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

Changing your smartphone is always stressful, not so much about losing your device as it is about losing important information. The Huawei and Honor ecosystem often faces additional challenges when switching to other brands, especially given the limitations on pre-installing Google services in new models. But switching to Xiaomi or Redmi is much easier if you know the right algorithm and use proven migration tools.

The process of transferring data from Honor to Xiaomi does not require deep technical knowledge, but requires careful attention at every stage.You will have to choose between using the built-in Mi Mover application, cloud services or manual copying. Each method has its advantages: the first provides quick synchronization of settings, the second guarantees the safety of photos and contacts, and the third gives full control over the file system.

In this article, we will take a closer look at all the migration options available, focusing on the nuances of working with Google services on old and new Honor models. You will learn how to avoid losing your call history, messages and passwords from Wi-Fi networks. Proper preparation of both devices before starting the procedure is the key to a successful and fast transition without losing a single byte of information.

Preparing devices for data migration

Before any manipulations are initiated, it is critical to make sure that both smartphones are fully ready to work: Charge Honor and Xiaomi to at least 60-70%, as the process of transferring large amounts of data can be energy-intensive and long. Low battery power can lead to connection interruption and damage to archives with data.

Make sure both devices have Wi-Fi enabled. While some methods allow for mobile internet, this is not recommended due to possible traffic consumption and connection instability. Also check for free space on the new Xiaomi: the amount of free memory should exceed the size of the data you plan to transfer from Honor.

On the old device, make sure you remember the password from your Google account and, if any, from Huawei ID. On the new Xiaomi smartphone, you need to perform the initial setup and log into your Mi Account, although this is not always a strictly mandatory condition for the transfer process itself, but is recommended for the full operation of the system.

⚠️ Note: Do not start the portability process unless both devices have the latest available security updates installed. MIUI may contain bugs that prevent correct connection over Wi-Fi Direct.

Check the operating system version on both gadgets. Switching between widely different versions of Android (like Android 8 to Android 13) sometimes requires the use of intermediate backup formats or cloud services, as direct copying of system settings may not be compatible.

Using the Mi Mover application for portability

The most effective and “native” way to migrate for Xiaomi users is the Mi Mover app, which is pre-installed on most of the brand’s devices, but if it’s not, it can be easily downloaded from GetApps or found. APK-The Honor device will also need to manually install the application.

The process runs the same on both devices. Once you open the app, you have to choose the role of each smartphone: Honor selects I'm sender, and Xiaomi chooses I'm receiver, and the app automatically creates a Wi-Fi hotspot to connect to.

📊 How much data you plan to transfer?
Less than 10 GB (contacts and photos only)
10 to 64 GB (standard set)
Over 64GB (lots of video and games)
Full clone of the system

After establishing the connection, which usually takes a few seconds, a list of data categories available for copying will appear on the Honor screen.

  • 📞 Contacts and Calls: Full Phone Book and Call History.
  • 📸 Multimedia: Photos, Videos and Audio Files from Internal Memory.
  • 📱 Annexes: list of installed APK-Files (Honor system applications will not be ported).
  • ⚙️ Settings: Wi-Fi passwords, alarm clocks and some system settings.

It is important to understand that Mi Mover copies the installation files of applications, but not their internal data (cache, logins in games) if the application does not support backup through Google Drive.

☑️ Check before launching the Mi Mover

Done: 0 / 4

Working with Google Services and Account

One of the most important steps is syncing through a Google account, and since modern Honor smartphones may not have Google services pre-installed, owners of such devices need to make sure that all data (contacts, calendar, notes) is stored in a Google profile, not in the local phone storage or Huawei cloud.

On the new Xiaomi, Google account is logged in in in Settings → Accounts and Sync. Once logged in, the system will automatically prompt you to select a backup from another device. If you previously backed up Honor via Google One, you can restore your apps and their data directly from the cloud when you first activate Xiaomi (or after a reset).

