How to transfer all data from Honor to Samsung: 5 proven methods

Moving from a phone Honor to Samsung Galaxy is not just a change of gadget, but a complete migration of digital life. Photos from the last 5 years, correspondence in instant messengers, saved passwords, application settings - all this needs to be transferred without loss. The main problem: manufacturers use different ecosystems. Huawei/Honor actively promotes their own services (Huawei Mobile Services), while Samsung is integrated with Google and has unique functions like Samsung Knox or Secure Folder.

Many users mistakenly think that it is enough to copy files to a flash drive or send them via messenger. In practice, this results in lost folder structure, duplicate contacts, or even corrupted media files. For example, photos from Honor Galleries may lose EXIF ​​data (metainformation about the date and location of shooting) if they are transferred via Telegram or email. In this article - 5 working methods data transfer taking into account the characteristics of both brands, including hidden nuances that are not written about in official instructions.

We will pay special attention to the transfer:

• 📱 Contacts and call logs (including linked accounts WeChat or VK)
• 📸 Photos and videos in original quality (without compression)
• 💬 Messages from SMS, WhatsApp, Viber and others messengers
• 🎮 Applications and games (including saves and authorization data)
• ⚙️ System settings (Wi-Fi passwords, wallpaper, sound profiles)

1. Preparing phones before transferring: what you must do

Data transfer is not only copying files, but also synchronization of ecosystemsbefore starting the process, you need to perform several critical steps to avoid. errors.

On the phone Honor:

• 🔋 Charge the battery up to minimum 50% —the transfer may take 1-2 hours with a large amount of data.
• 📶 Connect to stable Wi-Fi network (if you plan to use cloud services). mobile data is not suitable due to traffic restrictions.
• 🔑 Make sure that on your phone No blocking of USB debugging (the setting is hidden) in Settings → System → For developers). If there is no item, activate Developer modeby clicking 7 times on Number assembly in Settings → About phone.
• 🗑️ Clear the application cache (especially Galleries and Contacts) via Settings → Applications. This will speed up the data scanning process.

On phone Samsung Galaxy:

• 📥 Install the latest version Samsung Smart Switch from Galaxy Store (not from Google Play —there may be an outdated version).
• 🔄 Disable Automatic software update during the transfer (Settings → Software update → Automatic update). This will prevent system file conflicts.
• 🛡️ Temporarily disable Samsung Knox (if folder protection is enabled) via: Settings → Biometrics and security → Other security settings supported. In this case, use the method with Settings → Biometrics and security → Other security options.

⚠️ Attention: If on Honor firmware installed EMUI versions 12 and lower, transfer via Smart Switch may not be supported. In this case, use the method with Google Account or manual export.

2. Method 1: Transfer via Samsung Smart Switch (recommended)

Samsung Smart Switch is the official solution for migrating data between devices. It supports transfer almost all types of data, including:

• 📞 Contacts, call log, SMS/MMS
• 📷 Photos and videos (in original resolution)
• 🎵 Music, documents, downloads
• 📱 System settings (wallpaper, sounds, Wi-Fi passwords)
• 🎮 Some application data (for example, WhatsApp or Viber)

Step-by-step guide:

1. Open Smart Switch to Samsung and select Get data → Android.
2. Connect phones USB-C to USB-C cable (or via an adapter, if ports are different). Click original cable — cheap analogues may not transmit data.
3. On Honor You will be asked to allow data transfer. Click Allow and select Transfer.
4. T Smart Switch check the data types to be transferred. Do not uncheck with "Other data" - Wi-Fi settings and wallpaper are stored there.
5. Click Transfer and wait for completion. Do not interrupt the process, even if the screen goes dark (the transfer continues in the background).

The transfer speed depends on the volume data:

Data volume	Approximate transfer time	Recommendations
Up to 5 GB	10–20 minutes	Use cable
5–30 GB	30–60 minutes	Connect to charger
30–100 GB	1.5–3 hours	Carry at night or via PC
More than 100 GB	3+ hours	Split into parts or use the cloud

⚠️ Attention: If Smart Switch does not see the phone Honor, try connecting via Wi-Fi Direct. To do this, on Samsung select Wireless transfer, and on Honor activate Transfer data → Wireless transfer in the settings.

