Changing a smartphone is always stressful, not so much with getting used to a new interface, but with the risk of losing important information when transferring. Honor device owners who move to the Xiaomi ecosystem often face the peculiarities of data migration, as brands use different shells and service add-ons, but this process has long been automated and does not require deep technical knowledge or contact the service center.
The big challenge is that older Honor models may not have Google service built in, while Xiaomi with MIUI or HyperOS shells are tailored to Google’s ecosystem. The right sequence of actions will allow you to avoid losing contacts, messaging and personal photos. We’ll look at all the available ways, from cloud syncs to local Wi-Fi Direct transmission.
In this article, we will discuss the Mi Mover app, which is the most reliable tool for this task, and also pay attention to the nuances of transferring through a Google account, since this is the basic method for any Android operating system, you will learn how to save the folder structure and not get confused with duplicate files.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before launching any portable applications, both smartphones need to be trained in basic ways, which will take no more than 5-10 minutes, but will save troubleshooting hours in the future. Make sure both devices have at least 60-70% battery charge, as the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules are fast-paced.
On an old Honor device, check for free space and no system bugs. Delete temporary files or heavy app cache to speed up the scanning process. On the new Xiaomi, you need to run the initial setup to the home screen, but not create new accounts yet if you plan to use an old Google account.
- 🔋 Charge both smartphones to at least 70% for stable operation.
- 📶 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network (preferably 5GHz for speed).
- 🔒 Turn off the lock screen or set a simple one. PIN-code so that the system does not interrupt the transmission of password requests.
- 📲 Free up space on the new Xiaomi by removing pre-installed junk if memory is limited.
An important step is to verify the versions of operating systems. Although modern transfer protocols are usually compatible, having current updates on both devices minimizes the risk of software conflicts. Go to Settings → System → Software Update and make sure the software is up to date.
💡
If you have Honor without Google services, be sure to install the Gspace app or analogue before transferring if you plan to sync your data through your Google account.
Using the Mi Mover application for direct transmission
The most effective way, independent of Internet speed and cloud storage, is to use the proprietary utility Mi Mover. This application is designed specifically for migration to Xiaomi and Redmi devices, supporting the transfer of contacts, messages, call logs, notes, images, audio, video and installed applications.
The process starts with installing the app on an old device. On new Xiaomi models, it is already built into the system and is in the Tools folder or available through settings when you first start. APK-file or find the application in the app store, if it is available there.
After running the app on both phones, follow the simple instructions:
- On the new Xiaomi, select “I’m a recipient.”
- On the old Honor, select "I'm a sender."
- Scan it. QR-code that will appear on the screen of the new phone, or connect to the created Wi-Fi point manually.
The Mi Mover interface allows you to flexibly configure data filtering. You can only select certain types of files, such as migrating only contacts and photos, leaving apps for manual installation. This is useful if you want to start with a clean list of programs on a new device.
☑️ Checklist before Mi Mover launch
The speed of the transfer depends on the amount of data and the quality of the wireless connection. On average, it takes about 15-20 minutes to transfer 32 GB of data. Do not turn the application down or go to other menus during the process, as this can break the connection.
Synchronization through Google account
The classic method that remains relevant for any pair of Android smartphones: If your Honor was active login to Google account, then most of the data (contacts, calendar, Google Keep notes) is already stored in the cloud.
However, there's a nuance with photos: Google Photos should be installed and set to automatically download on your old phone. Check the sync status by opening the app and making sure the cloud icon doesn't show errors. Only then will the data appear in the gallery of the new device.
| Type of data | Synchronization method | nuance |
|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Google Contacts | Instant access after entry |
| Photo/Video | Google Photo | It takes time to load. |
| Passwords. | Google Password Manager | Autocomplete in Chrome and apps |
| Annexes | Google Play Store | Automatic booting from history |
For applications, Google Play is the most convenient method. When you first set up Xiaomi, the system will offer to restore data from the backup. Select the last restore point of your Honor. The system will automatically start downloading and installing all previously used programs.
What to do if your contacts are not synchronized?
Transfer of messengers: WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber
Messengers deserve special attention, since their correspondence history is often stored locally or in specific clouds. APK-The file is not enough here – you need a separate backup procedure.
For WhatsApp, it is critical to back up on Google Drive from your old device. Go to Settings → Chats → Backup Chats and click Backup. Make sure you are using the same Google account that will be on your new phone. When you install WhatsApp on Xiaomi, the app will find the backup and prompt you to restore it.
⚠️ Note: When you move WhatsApp between different brands (especially if Honor is based on Huawei Mobile Services, not Google), the standard Google Drive method may not work. In this case, use the “Chat Transfer” feature inside WhatsApp itself when you initially set up your new phone, scanning it. QR-camera-code.
With Telegram, it's easier: the history of the correspondence is stored on the messenger servers. Just enter the phone number and confirmation code. Secret chats are not portable, because they are tied to a specific device and encryption keys.
Viber also requires you to back up to Google Drive in the app settings. The process is similar to WhatsApp: create a backup on the old one, restore the first run on a new one. Note that recovery is only possible on the same platform (Android on Android).
💡
Telegram’s history doesn’t require backup, as it’s stored in the cloud, unlike WhatsApp and Viber, which require Google Drive.
Problem Solving and Typical Errors
When migrating, users often experience a connection break or "Not enough space" errors. If a transmission is interrupted in the middle, don't panic. Most modern tools can resume downloading from the stop, but it's better to check the integrity of the data.
A common problem is the conflict of Android versions. If Honor is running very old Android (for example, 6.0 or 7.0) and Xiaomi is running fresh Android 13 or 14, some old file formats or application databases may not convert correctly, in which case it is recommended to transfer only media files and contacts, and install the applications again.
- 📉 Low speed: Make sure that none of the devices are using the internet to download heavy updates in the background.
- 🔌 Communications Disconnect: Get closer to the router or use the Hotspot mode created by one of the phones instead of the home Wi-Fi network.
- 💾 Memory error: If the space on the new phone is less than the weight of the data from the old one, clear the gallery or use the PC as an intermediate link.
Also worth mentioning is the issue of access rights: On newer versions of MIUI and HyperOS, an aggressive security system can block the installation of applications from unknown sources or access to the file system.
⚠️ Note: Two-factor authentication (2FA). If you use confirmation code applications (Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator), be sure to export the codes or link them to a cloud account before you reset your old phone.
Completion of migration and initial setup
Once the data is moved, take your time to delete everything from your old device. Let the new Xiaomi smartphone work for a few hours. Check if the apps open, if the contacts and photos are displayed correctly. Pay special attention to alarms and reminders - they sometimes require manual rechecking.
Make a new backup already on Xiaomi. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup Recovery (the path may vary depending on the version of MIUI) and create a local copy or make sure the cloud sync is successful. This is your insurance for the future.
The final touch is to set up biometrics: fingerprints and facial data are not transferred between devices for security reasons; you will have to re-register them on a new device; and it is recommended that all applications in Google Play and GetApps be upgraded to the latest versions to optimize the work.