Switching from Huawei to Xiaomi: how to transfer data, configure MIUI avoiding mistakes

Why are users changing Huawei to Xiaomi?

Changing your smartphone is always a crucial step, especially when it comes to switching between two of China’s largest brands with unique ecosystems, with Huawei and Xiaomi offering fundamentally different approaches to software, services and even hardware. If you are reading this article, chances are you were attracted to the more affordable prices for Xiaomi flagships, openness MIUI for third-party services or the desire to get rid of restrictions related to sanctions against Huawei.

But the transition is not limited to buying a new phone, but you have to move contacts, photos, apps, get used to a different interface, and even redesign some digital habits. In this article, we will examine all the stages of migration, from preparing the old Huawei to fine-tuning Xiaomi, so that the new smartphone works as comfortably as the previous one.

We will pay special attention to the key differences MIUI from EMUI (For example, Xiaomi does not have an analogue of Huawei Share for fast file transfer between devices, but there is Mi Share with other restrictions. And also – we will understand how to get around the lack of Google services on some Huawei models when transferring data.

Huawei’s Preparation for the Transition: What to Do Before Selling or Resetting

Before you leave your old smartphone, you need to save all the important data and make sure that it is not tied to your Huawei account. Many users face the problem when they lose access to purchases in AppGallery or cloud backups after a reset.

Backup in Huawei Cloud (if available)

Export contacts to file VCF or sync with Google

Download photos and videos to PC or external drive

Save a list of installed applications (for example, through AppGallery) → My apps)

Untie all devices from Huawei ID (laptops, watches, headphones)

Leave your account in Settings → Huawei ID

Reset your phone to factory settings (Settings) → System system → Reset)

-->

If you have used Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) Google Mobile Services instead (GMS), Note that it will be more difficult to transfer data directly to Xiaomi, for example, backups from Huawei Cloud are not compatible with Mi Cloud, in which case the only reliable way is to manually export files to a computer or external drive.

⚠️ Note: If your Huawei has banking applications installed (e.g. SberBank or Tinkoff), be sure to delete them via Settings before resetting. → Applications: Some banks block access when they detect a reset on the tied device.

How to transfer data from Huawei to Xiaomi

There are several ways to migrate data, and the choice depends on which files you need to transfer.

1. through a Google account (if Huawei has one) GMS)

If your Huawei supports Google services (models up to 2019 or special versions with Google) GMS), The easiest way is to sync through Google Account:

1. On Huawei: Go to Settings → Accounts. → Google and enable sync for contacts, calendar, notes and other data.
2. On Xiaomi: When you first turn on, log in to the same Google account. The system automatically pulls up the synchronized data.

2. via Mi Mover (official Xiaomi app)

Mi Mover is a tool from Xiaomi for wireless data transfer from Android devices, but Huawei may be difficult to use due to differences in exchange protocols, to increase the chances of success:

• 📱 Install Mi Mover on both phones (available in AppGallery for Huawei).
• 🔗 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network.
• 📁 Select the "Contacts", "Messages", "Photos" and "Video" points on Huawei (the applications will not be able to transfer the app).
• ⚡ Wait until the process is complete (it can take up to 30 minutes depending on the amount of data).

💡

If Mi Mover can’t see your Huawei, try turning on the developer mode (Settings) → The phone. → Build number – press 7 times) and activate debugging USB.

3. Manual transfer via computer

The most reliable, but time-consuming way is to copy files to your PC and then move them to Xiaomi.

1. Connect Huawei to your computer via USB (select File Transfer Mode).
2. Copy the folders. DCIM (Photo/video, Downloads, Documents on hard disk.
3. Connect Xiaomi and transfer the files to the appropriate folders.

For contacts, export them to.vcf via Contacts → Settings → Import/Export and then import on a new phone.

Through a Google account

With the help of Mi Mover

Manual transfer via PC

Another option-->

Setup Xiaomi after the first inclusion: key points

After the data transfer, it is the turn to set up a new smartphone. MIUI much different EMUI, So even experienced Android users can get confused:

1. Mi Account and Cloud Services

When you first turn on, the system will prompt you to create or log in to a Mi Account.

• 📱 Mi Cloud (cloud storage for backups);
• 🔍 Find Device (finding your phone when you lose it);
• 🛒 Xiaomi Community and Branded Themes.

If you already have an account (such as from a fitness bracelet Mi Band), use it. Otherwise, register a new one via email or phone number.

2. Optimization of productivity

MIUI It's known for its "aggressive" background optimization, which can shut down applications and interfere with notifications:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select critical applications (messaging, banking) and enable AutoRun and No battery restrictions for them.
3. B Settings → Battery → Select Balanced (not Energy Saving) mode").

3. Personalization of the interface

Unlike Huawei, where EMUI It offers a minimalist design, MIUI It allows you to deeply customize the appearance:

• 🎨 Install theme from the Topic (pre-installed application).
• 🔄 Configure the Control Panel (swipe down from the top right corner) – add or remove the switches.
• 📱 Include navigation gestures in Settings → Display (similar to gestures on Huawei, but with other animations).

