Changing a mobile device is always accompanied by a mild stress associated with the fear of losing important files or contacts, especially when moving between ecosystems, for example, from Honor devices to Xiaomi smartphones. Fortunately, modern Android operating systems and specialized utilities manufacturers minimize risks.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available migration methods, from Google’s cloud services to local copying via Wi-Fi Direct, and learn how to save folder structure, call history, and even desktop icons, which takes only a few minutes if you properly prepare both gadgets for transfer.
Before you start taking action, you need to make sure that both devices are at least 50-60% charged. Backup is a critical step that should not be ignored, even if you use automatic tools. Unforeseen battery drain during the recording process can lead to file corruption.
⚠️ Note: Before starting the migration, be sure to check the availability of free space on the Xiaomi target device. The amount of available memory must exceed the size of the data transferred with Honor.
Device preparation and selection of migration method
The first step is to analyze the amount of information that needs to be moved, and if you store hundreds of gigabytes of photos and videos, cloud methods may be too slow because of Internet speed constraints, and then local Wi-Fi transmission will be the most efficient solution.
Both smartphones must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network or have Bluetooth and geolocation modules enabled to detect each other. Honor often preinstalled the Phone Clone utility, which was originally created to move to Huawei, but works well with competitors. However, for the target device, Xiaomi prefers the native Mi Migrate app or Xiaomi Cloud.
Be sure to check the operating system versions. While Android is highly compatible, running current versions of the software reduces the likelihood of errors when converting message databases or app settings. Update systems to the latest available versions through the settings menu.
Using the Mi Migrate application to transition
Xiaomi has developed its own solution called Mi Migrate, which specializes in receiving data from other Android smartphones, and this application is the preferred choice because it is best optimized for the MIUI or HyperOS shell, ensuring the correct distribution of files across system folders.
The process starts with installing the app on both devices. On the new Xiaomi, it is often already built into the system or available in GetApps, and on Honor it must be downloaded from the Google Play Store or the official website. Once launched, an access point is created on the receiving device, which connects the old phone.
The software interface allows you to flexibly customize the choice of data categories. You can eliminate heavy files or system debris that does not make sense to carry. The algorithm automatically determines compatible applications and prompts you to install their counterparts from the Mi GetApps store if the original versions are not in the Xiaomi ecosystem.
☑️ Check before launching the Mi Migrate
Importantly, when you transfer these apps, their internal settings can be reset to factory settings for security reasons, which is normal for Android to change devices, and you'll need to log in to banking apps and instant messengers again.
⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the transfer process or switch to other applications while Mi Migrate is running.This may lead to a freeze and the need to start migrating again.
Phone Clone Method: A Universal Solution
Huawei’s Phone Clone utility has long been considered the standard for its devices, but it retains full functionality when working with other brands, including Xiaomi. The main advantage of this method is high data transfer speeds by creating a direct Wi-Fi channel between devices without using a router.
When you start the process, Honor selects the role of "Sender" and Xiaomi selects the role of "Receiver". QR-The code or manual key input is instantaneously linked by gadgets, and the data protocol is encrypted to ensure that personal information is secure during migration.
The Phone Clone features the ability to port not only user files, but also system settings such as alarm clocks, calendars and even the location of widgets on the desktop. However, it is worth considering that deep system settings of the Magic UI shell may not display correctly on MIUI.
Why does the Phone Clone not see Xiaomi?
If you use this method, pay attention to file formatting. In rare cases, specific note or voice record formats may require an additional converter that the system will prompt you to install automatically.
Sync with Google Account and Cloud
The most reliable and time-tested method is synchronization through Google Account, which does not require the installation of additional software and ensures that your contacts, mail and calendar will be available immediately after entering your login and password on the new device.
On Honor, you need to go to your Google account settings and force all elements to sync. Pay special attention to Contacts, making sure that they are stored in your Google profile, not in your phone’s memory or in your phone’s memory. SIM-map.
For photos and videos, Google Photos is the best service to use. By enabling Autoboot and Sync on Honor, you will be able to access your entire media library on Xiaomi immediately after installing the app and logging in, eliminating the need to transfer gigabytes of data over cable or Wi-Fi.
| Type of data | Google Account | Google Photo | Local backup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Automatically. | No. | File.vcf |
| Photos and videos | No (only via Photos) | Automatically. | DCIM folder |
| Annexes | List of Play Markets | No. | APK files |
| Wi-Fi passwords | Automatically. | No. | No. |
The main drawback of the cloud method is the dependence on Internet connection speeds, and if you have a tariffed traffic or weak signal, it can take hours to download a large amount of data or require a connection to your home Wi-Fi.
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Use the Clean Storage feature in Google Photos after successful sync on Honor to free up space, as copies are already saved in the cloud.
Transfer of messengers: WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber
The migration of messenger data is worth special attention, as it often stores the correspondence history locally. For WhatsApp, the standard procedure involves creating a backup on Google Drive on an old device and restoring it from it when you first start on a new one.
In WhatsApp’s Honor settings, go to Chats → Chat Backup and click Save. Make sure the copy is successful and has an up-to-date date. When you install WhatsApp on Xiaomi, the app will automatically find it in Google Drive and prompt you to restore your message history.
Telegram and Viber are easier to do because of their cloud nature. Telegram fully syncs correspondence through the server, so just log in to the phone number. Viber also uses cloud backup (on Google Drive for Android), which you need to activate before transferring.
⚠️ Two-factor authentication in messengers requires access to SIM-map or pre-stored recovery codes. SIM-The card is active and is on the phone or ready to be installed.
Some users prefer to use built-in portability features within the apps themselves if they offer migration through the app. QR-This is true for WhatsApp, which sometimes offers direct chat transfer between Android devices without using the cloud.
Common mistakes and ways to solve them
When transferring data, users often face problems that are easily solved by knowing the nuances. One common mistake is to interrupt the connection due to energy saving mode. Honor can aggressively kill background transmission processes, considering them to be energy-consuming.
To prevent this, add migration apps (Mi Migrate, Phone Clone) to the battery exception list. The path to setup is usually: Settings → Battery → Launch Apps → Find the application → Manually Manage (enable all).
Another problem is that Android versions are incompatible, and if Honor has a very old version of the system and Xiaomi has the latest version, some file formats may not be recognized, in which case it is recommended to first upgrade the old phone to the highest possible version of the software before migrating.
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The main key to success is a stable connection and disabling of aggressive energy saving modes on both devices during the process.
If the transmission is stuck at a certain percentage, try to reduce the amount of data you transmit. Break it down into stages: first transfer contacts and photos, then separately transfer apps and music, which will reduce the load on the clipboard and Wi-Fi module.