Changing a smartphone, especially to branded devices Huawei or Honor, often causes justified concern among users about saving personal information. Nobody wants to lose precious photos, contacts of work partners, or the history of correspondence in instant messengers when switching to a new device. Fortunately, modern technologies allow you to complete this procedure as quickly as possible and without losses, if you know the correct algorithm of actions.
The migration process depends on the version of the operating system and the presence of Google services on the receiving device, since new Huawei models are based on HMS (Huawei Mobile Services). In this article, we will analyze in detail all the available methods, from built-in utilities to cloud storage, so that you can choose the most suitable option for your situation.
You should not be afraid of complex technical terms, because the manufacturers have tried to make the interface as friendly as possible. Proper preparation of both gadgets is already 90% of success, the rest will only take a few minutes of your time. Let's look at the main methods that guarantee the safety of your digital assets.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before starting any copying procedure, it is necessary to perform a number of preparatory steps, which are often ignored by users, which leads to errors in the process. First of all, make sure that both devices, old and new, have a battery charge of at least 50-60%, since actively transferring large amounts of data can significantly consume energy.
It is also critical to check the availability of free space on the target device Honor or Huawei. The amount of available memory must be greater than the size of the data being transferred, otherwise the process will abort midway. It is recommended to delete unnecessary files in advance or temporarily transfer them to your computer to free up space.
⚠️ Attention: If you plan to use Wi-Fi for transfer, make sure that both devices are connected to the same network, or that the new smartphone has the function of creating a hotspot for direct connection enabled.
Remember to check for system updates on both devices, since older versions of the software may contain bugs that interfere with the stable operation of the transfer tools. Manufacturers often release patches that improve compatibility with different versions Android, which is especially important when switching from devices of other brands.
☑️ Preparation checklist
Using the Phone Clone application
The most effective and official way to transfer information is to use a proprietary application Phone Clonedeveloped specifically for the Huawei and Honor ecosystem. This utility allows you to transfer contacts, messages, images, videos, music, documents and even system settings, including the location of icons on the desktop.
The process begins by installing the application on both devices. On new smartphones Huawei i Honor it is often preinstalled in the "Tools" folder, and on older Android smartphones it must be downloaded from Google Play or the official website. After launching the application, the “This is a new device” role is selected on the new phone, and “This is an old device” on the old phone.
Next, the system will offer to scan the QR code that will appear on the screen of the new gadget. After scanning, the devices will create a direct Wi-Fi connection that does not require an Internet connection, which ensures high transfer speeds and data security. You can select specific types of files to transfer or copy everything at once.
- 📱 Supports transferring contacts, call logs and SMS messages.
- 🖼️ Copies photos, videos and audio recordings in original quality.
- ⚙️ Transfers system settings and desktop layout table.
- 🔒 Works through a local Wi-Fi connection without using traffic.
It is important to note that the application Phone Clone does not transfer the applications themselves, but only their shortcuts and some data, if Android security settings allow it. To completely migrate apps, you will have to download them again from AppGallery or Petal Search, but your logins and progress in games will be saved if you used cloud accounts.
What to do if Phone Clone does not see the device?
Make sure that Bluetooth and GPS are turned on on both devices. Also try turning off mobile data on your old phone, leaving only Wi-Fi. Sometimes restarting the application on both devices and scanning the QR code again helps.
Transfer via Google Account
The traditional method of syncing through a Google Account remains one of the most reliable ways to transfer basic data such as contacts, calendar and notes. Since new devices Huawei and Honor (released after May 2019) do not have licensed Google services, this method only works for data that is stored in the search giant's cloud, and not in system settings.
First, log into your Google account on your old device and make sure that synchronization is enabled for all necessary items. This is usually done through the menu Settings → Accounts → Google, where you need to activate the switches next to contacts, calendar and other data.
On a new smartphone Honor or Huawei during the initial setup or through the accounts menu you need to log in to the same Google profile. The system will automatically offer to sync data, and in a few minutes your contacts and calendar events will appear in the appropriate applications.
| Data type | Google Sync | Local copy |
|---|---|---|
| Contact | Automatic | Required export |
| Photos | Via Google Photos | Via USB/Bluetooth |
| SMS messages | Not supported | Via Phone Clone |
| Wi-Fi passwords | Via backup | Via Phone Clone |
It is worth remembering that this method is not suitable for transferring large multimedia files if you do not have a plan with a large amount of cloud storage. For photos and videos, it is better to use separate tools or manual copying so as not to overfill cloud quotas.