💡

Do not remove Xiaomi system apps (such as Mi Video or Music) through root or ADB — It could disrupt the job. MIUI. Instead, turn them off in the app settings.

Ecosystem Comparison: What You Will Lose and What You Will Gain

The transition from Huawei to Xiaomi is not just about changing your phone, but about moving to a different ecosystem with its pros and cons.

The critical difference: on Xiaomi you will get full support for Google Mobile Services (GMS), This includes Google Play, YouTube and other services that may be restricted on new Huawei models due to sanctions, which means you don’t have to look for workarounds to install popular apps.

On the other hand, if you have used Huawei branded features, for example:

• 📸 Super Resolution in the camera (increased resolution of images);
• 🔋 Smart Charge (Optimizing Charging for Battery Durability);
• 🎧 Huawei Histen (improving sound in headphones),

In Xiaomi, you will have to look for analogues in third-party applications or put up with their absence.

Transferring applications and data: what will not work

Unfortunately, not all data can be transferred automatically. Here's what you have to manually configure:

1.Appendices and their data

Even if you do. APK-Application files (e.g., via Mi Mover), their data and settings (e.g., game saves or chat history) will not move:

• 🎮 For games, use sync via Google Play Games or developer accounts (e.g. Supercell) ID Clash of Clans).
• 💬 For instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) make a backup to the cloud of each application separately.
• 📊 For work applications (Trello, Notion) export data manually.

System settings

MIUI and EMUI They have different setting structures:

• 🔊 Huawei has a separate section Sound and vibration → Histen Effects, and on Xiaomi similar sound settings are hidden in Settings → Sound. → Sound effects.

⚠️ Note: If you used Huawei Health to track activity, you can’t transfer data to Mi Fitness or Google Fit directly.Export your story in.gpx or.tcx format via the web version of Huawei Health, and then import it to the new app.

Passwords and autocomplete

If you have stored passwords in Huawei Password Manager, you can't transfer them directly.

• 🔑 Export passwords to CSV (If the feature is available, and import it to Google Password Manager or Bitwarden.
• 🌐 Use browser export (for example, through Huawei Browser) → Settings → Passwords).

Adaptation to MIUI: How to Get used to a New Interface

The early days with Xiaomi can seem uncomfortable due to differences in interface logic. Here are some tips to help you adapt faster:

1.Gestural and navigation

V MIUI The gestures work differently than in EMUI:

• 👆 Swipe up from the bottom edge – return to the main screen (in the EMUI — listing).
• 👈 Swipe from left to right – back (similar to Huawei).
• 🔄 Long-term retention at the bottom of the screen – opening recent apps.

If you don’t like it, you can return the classic buttons to Settings. → Display. → Navigation panel.

2. notification panel and quick settings

V MIUI The notification panel is divided into two parts:

• 📱 Left (swipe down from top left corner) – notifications.
• ⚙️ Right side (swipe down from top right corner) – quick settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.).

This is uncomfortable for those who are used to a single panel on Huawei. → The control panel can be adjusted to order the switches and even add new ones.

3.The camera and its features

The camera app on Xiaomi has a different interface and processing algorithms.

• 📸 Most Xiaomi models don’t have a default Pro mode – it needs to be enabled in the camera settings.
• 🌃 Xiaomi’s night mode often requires manual activation (as opposed to auto-enabled on Huawei).
• 🎥 Video in the video 4K can be recorded with crop (short frame) if you do not include the option Ultra wide angle.

Frequent problems after transition and their solutions

Even with proper preparation, there may be unexpected difficulties after the transition to Xiaomi.

1.Notifications from applications are working.

MIUI It's known for its problem with "killing" background processes, which may cause notifications from messengers or emails to fail:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select a problem app (such as WhatsApp).
3. Enable AutoRun, Secondary Start, and Show Notifications.
4. B Settings → Battery → Select the power mode of the applications for it without restrictions.

2.The battery goes down fast.

In the first days after setting up, Xiaomi may discharge faster than usual due to background file indexing and system optimization.

• 🔋 Check the Settings. → Battery → Battery use – maybe some app is using too much energy.
• 🌡️ Turn off Adaptive Brightness and set a fixed value (e.g., 50%).
• 🔄 Turn on Power Saving Mode manually if less than 20% of the charge is left.

3. It's not working. NFC contactless

If you used Huawei Pay, you'll have to switch to Google Pay or Mi Pay to Xiaomi.

1. Make sure that NFC is enabled in Settings → Connections → NFC.
2. Install Google Pay from the Play Market and add your card.
3. For Mi Pay, you may need to link a Chinese bank card (in Russia, the functionality is limited).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 for global market) NFC Check the specifications of your model before buying if contactless payments are critical to you.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions about the transition from Huawei to Xiaomi