Changing a smartphone is often perceived as a stressful process, especially when you need to transfer the accumulated information over the years to a new device. The transition from Honor to Xiaomi is becoming increasingly urgent, given the active development of the Chinese brand ecosystem and changes in the software of former Huawei sub-brands. Modern tools allow you to make this process as fast and painless as possible for the user, preserving the integrity of the archive of photos, contacts list and application settings.
The challenge is that both manufacturers use their own add-ons over Android, which can interpret backup differently. However, having standard data protocols and specialized utilities makes it much easier. In this article, we will take a detailed look at all the migration options available, from cloud services to direct cable, so you can choose the most convenient option.
Before you start, you need to make sure that both devices are charged at least 60-70%. interruption of the process of transferring large amounts of data due to battery discharge can lead to file damage or malfunction of the system on the new phone.
Preparation of devices before the migration
Successful transfer of information depends on the quality of pre-preparedness of both smartphones. On the Honor device, you should clear the cache of unused applications and delete temporary files that will only take extra time when copying, which will reduce the duration of the procedure and avoid transferring digital debris.
On the new Xiaomi smartphone, you need to perform an initial setup to the desktop. If you have already started using a new device, make sure that the version of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system is updated to the latest available version, which ensures compatibility of data formats and corrects known errors in the portability utility.
Be sure to follow the following steps to minimize risks:
- 🔋 Connect both smartphones to a power source or make sure the battery is high.
- 📶 Stabilize your Wi-Fi connection if you plan to use cloud-based methods or wireless transmissions.
- 🔒 Unlock the screens of both devices and allow all file access requests that will appear in the process.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to interrupt the synchronization process or close data applications until a successful completion message appears, which may result in the loss of some contacts or damage to the message database.
An important step is to check your Google account, and make sure that your old Honor syncs your contacts and calendar with your Google account, and that it creates an additional safety copy in case the specialized software fails, go to your account settings and press the Force Sync button.
Using the Mi Mover app for full cloning
The most effective and native way to transfer data for Xiaomi owners is the official Mi Mover application. This utility is preinstalled on most modern models of the brand and optimized for working with the MIUI file system. It allows you to transfer not only multimedia, but also system settings, call history and even the location of icons on the desktop.
The process starts with installing the app on both devices. On Xiaomi, it's usually in the Tools folder. On Honor, you need to download it from the AppGallery or Google Play app store. Once you start it on your new phone, select Receiver and Sender on the old one.
Connection between devices is established through the creation of a Wi-Fi hotspot. Mi Mover will automatically offer scanning. QR-The code displayed on the screen of the new smartphone. Once you establish the connection, you will see a list of data categories available for transfer:
- 📸 Images and videos (including hidden albums).
- 📞 Contacts, messages SMS/MMS call-book.
- 📱 Applications and their data (support from the application itself is required).
- 🎵 Audio files and documents.
The feature of the program is the ability to select specific applications for transfer. However, it is worth considering that banking applications and some messengers may require re-authorization on the new device for security reasons. The data inside them, such as correspondence on WhatsApp or Telegram, is often transferred separately through the built-in backup functions of the messengers themselves.
☑️ Preparation for transfer via Mi Mover
Synchronization through Google Account and Cloud Services
An alternative and time-tested method is to use the Google ecosystem, ideal for those who want to keep contacts, notes, calendar events and photos intact, regardless of the phone model.
What to check first? Go to your Google account settings on your old device and make sure that the sliders opposite Contacts, Calendar and Google Photos are active. Once enabled, click the sync button. On the new Xiaomi, just log in to the same account when you first set up, and the data will be automatically pulled up.
For photos and videos, Google Photos is the best service, which allows you to free up space on your old device by uploading all media to the cloud in original or compressed quality, and on a new phone, you just need to install an app and log in to access the entire media library.
Table of synchronization methods comparison:
| Parameter | Mi Mover | Google Account | Manual copying |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed of operation | High (locally) | Depends on the Internet. | Medium |
| Portability of applications | Yes (partially) | No (list only) | No. |
| The need for a PC | No. | No. | Preferably. |
| Preservation of layout | Yes. | No. | No. |
Using Honor’s cloud services (HiCloud) is also possible, but will require installing a separate app on Xiaomi and may be less stable due to differences in service certification.
Manual transfer of files via computer or cable
For users with huge archives of high-resolution photos or videos 4K, And if you're not doing this, wireless methods can be too slow, and then the most rational solution is to use a computer as an intermediary, or to connect phones directly through a phone. USB-cable.
When connecting Honor to your computer, select USB File Transfer (MTP) mode. Windows Explorer will open access to the phone's internal memory. Copy the DCIM (camera), Pictures (screenshots and images from apps) and Download folders to your PC hard drive. Then connect Xiaomi and move the files to the appropriate directories.
Nuances of the Android file system
There is also the option of directly connecting two phones via a USB cable if you have a USB-C adapter on a USB-C. In this case, one phone will be defined as external storage for the other.This method requires support for USB OTG technology on both devices, which is relevant for most modern models.
When you manually copy, look for hidden folders that start with a dot, which can store some application configurations or cached data, but you can't manually copy system folders like Android/data, because when you install apps on a new device, they'll be recreated with the right access permissions.
Transfer of messages, calls and specific data
The most sensitive part of migration is often the preservation of history. SMS-And standard Android tools don't always give that information away when you just copy files. And here are some of the tools that come to the rescue, like specialized tools like this. SMS Backup & Restore.
The principle of operation of such applications is to create XML-The process is to install the app on both phones, create a backup on Honor, transfer the file to Xiaomi (via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct) and start recovery.
For instant messengers, the algorithm is different: WhatsApp needs to back up chat settings by selecting Google Drive. On a new phone, when it first launches, the app will prompt you to recover your correspondence history from the cloud. It is important to use the same phone number and Google account.
⚠️ Note: When transferring messenger data, make sure that two-factor authentication is not enabled on the old device without the possibility of receiving code on the device. SMS, if SIM-The card has already been transferred to the new phone, which could block access to the account.
Passwords stored in your browser and system also require attention. If you used a Google password manager or a third-party service like Bitwarden or KeePass, you just need to install the corresponding application on your new smartphone. The password manager built into Android syncs automatically when you log in to your Google account.
Problem Solving and Post-Mobility Optimization
Once the migration is complete, users may encounter a number of common problems, such as some apps that may not open or not work properly, because the paths to files on the new device may have changed or the version of the app is not optimized for the new version of Android.
In such cases, it is recommended to remove the problematic application and reinstall it from the Google Play store.This ensures that you install a compatible version with clean settings. It is also worth checking the permissions for applications in the Application settings section → Access rights, as after transferring some of them can be reset for security purposes.
Pay special attention to the biometrics settings: fingerprints and facial recognition data are not transferred between devices for security reasons, and you will have to re-register your biometrics in the Passwords and Security section on the new Xiaomi.
To optimize the performance of the new smartphone after transferring a large amount of data, it is recommended to reboot the device, which will allow the MIUI system to index files, rebuild the database of media files and correctly allocate the resources of the processor.
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After transferring the data, go to the battery settings and check if any of the transferred applications consume excess charge in the background. Sometimes old caches can cause increased energy consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Will Wi-Fi passwords be lost when you switch?
Can I transfer the bank applications without re-registration?
What if the Mi Mover is stuck in the transfer phase?
Should I reset the new Xiaomi to factory settings before the transfer?
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The key to success is consistency and the use of official tools such as Mi Mover, which ensure the best compatibility between devices from different manufacturers.