Changing your smartphone is always stressful, not so much with getting used to a new gadget as with the fear of losing accumulated information. Owners of Huawei devices often face additional difficulties due to the lack of Google services on new models of the brand, which makes the issue of synchronization even more relevant when moving to the Xiaomi ecosystem. Fortunately, modern technology allows you to copy almost all digital luggage in minutes without losing important contacts or photos.
The migration process has become much easier thanks to the advent of specialized applications and cloud services that take over all the technical work. You do not need to be an IT expert to successfully complete this process, since most of the steps are automated. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available methods, from using the built-in Mi Mover tool to manually copying through the computer, so you can choose the most convenient option for you.
It is worth noting that the success of the operation depends on the preparation of both devices. A stable Wi-Fi connection and sufficient battery power are basic requirements, ignoring which can lead to interruption. We will look at the nuances of working with different versions of the Android operating system and the shells of EMUI and MIUI, so that the instruction is relevant for a wide range of devices.
Before you start any manipulation, make sure that both smartphones are enabled Bluetooth and GPS, as they are often used to initially detect devices with each other.It is also recommended to make room on the new Xiaomi phone if its memory is almost filled with system files.Proper preparation will eliminate 90% of possible errors when transferring files.
โ ๏ธ Note: Before starting a data transfer, it is strongly recommended to back up important information to an external medium or to the cloud to eliminate the risk of data loss in the event of a software failure.
Using the Mi Mover application for wireless transfer
The most efficient and quick way to migrate is to use the official Mi Mover app, designed specifically for users of the Xiaomi ecosystem, which allows you to transfer contacts, messages, call log, photos, videos, music, documents and even some system settings without using Internet traffic, creating a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices.
On a Xiaomi device, the application is often built into the system and is located in the Tools folder or available through the settings when you initially set up. On Huawei, you will need to download the installation file (APK) from the official website or a trusted source, since the AppGallery store may not have it due to restrictions.
Next, select the role of each device in the transfer process. On the new Xiaomi phone, click the โIโm the recipientโ button, and on the old Huawei, โIโm the senderโ button. The system will ask for permissions to use Bluetooth and geolocation, which are required for finding a pair. QR-code that needs to be scanned by the sender phone.
- ๐ฑ Compatibility: The app runs on Android 4.4 and higher, covering the vast majority of modern smartphones.
- ๐ Speed: Transfer speeds can reach 40MB/s, which is much faster than Bluetooth or cloud services.
- ๐ Security: Data is transmitted over the local network without leaving the limits of your devices, which guarantees privacy.
Once you have established the connection, you will be asked to select the types of data to copy. You can choose all at once or manually mark the desired categories, for example, only contacts and photos. The size of the files transferred can vary, so the latency depends on the volume of your media library. During the process, do not turn off the screens of smartphones and do not switch to other applications so as not to break the connection.
โ๏ธ Preparation for work with Mi Mover
Synchronization through Google Account and Cloud Services
If wireless transmission is impossible or causes errors, a great alternative is synchronization via Googleโs cloud service, which is especially relevant for Huawei owners of older models who already had a link to Google services, or for those who used third-party apps to synchronize contacts. The basic principle is to upload data to the cloud on an old device and automatically upload it to a new one.
To start, make sure your Huawei is logged in to your Google account. Go to your phone settings, search for Users and Accounts (or Accounts) and select your Gmail address. Inside the account menu, check what data is tagged for sync. These are usually contacts, calendar, notes and app data. Press the sync button and wait for the process to complete.
On the new Xiaomi smartphone, when you first turn on, the system will prompt you to enter a Google account. Enter the same email and password as on the old device. Once you log in, MIUI will automatically start pulling up contacts, calendar events and other synchronized data. Photos and videos can be saved through Google Photos by installing the corresponding application on Huawei and enabling Autoboot.
| Type of data | Synchronization method | Internet is required | Free tariff limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Google Contacts | Yes. | 15 GB (shared with mail) |
| Photo/Video | Google Photo | Yeah (Wi-Fi) | 15GB |
| Files. | Google Drive | Yes. | 15GB |
| Annexes | Google Play Store | Yes. | No (depends on developer) |
It's important to understand that this method doesn't copy your system settings, desktop icons or Wi-Fi passwords unless they're stored in a Google key. Free storage is limited to 15 gigabytes, so if you have a lot of high-resolution photos, you can run out of space, so you have to either buy extra space or choose selective sync.
