is that Huawei after the sanctions of 2019 lost access to Google Mobile Services (GMS), Xiaomi is using them extensively, and this affects the compatibility of some portability applications (for example, Google Drive may not work on new Huawei models without workarounds). GMS — likes of Huawei P60 Pro or Mate 50.

Important: If you are switching from an older model (e.g. Huawei) P30 2019, some methods may differ due to version EMUI. In this article, we will specify the actual limitations for each instruction.

1.Official way: Huawei’s “Phone Clone” app

The most reliable method is to use the Huawei Phone Clone app, which is pre-installed on most of the brand’s devices, which supports transferring contacts, messages, photos, videos, audio, notes, and even some application settings (such as WhatsApp or Viber), the main advantage is that you do not need the Internet or a computer: data is transmitted directly over Wi-Fi between phones.

How it works:

• 📱 Install Phone Clone on both phones (on Xiaomi download from AppGallery or APKMirror, as Google Play does not have it).
• 🔄 On Huawei, select “This is an old phone” on Xiaomi, “This is a new phone».
• 📶 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network or create a hotspot on Huawei.
• 📁 Select data types to transfer (specific folders can be specified) and start the process.

⚠️ Note: New Xiaomi models (e.g. Xiaomi 14 Ultra) may need to be temporarily disabled MIUI Optimization in the Developer Settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → For developers → Turn off optimization MIUI). Otherwise, the application can be closed when transferring large files.

Install Phone Clone on both phones|Turn off optimization MIUI (for the new Xiaomi)|Connect to a single Wi-Fi network|Charge both phones at least 50 times%|Free up space on Xiaomi (at least 10% of the data portable)

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The speed of the transfer depends on the volume of data and the model of the phones, for example, transferring 50 GB of photos from Huawei. P50 Pro on Xiaomi 13T Pro takes about 40 to 60 minutes. If the process is interrupted, try it:

• 🔌 Connect phones to charging.
• 📴 Shut down. VPN or proxy on both devices.
• 🔄 Restart the application and select “Repeat transfer».

2. Transfer via OTG or USB-Type-C cable

If you don’t have stable Wi-Fi or data is too large (for example, the data is too large, 4K-Video or app backups, the best way to do that is to connect directly to the cable:

• 🔌 USB-C — USB-C cable (or adapter if on one of the Micro-USB phones).
• 📱 Xiaomi with support OTG (Check in the settings settings → Connected devices → USB).
• 🛠️ File Manager (e.g. Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Huawei to Xiaomi with a cable. On Xiaomi, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Open the file manager on Xiaomi and go to the section USB-device (or Huawei).
3. Copy the right folders (DCIM for photos, downloads, etc.) to internal memory or SD-Xiaomi.

⚠️ Note: Some Huawei models (such as the Mate 40 Pro) may need to unlock permission to access files in the security settings (Settings) → Security → Other settings → Permits for USB-Without it, Xiaomi won’t see the file system.

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If the phone doesn’t recognize the connection, try using a data-enabled cable (not all charging cables are suitable), and check if Huawei has a notification curtain-only charging mode.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Maximum transfer speed (up to 480 Mbit / s per USB 3.0).
• 🔒 No dependence on the Internet or cloud services.
• 📁 Only the necessary files can be selectively copied.

Disadvantages:

• 🔌 Supported cable required OTG (Not all cheap cables work).
• 📱 On Huawei with EMUI 12+ Access to some system folders may be blocked (for example, Android/data).

3. Cloud Services: Huawei Cloud, Google Drive and Alternatives

If you have a slow cable or not OTG, You can use cloud storage, but there's some nuances:

• 🌥️ Huawei Cloud only works on devices with HMS (without GMS), But it's not on Xiaomi.
• 📁 Google Drive is not pre-installed on the new Huawei, but it can be installed manually via the new Huawei. APK.
• ☁️ Alternatives: Yandex Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive (working on both brands).

Instructions for Google Drive (if Huawei supports Google Drive) GMS):

1. On Huawei, upload files to Google Drive (backup folder).
2. On Xiaomi, log in to the same Google account and download files.

For Huawei without GMS (For example, the Mate 50 Pro):

1. Install Google Drive through APK (Download from APKMirror).
2. Log in to your Google account through your browser and upload files manually.

⚠️ Note: When using Huawei Cloud, note that only 5GB is available for free. To transfer more volume, you will have to buy a subscription or break data into parts.

