Changing a smartphone, especially moving between devices of different ecosystems, is often perceived as a stressful situation. The user is afraid of losing important photos, correspondence, or settings of the familiar interface. However, modern technologies have made the migration process as simple and automated as possible. Switching from Huawei to Samsung is one of the most common scenarios for changing a device in the CIS market, and there are several reliable solutions for it.
The main difficulty when transferring data from Huawei to Android devices of other brands is often related with the lack of Google services on older models of the Chinese manufacturer. However, the Android file system structure remains the same, allowing for universal use of tools. In this article, we will look at both software methods from the manufacturer itself Samsungand cloud solutions that guarantee the safety of your digital archive.
Regardless of the model of your old phone, be it a flagship series P or a budget one Y, the algorithm of actions will be similar. The main thing is to properly prepare both devices for transmitting information. Below we will look at each stage in detail, paying attention to the nuances of transferring specific data, such as call history and SMS messages, which often cause difficulties for users.
Preparing devices for synchronization
Before starting any transfer procedure, it is critical to make sure that both smartphones are ready for use. Battery charge is key: copying large amounts of data can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours. Make sure that the charge level on both devices is at least 50-60%, or even better, connect them to power sources directly.
The second important aspect is to free up space on the target device. The new Samsung must have sufficient free memory to receive all files from the old Huawei. Check the available space in your storage settings. It is also recommended to update the software on both gadgets to the latest available version to eliminate transmission protocol compatibility errors.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting the migration, it is strongly recommended to back up important data on the old device manually or to the cloud. Although the migration processes are secure, any communication failure or low battery may interrupt the operation, resulting in partial loss of information.
Don't forget to also check your security settings. Both phones should have power-saving modes turned off, which can interrupt the Wi-Fi connection or throttle the processor while transferring files. This is especially true for older models Huaweiwhere aggressive battery settings can block background processes.
☑️ Preparing to transfer data
Using the Samsung Smart Switch application
The most effective and preferred method of migration is to use a proprietary utility Smart Switch. This application is designed specifically for equipment owners Samsung and supports receiving data from almost any Android smartphone, including Huawei. It allows you to transfer contacts, messages, photos, videos, music, documents and even some system settings.
The process begins with installing the application. On a new one Samsung the app is usually preinstalled in the folder Samsung or available in the settings menu upon first launch. On the old Huawei you need to download Smart Switch Mobile from the store Google Play or AppGallery. After installation, launch the application on both devices.
Next, you need to select the role of each device in the process. On the phone Huawei press the button Send data, and on Samsung select Receive data. The system will prompt you to select the connection type. For maximum speed, it is recommended to use a cable USB-C (often included with new Samsung) or create a wireless connection via Wi-Fi Direct.
- 📲 Wireless method: Convenient, no cables needed, but the speed depends on the quality of the signal and the amount of data.
- 🔌 Cable connection: The fastest and most stable option, ideal for transferring tens of gigabytes of photos and videos.
- 🔄 Selective transfer: The application allows you to tick only those types of data that you really need.
After the connection is established Smart Switch scans the contents of the old phone. You will see a list of data categories indicating their volume. Here you can deselect unnecessary files, such as downloaded application installation packages or duplicate media files. Click the button Transfer and wait for the process to complete. It is not recommended to interrupt it.
If the wireless connection keeps dropping, try rebooting both phones and disabling VPN or proxy servers if they are active.
Migration through Google cloud services
If using cables or direct connection is difficult, an ecosystem would be an excellent alternative method Google. Since Samsung works on “pure” Android with a full set of Google services, and modern Huawei (released after 2019) also support them, this method is universal. Even on older models without Google services, you can use the browser version.
The main tool here is a Google account. On the old Huawei go to settings and find the section Accounts and synchronization. Add your Google account if you haven't already, and force your contacts, calendar, and app data to sync. For photos and videos, it is best to use the application Google Photos, turning on the “Auto upload and synchronization” function.
After all the data is uploaded to the cloud, take a new one Samsung. When you first turn it on or in your accounts settings, sign in to the same Google profile. The system will automatically offer to restore data from a backup copy. Contacts and calendar events will appear in the corresponding applications instantly, and photos will begin to be loaded as needed or in the background.
| Data type | Synchronization method | Recovery speed | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact | Google Contacts | Instantly | Internet |
| Photo/Video | Google Photos | Depends on traffic | Wi-Fi is desirable |
| Applications | Google Play Market | Average | Memory space |
| Documents | Google Drive | High | Appendix Files |
It is important to note that it is impossible to transfer SMS messages and call logs through Google using standard means without using third-party utilities at the stage of creating a backup. For these purposes, there are special applications in the Play Market that create a backup copy of calls and upload it to disk, but this requires additional steps.
What to do if Huawei does not have Google services?
On older Huawei models without GMS, you can use the web version of Google Photos through a browser to upload pictures, and export contacts to a .vcf file and import them on a new device.
