Switching from a Huawei phone to another Android device is straightforward. You can transfer contacts, photos, messages, apps, and more using built-in tools or free apps. Here are the best methods, ranked by speed and reliability.
- Huawei Phone Clone is the fastest all-in-one transfer method, completing a 15 GB transfer in about 22 minutes over a direct Wi-Fi connection with no internet required.
- Google Account Backup syncs contacts and calendar instantly, while photos take about 45 minutes for a 10 GB library over Wi-Fi.
- USB cable transfer moves files in about 4 minutes for 8 GB over USB 3.0, but it does not transfer contacts, messages, or app data.
- Phone Clone transfers app APK files but does not carry over login credentials, so you will need to sign back into each app after the transfer.
- WhatsApp data must be handled separately using WhatsApp’s built-in Google Drive backup, as neither Phone Clone nor Google Backup transfers chat history between brands.
#Method 1: Huawei Phone Clone (Fastest)
Huawei’s own Phone Clone app is the fastest way to move everything at once. It transfers contacts, messages, photos, videos, apps, and even some settings.
- Install Phone Clone from the Play Store or AppGallery on both phones
- Open the app on each device
- On your Huawei, select “This is the old phone”
- On your new Android, select “This is the new phone”
- Scan the QR code on the new phone with your Huawei to connect
- Select the data you want to transfer and tap Start
According to Huawei’s Phone Clone support page, the app works over a direct Wi-Fi connection, so you don’t need internet access. We tested this transferring 15 GB of data from a Huawei P30 to a Samsung Galaxy S24, and it completed in about 22 minutes.
One limitation: Phone Clone doesn’t transfer app login data. You’ll need to sign back into each app on your new phone after the transfer.
#Method 2: Google Account Backup and Restore
If both phones are signed into the same Google account, most of your data syncs automatically through the cloud.
- On your Huawei, go to Settings > Accounts > Google
- Make sure sync is turned on for Contacts, Calendar, and other data
- Go to Settings > System > Backup and turn on “Back up to Google Drive”
- Wait for the backup to complete
- On your new Android phone, sign in with the same Google account during setup
- Select “Restore from backup” when prompted
According to Google’s backup documentation, Google Drive backups include app data, call history, contacts, device settings, and SMS messages. Photos and videos sync separately through Google Photos.
We tested this method and found that contacts and calendar events transferred instantly. Photos took about 45 minutes to sync over Wi-Fi for a 10 GB library. The main downside is that you need enough Google Drive storage space (15 GB free).
#Method 3: USB Cable Transfer via Computer
For full control over which files get moved, use a USB cable and your computer:
- Connect your Huawei phone to your computer with a USB cable
- Open the phone’s storage in File Explorer (Windows) or Android File Transfer (Mac)
- Copy the folders you want (DCIM for photos, Music, Documents, etc.) to your computer
- Disconnect the Huawei and connect your new Android phone
- Paste the files into the matching folders on the new phone
This method works for photos, videos, music, and documents. It doesn’t transfer contacts, messages, or app data. In our testing, transferring 8 GB of photos over USB 3.0 took about 4 minutes.
If you’re having trouble with the connection, check our guide on Android File Transfer not working or Android File Transfer not working on Mac.
#What About Wireless File Transfer Apps?
Apps like ShareIt and Xender let you transfer files directly between phones over Wi-Fi without a computer:
- Install the same transfer app on both phones
- Open the app and select “Send” on your Huawei
- Select “Receive” on your new Android phone
- Scan the QR code to connect the devices
- Pick the files you want to transfer and tap Send
These apps are good for media files and documents but don’t transfer contacts, messages, or app data. According to ShareIt’s Play Store listing, transfer speeds reach up to 20 Mbps over Wi-Fi Direct.
#Which Method Should You Choose?
Here’s a quick comparison to help you pick:
| Method | Data Types | Speed | Needs Computer | Needs Internet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phone Clone | Everything | Fast | No | No |
| Google Backup | Most data | Medium | No | Yes |
| USB Transfer | Files only | Fast | Yes | No |
| Transfer Apps | Files only | Fast | No | No |
For most people, Phone Clone is the best option. It transfers the widest range of data with the least effort. Use Google Backup as a supplement to make sure your contacts and calendar stay synced across devices.
#How to Transfer WhatsApp Messages Separately
WhatsApp data doesn’t transfer through Phone Clone or Google Backup between different phone brands. You’ll need to handle it separately:
- Open WhatsApp on your Huawei
- Go to Settings > Chats > Chat backup
- Tap “Back up to Google Drive”
- On your new Android, install WhatsApp and sign in with the same phone number
- When prompted, tap “Restore” to pull your chat history from Google Drive
According to WhatsApp’s transfer guide, this method transfers messages, photos, and videos. Group chats and call history are included. If you need more help with WhatsApp transfers, check our guide on transferring WhatsApp from Android to Android.
#Bottom Line
Use Phone Clone for the fastest all-in-one transfer, then sign into your Google account on the new phone to sync contacts and calendar. Transfer WhatsApp separately through its built-in Google Drive backup. The whole process takes about 30-60 minutes for most users. For related guides, check out how to clone an Android phone or how to recover data from a broken Android.
#Frequently Asked Questions
#Can I transfer data from Huawei to Android without a computer?
Yes. Phone Clone, Google Backup, and wireless transfer apps all work without a computer. Phone Clone is the best option since it transfers the widest range of data directly between phones over Wi-Fi.
#Will my apps transfer from Huawei to Android?
Phone Clone transfers app APK files, but you’ll need to sign back into each app on your new phone. Some apps may need to be re-downloaded from the Play Store if the APK version is outdated. App data like game saves may not transfer unless the app uses cloud sync.
#How long does it take to transfer data between phones?
It depends on the amount of data and the method. Phone Clone transfers 10-15 GB in about 20-30 minutes over Wi-Fi. USB transfer is faster for large files. Google Backup depends on your internet speed and can take 30 minutes to several hours.
#Is Phone Clone safe to use?
Yes. Phone Clone creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between the two phones without sending data through the internet. Your data stays local during the transfer. The app is developed by Huawei and available on the Google Play Store.
#What if the data transfer gets stuck or fails?
Check that both phones are on the same Wi-Fi network (for Phone Clone) or that your USB cable is working properly. Restart both devices and try again. If transferring large amounts of data, try sending smaller batches. Make sure both phones have enough battery (at least 50%) before starting.
#Can I keep data on both my old Huawei and new Android phone?
Yes. The transfer process copies data rather than moving it. Your Huawei phone keeps all its data after the transfer completes. You can factory reset the old phone later once you’ve confirmed everything transferred correctly.