Use Google Contacts as your main number storage. Then, if you lose or change your phone, you just need to log into your account to restore your entire phone book in seconds.
Working with cloud storage Huawei Cloud and Google Photos
For users who value automation and security, cloud services offer an excellent solution. Huawei Cloud deeply integrated into the EMUI and Magic UI shell, allowing you to create full system backups that can be deployed to a new device when you log in Huawei ID.
If you are switching from another Android smartphone, first install the application Support or enter the Huawei ID settings on the old device (if possible) or use the web version of the cloud to upload photos and files. On a new device, just log in to your Huawei ID, and the data will begin to be pulled up automatically.
An alternative is Google Photos, which allows you to store an unlimited (in compressed quality) or limited (in the original) number of pictures. By installing the application on a new phone, you will have access to your entire media library without the need to physically transfer files.
⚠️ Attention: When using cloud services, pay attention to tariff plans. Free space of 5 GB may not be enough for a full backup of the system, so check the available limit in advance.
Particular attention should be paid to synchronizing voice recordings and screenshots, which are often left out of standard procedures. In the cloud service settings Huawei you can manually enable synchronization for the gallery, voice recorder and other system applications, ensuring complete data safety.
Manual transfer of media and files
Sometimes automatic systems fail or the user wants to control every move byte. In such cases, the classic method of connecting via a USB cable to a computer comes to the rescue. Having connected the old smartphone to the PC, select the file transfer mode MTP in notifications.
Copy the folders DCIM (photos and videos from the camera), Pictures, Download and Music to the computer’s hard drive. Then connect your new smartphone Honor or Huawei and move these folders to the appropriate directories in the internal memory or to a microSD card.
This method is especially useful for transferring files of specific formats or large archives that may not be processed correctly by wireless protocols. In addition, it allows you to structure files on a new device, removing garbage before downloading to a new phone.
- 💾 A reliable way to transfer files larger than 10 GB.
- 📂 Allows you to sort files into folders during the copying process.
- 🔌 Does not depend on Wi-Fi speed router and interference on the air.
After copying, do not forget to check the integrity of the files by opening several random photos or documents on the new device. This will help ensure that the process went through without errors and the data was not damaged.
Manual copying via PC is the slowest, but most controlled method, ideal for transferring large archives and videos to 4K.
Migration of messenger data: WhatsApp and Telegram
The transfer of correspondence history to messengers, as they often store data locally. For WhatsApp Android there is a built-in backup function to Google Drive. On the old phone, go to Settings → Chats → Backup and click "Create".
On the new device, install WhatsApp, enter the same phone number and, when prompted, restore the history from the Google Drive backup. It is important to use the same Google account, otherwise the application will not see the saved data.
Messenger Telegram works differently: the entire correspondence history is stored in the messenger server cloud. You just need to install the application on a new smartphone Huawei or Honor, enter your phone number, and all chats (except secret ones) will appear automatically.
⚠️ Attention: Secret chats in Telegram are tied to a specific device and are not transferred. If you need to save them, use the data export function through the desktop version of the application before resetting the old phone.
For other instant messengers, such as Viber or Signal, the procedure is similar to WhatsApp: you need to create a local or cloud backup on the old device and restore it the first time you log in to the new one. Make sure that the new phone has the same SIM card number that was used for registration.
What to do with two-factor authentication?
Unlink the old device in advance from the list of trusted accounts in the security settings (Google, social networks), so that when logging in on the new phone, the code from the old gadget is not required.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to transfer data if the new Huawei does not have Google services?
Yes, you can. Google Services (GMS) does not affect the process of transferring personal files, contacts and photos. The Phone Clone application works regardless of the presence of Google services. However, applications based on GMS may not work or require additional settings.
How long does it take to transfer 100 GB of data?
The time depends on the speed of Wi-Fi modules and the number of small files. On average, when using Phone Clone over a direct connection, the speed is 30-50 MB/s. Thus, 100 GB of data can be transferred from 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Will data be lost from the old phone after the transfer?
No, the transfer process is a copy, not a move. All data will remain on the old device. However, for security, it is recommended not to reset your old phone to factory settings until you are completely sure that the new one is working.
How to transfer Wi-Fi passwords to a new Honor?
When using the Phone Clone application and selecting the "System Settings" option, passwords from known Wi-Fi networks will be automatically transferred to the new device. You won't have to enter them again.
Do you need the Internet for Phone Clone to work?
No, the Internet is not needed. The application creates a local wireless network between two phones. Traffic is not consumed, and the transfer speed is limited only by the capabilities of the Wi-Fi modules of smartphones.