Changing your smartphone is always stressful, not so much with getting used to a new interface as with the risk of losing important data. When you move from the Honor ecosystem to Xiaomi devices running MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, the first critical issue is the migration of the phonebook. Fortunately, today's Android and iOS operating systems provide many tools to automate this process, making it safe and fast.
In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of synchronization, from cloud services to local transfer via Wi-Fi Direct. You will learn how to avoid duplication of records and properly configure the display of names on a new device. Digital hygiene begins with the correct management of contacts, so ignore this stage of initial configuration is absolutely not worth it.
We’ll look at both the standard tools built into the system and third-party solutions that can come in handy in difficult cases. Regardless of which version of Android is installed on your old Honor and new Xiaomi, you will find a working algorithm for actions.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before you start copying directly, make sure both devices are ready to go. Charge both smartphones to a minimum of 60-70%, as active use of wireless communication modules significantly consumes battery power. Make sure that the screens of both gadgets are unlocked and are in view, as you may need to confirm actions on both screens at the same time.
The critical step is to verify the versions of the operating system: the old Honor (especially if it is a model before 2020 with Google services) and the new Xiaomi should be installed the latest available security updates, which ensures compatibility of data protocols and eliminates errors when reading file formats.
⚠️ Note: If your Honor has a very old version of Android installed (below 6.0), standard wireless porting methods may not work properly, in which case it is better to use export to file or sync via the Internet. SIM-map.
It is also recommended to clear the app cache on both devices to free up RAM for background migration processes. On Xiaomi, this can be done through the Security app, and on Honor, through the phone manager. Make sure that the new device has enough free space in internal memory, although contacts take up a minimum of space, buffer files can be bulky when transferred.
☑️ Ready for transfer
Using the Mi Mover application for wireless transfer
The most effective and native way for users of the Xiaomi ecosystem is to use the proprietary Mi Mover application, which is designed specifically for migrating data from any Android device, including Honor, and allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also photos, applications and system settings.
The process starts with installing the app on both devices, and on new Xiaomi smartphones, it's often pre-installed in the Tools folder. APK-File from the official website or through GetApps. On Honor, the app also needs to be installed from the AppGallery store or Google Play. After launching, select the device role: "I am sending" on the old phone and "I am receiving" on the new one.
And then the devices will connect through a temporary Wi-Fi hotspot. The Mi Mover will create a secure communication channel that doesn't use Internet traffic. You'll need to scan. QR-code displayed on Xiaomi's screen, the camera of the old phone. After connecting, select the "Contacts" category in the data transfer list. The algorithm automatically determines all records, including those saved on the phone. SIM-card and phone memory.
- 📲 Speed: Transfers occur at high speeds thanks to the use of Wi-Fi Direct protocol, which is much faster than Bluetooth.
- 🔒 Security: Data is transmitted over a local channel, it is not downloaded to third-party servers and does not leave the limits of your local network.
- 🔄 Universality: The app correctly handles special characters in names and long phone numbers, while maintaining formatting.
What if the Mi Mover is 99% frozen?
Syncing through Google Account: The Classic Method
The most reliable way to do this, regardless of the smartphone brand, is to sync through Google’s cloud. Since both Honor (old models) and Xiaomi are Android-based, using a single account is the de facto standard, and this method ensures that your contacts are accessible not only on your phone, but also on your tablet, computer, or web interface.
On an older Honor device, you need to open settings, go to Users and Accounts (or just “Accounts”) and select your Google account. Make sure the slider opposite Contacts is active. Click on the menu (three dots or hamburger) and select Sync. Wait for the message “Sync is complete.” This action will upload all numbers to Google Contacts cloud storage.
On the new Xiaomi, log in to the same Google account when you first set up or add it manually through Settings → Accounts and Sync. Once you add an account, the system will automatically prompt you to restore data from the backup. Even if you miss this step, contacts will appear in the phone book automatically in the background within minutes as soon as the phone connects to the Internet.
⚠️ Note: When using Google Sync, make sure you choose the right account to save new numbers. MIUI It can offer to save a contact in your phone memory or in your Mi Cloud account. Always check to check the box in front of your Google account.
The advantage of this method is the ability to manage duplicates. Once you access contacts.google.com from your computer, you can use the built-in “Combine and Fix” tool, which will find duplicate entries and combine them into a single card with multiple numbers. Once cleaned in the cloud, the changes will automatically apply to your Xiaomi.
