Changing your smartphone, especially between different ecosystems like Honor and Xiaomi, often causes users to worry about the safety of personal data. The owner of the device may worry that contacts, photos, correspondence history and installed applications will remain on the old gadget or be lost during the migration process.
The main difficulty of moving from Honor to Xiaomi is the difference between the system shells: Magic UI (or EMUI on older models) versus MIUI (or HyperOS).Although both systems are based on Android, folder structure and backup methods may differ. The key is to choose the right tool for portability, which will ensure the integrity of the file structure and the correct operation of applications on the new device.
In this guide, we will take a look at the most effective data migration methods using both Xiaomi’s proprietary app and Google’s cloud services. You will learn about the nuances of password transfer, Wi-Fi settings, and even the location of icons on your desktop. Proper preparation of both smartphones before starting the procedure guarantees a successful result and minimizes downtime.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before you start the immediate copying process, make sure both smartphones are ready to go. Charge Honor and Xiaomi to a minimum of 60-70%, as active transfer of large amounts of data can significantly consume battery power.
On Honor, check for free space and no critical system bugs. It is advisable to delete unnecessary files so as not to overload the garbage transfer process, which you will still not need on a new phone. Make sure the lock screen on both devices is unlocked and you know the passwords from your Google accounts.
⚠️ Note: Do not interrupt the migration process or switch to other applications during file transfers, this can cause archive damage and loss of data, especially if it is a message database or call log.
On the new Xiaomi phone, when it first turns on, the system will suggest setting up the device itself, so if you've already been through the initial setup, the best thing to do is to reset to factory settings or use a cloning mode that activates automatically when you find the old phone, which will allow you to create a perfect copy of the data structure.
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Before you start the transfer, clear the messenger cache on Honor to reduce the size of the transmitted data and speed up the process.
Using the Mi Mover application for portability
The most effective and specialized tool for the transition to Xiaomi equipment is the Mi Mover application. It was developed by the company's engineers specifically for migrating data from Android and iOS devices. Honor needs to download and install this utility from the Google Play Store or the official website, since it may not be in the current version in the pre-installed Huawei AppGallery store.
Once installed, run the app on both smartphones. On Xiaomi, select Recipient and on Honor, Sender. The app will create a Wi-Fi hotspot that the old phone needs to connect to, and the connection process usually takes no more than 30 seconds, after which the data selection interface will open.
☑️ Check before launching the Mi Mover
In the data selection interface, you'll see categories: contacts, messages, call logs, images, video, audio, documents and applications. The system allows you to select specific applications that you want to move, which is especially convenient if you don't want to drag unnecessary software behind you. Once you confirm the choice, you'll start a copying process, the speed of which depends on the amount of data and the quality of the wireless connection.
- 📱 Contacts and messages: Transferred with almost 100% accuracy, keeping the history of correspondence in the standard message application.
- 🖼️ Media files: Photos and videos store their metadata (date of shooting, geolocation), which is important for sorting in a gallery.
- 📲 Annexes: Installation files are transferred (APK), But authorization within some banking applications may fly for security reasons.
- 🎵 Audio and Documents: Files are transferred to the appropriate system folders, maintaining their structure.
It’s important to note that Mi Mover doesn’t carry data inside apps (like game progress or WhatsApp chats) unless they support backup via Google Drive. For instant messengers like WhatsApp and Telegram, there are built-in backup methods, which we’ll talk about below.
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Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s native tool that ensures the best compatibility of portable data with the MIUI/HyperOS shell.
Synchronization through Google Account
An alternative and often more reliable way to transfer personal information is sync through the Google ecosystem. Since both Honor and Xiaomi run on Android, your Google account is a universal key to data. On an old Honor phone, make sure your Google account settings are synced for contacts, calendar, notes and app data.
Go to Settings → Accounts → Google on Honor. Click on your email address and make sure the switches opposite the right items (Contacts, Calendar, Documents, etc.) are active. Press the menu button (three dots) and select Sync to make sure all data is gone to the cloud.
| Type of data | Synchronization method | Transfer nuances |
|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Google Contacts | Instant synchronization when logging into your account |
| Photo/Video | Google Photo | Requires enabled backup in the application |
| Wi-Fi passwords | Google One / Backups / Backup | Automatic login to the network during synchronization |
| Notes | Google Keep | Available via the Keep app on a new device |
On the new Xiaomi, when you first set up or in the Settings menu → Accounts and sync, just type in the same Google login. The system will automatically prompt you to restore data from the last backup. This method is ideal for contacts and calendar, as it eliminates human error and errors in manual copying.