โ ๏ธ Warning: Make sure the new device has two-factor authorization enabled for your Google account to avoid blocking the sign-in due to suspicious activity from the new device. IP-address.
What to do if your contacts are not synchronized?
Manual Data Transfer via Computer (USB)
The most reliable, though more time-consuming, method is to manually copy files through a computer, ideal for transferring large volumes of media files, such as video to video. 4K, Photo archives or heavy documents when wireless methods are unstable. USB-cable and computer with Windows or macOS operating system.
Connect your Huawei to your computer with a cable. The smartphone screen will request USB connectivity. Select File Transfer (MTP) or Photo Transfer (PTP) mode. After that, the device will appear in My Computer as a removable drive. Open the phone's internal memory and find the folders you need to save: usually DCIM (camera photos and videos), Download (downloads), Music and Documents.
Copy selected folders to your computer's hard drive. Once you've finished copying, disconnect Huawei and connect a new Xiaomi smartphone. The same thing happens: select file transfer mode, open the internal memory of the new device, and paste the copied folders into the appropriate directories. Android automatically recognizes new media files and adds them to the gallery and player.
- ๐พ Reliability: Direct cable connection eliminates interruptions due to poor Wi-Fi signal.
- ๐ Structure: You can sort files by folder on your computer immediately before downloading to a new phone.
- โก Speed: Depends on the speed of the ports USB (2.0, 3.0, 3.1) and cable type, but usually higher than Wi-Fi Direct.
When working with a file system, it is important not to delete Huawei system folders if you copy the entire content so as not to disrupt some applications on the new device. It is better to copy only user content. Also pay attention to the file system format: if you use an external hard drive for intermediate storage, make sure it is formatted in exFAT or FAT32 for compatibility with both phones.
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Use the original cables that came with phones, as cheap counterparts often only support charging and do not transmit data, which will lead to a connection error to the computer.
Transfer of SMS messages and call log
Keeping your email and call history is one of the most delicate tasks when changing phones, as standard Android tools donโt always make it easy to export SMS in readable form. However, using the right tools, you can transfer your entire message history from Huawei to Xiaomi without losing the context of the dialogues, which is especially important for those who store confirmation codes or important business correspondence in SMS.
For this task, it is best to go back to the Mi Mover app, which has a special module for working with messages. When choosing data types for transfer, be sure to tick the box opposite to Messages (SMS) and Call Log. The application will create a special data package that will be deployed on the new device, saving dates, senders and read status.
An alternative method is to use specialized backup apps like SMS Backup & Restore. Install the app on both phones. On Huawei, back up your messages and save the file to Google Drive or locally. Then install the same app on Xiaomi, log in to the same cloud account or hand over the backup file, and select Restore.
It is worth noting that messages from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) are not regular SMS and require a separate approach. WhatsApp chat history, for example, is stored separately through Google Drive inside the WhatsApp app itself in the chat settings. Make sure that the old phone has a fresh backup of chats before installing the messenger on the new one.
โ ๏ธ Note: When transferring messages through third-party backup apps, make sure the version of the application on both devices is up to date, otherwise the backup file format may not be compatible.
Migration of applications and their data
Porting the apps themselves is relatively easy, but restoring the data inside them can be difficult. When you set up a new Xiaomi, the system will suggest installing apps that were on your old device. If you use a Google account, the list of installed programs will be available in the Play Market under the Library section, you can select all at once and start a mass download.
The data situation inside the applications depends on the developer, and many modern applications store data in the cloud (social networks, email clients, navigators), so just log in to your account to restore everything. However, local data (such as progress in games without cloud saving or notes in simple notebooks) may require the use of the โMi Moverโ feature for the โApplicationsโ section that will attempt to copy the data. APK-file.
Huawei owners without Google services should be more careful: some applications that depend on Google Play Services (maps, Uber, some banks) may not work properly on the old telefle, but on the new Xiaomi with a full Google they will work normally.
- ๐ฒ WhatsApp: Requires a mandatory backup in Google Drive on an old phone to recover on a new one.
- ๐ฆ Banking applications: Require re-authorization and re-assignment of the device for security reasons.
- ๐ฎ Check if progress is tied to a Google Play Game or Facebook account, otherwise the level may reset.
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The most effective way to migrate applications is to use Mi Mover in conjunction with the login to Google account, which allows you to cover 95% of all installed programs and their data.