Changing your smartphone is always stressful, with the risk of losing important information, whether it’s photos, contacts or correspondence. Especially acute is the question when a user moves from one ecosystem to another, such as Honor to Xiaomi. Fortunately, modern Android operating system and specialized utilities allow you to migrate data as quickly and safely as possible, preserving the structure of folders and settings.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available ways to transfer information, assess their pros and cons, and also consider the nuances of working with applications without Google services that can be found on older Honor models. You will learn how to prepare both devices for the procedure to avoid synchronization errors and file loss.
Before you start active, you need to make sure that both smartphones are charged at least 50-60%. the process of transferring a large amount of data can take from 15 minutes to several hours, and a sudden shutdown of one of the devices can interrupt the operation. Also be sure to connect both smartphones to the same Wi-Fi network or make sure that mobile Internet is stable if you plan to use cloud methods.
There are several main ways to solve the problem: using the built-in Mi Mover app, syncing through a Google account, manual copying through a computer or using third-party cloud storage. The choice of method depends on the amount of data, the version of Android on your devices and personal preferences, we will consider each of them so that you can choose the most convenient option.
Using the Mi Mover application for direct transmission
The most efficient and quickest way to transfer data from Honor to Xiaomi is the official Mi Mover application, which is designed specifically for migration between devices and allows you to transfer contacts, messages, calls, multimedia, applications and even system settings. The program works on the principle of creating a local Wi-Fi network between devices, which ensures high speed transfer without consuming Internet traffic.
To get started, you need to install the app on both smartphones. On Xiaomi, it is often preinstalled in the Tools folder, but if it is not available, you can download it. APK-On Honor, you will have to download the app from the AppGallery store or through the browser, as it may not be on Google Play.
On the new Xiaomi, select the role of “I am the recipient” (or “New phone”), and on the old Honor, choose the role of “I am the sender” (or “Old phone”). The receiver smartphone will create an access point to which the sender device needs to connect. Once paired, you will see a list of data categories available for transfer. You can select all at once or mark only the desired items, such as only a gallery and contacts.
⚠️ Warning: During the transfer process, don't leave the Mi Mover app or lock your smartphone screens.The screen must be on constantly, otherwise the Android system may break the connection to save power.
The copying process can take time, especially if you are porting high-resolution video files. The progress bar will show the execution status. Once the operation is completed, a report will appear on the number of items transferred on Xiaomi. Apps that were installed on Honor and are available in the GetApps store or Google Play will begin to automatically download and install in the background.
Synchronization through Google account
If both smartphones are running Android with Google services, this is the most versatile method, which allows you to save contacts, calendar, notes and passwords in the cloud, making them available immediately after you log in to the account3unt on the new device, a basic method that is recommended to use in conjunction with other ways to fully migrate.
On Honor, go to your settings and find Accounts or Users and Accounts. Make sure your Google account is added and synced. Click on your email address and select Account Sync, then tick against all the data you need: Contacts, Calentar, Documents, Photos (via Google Photos).
Now, take Xiaomi. When you first set up or enter the Accounts menu, log in to the same Google account. The system automatically prompts you to restore data from the backup. You can choose which contacts and calendar events to download to the memory of your new phone. This method is ideal for those who want to keep their digital identity intact.
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To speed up syncing photos, use the “Backup” function in the Google Photos app on Honor and wait for the download to end before logging into your account on Xiaomi.
It is worth noting that through Google account is not transferred themselves. APK-Application files, in-program configurations, and download folders, which would require additional cloud storage or Mi Mover, but for phone book and appointments, this is a reliable industry standard.
Preparation of devices and compatibility check
Successful data transfer depends on pre-preparedness: Before migrating from Honor to Xiaomi, you need to audit the contents of an old smartphone, delete unnecessary files, clean the shopping cart in the gallery, and check if important documents are stored in hidden folders that may not be copied automatically.
If Honor has a very old version of Android (below 6.0), some current transfer methods may not work properly, in which case it is recommended to first update the old device to the latest available version, if possible, or use the computer as an intermediary.
It is also important to check for free space on Xiaomi. The amount of free memory should exceed the amount of data you plan to transfer. If there is not enough space, the system will warn about this or the process will stop. Free up space in advance by deleting temporary files or transferring some of the media to the computer.