For older Honor models with full Google support, the process is even smoother, in which case Google Drive acts as a universal bridge. Make sure that the old phone is the latest sync: go to Settings → Google → Backup and click “Start Copy”.

⚠️ Note: When transferring data from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) through a Google account, make sure that the old device has a fresh backup of chats inside the messenger application itself, and not just a system copy.

Google Photos is a special feature, and if you use this service, you can move your photo gallery automatically and unobtrusively, just install the app on Xiaomi and log in to the same account. All photos uploaded to the cloud with Honor will appear in the gallery of the new device.

Alternative methods: Cloud and PC

If wireless data is causing problems or is too slow, you can use a proven method using a personal computer, which is especially relevant when transferring heavy video files or archives of documents. USB-cable and select the "File Transfer" mode» (MTP).

Copy the DCIM (camera photos and videos), Pictures, Download and Documents folders onto your computer’s hard drive. Then turn off your old phone, plug in Xiaomi and copy the data to the appropriate directories, which guarantees 100% file security without compression and loss of quality.

What to do if your computer can’t see your phone?
If the PC does not respond to the smartphone connection, try replacing it. USB-cable to the original or one that accurately supports data transfer (not just charging). USB It's in the Developer menu, although you don't usually need to do that for simple file copying. ADB or USB-Another option is to use third-party cloud storage, such as Yandex.Disk, Dropbox or pCloud, and by uploading files to the cloud from an old device, you can instantly access them from a new one. This is document-friendly, but less effective for full system migration because of Internet speed constraints. To make it easier for you to choose the best way to migrate, we've compiled a comparative table. It will help you assess the pros and cons of each method depending on your priorities: speed, data volume or availability of wired connection. Method Speed Convenience That carries Mi Mover High (Wi-Fi Direct) Maximum Contacts, photos, applications, settings Google Account Medium (depends on the network) Automatic Contacts, calendar, list of USB + PC High (USB 3.0) Requires action Files, photos, videos, Bluetooth documents Very low Not recommended Only contacts and small files As can be seen from the table, Mi Mover is the leader in a set of factors for a couple of options - Honor - X, it only needs to quickly understand the Internet in 20 cases, and the use of the other cases, and the use of the Internet does not understand the network. Users may encounter various difficulties during migration, one of the most common is interruption of connection during transmission. This often happens when one of the devices is power-saving, which aggressively closes the background processes. Add Mi Mover to battery exclusions before you start. Another problem is the incorrect display of contacts after transfer. If the numbers are recorded but the names are gone, or vice versa, check where exactly the contacts on Honor were saved. SIM-Mi Mover might not see the contacts in your card or in your phone's memory, rather than in your Google account, so export the contacts to a.vcf file and import them manually through the Contacts app. This is due to differences in Android versions or the lack of necessary libraries, in such cases, only a clean reinstallation of the application from the official GetApps store or Google Play helps. 💡After transferring the data, be sure to reboot the new Xiaomi smartphone, which will help the system index new files, correctly identify media content in the gallery and stabilize the work of background services. FAQ: Frequently asked questions: Will Wi-Fi passwords and alarm clocks migrate? Yes, Mi Mover can port stored Wi-Fi networks and alarm settings. However, passwords from some specific applications may not be saved for Android security reasons. Should Xiaomi be reset to factory settings before porting? No, it's not necessary. Mi Mover works on a customized phone too. However, if you have just bought a device and are in the initial setup phase, the system will suggest you start the migration, which is the most convenient scenario. Huawei apps have no analogues on Xiaomi, but they can be installed manually through the APK-You can try exporting data from Huawei Health, but full synchronization with Mi Fitness is impossible. Is it safe to transfer banking applications through Mi Mover? The application is copied, but you will have to log in to the bank client again. Moreover, for security reasons, banking applications often block work on devices with superuser rights or suspicious data migration, so the authorization setting (FaceID, fingerprint) will be required in any case.