Moving to a new smartphone Honor is always an exciting event, but the procedure for migrating personal information often raises questions. Modern Android ecosystems offer many tools to automate this process, saving the user from manually copying files. However, given the features of the latest models Honorworking without Google services or with their own shells, it is important to choose the right transfer method.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods: from the built-in application Phone Clone to using cloud storage and a wired connection. You'll learn how to save your folder structure, transfer Wi-Fi settings, and even restore the layout of your desktop icons. A competent approach to this step will save you hours of time and stress when initially setting up your device.
Preparing devices before starting migration
Before running any migration tool, you need to make sure that both smartphones are ready to go. Charge both devices to at least 60-70%, as the process of actively transferring data via Wi-Fi Direct or via cable consumes a significant amount of energy. It is recommended to connect the old phone and the new one Honor to power sources for the duration of the entire operation to avoid sudden shutdown.
Free up space on the target device. Although a new phone is usually empty, check if there is enough internal memory to accommodate all your photos, videos and installed apps. If you plan to transfer a huge archive of media files, you may want to delete unnecessary content from your old device in advance or buy an additional memory card microSD.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are turned on on both devices, even if you are using a cable. Some system services use these modules to shake hands and establish the initial connection between gadgets.
Also perform a basic cache clear on your old smartphone. This will speed up the process of scanning files with the transfer app. Go to Settings → Memory and clear temporary files that are not valuable. This action will not delete your personal data, but will optimize the system before migration.
☑️ Checklist for preparing for migration
Using the Phone Clone application for wireless transfer
The most effective and recommended way is to use a proprietary utilities Phone Clone. This application comes pre-installed on most smartphones Honor and is available for download in the app store for other Android brands. It creates a direct, secure connection between devices without wasting mobile data.
Run the app on both phones. On the new Honor select the role “This is a new phone”, and on the old device - “This is an old phone”. The system will offer to scan a QR code, which will be displayed on the screen of the new device. After scanning, the devices will connect directly via the local Wi-Fi network.
The app interface allows you to flexibly select categories of data to copy. You can check off only the items you need, such as contacts, messages, call log, or system settings. For a complete clone of the user experience, select all available options, including images and audio files.
- 📱 Contacts and messages are instantly integrated into the corresponding applications of the new phone.
- 📸 Photos and videos are saved in original quality in the gallery Honor.
- ⚙️ System settings, including wallpaper and location widgets can be played automatically.
- 📲 A list of installed applications will be generated, but the apps themselves will need to be downloaded from the store.
If you have a very large amount of data (more than 50 GB), the process may take up to 2 hours. Don't block your phone screens and keep them close to each other for a stable signal.
Data migration via Google account and cloud services
If your wireless connection is unstable or you prefer the classic approach, use Google backup. This method is ideal for saving contacts, calendar, and application settings. Log in to your Google account on your old device and go to Settings → Google → Backup Make sure the Google Drive Backup switch is enabled and click the Start Backup button. The system will save a list of installed applications, Wi-Fi passwords and some system settings to the cloud. This process may take time depending on the Internet speed. Settings → Google → Backup.
Make sure the Google Drive Backup switch is enabled and click the Start Backup button. The system will save a list of installed applications, Wi-Fi passwords and some system settings to the cloud. This process may take time depending on your internet speed.
On the new smartphone Honor during the initial setup (or after resetting in the settings menu), sign in to the same Google account. The system will offer to restore data from the last saved copy. Select the desired backup by creation date and confirm the restoration.
⚠️ Attention: This method does not transfer the photo and video files themselves unless they are uploaded to Google Photos. For media files, you must use separate synchronization or other methods described in the article.
It is important to understand the difference between synchronization and full backup. Synchronization updates data in real time, while backup is a snapshot of the system state at a specific moment. For a reliable move, it is better to perform a forced backup immediately before changing the device.
Wired connection: USB-C cable and adapters
For those who value speed and reliability, the wired method remains the “gold standard”. Connecting two smartphones with a USB-C to USB-C cable (or via an OTG adapter) ensures maximum transfer speed, free from radio interference. Modern versions of Android and shell MagicOS from Honor support this protocol out of the box.