3. Method 2: Transfer via Google Account (for contacts, photos and applications)

This method is suitable if you have actively used services Google on Honor. The advantage is that the data is automatically synchronized with the new phone when you turn it on for the first time. However, there are limitations:

• ❌ Not transferred SMS and call logs (only through third-party applications).
• ❌ WhatsApp and other messengers require separate backup.
• ✅ But the following are transferred:
  • 📇 Contacts (including groups and tags)
  • 📅 Calendars and reminders
  • 📎 Notes from Google Keep
  • 🎮 Applications from Google Play (without data)
  • 📸 Photos and videos from Google Photos (if synchronization was enabled)

How move:

1. To Honor Open Settings → Accounts → Google and make sure that synchronization is enabled for all the necessary data.
2. Start forced synchronization by clicking on the three dots in the upper right corner and selecting Sync now.
3. On Samsung When you turn it on for the first time, select Copy data → From Android and enter the same Google Account.
4. Select data to restore and wait for completion.

To transfer photos in original quality:

• Open Google Photos to Honor.
• Go to Settings → Backup and sync.
• Select High quality (unlimited) or Original quality (if there is space in cloud).
• Wait for the download to complete (may take several hours if the volume is large).

⚠️ Attention: If there was enabled Honor was included data encryption (Settings → Security → Encryption), before transferring via Google Account it is necessary to decrypt the device. Otherwise, some files may not be copied.

What to do if Google Photos is not loading videos?

If videos are not loading in Google Photoscheck:

1. File format (MP4, MOV, AVI are supported).

2. File size (maximum 10 GB for free accounts).

3. Internet speed (4K videos require stable Wi-Fi).

If the problem persists, try downloading the video via a browser to a PC (photos.google.com).

4. Method 3: Transfer via OTG cable or computer (for large volumes)

If the data volume exceeds 50 GB, and the Internet speed leaves much to be desired, the best option is direct copying via PC or OTG adapter. This method guarantees the safety of the folder structure and metadata.

Option A: Via a computer (Windows/Mac)

1. Connect Honor to PC via USB cable. Select mode File transfer (MTP) on your phone.
2. Copy folders:
   • DCIM (photos and videos)
   • Downloads (downloads)
   • Pictures, Music, Documents
   • Android/data (application data, if needed)

Connect Samsung and paste the files into the appropriate folders.

Option B: Via OTG adapter (without PC)

• Buy OTG adapter from USB-C to USB-A (costs ~200–300 rubles).
• Connect to Samsung a flash drive or external SSD via an adapter.
• On Honor copy the data to the flash drive (via Explorer or Files).
• Connect the flash drive to Samsung and transfer the files back.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔹 It is saved original folder structure (important for photographs by date).
• 🔹 There are no volume restrictions (unlike cloud services).
• 🔹 You can selectively transfer only the necessary files.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Not transferred system settings and application data.
• ⚠️ Additional required equipment (cable, OTG, flash drive).

5. Method 4: Transferring messages from WhatsApp, Viber and Telegram

Messages from instant messengers are not transferred using standard methods. Each application needs a separate backup:

WhatsApp:

• 📌 On Honor open WhatsApp → ⋮ → Settings → Chat → Backup.
• 📌 Create a backup in Google Drive (requires linked Google Account).
• 📌 On Samsung install WhatsApp, log in to the same account and restore chats.

Viber:

• 📌 In Viber to Honor go to More → Settings → Account → Backup.
• 📌 Save the backup to Google Drive or to your phone memory.
• 📌 To Samsung after installation Viber select Restore from backup.

Telegram:

• 📌 In Telegram to Honor open Settings → Data and memory → Export chat history.
• 📌 Export chats in format .json (without media) or .zip (with media).
• 📌 Transfer the file to Samsung and import through the same settings section.

⚠️ Attention: Backups WhatsApp i Viber linked to a phone number. If you change your SIM card, first activate it on Samsungand then restore chats. Otherwise, the backup may not be able to catch up.

6. Method 5: Transferring applications and games while saving data

It’s easy to transfer the applications themselves - they will be restored from Google Play at the first login. But game and settings data (for example, progress in Genshin Impact or saving in PUBG Mobile) require special attention.

Option 1: Through game accounts

• 🎮 Most games (for example, Clash of Clans, Brawl Stars) are linked to Google Play Games or Facebook.
• 🎮 Before transferring, check in the game settings which account it is linked to.
• 🎮 On Samsung install the game, log into the same account - progress will be updated automatically.

Option 2: Through Titanum Backup (for root only)

• 🛠️ If there is Honor data-i="343">, install root access, install Titanium Backup.
• 🛠️ Create a backup of application data (Backups → Batch action → Backup all user applications).
• 🛠️ Transfer the backup to Samsung, get root and restore the data.

Option 3: Via Helium (without root)

• 🔄 Install Helium on both phone.
• 🔄 On Honor create a backup of the necessary applications.
• 🔄 Transfer the backup file to Samsung and restore.

