Changing a smartphone is always stressful, especially when you need to move from one ecosystem to another. The transition from Honor to Xiaomi requires a careful approach, since brands have different shells and approaches to organizing the file system. The owner of the device must understand that simply inserting a SIM card will not be enough for full operation.
In modern realities, the process of migrating contacts, photos and application settings has become much simpler, but has its own nuances. This is especially true for Honor models released after the introduction of sanctions, where there is no Google Play Services. We will analyze all the methods, from automatic utilities to manual copying, so that you do not lose a single important file.
Do not be afraid of difficulties, since the engineers of both brands have provided standard transfer protocols. However, to avoid data loss or file duplication, you must strictly follow the algorithm of actions. Below we will describe in detail each stage of preparation and execution of the procedure.
Preparing devices before starting migration
Before launching any software tool, you must perform basic preparation of both smartphones. Ignoring this step often results in connection errors or the process being interrupted midway. Make sure that both devices are charged at least 50-60%, since active data transfer via Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth significantly consumes energy.
Check the free space on the new phone Xiaomi. It should exceed the amount of data occupied on the old one Honor by at least 10-15%. This will allow the system to correctly unpack archives and create temporary files without the risk of memory overflow.
It is also critical to update the operating system on both gadgets to the latest available version. Old firmware versions may contain bugs that interfere with a stable connection using transmission protocols.
☑️ Preparation checklist
Do not forget that the interfaces Magic UI (or EMUI) and MIUI (HyperOS) may differ visually. Paths to settings sometimes change depending on the shell version. If you cannot find the item you need, use the search in the settings menu.
⚠️ Attention: If Google services are not installed on your Honor, take care in advance to back up passwords and application data that depend on GMS, since on Xiaomi they will work in standard mode.
Using the Mi Mover application for automatic transfer
The most effective and “native” way for owners Xiaomi, Redmi i POCO is the official utility Mi Mover. It is pre-installed on most new devices of the brand, but if it is not there, the application can be easily downloaded from the store GetApps or installed via an APK file. The app will also need to be installed on the device first. Honor The app will also need to be installed first.
The startup process is as follows: on the new phone, select the “Recipient” role, and on the old one, “Sender”. The application will create a local Wi-Fi network to which you need to connect. The transmission speed with this method is much higher than via Bluetooth or cloud services.
After connecting, the system will prompt you to select the types of data to copy. You can transfer contacts, messages, call history, photos, videos, music and even installed applications. However, it is worth considering that the settings of system applications may not be copied due to differences in the shell code.
- 🚀 High data transfer speeds thanks to the use of Wi-Fi Direct.
- 📱 The ability to transfer not only multimedia, but also the applications themselves (APK).
- 🔒 A local connection ensures that your the data will not go to the cloud of third parties.
It is important to understand that Mi Mover the names of some Honor system applications may not be displayed correctly. This is normal, as the internal structure of the packages varies. The main body of user files is usually transferred without loss.
If the process is stuck at a certain percentage, do not rush to interrupt the connection. Often the system simply processes large files or system databases, which takes time.
Synchronization via Google Account and cloud services
For users who actively used the Google ecosystem on their Honor (especially older models with a GMS license), the easiest way would be cloud synchronization. When setting up for the first time Xiaomi just enter the same Gmail address, and contacts, calendar and notes will be pulled up automatically.
For photos and videos it is best to use Google Photos. Enable Backup and Sync on your old device and wait for the process to complete. On a new phone, just open the application, and the entire media library will be available in original quality (or in space-saving mode).
If you are moving from a new Honor without Google services, the situation becomes more complicated. In this case, you should use the manufacturer's cloud Honor Cloud or third-party solutions like Yandex.Disk or Dropbox. Files are uploaded to the cloud on the old phone and downloaded on the new one.
| Data type | Google method | Mi Cloud method | Manual method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact | Automatic | Via import.vcf | Export to SIM/memory |
| Photo/Video | Google Photos | Mi Gallery | Copying folders |
| Applications | Play Market | Not supported | APK installation |
| Wi-Fi passwords | Via account | Not transferred | Manual entry |
| Speed | Depends on the Internet | Depends on the Internet | Maximum (USB/PC) |
The use of cloud technologies is convenient because the data is saved even in the event of physical loss or breakdown of one of the devices. However, to initially fill your phone with gigabytes of “heavy” content, it is better to use local methods so as not to waste mobile traffic.
⚠️ Attention: When synchronizing via Google, make sure that two-factor authentication is enabled on the new device to avoid account blocking when logging in from a new IP address and device.
