Switching to a new smartphone is always stressful, not so much with mastering a new interface as with the risk of losing important data. Owners of the Xiaomi ecosystem who decide to change their device to a device from Honor often face the question of saving a phone book. This seems a trivial task, but the differences in the software shells of MIUI (or HyperOS) and MagicOS can create unforeseen difficulties in automatic synchronization.
Fortunately, today's Android operating systems provide a lot of tools for data migration, so you don't have to manually reprint hundreds of numbers or search for complex third-party programs. Import contacts can be done through cloud services, physical services. SIM-The choice of the specific method depends on the size of your phone book and the availability of a stable Internet connection.
In this article, we will take a look at all the portability options available, from the fastest to the most reliable. We will look at the nuances of working with a Mi Account, the features of syncing through Google and the hidden features of the Phone Clone app, which is preinstalled on new Honor devices, and you will learn how to avoid duplication of records and what to do if numbers are displayed incorrectly.
Preparation of devices for data transfer
Before you start active, make sure both smartphones are ready for the migration procedure. Ignoring the preparatory stage often leads to synchronization errors or loss of data. Make sure that both devices are charged at least 50-60% of the battery, as the process can take time.
Check for a stable Wi-Fi connection. Passing large amounts of data over the mobile Internet is not only expensive, it's also less stable. If you plan to use cloud services, make sure you know the passwords from your accounts.
- 📱 Charge both smartphones to levels above 50% to avoid sudden shutdown.
- 📶 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network for stable transmission.
- 🔐 Remember passwords from Google and Mi accounts for authorization.
- 🗑️ Free up space on the new Honor if the memory is almost full of system files.
⚠️ Note: Before any contact manipulation is initiated, it is strongly recommended to back up the current phone book on the old device, which will allow you to recover data in the event of a process failure.
It is also worth checking the operating system versions. While current cross-platform methods are usually compatible, having current updates on MIUI and MagicOS minimizes the risk of software conflicts.
Syncing through Google account: a universal method
The most reliable and standard way to transfer is to use Google cloud storage. Since both smartphones are Android-based, this method is native and least susceptible to compatibility errors, the essence of the method is to “unload” contacts from the old Xiaomi to the Google cloud, and then “tear” them to the new Honor.
To start with, go to the settings on your Xiaomi device and find the Accounts and Sync section. Make sure your Google account is added to the system. If there are more than one, select the one you plan to use on your new Honor device. Click on your account name and make sure the switch opposite to Contacts is activated.
Once sync is enabled, the system will automatically send all numbers to the cloud, and you can speed this process by clicking the Sync button in your account menu. On the new Honor smartphone, it is easy to log into the same Google account when you first set up or add it manually in the settings.
It is important to understand where your numbers are saved. SIM-map or phone memory, sync with Google will not happen automatically.
- 📂 Open the Contacts app on Xiaomi.
- ⚙️ Go to the settings and select "Import/Export Contacts".
- 💾 Select the option “Export to Google account” or “Move contacts".
- ✅ Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.
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A Google account is a bridge between systems, and as long as contacts are in the Google cloud, they are available on any Android device instantly after logging in.
Using the Phone Clone app to migrate
Honor has developed its own Phone Clone (or “Cloning Phone”) app, which is ideal for switching from any Android smartphone, including Xiaomi.This app creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices, allowing data to be transmitted at high speeds without using the Internet.
On the new Honor, the Phone Clone app is usually pre-installed in the Tools folder. On Xiaomi, you need to download it from the Google Play Store or the official Honor website. Once you run the app on both phones, select "This is a new phone" on the new device and "This is an old phone" on the old one.
Scanning. QR-If you have the code displayed on your new smartphone screen, you can set up a secure connection. In the data selection menu, make sure to tick the "Contacts" box. You can also choose to transfer messages, photos and installed applications to make the transition as easy as possible.
The path to the application: Menu → Tools → Phone CloneThe cloning process is fully automated. The app will determine the structure of the data on Xiaomi and correctly write it into the Honor database. This is especially convenient if you have many contacts with additional fields, such as addresses, emails and notes, which when exported on the site. SIM-map may be lost.
What happens if Phone Clone breaks the connection?
Transfers via Mi Cloud
Xiaomi smartphone owners often make extensive use of the Mi Account ecosystem. If your phone book is synced to the Mi Cloud, you can use this to port it. However, since Honor does not have built-in support for Mi services, the process will require an intermediate step through the web interface.
Go from your computer or directly from your Xiaomi phone to i.mi.com. Sign in to your Mi Account. From the cloud interface, select Contacts. Here you will see your entire phone book. Use the export function to save contacts in.vcf (vCard).
You can transfer the file to the new Honor via Bluetooth, messenger or simply save the file to Google Drive. On Honor, open the.vcf file and the system will suggest importing the contacts contained in it to local memory or Google account.
| Parameter | Mi Cloud | Google Contacts |
|---|---|---|
| Speed of operation | Medium (depending on servers) | High (Native Integration) |
| Photo preservation | Yes. | Yes. |
| Additional fields (address, e-mail) | Completely. | Completely. |
| Difficulty for Honor | High (export needed) | Low (autosynchronization) |
The good thing about this method is that it doesn't depend on the condition of the old phone after export, and you get a file backup that you can store for years and open on any device, not just Honor.
Classical method: SIM-map VCF-file
If you don’t have access to Wi-Fi or prefer the old proven methods, you can use it. SIM-This is a way to only transfer phone numbers and names, and all the extra data, like avatars, addresses and second numbers, will be lost.
On Xiaomi, open the Contacts app, go to settings and select Import/Export Contacts. Click Export on SIM-The system will warn you of possible data loss, confirm the action. SIM-card.
On Honor, the system will automatically detect contacts on the SIM-If that doesn't happen, go to the Contact App" → Settings → Imports/exports → Import with SIM-map.
☑️ Checklist of transfer through VCF
The alternative is to manually export to a.vcf file via the contacts menu on Xiaomi. Find the option "Export to Memory of Device" in the menu. Contacts.vcf will appear in the root folder or MIUI folder. Pass this file to Honor in any convenient way and open it.
⚠️ Attention: SIM-The cards have a limit on the number of characters in the contact name (usually before the contact name). 20-25 They often cut long names or don't support the Cyrillic alphabet correctly on old cards.
Solution: duplicates and missing numbers
After transferring data, users often face the problem of duplication of records, which occurs when contacts are stored both in Google, in phone memory and on the Internet. SIM-Honor's system can display them as different entries, creating chaos in the phone book.
To solve this problem, the Contacts app on Honor has a built-in unification tool. Go to the contact settings and find "Combine duplicates" or "Clear contacts." The system will analyze the database, find matches by phone number and suggest combining them into a single card.
Another common problem is that the contacts don't have photos after transfer, which is often the case when using them. SIM-Incorrect export or export through VCF. To return a photo, it’s easiest to rely on Google Photos or social media syncs if the numbers are linked to profiles.
- 🔄 Open the Contacts app on Honor.
- 🔍 Select the control menu (three points or settings).
- 🧹 Click on "Combining Repeated Contacts".
- ✅ Confirm the merger of all pairs found.
If you have moved contacts through Phone Clone but some numbers are not displayed, check the display filter. In the Contacts app, click on the contact settings displayed and make sure that the check box is in front of All Contacts or the specific account where the sync was performed.
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Expert advice: After successfully migrating and checking all the numbers on the new Honor, do a full reset of the old Xiaomi only after making sure all the data is in place.