Manual transfer of files via computer
When automatic methods fail or you need to transfer specific files from hidden folders, the “old-fashioned” method using a PC comes to the rescue. This method gives the user complete control over which files will be moved, and allows you to audit digital junk before downloading it to a new phone.
Connect the old one Huawei to the computer via a USB cable. On the phone screen, select the file transfer mode (MTP). Open Explorer on your PC, find the device and copy the folders DCIM (photo from camera), Pictures, Download and Music to your hard drive. Then disconnect the old phone and connect the new one Samsung.
Copy the saved folders from the computer to the internal memory or memory card of the new smartphone. The folder structure on Android is universal, so the gallery Samsung automatically recognizes the images in the folder DCIM. This method is especially good for transferring heavy video files that take a long time to load over the cloud or wireless network.
⚠️ Attention: When copying folders manually, do not transfer system files or folders with names like Android/data from your old device. This may cause conflicts in the operation of applications on the new phone due to differences in operating system versions.
The advantage of this method is its reliability. A cable connection to a PC virtually eliminates the risk of connection loss, unlike wireless protocols. In addition, you can immediately sort files on your computer, deleting duplicates or bad pictures, thereby saving space on your new device.
Transferring SMS messages and call logs
One of the most painful topics when changing a phone is the loss of the history of correspondence and calls. Standard Android tools often do not allow you to transfer SMS between devices from different manufacturers without third-party software. However, the application Smart Switch from Samsung successfully copes with this task if both devices are on the same network.
If you use the method with a Google account, then to transfer SMS you will need to install an application like Huawei on the old one data-i="149">. Create a backup copy of your messages and upload the backup file to SMS Backup & Restore. Create a backup copy of your messages and upload the backup file to Google Drive. On the new one Samsung install the same application, log into your account and restore data from the cloud.
For call logs the situation is similar. The application Smart Switch has a separate item for selecting call history. Just make sure the checkbox is in the right place before you start transferring. After the process is completed, all missed and completed calls will be displayed in the standard Phone application on Samsung with dates and times saved.
- 💬 Messengers: WhatsApp and Telegram history is not transferred through Smart Switch automatically.
- ☁️ WhatsApp: Use the built-in the “Backup” function in the WhatsApp settings on Huawei (to Google Drive).
- 🔐 Telegram: All data is stored in the cloud, you just need to log in to your account on the new device.
It is important to understand that for WhatsApp backup to Google Drive to work on the old one Huawei Google services must be installed. If they are not there, you will have to use the local backup function, transfer the database file via PC to a folder WhatsApp/Databases on the new phone and then perform a restore when installing the application.
To completely transfer the history of instant messengers, it is not enough to simply copy the files - you must use the built-in backup functions inside the applications themselves.
Possible problems and their solution
Despite the streamlined processes, users may encounter a number of difficulties. A common problem is a connection error when using Smart Switch. This may be caused by an outdated version of the application on one of the devices or a Wi-Fi network conflict. The solution is simple: update the software and try rebooting the router or using the access point of one of the phones.
Another common scenario is the process freezing at a certain percentage. This usually happens when transferring a large number of small files or corrupted images. In this case, try transferring selectively: first contacts and messages, then photos, and finally videos and music. Splitting the task helps to bypass problematic files.
⚠️ Attention: Application interfaces and menu item names may differ slightly depending on the version of the One UI shell on Samsung and EMUI/HarmonyOS on Huawei. If you do not find the described button, use the search in your phone settings.
It is also worth mentioning the problem with displaying contacts. After migration, users sometimes see duplicate entries. This happens if the contacts were saved on the SIM card, in the phone memory, and in the Google account at the same time. In Samsung in the Contacts application there is a function “Manage contacts” → “Merge duplicates”, which will quickly solve this problem.
Why are applications not transferred?
Applications are not transferred directly as files. Smart Switch downloads them again from the Google Play store on the new device, using the list of installed apps from the old phone as referência.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to transfer data if there are no Google services on Huawei?
Yes, it is possible. Use a cable connection through the app Smart Switch. It works at the file system level and does not require authorization in a Google account to transfer basic data (photos, contacts, SMS). For applications, you will have to install them manually.
Will the data on the old phone be erased after the transfer?
No, the transfer process works in copy mode. All your files, contacts and settings will remain Huawei unchanged. You can safely sell or give away your old device after manually resetting it to factory settings.
How to transfer keyboard layout and dictionaries?
Unfortunately, user dictionaries and keyboard settings are rarely transferred automatically. It is recommended to enable syncing in your keyboard settings (such as Gboard or SwiftKey) through the keyboard developer's cloud account before moving to a new phone.
How long does it take to transfer 100 GB of data?
Time depends on the method. Using a USB-C cable, the process will take approximately 20-40 minutes. When using a Wi-Fi connection, this can take up to 1.5-2 hours. Through cloud services, the time will depend on the speed of your Internet channel.
Do you need to insert a SIM card into the new phone before transferring?
Not necessary, but advisable. Some verification functions in instant messengers and banking applications require a SIM card in the device to receive an SMS code. It is better to rearrange the SIM card Samsung before setting up and migrating data.