Changing your smartphone is always stressful, especially when you need to move your digital property from one device to another. The transition from the Huawei ecosystem to Xiaomi (MIUI or HyperOS) seems difficult due to the lack of Google services on older models of the Chinese brand, but modern tools allow you to do this almost unnoticed by the user.
In this article, we will take a look at the nuances of the process to ensure that your contacts, photos and apps are in a new place, you will learn what software is best to use, how to circumvent restrictions and what to do if standard methods fail.
The process of migrating data has become much easier in recent years, and in the past, users had to manually rewrite numbers and re-download each number. APK-Now, a few taps are enough to clone the contents of the memory, but there are technicalities that you need to know about in advance.
Before you start physically transferring data, you have to do a series of preparatory steps, and ignoring this step can cause the process to stop in the middle and you have to start over, and make sure that both devices are at least 60 percent charged or connected to a power source.
On a Huawei device, check if USB debugging is enabled, although it is rarely required for wireless methods. On the new Xiaomi, make sure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled, as these are the modules responsible for creating a local access point for transferring files. The transfer speed depends on the Wi-Fi standard.
- 🔋 Charge both smartphones to levels above 60% to avoid turning off during the process.
- 📶 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network or use a mobile hotspot.
- 🗑️ Free up space on the new Xiaomi: Remove unnecessary system apps or temporary files.
- 🔒 Unlock the screens of both devices and keep them on all the time.
⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to transfer data through USB-Direct cable, unless you use special software for PCs, often leads to driver conflict. MTP.
On an old phone, log in to your Huawei ID to sync the latest cloud data. On a new Xiaomi device, be sure to sign in to Mi Account and Google account before you start migrating.
☑️ Preparation for migration
The most effective and official way to transfer is to use the Mi Mover app, a tool designed by Xiaomi engineers specifically for migration from Android and iOS, and the main advantage of the method is the ability to transfer not only files, but also folder structure, as well as some system settings.
Install the Mi Mover app on both devices. On Xiaomi smartphones, it's often pre-installed in the Tools folder. If Huawei doesn't have it, download it. APK-file from the official website or through the browser. After launching, select the device role: "Sender" in the old and "Receiver" in the new.
The connection process takes place through scanning. QR-The new phone's camera needs to read the code on the old phone's screen, and once you've connected, you'll see a list of categories of data.
- 📲 Select the category "Applications" and tick the desired software.
- 🖼️ In the Images section, you can select specific albums to save time.
- 📞 Contacts and call history are transferred separately, make sure the checkmark is ticked.
- 📱 System settings are only transferred if Android versions are compatible.
It is worth noting that some Huawei system applications (such as HiCare or proprietary widgets) will not work correctly on Xiaomi.The system will warn you about incompatible elements.
⚠️ Note: Bank and government applications are better installed manually. Moved copies may require re-authorization or not be launched due to changes in the application.
Once the data is selected, the copying process will begin. The speed can vary from 5 to 20 MB/s depending on the interference in the air, do not switch to other applications or lock the screen at this point.
Owners of Huawei devices released after 2019 have faced a lack of Google services (GMS), which creates difficulties when migrating data, since many applications are tied to Google Play Services. When migrating to Xiaomi, where Google services are built-in by default, this situation changes.
When transferring applications through Mi Mover, APK-If the application on Huawei worked without Google frameworks (using Huawei Mobile Services), then on Xiaomi it may require their presence or behave unstable.
For users who have been actively using Huawei Cloud, there is an alternative way: installing Huawei Cloud on a new phone, logging in and uploading contacts and notes, but for photos and apps, this method is less effective than direct copying.
What to do with Huawei Health data?
A special case is apps that have been installed on Huawei through third-party stores (AppGallery, Petal Search).When migrating to Xiaomi, make sure you have a GetApps store (Mi Store) installed or are ready to use it. APK-Some apps may be labeled as “not compatible” with your new device in the Play Market.
| Type of data | Transfer method | Efficiency | nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Mi Mover / Google Sync | 100% | It is better to sync with Google before changing the phone. |
| Photo/Video | Mi Mover / Google Photo | 99% | Metadata can be lost when using MMS |
| Annexes | Mi Mover | 85% | Banking applications require reinstallation |
| Messages (SMS) | Mi Mover | 100% | Only text SMS, not MMS, is transferred. |
| Wi-Fi password | Automatically. | 100% | It works only when migrating through Mi Mover. |
If you use Google Photos to back up, the process becomes trivial. Install the app on the new Xiaomi, log in to the same account, and all your media files will appear in the gallery. This is the most reliable way to keep your moments memory independent of the phone's brand.
When you finish running Mi Mover, you'll see a report, and you'll see portable app icons on the screen of the new device, but they may be in a boot or wait state, which is normal, because the system is loading the necessary resources.
The first run of heavy games or graphics editors can take longer than usual. MIUI optimizes the application database immediately after installing them. Don't worry if the phone warms up in the first 15 minutes of use - that's the normal work of the processor.
- 🚀 Give me a phone. 10-15 minutes of rest after transfer for background optimization.
- 🔒 Check the work of the fingerprint and face unlock (biometry must be reconfigured).
- 🔔 Check the notification settings: Xiaomi often “sleeps” with the energy saving system.
💡
After transferring the applications, go to the battery settings and set the "No Limits" mode for important messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).
A common problem with the transition is the lack of notifications from messengers. Xiaomi’s aggressive energy saving system can “kill” the transferred background processes, this is solved manually in the battery settings for each application.
⚠️ Note: Two-factor authentication (2FA). If you have used authentication apps (Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator), be sure to back up your codes or move your accounts before your old phone is reset.
It is important to understand the difference between transferring the body of an application and its data. Mi Mover often only transfers the installation file. Your logins, game progress and correspondence can stay on the old device if they are not synchronized with the developer cloud.
For games using Google Play Games, progress will be saved automatically when you log in. For Chinese games or games using Huawei ID to save progress, the situation is more complicated. You may need to link the game account to Facebook or mail within the app on your old phone before transferring.
💡
Critical data (banks, authenticators, unique files) are always checked manually. Automatic transfer does not provide 100% guarantee for protected data.
Once you've made sure that all the apps are working and the photos are in place, you can start cleaning the old device. But don't rush to do a full reset right now. Use the new smartphone for at least a couple of days as normal.
It's a run-in period, where you can find hidden problems: NFC doesn't work in transportation, code doesn't come from the bank, calendar doesn't sync, and if you don't have problems within 48 hours, you can format Huawei.
Formatting the old device is necessary to protect personal data. Simply delete files is not enough - use the Reset feature in the recovery menu, after which the device will be ready to sell or transfer to relatives.