Games with local saves:

• 🎮 For games without cloud synchronization (for example, Minecraft or Stardew Valley) copy the save folder manually:
• 📁 The path to the saves is usually: /Android/data/[game name]/files or /sdcard/games/[game name].
• 📁 Move the folder to Samsung to the same location.

⚠️ Attention: Some games (for example, Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail) block the transfer of saves between devices due to protection against cheating. In this case, the only way is to link to your account miHoYo or Google Play.

7. Checking the data after the transfer and eliminating errors

After the transfer is completed be sure to check:

• 🔍 Contacts: Open Contact to Samsung and make sure that all numbers are in place. If the contacts are duplicated, merge them through Manage contacts → Merge.
• 🔍 Photos and videos: Check that all media files open (sometimes videos in the format .mov may not play - install MX Player to support all codecs).
• 🔍 Messages: M WhatsApp/Viber make sure that the chat history is completely restored. If not, repeat restoring from the backup.
• 🔍 Wi-Fi: Connect to a familiar network - passwords should be updated automatically. If not, check whether synchronization is enabled in Google Account.

Typical errors and their solutions:

Problem	Cause	Solution
SMS was not transferred	Synchronization is not enabled Google	Use SMS Backup & Restore
Photo without date	The transfer method was not saved EXIF	Restore dates via EXIF Editor
Applications are not installed	Incompatibility with Android version	Update software on Samsung or download APK
WhatsApp does not restore chats	Another phone number or account	Login to the same account Google

If after the transfer the phone Samsung began to slow down:

• 🔄 Reboot the device.
• 🔄 Clear the cache via Settings → Device care → Memory → Clear cache.
• 🔄 Disable unnecessary background processes in Settings → Applications → ⋮ → Special access → Battery optimization.

8. Alternative methods: when standard methods do not work

If none of the above methods worked (for example, due to outdated firmware or damaged files), try alternative solutions:

1. Transfer through third-party applications

• 📲 Cloneit — copies contacts, SMS, photos and applications via Wi-Fi.
• 📲 Send Anywhere — transfers files of any size via a P2P connection.
• 📲 Xender — quick transfer without the Internet (via hotspot).

2. Transfer via ADB (for advanced users)

If you need to transfer system settings or application data that is not copied using standard methods:

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab
adb restore backup.ab

⚠️ This method requires USB debugging and may not work on new versions of Android due to security restrictions.

3. Contacting the service center

If the file system is damaged or the phone does not turn on, but the data is critical, contact the service. Specialists can retrieve data via Honor The file system is damaged or the phone does not turn on, but the data is critical - contact the service. Experts can retrieve data via chip-off (direct reading from the memory chip) or JTAG.

⚠️ Attention: Service center interfaces Huawei/Honor and Samsung are not compatible. If you are offered to “transfer data through proprietary software,” check whether cross-brand transfer is supported. Often this is simply copying files to a flash drive.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about transferring data from Honor to Samsung

❓ Is it possible to transfer data from Honor to Samsung without a computer?

Yes, there are several ways:

• Via Samsung Smart Switch via Wi-Fi.
• Via Google Account (contacts, photos, applications).
• Through instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) for individual files.
• Via OTG adapter and flash drive.

However, for larger volumes (50 GB+) it is more convenient to use a PC.

❓ Why does Smart Switch not see my Honor phone?

Possible reasons:

• Outdated version Smart Switch (update c Galaxy Store).
• On Honor is not enabled USB debugging.
• A non-original cable is used (try another one).
• EMUI versions below 10.0 (in this case, use Google Account).

Solution: try connecting via Wi-Fi Direct or use alternative methods.

❓ How to transfer browser passwords from Honor to Samsung?

If you have used Google Chrome:

1. Make sure that password synchronization is enabled in Honor Password synchronization is enabled in Google Account.
2. On Samsung log in to the same account - passwords will be updated automatically.

If you have used Huawei Browser:

1. Export passwords to a file via Browser Settings → Passwords → Export.
2. Import them to Samsung Internet or Chrome on the new phone.

❓ Will the wallpaper and screen settings be transferred from Honor to Samsung?

Partially. Through Smart Switch the following are transferred:

• 🖼️ Desktop wallpaper (if they were set as standard).
• 🔊 Notification and alarm sounds.

Not transferred:

• 🎨 Themes EMUI (they are incompatible with One UI).
• 📱 Navigation gestures (on Samsung your own gestures).
• 🔋 Battery settings (you will have to configure it again