What to do if your contacts are not synchronized?
Hand-over of multimedia and files
If you don't think automatic methods are flexible enough or you want to move only folders, you can use manual copying, and it's convenient to use your computer as an intermediary or an application for transferring files over Wi-Fi, such as Send Anywhere or the built-in "Ambient Sharing" (formerly Nearby Share).
When connected to a computer, Honor is defined as a media device (MTP). You can copy the DCIM (camera photos and videos), Pictures (messaging images), Download and Music folders to your PC hard drive. Then plug Xiaomi in and copy these folders to similar directories on the new device.
Using cloud storage like Yandex.Disk, Cloud Mail.ru or Google Drive is also a great option: Install a cloud app on Honor, upload heavy files there, and then download them to Xiaomi. This is especially true if you have fast internet and no cable or computer is on hand.
- 📂 Folder Structure: When manually copying, try to keep the folder structure so that Xiaomi apps can find media files.
- 🔋 Power consumption: Transferring large files over Wi-Fi Direct or via cable can heat devices, monitor temperature.
- 🔒 Security: When transferring via third-party clouds, make sure that files do not contain sensitive information or use archive encryption.
Don’t forget to check the Android/media and Android/data folder on Honor if you want to transfer the cache of some apps or offline maps of the navigator. However, copying the contents of the data folder may not earn money on Xiaomi due to the security limitations of Android 11/12/13/14.
Nuances of transfer of messengers and applications
Messengers deserve special attention, as they store their correspondence history in secure databases. Simply migrating an application through Mi Mover often copies only the application itself. APK-The file, but not your message history. WhatsApp, Viber and Telegram have their own procedures.
For WhatsApp on Honor, you need to go to the chat settings and back up to Google Drive. On the new Xiaomi, when you install WhatsApp, they will offer to restore the history from this copy. It is important to use the same phone number and the same Google account. In some cases, if the transition is between different brands, WhatsApp may suggest moving the story through the different brands. QR-code during the initial setup of Xiaomi phone.
⚠️ Note: Two-factor authentication in messengers may require code input from SMS. Make sure that SIM-The card is already installed in the new phone or you have access to confirmation codes.
Telegram works differently: all of your correspondence history is stored in the cloud. You just install the app and log in to your phone number, all chats, channels and files (except secret chats) will be downloaded automatically. Secret chats are tied to the device and not portable.
Banking applications and government software (public services, etc.) are not portable for security reasons, but will have to be reconfigured to enter logins, passwords, and possibly re-identify, and remember online banking passwords in advance so that you don't block cards with multiple input attempts.
Frequent problems and their solution
Users may encounter various difficulties in migrating. One of the common problems is the error "Not enough space" on the receiving device. Always check that the amount of free memory on Xiaomi exceeds the amount of data on Honor. If memory is scarce, transfer the most important things first, and upload photos and videos later on your PC.
Another problem is broken apps, which may not be running or crashing after the transfer, because Honor may have installed specific versions of apps (e.g., AppGallery) that conflict with Google services on Xiaomi, in which case the app needs to be removed and re-downloaded from the Google Play Store.
If the process hangs on a certain percentage, try:
- 🔄 Reboot both smartphones and start over.
- 📶 Shut down. VPN Proxies on both devices.
- 🌡️ Let the phones cool down if they overheat.
- 🔌 Use a cable connection (via an adapter) USB-C to USB-C), If the Mi Mover supports this mode.
⚠️ Note: If contacts are displayed in duplicates after the transfer, use the built-in Contact Merger feature in the Contacts app on Xiaomi or clear duplicates through the Google Contacts web interface.
Sometimes users notice that after the transfer, the alarm clocks do not ring or work incorrectly, this is due to aggressive battery optimization in MIUI. Go to the battery settings for the Watch application and set the No Limits mode, and allow auto-start.
Completion of customization and optimization
After successfully transferring all data, take your time to delete information from your old Honor. Use your new smartphone for a few days to make sure everything is working correctly, all passwords are remembered, and important files are in place.
Xiaomi should conduct primary optimization: update all applications through the Play Store, check the system updates in the Settings section → The phone, the system. MIUI/HyperOS can offer additional configuration of portable applications for screen resolution and new control gestures.
Check the NFC for payment, set up fingerprints and facial recognition again, as biometrics are stored in the secure module of each phone and cannot be transferred. It is also recommended to customize the themes, as fonts and icons on Honor and Xiaomi may differ visually.
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The full transition is considered complete only after checking the operation of all critical functions: calls, the Internet, instant messengers and payments.