☑️ Checklist for preparation for migration
Don't forget to check the security settings. On some Honor models with shells EMUI There may be restrictions on installing applications from unknown sources. APK-The system may block the installation of files. In advance, allow the installation of applications from the browser or file manager in the security settings.
Manual transfer of multimedia through a computer
When it comes to large volumes of photos and videos, wireless methods can be unstable or slow. USB-The cable to the computer remains the most reliable, allowing you to control every byte you move and guaranteeing the integrity of files.
Connect Honor to your PC using a cable. In the USB connection notification, select File Transfer (MTP) mode. Open My Computer, find your device, and copy the DCIM (camera photos and videos), Pictures, Download, Music, and Documents folders to your computer's hard drive. Create a separate backup folder to avoid confusing files.
Once you have finished copying, disable Honor and connect Xiaomi. Also select file transfer mode. Open the internal memory of the new smartphone and copy the previously saved folders to the appropriate directories. The folder structure on Xiaomi (MIUI or HyperOS) is similar to standard Android, so there should be no problems with the paths.
| Type of data | Folder on Honor (source) | Folder on Xiaomi (destination) | Recommended method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photos and videos | /DCIM/Camera | /DCIM/Camera | PC / Mi Mover |
| Screenshots | /Pictures/Screenshots | /Pictures/Screenshots | PC / Mi Mover |
| Downloads. | /Download | /Download | PC / Mi Mover |
| Music. | /Music | /Music | PC |
| Documents | /Documents | /Documents | PC/Cloud |
This is especially good for those who are used to a strict file system organization, so you can sort files by folder on your computer before downloading them to a new phone, and you can create a complete archived copy of the data on an external hard drive in case you lose your phone in the future.
Transfer of messages and call history
One of the most delicate parts of migration is to preserve the history of SMS and call logs. Standard Android tools often don't allow us to export this data in a convenient way, but the Mi Mover app does this perfectly. It reads the databases of messages and recreates them on a new device.
If you use third-party SMS management applications such as SMS Backup & Restore, the process can be even more flexible: back up to Honor, save the file to Google Drive or locally, then install the app on Xiaomi and recover the data from the created file.This ensures that no important confirmation code message or personal correspondence is lost.
⚠️ Note: When migrating messages through third-party apps, make sure that the app versions on both phones match or the newer version. Older versions may not read the databases of newer Android versions correctly.
As for the history of calls, this depends on the carrier and the phone model. Some operators allow.view call history in the personal account, but the local history is transferred only through Mi Mover or specialized utilities. After transfer, check the call log - the numbers should be determined if the contacts were successfully synchronized.
Nuances of transferring applications and game data
The move from Honor to Xiaomi could face the problem of not having Google services on older Honor models (like the Honor 30 series and later, released after US sanctions).If the old phone doesn't have Google Play, the apps will have to be installed manually or through the AppGallery store. Mi Mover will try to find analogues in its store, but some apps may not be found.
It's more complicated for games. Game progress is only saved if you're logged into a social networking account (Google Play Games, Facebook, VK) or a developer account. Simply transferring game files through the file manager is often not enough, because the server part doesn't recognize the device. Make sure all Honor games have an account binding.
What to do with the bank’s applications?
Once you have installed all your apps on Xiaomi, you should go to each and check authorization, and some apps, especially financial and enterprise ones, may consider the new device “suspicious” and require additional security checks, which is a normal security response.
Solving the problems of migration
Users may encounter various difficulties in transferring data, such as 99 percent interruption, most often due to an unstable Wi-Fi connection or a phone switching to power saving mode, in which case you can try to turn off mobile Internet on both devices and leave only Wi-Fi.
Another common problem is file format incompatibility or paths. If photos don't show up in the gallery after transfer, try restarting your phone or clearing the Gallery and Media Scanner app cache in your application settings. The system should re-index the files.
If Mi Mover can't see an old phone, check the permissions. On Honor, the app settings must allow you to access your location (you need to search for devices in a LAN), access storage, phone, and Wi-Fi. Without these permissions, the program won't be able to function properly.
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The most common cause of portability errors is Android's aggressive power saving system, which "kills" the background transmission process. Add Mi Mover to the battery exclusions on both phones.
In rare cases, you may need to reset your network settings on both devices before starting the procedure. IP-Addresses when you create a local hotspot. After reset, reconnect to the Wi-Fi router and try to pair again.