Manual copying via a computer and USB cable
The most reliable, although more labor-intensive method is using a computer as an intermediate link. Connect Honor to the PC in “File Transfer” (MTP) mode. Copy important folders such as DCIM (photos and videos), Download, Documents and Musicto a separate folder on your hard drive.
Then connect Xiaomi and transfer the saved data to the appropriate directories of the internal memory. This method ensures that not a single byte of information is compressed or modified by the phones' software. In addition, you get the opportunity to immediately audit files and remove junk.
You can also use a computer to transfer contacts in format .vcf . Export contacts from Honor phonebook, save the file on your PC, and then import it into Xiaomi contacts through the standard Contacts application.
Pay special attention to the folder Android/data. In new versions of Android, access to it is limited, and direct copying may not work for some applications. Here it is better to use the built-in functions for exporting the applications themselves or cloud backups.
What to do if the computer does not see the phone?
If the PC does not respond to the connection, try replacing the USB cable with an original one or one that definitely supports data transfer (not just charging). Also check if the MTP driver is installed in Windows Device Manager. Sometimes enabling USB debugging mode in the “For Developers” menu helps.
Transferring WhatsApp, Viber and Telegram messages
Messengers store correspondence history separately from the main system, so standard methods of copying files may not save your conversations. For Telegram there are no problems at all: just enter the phone number and confirmation code, and all cloud chats are synchronized instantly.
With WhatsApp i Viber the situation is different. On your old Honor, you need to go to the chat settings and create a backup. If Honor has Google services, a copy will be saved to Google Drive. When installing WhatsApp on Xiaomi and logging into the same account, the application will offer to restore history from the cloud.
If there are no Google services on Honor, use local copying. In WhatsApp settings, select Backup → Backup to Google Drive (if available) or create a local copy. Database files are usually located in the folder Android/media/com.whatsapp or WhatsApp/Databases. These files must be manually transferred to the new phone in the same folder structure before launching the application on the new device.
- 📞 For WhatsApp, it is critical to use the same phone number.
- 💾 Local Viber backups are stored in the folder
ViberBackups. - ☁️ Telegram does not require saving history, since it is stored on server.
Before deleting the application from your old phone, do not forget to make sure that all messages are displayed correctly on the new one. Sometimes the recovery process can take a long time if there is a large volume of media files in chats.
⚠️ Attention: When transferring WhatsApp from Android to Android (even from different brands), the encryption of the backups may vary. Make sure you remember the password for the backup if you set it manually.
The cleanest transfer of instant messengers is obtained by using Google Drive cloud backups, if they are available on the old device.
Solution and possible errors during the transfer
During the migration process, users often encounter typical problems. For example, applications may not open after transferring via Mi Mover. This is due to the fact that the paths to the system libraries on Honor and Xiaomi are different. In this case, it is better to delete the application and download it again from Google Play or AppGallery.
Another common problem is the absence of some photos. Xiaomi Gallery may not immediately index new files. The solution is simple: restart your device or use the File Explorer app to find the files and move them to another folder and then back.
If Wi-Fi passwords do not transfer, this is normal for different manufacturers. For security reasons, Android often blocks third-party applications from exporting saved networks. You will have to re-enter your passwords or use a QR code to connect (on Honor you can generate a QR code in the Wi-Fi settings, and on Xiaomi you can read it).
If your phone freezes during the transfer, do not panic. Force restart both devices. Most modern file systems are resistant to failures, and damaged files can simply be copied again by selecting specific folders.
Why do some applications not work after transferring to Xiaomi?
This is due to differences in system libraries and Android versions. Some applications, especially banking or Honor system utilities, may require specific certificates or frameworks that are not available in MIUI. The best solution is to delete them and install them again through the official application store.
Is it possible to interrupt the data transfer process?
It is highly undesirable to interrupt the process, especially when using Mi Mover or copying via USB. This may result in file system corruption or loss of some data. If the transfer takes too long, it is better to wait for it to finish or cancel only a specific data type, if the interface allows it.
Do you need to reset your new Xiaomi to factory settings before transferring?
No, this is not necessary. Mi Mover and other tools work on top of the existing system. A reset is only required if you have already set up your phone, installed a lot of unnecessary stuff and want to start from scratch by completely cloning the old device.
What to do if you don’t have enough space on your Xiaomi?
If there is critically little space, transfer only the most important things: contacts and photos. Applications and heavy videos can be downloaded or transferred later, freeing up space on the cloud or PC. You can also temporarily transfer data to a memory card if both phones support microSD.