Changing a smartphone is always stressful, not so much with getting used to a new gadget, but with the need to transfer accumulated gigabytes of information. Users often face a dilemma: how quickly and without loss to transfer contacts, photos and applications from a device to Android, whether it is an old Xiaomi or a new Honor. Modern technology allows you to make this process as automated as possible, but the choice of the right method depends on the specific situation.
In this guide, we will look at all the current ways of data migration, including proprietary utilities of manufacturers and universal solutions. MIUI/HyperOS MagicOS and how to avoid common errors that cause you to lose important information.
Whether youβre changing your budget model to a flagship or just want to clone your settings to a second phone, getting the right setup will save you hours of time. Itβs important to understand that just copying files isnβt enough β you need to keep the folder structure and the apps running.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before any transfer operation is initiated, both devices must be trained in basic training, a critical step that can cause the process to be interrupted or files to be damaged, and make sure that both smartphones are at least 60 percent charged as the active communication modules are rapidly consuming power.
Check for free space on the receiving device. The amount of memory available should exceed the size of the transmitted data with a margin of 10-15% for the correct operation of the system, and it is also recommended to update the operating system on both gadgets to the latest available version.
β οΈ Warning: Do not attempt to start a transfer if one of the devices is in power saving mode.This can cause the Wi-Fi Direct connection to break at the most inopportune time.
To ensure that wireless transmission methods work properly, Bluetooth and GPS are enabled on both devices, which are used for the primary handshake and detection of devices in close proximity to each other.
βοΈ Checklist of preparations
Delete temporary files and cache on your old smartphone, which will reduce the amount of information being transferred and speed up the process, and clean up through the standard memory management menu or third-party utilities.
Using Mi Mover to Switch to Xiaomi
The Mi Mover app is a standard tool for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices. It allows you to transfer contacts, messages, calls, notes, voice recorder, images, music, videos, documents, applications and system settings. The application is preinstalled in the Tools folder on new models.
If the old device doesn't have an embedded app, you have to download it from Google Play or the manufacturer's official website. The launch process is simple: on the new phone, you select "I'm the recipient" mode, and on the old one, you select "I'm the sender." Scanning. QR-The code instantly creates a secure communication channel.
What data does Mi Mover not carry?
The interface allows you to flexibly customize the choice of categories. You can eliminate heavy video files or unnecessary applications to speed up the process. Transfer speeds up to 40 MB / s using Wi-Fi Direct technology.
It is important not to fold the app or lock the screen while running. Android may restrict background activity, leading to a synchronization error. Keep screens on until a successful completion message appears.
β οΈ Note: When migrating to HyperOS devices, make sure that the Mi Mi Miver app is updated, as older versions may not work properly with the new file system.
Once the copy is complete, the system will suggest installing the ported applications, a step that may take extra time as the current versions are downloaded from stores.
Transferring information to Honor via Phone Clone
For Honor smartphone owners, the main tool is the Phone Clone utility (or Honor Clone on new models), a cross-platform solution that works effectively with both Huawei/Honor devices and other Android brands.
The way it works is the same as the competition: it's a local hotspot, and the difference is that it supports data porting from iOS, making it versatile when you change the ecosystem, and it's available on AppGallery and Google Play.
- π± Install Phone Clone on both devices.
- π On the new Honor, select βThis is a new phoneβ and on the old one, βThis is an old phoneΒ».
- π· Scan the one that appears. QR-camera-code.
- β Select data to transfer and start the process.
A feature of working with Honor is deep integration with Honor ID account. If you log in with the same credentials, some of the settings and purchases in the themes will be restored automatically.
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Use the Settings Cloning feature to automatically place app icons on the new screen just as they were on the old phone.
When migrating to MagicOS 7.0 and higher, the system may request additional permissions to access files.This is a standard Android 13+ security procedure that requires manual user confirmation.
The Phone Clone is often faster than standard Google tools, thanks to streamlining protocols. Large video files and photo archives are copied first.
Comparison of transmission methods: table of possibilities
The choice of tool depends on which data is the priority, and the following is a comparison of the functionality of different migration methods, which will help determine the best option for your situation.
| Method | Contacts and calls | Photos and videos | Annexes | Wi-Fi passwords |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover | Complete transfer | No compression. | APC + data | Yes. |
| Phone Clone | Complete transfer | No compression. | APC + data | Yes. |
| Google Account | Only contacts. | Only a photo. | Only a list. | No. |
| Bluetooth | Yes. | Very slowly. | No. | No. |
As you can see from the table, specialized applications from manufacturers provide the most complete migration, using a standard Google account is only suitable for basic synchronization of contacts and calendar.
Bluetooth transmission is only mentioned here for the sake of completeness, but in 2026 it is not feasible to use this method for large amounts of data because of the low speed, which is only true for transferring a pair of contacts in an emergency.
Note the Wi-Fi password column. This is one of the most useful features of native utilities, allowing a new phone to automatically connect to known networks without manual key entry.
Sync with Google Account and Cloud
The classic method that works on any device with Google services, ideal for those who often change phones or use multiple gadgets at once, the bulk of data is stored in the cloud, not in the device's memory.
To activate, you need to log into your Google account settings on your old device and make sure the contacts, calendar and Chrome sync switches are active. Photos are uploaded via Google Photos, freeing up space on the device.
On the new smartphone Xiaomi or Honor, just enter the same username and password at the first setting. the system will automatically begin to tighten contacts and set shortcuts for previously used applications.
β οΈ Warning: Google Drive's free tariff only provides 15GB of space.If you have a lot of photos in original quality, this volume may not be enough.
This method does not tolerate system settings, the location of Wi-Fi widgets and passwords between different brands as effectively as native utilities, but it is the foundation for the digital identity of the user.
It's recommended that you use this in conjunction with others, like sending apps and photos over Phone Clone, and trusting your contacts and emails to Google, and that will create a reliable backup.
Solving problems in transfer
Despite automation, the process can encounter technical hurdles, and a common problem is that the connection is 99 percent broken, which usually means that one device has gone into sleep or is out of place.
If the transmission is frozen, try restarting both smartphones and repeating the procedure. Make sure that the screens do not run energy-intensive games or navigation, which can block the Wi-Fi module.
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The main secret of success is to keep the screens of both phones on and stay at a distance of no more than 1 meter from each other.
In case of errors with specific applications (e.g. banking), it is better to install them manually, and migration of these programs is often blocked by security policies.
Sometimes users complain about duplicate contacts, which happens if synchronization is enabled and in the SIM-map, and in Google account. Solved through the "Contact" appΒ» -> setting -> duplication.