Connect both devices with a cable. On the screen of your old phone you may see a request for file transfer mode (MTP) or a special request to trust this computer/device - confirm it. On the new one, the migration wizard will automatically start, which will determine the data source. Honor The migration wizard will automatically launch and determine the data source.
This method is especially good for transferring “heavy” files, such as 4K movies or full messenger backups. The transfer speed is limited only by the recording speed of the internal memory, which is much faster than any Wi-Fi connection.
| Connection method | Transfer speed | Stability | Setting up complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi Direct (Phone Clone) | High (up to 40 MB/s) | Average | Low |
| USB-C cable | Very high (up to 480 MB/s) | High | Medium (requires cable) |
| Google Drive | Depends on the Internet | High | Low |
| Bluetooth | Low | Medium | Low |
If you do not have a Type-C to Type-C cable, you can use a regular charging cable and an OTG adapter. Connect the cable to the old phone, and through the adapter to the new one. The system will recognize the connection as external storage and offer to import data.
Transferring instant messenger data: WhatsApp and Telegram
Messengers often store correspondence history locally or in their own clouds, ignoring Android system backups. To WhatsApp you need to create a backup copy of chats inside the application itself before transferring. Go to Settings → Chats → Chat backup and click “Backup”.
When using the method Phone Clone, WhatsApp history is often transferred automatically along with the application itself. However, to be 100% sure, after installing WhatsApp on a new one Honor and logging into your account, agree to restore from the found backup copy (Google Drive or local).
C Telegram the situation is simpler: the entire correspondence history is stored on the messenger servers. You just need to install the application and log in using your phone number. All chats, channels and media (except for secret chats) will be loaded automatically.
What to do with Telegram secret chats?
Secret chats are tied to a specific device and are not transferred to a new phone. You will have to create them again with your interlocutors, since the encryption keys are stored only in the memory of the old smartphone.
For Viber you also need to create a local backup in the application settings before changing the device. When you first launch it on a new phone, Viber will detect a backup file and offer to restore your message history and media files.
Solving problems and common errors when copying
Sometimes the transfer process may be interrupted or fail. The most common reason is a broken Wi-Fi Direct connection. If this happens, don't panic. Just restart the application Phone Clone on both devices and try connecting again. The app usually remembers your progress and allows you to continue where you left off.
Another common problem is lack of space. If the new phone becomes full in the process, the transfer will stop. In this case, free up space by deleting pre-installed applications that you do not plan to use, or transfer some of the data to a memory card.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to interrupt the copying process by removing the SIM card or forcefully rebooting the phone. This may damage your contacts database or cause your gallery to not work properly.
If some applications are not installed automatically, check their compatibility. Some older versions of apps may not be supported by the new version of Android on your Honor. In this case, find the current version in the store AppGallery or Google Play.
If the transfer of large files fails, try breaking the process into stages: first transfer contacts and settings, and then copy photos and videos separately.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will passwords from Wi-Fi networks be transferred to the new Honor?
Yes, if you use the Phone Clone application or restore data from a Google account, the list of saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords for them will be transferred. You won't have to enter them again when connecting to your home network.
Is it possible to transfer data if the screen on your old phone is broken?
If the sensor does not work, but there is an image, try connecting a USB mouse via an OTG adapter for control. If the screen is completely black, you will need to connect to your computer and use USB debugging, if it was enabled previously, or remove the memory card.
Is it safe to transfer banking applications through Phone Clone?
The application only transfers the shortcut and cache data, but not authorization. For security purposes, banking apps on a new device will require you to log in again, enter your password, and confirm via SMS or biometrics. This is a standard procedure for protecting funds.
What to do if contacts are displayed as duplicates after transfer?
Go to the “Contacts” application on Honor, open the control menu and select the “Merge duplicates” function. The system will automatically find duplicate entries and offer to merge them into one card with complete information.
How long does it take to transfer 100 GB of data?
When using a USB-C cable, the process will take about 15-20 minutes. Via Wi-Fi Direct (Phone Clone) this can take from 40 minutes to 1 hour depending on the number of small files and the speed of the wireless module.