How to transfer data to Xiaomi with Honor: step-by-step instructions

Changing a smartphone, especially the transition from one ecosystem to another, often causes users to naturally worry about the safety of personal information. Honor owners who decide to switch to Xiaomi gadgets face a unique set of tasks related to the features of the Magic UI software shell and the lack of Google preservice on new models. However, modern synchronization technologies allow you to perform this process as quickly and painlessly as possible for the owner.

In this article, we will take a look at all the migration methods available, from using the Mi Mover branded tool to manually transferring through cloud storage, and learn how to save folder structure, call history, and, most challenging, banking applications on a new device without losing functionality.

The transfer process requires pre-preparedness of both smartphones to avoid connection breaks or data loss at a critical moment.We will look at the nuances of working with Google services on Honor and how to properly integrate them into the MIUI or HyperOS environment on Xiaomi.

Preparing devices for data migration

Before any manipulations, make sure that both smartphones are ready for active operation. Device batteries should be charged at least 60%, as the process of transferring large amounts of data, especially photos and videos, consumes a significant amount of energy.

Both phones must be connected to a stable Wi-Fi network if you plan to use cloud methods, or be in close proximity to each other to work over Wi-Fi Direct. On an old Honor smartphone, it is worth checking the version of the Android operating system and updating system components if necessary to avoid conflicts of versions during transfer.

An important step is to back up your most valuable data in case of unforeseen failures, even if you use automatic tools, hand-copy of contacts and important documents on your computer. SIM-A card or external drive will never be an unnecessary precaution.

⚠️ Note: Do not start the portability process if both devices are running heavy background processes at the same time, such as downloading games or updating other applications, this may cause the connection to break.

Using the Mi Mover application for portability

The most efficient and quickest way to migrate is to use a specialized Mi Mover app developed by Xiaomi engineers, which allows you to transfer contacts, messages, call history, photos, videos, audio files, documents and even installed applications (APK) without using Internet traffic, creating a direct connection between devices.

To get started, you need to install the app on both smartphones. On Xiaomi, it is often pre-installed in the Tools folder, and on Honor it must be downloaded from the Google Play Market or the official MIUI website. After launching the application on the new phone, select the role of “I’m a recipient” (I’m a receiver), and on the old one – “I’m a sender”.

The process of pairing occurs by scanning QR-Once the connection is established, the system will suggest selecting data categories to transfer. You can select all at once or specify specific folders, which is especially convenient if you need to transfer only selected albums or applications.

The data transfer speed via Mi Mover is much higher than through Bluetooth, and can reach tens of megabytes per second depending on the supported Wi-Fi standards. During the process, you should not fold the application or block the smartphone screen, so as not to interrupt the data flow.

Transferring contacts and calendars through accounts

Contact information and calendar events are critical data that cannot be lost, and the most reliable way to transfer them is to use a Google account. On the Honor smartphone, you need to make sure that contact sync is enabled in the settings of your Google account, and all numbers are saved in the account memory, not on the account. SIM-card.

After setting up a new Xiaomi and logging into the same Google account, contacts will automatically be uploaded to the phone book within minutes.For the calendar, the principle is similar: all events tied to the Google calendar will instantly appear in the standard Calendar app on MIUI.

If you’re used to using Huawei Cloud to store contacts, the process will require an additional step: You’ll need to log into the web version of Huawei Cloud from a computer or other device, export contacts in.vcf format, and then import this file through the Contacts app to Xiaomi.

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Export contacts in vCard (.vcf) format is a universal standard that can be read by any phone and allows you to easily transfer the number base between different ecosystems without losing names and additional fields.

Owners of older Honor models with full Google services should check if contacts are stored locally in the device’s memory, so before switching to Xiaomi, it is best to export through the Contact Management menu on Honor.

Migration of Multimedia and Files via USB and PC

When it comes to gigabytes of photos, high-resolution videos, and music collections, wireless methods can be too slow, and in such situations, the most rational solution is to use the personal computer as an intermediate or direct wired connection.

By connecting Honor to your computer in file transfer mode (MTP), you can access the entire file system. Copy the DCIM folders (camera photos and videos), Pictures (screenshots and images from instant messengers), Music and Download to your computer's hard drive. Then connect Xiaomi and move the data to the corresponding directories of the new device.

There is also the option of using USB-OTG adapter cables, allowing you to connect two smartphones directly if you have a corresponding adapter (Type-C to Type-C). In this case, the Xiaomi file manager must recognize the connected device as an external drive, which will allow you to copy files directly, bypassing the computer.

When copying large amounts of data via PC, it is recommended to use USB 3.0 ports and higher for maximum speed.Do not remove devices abruptly (sharply) while writing files, so as not to damage the file system.

Work with Google Services (GMS) on Honor and Xiaomi

One of the main difficulties in transitioning from the new Honor models (released after the imposition of sanctions) is the lack of pre-installed Google services (GMS), on Xiaomi, these services are a basic part of the system, so it is important to properly configure authorization when transferring data.

If your old Honor doesn’t have Google Play, then apps that depend on it could work in limited mode or through emulators (Gspace, Gbox). When migrating to Xiaomi, you will need to reinstall these apps from the official Play Market store, since they are simply copied. APK-Files may not work properly without proper registration in Google Play Protect.

For apps that require GMS to work (maps, YouTube, banking apps), Xiaomi will start working immediately after you log in to Google when you first set up your phone. If you migrate data from Honor, where Gbox was used, Xiaomi no longer needs these “crutches” — put native versions of the apps.

It is important to understand that passwords saved in the browser or Google password manager for Honor will automatically appear on Xiaomi if you use one account, and this applies to access keys that may be required to log in to various services.

Transfer of messages and call history

Keeping your SMS and MMS correspondence history and call logs is often a secondary but pleasant option. Android standard tools don’t always make it easy to export SMS, but the Mi Mover app does this flawlessly.

When you select Messages data type in Mi Mover, the app will create a full cast of your correspondence, including attached images and audio messages. Once the process is complete on Xiaomi, you will see all the dialogues in chronological order, as if they were conducted on this device.

With a call log, all incoming, outgoing and missed calls will be moved along with dates and duration of conversations, which is especially useful for those who use the call log as an organizer or to confirm any facts of communication.

⚠️ Note: Transferring messages from third-party messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber) through Mi Mover may not save the history of correspondence within the applications, but only create a shortcut.

For WhatsApp messenger on Xiaomi, you need to select a recovery from Google Drive backup when you first install the application. Make sure that Honor has a full chat backup in WhatsApp settings before that.

Solution and troubleshooting

As users migrate, they may encounter a number of technical problems, such as if data is interrupted in the middle, don't panic, and often just reboot both smartphones, check for space, and start the process again, selecting only those categories of data that haven't been copied.

Another common problem is the incompatibility of Android versions: If Honor has a very old version of the system, and Xiaomi has the latest HyperOS, some old file formats or settings may not apply, in which case it is better to use manual copying of media files via a PC.

If contacts are displayed in duplicates after transfer, use the Contacts Merger feature in the Contacts app on Xiaomi. The system will automatically find the duplicate entries and offer to combine them into one card with a full set of information.

In rare cases, you may need to reset your network settings to Xiaomi if you experience problems with Wi-Fi or mobile Internet after transferring the data. This is done through the Settings menu → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)