Changing your smartphone is always stressful, associated with the fear of losing important files, contacts or progress in games. Owners of the Huawei and Honor ecosystem often face additional difficulties due to the lack of standard Google services on older models or features of the new MagicOS shell. However, the process of transitioning to Xiaomi devices with a MIUI or HyperOS shell is now as automated as possible and does not require deep technical knowledge.
The main task in migration is to preserve the integrity of the user base: phone book, gallery, call history and installed applications. Modern tools allow you to clone the system in minutes using a Wi-Fi connection. The key here is to choose the right method of transmission, since the amount of data can vary from several gigabytes to hundreds.
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to transfer information, paying special attention to Xiaomi’s regular tools, you will learn how to avoid common errors and why some applications may not migrate automatically. Direct transmission over Wi-Fi Direct provides speeds up to 40 MB / s, which is much faster than cloud methods. Let’s prepare both devices for operation.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before you start the copying process, you need to make sure that both smartphones are ready for active work. Charge the battery of the old Honor and the new Xiaomi to at least 60%, as the intensive operation of communication modules quickly consumes energy. Also check the availability of free space on the receiving device: the amount of free memory must exceed the size of the data on the old phone.
Remove unused junk files and cache from both devices to speed up the sync process. On Honor, it is advisable to close background applications that may consume traffic or block access to the file system. On Xiaomi side, you need to perform the initial system setup by logging into your Mi Account.
- 🔋 Charge both smartphones to levels above 60% or connect them to a power source.
- 📶 Make sure that both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled.
- 🧹 Free up space on Xiaomi by deleting temporary files and unnecessary apps.
It is important to check the operating system versions. Although modern transfer protocols are usually cross-platform, having current Android or MagicOS updates on Honor reduces the risk of crashes. If Honor runs a very old version of Android (below 6.0), some modern methods may not work, and you will have to use backup on your PC.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to interrupt the preparation process by closing system settings, which may lead to security conflict and block file transfers.
Using the Mi Mover application for portability
The most effective and official way to migrate is to use the Mi Mover utility, which is designed specifically for Xiaomi owners and allows you to transfer data from Android, iOS and other devices. On the new Xiaomi smartphone, the application is already built into the system and is located in the Tools folder or available through settings.
Old Honor must be downloaded and installed APK-When you run on both devices, select the role of each phone: Xiaomi says “I’m the recipient” and Honor says “I’m the sender.
☑️ Check before launching the Mi Mover
The interface will offer you to choose the types of data to copy. You can transfer contacts, messages, calls, images, videos, music, documents and even system settings. The algorithm allows you to save the folder structure, which is important for those who are accustomed to a certain file order.
- 📲 Install Mi Mover on Honor via browser or scan QR-code.
- 🔗 Connect devices via the temporary Wi-Fi network created by the application.
- ✅ Select all the necessary data categories for full migration.
The process can take anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours depending on the amount of information.Device screens must remain active during the transfer.Once completed, Xiaomi will automatically install the available apps and place icons on the desktop similar to how they were on Honor.
Comparison of data transmission methods
Users often wonder whether to choose an embedded application, cloud services or third-party software. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages depending on the specific situation and technical condition of the devices. Below is a comparative table of the main approaches.
| Method | Speed. | Internet dependency | Data types |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover | Tall. | Not required | All (including settings) |
| Google Photo/Disc | Medium | I'll be sure. | Photos, videos, contacts |
| Bluetooth | Low. | Not required | Only small files. |
| USB-cable) | Tall. | Not required | Multimedia files |
As you can see from the table, Mi Mover is the most versatile solution. Cloud services are good for backup, but require a stable and fast Internet connection, and may also have limits on the amount of free storage. Direct connection via a PC cable is suitable if you just need to download heavy video files without installing extra software.
Why is Bluetooth not suitable for full migration?
For users who value privacy, local transmission via Mi Mover is preferable, as the data does not leave the confines of your devices and is not uploaded to third-party servers, this is especially true when working with documents or personal correspondence.
Transferring Contacts and Messages through Accounts
The telephone book should be transferred and SMS-If you are syncing through a Google Honor account, you can simply log in to the same Xiaomi account, and your contacts will automatically download from the Google Contacts cloud, and your call history can be restored through your sync settings.
Honor owners often use the Huawei Cloud. To transfer contacts from there, you can export them in.vcf format and import them to a new phone. Open the Contacts app on Honor, select Contact Management and click Export. Send the file to yourself by mail or send it via messenger, and then open it to Xiaomi.
- ☁️ Sign in to your Google account on your new auto-synchronization device.
- 📇 Export your contacts to.vcf if you use Huawei’s cloud.
- 💬 Use the app «SMS Backup & Restore to save correspondence.
Messages are more complicated because Google’s standard sync doesn’t always keep the full text. SMS. Here come to the rescue of specialized utilities or the function “Data migration” inside the Mi Mover, which can pull SMS-Recovery of the history of correspondence is critical for many users, so this step should not be ignored.
⚠️ Note: When importing contacts from a.vcf file, duplicates may be created if some numbers are already stored in memory. SIM-Check the phone book after you complete your card or other account.
Working with Multimedia and File System
Photos and videos take up the lion's share of the memory of a modern smartphone. When transferring from Honor to Xiaomi, it is important to save not only the files themselves, but also metadata: shooting date, geolocation and device information. Direct copying through the file manager or Mi Mover stores these attributes, unlike some messengers, which compress quality.
If you use Google Photos, make sure that all albums are uploaded to the cloud on Honor (“Sync is complete”). On Xiaomi, just open the Google Photos app and the entire gallery will be available instantly. However, for original quality and traffic savings, it is better to use local port.
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Hide folders with system thumbnails (.thumbnails) before transfer, so as not to copy gigabytes of temporary garbage that the Xiaomi system will create again.
Note the folder structure. On Honor, the path to the camera may be called DCIM/Camera, and on Xiaomi it may be similar, but apps can create their own directories. After transfer, check the gallery: sometimes photos from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) get into shared folders, and they need to be sorted manually.
Problem Solving and Application Compatibility
Despite the versatility of Android, there may be nuances when switching from one shell to another. Apps tied to Huawei services (HMS) can not work properly on Xiaomi, where Google services (GMS) dominate. Banking applications, navigators and instant messengers usually require re-authorization or reinstallation.
If an app doesn’t open or crashes immediately after launch, try clearing its data in Xiaomi’s Settings → Apps → All Apps → [App Needed] → Clear the data. It’s also worth checking for updates in the GetApps store or Google Play.
Pay special attention to two-factor authentication.Before resetting your old Honor, make sure you have access to your phone number or backup codes to log into your important accounts. SIM-Many services automatically recognize the number, but banks may require confirmation via SMS or call.
Completion of customization and optimization
After successfully migrating data, the new smartphone requires final customization. Xiaomi offers extensive personalization options worth exploring. Check alarm clocks, alarm clocks, notifications and app permissions. MIUI/HyperOS can aggressively save charge by killing the background processes of messengers, so they need to be added to exceptions.
Delete old Wi-Fi profiles if they are not up to date and set up new access points. Check the biometrics: fingerprint and face need to be re-registered, as this data is stored in the secure security module of each device and is not copyable.
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The full migration cycle is considered complete only after checking the operability of critical applications (bank, navigator, messengers) and a successful test call.
Now your Xiaomi is ready to go full-fledged.The old Honor can be prepared for sale or transfer by performing a full reset to the factory settings (Settings → System → Settings Reset), but only after making sure that all data is safely stored in the new location.