How to transfer files from Honor to Xiaomi: Full Guide

Changing your smartphone is always stressful, not so much with getting used to a new interface, but with the risk of losing important data when you move. Honor ecosystem users who decide to switch to Xiaomi devices often face the question of compatibility and choosing the right migration tool. Fortunately, modern Android operating systems make this process as painless and fast as possible.

In this article, we will look at all the available ways to copy information, from embedded utilities to cloud services. Data transfer can take from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the volume of your library. We will look at the nuances of working with accounts and tell you how to avoid losing your correspondence history.

Before starting the procedure, make sure that both devices have sufficient battery power, the optimal level is considered to be above 60% charge to avoid a sudden shutdown at a critical moment, and also check the availability of free space on the new Xiaomi device, as the amount of internal memory should exceed the amount of data transferred.

Preparing devices for data migration

The first step is to get both gadgets ready for sync. You need to log in to your Google accounts on both devices, as this is the foundation for restoring contacts, calendar and installed apps. Make sure that the Honor smartphone has data transfer and Bluetooth enabled, as many utilities use these protocols to detect devices.

It is also critical to check the operating system version. Although current versions of Android are well compatible, the availability of current security updates minimizes the risk of errors when transferring data packets. Pay special attention to access rights: when you first run the carrier programs, the system can request permissions that need to be confirmed.

⚠️ Warning: Do not start the transfer process if the Honor phone has critical system updates waiting to be rebooted.

For stable connection, it is recommended to turn off the power saving mode on both devices. Battery optimization can aggressively terminate background processes, which will lead to a connection break in the middle of transferring a large file.

Use of the Mi Mover app

The most effective and official way to transition to the Xiaomi ecosystem is to use the Mi Mover utility, which is designed specifically for data migration and supports the transfer of contacts, messages, photos, music and even some system settings. On the new Xiaomi phone, the program is usually preinstalled in the Tools folder, and on the old Honor it must be downloaded from the Google Play Store.

The process starts with running the app on both devices, and on the new smartphone, select the role of "Receiver" and on Honor, "Sender" and the devices automatically find each other via Wi-Fi Direct, creating a secure local connection that is much faster than when transmitted over the mobile Internet.

Once paired, you'll see a list of data categories that you can copy. You can select specific file types or use the "Select All" button. The interface is intuitive and displays the approximate weight of the data and the remaining time of operation.

It is important to keep the device screens on and on, and while the connection is secure, a sudden movement or exit from Wi-Fi Direct range can cause an error, with an average transmission speed of about 10-20 MB/s, depending on the quality of the Wi-Fi modules on both devices.

Synchronization through Google Account

An alternative and often more reliable method is cloud sync through Google services, ideal for transferring contacts, notes, calendar events and a list of installed applications, stored on the corporation’s servers and automatically pulled to the new Xiaomi immediately after entering your login and password.

To implement this method, Honor needs to go to Google account settings and make sure all necessary sync switches are activated. Press the Sync button to force current data to the cloud before changing your device, ensuring that no new contact is lost.

On your new phone, when you first set up or in the account menu, select Add Account and enter your details. The system will prompt you to restore a backup from the cloud, and you can choose which apps and data to download and which to ignore so as not to clutter the new smartphone.

Manual transfer of files via computer

If the volume of multimedia files (RAW photos, 4K video) is calculated in tens of gigabytes, the most stable way is to use a personal computer, which eliminates the risks of wireless connection breakdown and allows you to structure the files before downloading to a new device.

Connect Honor to the PC via USB-cable and select the menu on the smartphone screen mode "File transfer" (MTP). In the computer conductor, copy the folders DCIM (Pictures, Download and Music in a separate folder on your hard drive.

Then plug in Xiaomi and transfer the stored data to the appropriate internal memory directories, which is especially useful if you want to clear the gallery of unnecessary screenshots and debris before transferring to a clean device, and the computer acts as a reliable buffer.

Remember to check file integrity after transfer. Open a few photos and videos on your new device to make sure there are no artifacts or read errors. Android file system is sensitive to the correct completion of write operations.

Transfer of messages and call history

The most difficult part of migration is often the preservation of history. SMS And call logs, because Google's standard tools don't always correctly restore that data to its original form"SMS Backup & Restore".

Install the app on Honor, back up and save the file to Google Drive or send it to your messenger. On the new Xiaomi, install the same app, find the backup file and start recovery. The process requires granting permissions to access SMS, which is normal for utilities.

⚠️ Note: When you restore your call history on a new device, you may experience duplicate records if you have already used the SIM card on the new phone. SIM-maps in Xiaomi.

For instant messengers like WhatsApp and Telegram, there are built-in mechanisms. WhatsApp on Honor, you go to chat settings, select "Backup" and save data to Google Drive. When you install the application on Xiaomi, it will offer to restore your correspondence history from the cloud.

Solving problems and mistakes

Users may encounter various technical difficulties during migration, and one of the most common problems is the “Insufficient Memory” error, even when space is available, which may be due to file system features or hidden system partitions.

If the transmission is stuck at a certain percentage, try to turn off mobile Internet on both devices, leaving only Wi-Fi. Sometimes the system tries to simultaneously download data from the cloud, creating a flow conflict, and it also helps to reboot both smartphones before trying again.

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If Mi Mover can’t see an old phone, try turning off the “Wi-Fi Plus” or “Intelligent Network Selection” feature on Honor in the Wi-Fi settings, as they can block direct connection between devices.

If the apps are not working properly (flying out or slowing down) after the transfer, it is better to remove them and reinstall them from the Google Play Store. App cache transferred from the old device may not be compatible with the new version of the MIUI shell or HyperOS.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

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The most reliable result is a combination of methods: use Mi Mover for photos and apps, and for contacts and calendar, rely on synchronizing your Google Account.