Transfer through SIM-Map: Old proven method
If wireless methods do not work or you do not have access to Wi-Fi, the time-tested method comes to the rescue - copying on the Internet. SIM-This is an ideal method for transferring basic data, names and numbers, but it's important to consider the technical limitations: SIM-The card does not support saving additional fields such as email, address, photo contact or second number.
To implement this method, open the Contacts app on Honor, go to the settings (usually the control button or menu) and select Import/Export Contacts. From the menu that appears, select Export to Export. SIM-The system will warn you about possible loss of data (photos and email), as the format SIM-The card doesn't support that. Confirm the action and wait until the process is complete.
After all the contacts are copied, remove them. SIM-Honor card and paste it into Xiaomi. On the new device, go back to Contacts, select the import/export menu, but now select Import with SIM-Choose your destination – it is recommended to immediately select “Google Account” or “Phone” to free up the SIM card memory for future trips.
| Parameter | SIM-map | Google Account | Mi Mover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo preservation | No. | Yes. | Yes. |
| Saving Email/Address | No. | Yes. | Yes. |
| Internet is required | No. | Yes. | No (locally) |
| Limit of symbols in a name | Restricted (10-15) | No. | No. |
It's a great way to be completely compatible, even if you have a very old Honor and the latest Xiaomi with HyperOS, SIM-But if you have a few hundred numbers in a book, it can take time, because the chip is written in sequence.
Manual export and import via VCF file
For advanced users or in situations where you need to migrate contacts selectively or back up “just in case”, the.vcf (vCard) format is ideal, a universal industry standard supported by all operating systems, including Windows, macOS, iOS and Android.
On Honor, go to your contacts settings and select Export Contacts. As a save, select internal memory or SD-The system will create a file, commonly called contacts.vcf or 00001.vcf. This file can be found through the file manager. Then this file must be transferred to Xiaomi. You can do this via Bluetooth, messenger (Telegram, WhatsApp), email or simply flip the file over. USB-cable to the computer and then to the new phone.
Once you have a file on Xiaomi, just click on it. The system automatically recognizes the vCard format and offers an opener app — select Contacts or Import. You will be prompted to choose an account to which the data will be stored. This is a great way to separate personal and work contacts: create two files on your old phone (filtering contacts into groups) and import them into different accounts on the new one.
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When importing a VCF file to Xiaomi, if the system asks where to save contacts, choose a Google Account. This provides automatic synchronization in the future and protection against loss when your phone breaks.
Feature of the format VCF It's basically the whole structure of the card, the avatar, the ringtone, the group, all the extra fields. SIM-If the contacts.vcf file weighs a few megabytes, that's okay, so it's got photos of the contacts sewn in.
Problem Solving: Duplicates and synchronization errors
After data transfer, users often face the problem of duplication: the same contact can be displayed twice or three times. This happens if you used several methods of transfer simultaneously (for example, via SIM and Google). MIUI has a built-in tool to solve this problem, but it needs to be activated manually.
Open the Contacts app on Xiaomi, click on the menu (three dots or profile icon) and find Contacts Organization or Contact Management. Select the option “Combine Repeated Contacts.” The system will analyze and offer a list of pairs that it considers to be the same. You can combine them all automatically or view each pair separately so as not to lose unique data.
Another common problem is broken encoding, where Krakozabras are displayed instead of Russian names, a rare case that is common in very old phones. If this happens, try changing the encoding when exporting (if you have this option in the old model), or use the intermediate step through your computer, opening a VCF file in Notepad and saving it in UTF-8 encoding.
- 🧹 Cleanup: Check the recent folder in your contacts regularly, as deleted numbers can be lost there that can be restored.
- 👁️ Display: If contacts are not listed, check the display settings. From the contacts menu, select Filter or Display Contacts and make sure that the check box is All Contacts, not just Phone».
- 🔙 Recovery: Google stores the change history for 30 days. If you accidentally delete all contacts during sync, go to Google Contacts, click Settings» → «Cancel Changes and select a time when the data was intact.
⚠️ Warning: Don't try to merge contacts manually if there are thousands.Use the automatic feature in Google Contacts on Android or on a website.Manual merge will take hours and increase the risk of error.
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The cleanest result is a combination of methods: first transfer through Mi Mover, then check through the Google Contacts web interface to remove duplicates.