Google Drive|Huawei Cloud|Yandex Disc.|Dropbox|OneDrive|Other|Don't use the clouds.

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4. Transfer of contacts and messages through SIM-card

Contact and SMS You can transfer it separately from the rest of the data. There are several ways to do this:

Method 1: Through SIM-Card (suitable for contact):

1. On Huawei, export your contacts to SIM: Contacts → Settings → Imports/exports → Exports to SIM.
2. Put it in. SIM In Xiaomi and import: Contacts → Settings → Import with SIM.

Restriction: on SIM No more than 250 contacts are available (depending on operator).

Method 2: Through your Huawei account (for contacts and notes):

1. On Huawei, sync your contacts with Huawei ID: Settings → Accounts. → Huawei ID → Synchronization of contacts.
2. Install the Huawei Mobile Services app on Xiaomi (HMS Core) and log in to the same account.
3. Import contacts via Huawei Cloud in the web version.

Method 3: Through a Google account (if Huawei supports the GMS):

1. On Huawei, add a Google account and sync your contacts.
2. On Xiaomi, log in to the same account – contacts will be downloaded automatically.

⚠️ Attention: Communications (SMS) You can't transfer accounts. You can use specialized applications like this. SMS Backup & Restore (available in the APK Huawei without GMS).

5. Transfer applications and their data (including games)

Move it yourself. APK-Application files are simple (just copy them through the cable), but it is much more difficult to save application data (for example, progress in games or settings:

Method 1: Backup through ADB (power-user):

1. Connect Huawei to your computer and enable debugging USB (Settings → The phone. → Assembly number → 7 times to tap → For developers → Debugging by USB).
2. Follow the command to create a backup: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f huawei_backup.ab
3. Copy the file. huawei_backup.ab Restore and restore: Adb Restore huawei_backup.ab

Method 2: Backup applications (easy but not all data will be saved):

• 📱 Swift Backup (requires root on Huawei).
• 🔄 Titanium Backup (root rights required).
• ☁️ Helium (runs without root, but not all apps are supported).

⚠️ Note: New Xiaomi (e.g. Xiaomi 14) may not work on backup recovery due to limitations MIUI. In this case, you will have to transfer data manually (for example, logins / passwords through Google Smart Lock).

Method 3: Sync through accounts (for games and some applications):

• 🎮 Games: Use Google Play Games accounts, Game Center (for iOS ports) or your own game accounts (e.g. Genshin Impact is linked to email).
• 📱 Applications: Many services (e.g. Spotify, Netflix) sync data through their account.

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To migrate your application data, first check if it supports cloud sync. If not, use it. ADB or manually transfer files from a folder /Android/data/[packet].

6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When migrating data from Huawei to Xiaomi, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

⚠️ If photos are missing after transfer to Xiaomi, check the folder DCIM/.thumbnails — Sometimes thumbnails don't update.Reboot your phone or use a file manager to force scan (Mi File Manager) → Settings → Scan. SD-map).

Another common mistake is format incompatibility, such as Huawei can save.mv (proprietary-format) video that is not played on Xiaomi.

• 🎥 Convert files through VLC HandBrake.
• 📁 Transfer the original files (for example,.mp4 or.jpg, not thumbnails.

7. Alternative methods: computer and third-party utilities

If none of the above methods are suitable, you can use an intermediate device - a computer (Windows, macOS or Linux), this method is universal, but it takes longer.

Method 1: Through a computer (Windows):

1. Connect Huawei to your PC and copy the files to a folder on the disk.
2. Connect Xiaomi and transfer the files back.

Use TeraCopy or FastCopy to speed up, as they copy data faster than standard conductor.

Method 2: Using macOS (Android File Transfer)

1. Install Android File Transfer on your Mac.
2. Connect Huawei, copy files to Mac, then transfer to Xiaomi.

Method 3: Third-party utilities:

• 🖥️ Dr.Fone – Phone Transfer (paid but supported) EMUI and MIUI).
• 🔄 Syncios Mobile Transfer (Free version with limitations).
• ☁️ AnyTrans (supports WhatsApp portability and LINE).

⚠️ Warning: When using third-party utilities, disable the antivirus on your computer - it can block access to phone system folders. Also avoid programs from suspicious sites (risk of viruses or data theft).

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If you transfer data from Huawei to Xiaomi via a computer, format the flash drive to exFAT – this format supports files over 4 GB (unlike the one used by the company). FAT32) and compatible with both phones.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions