How to quickly and safely transfer data from Honor to Xiaomi Redmi: a complete guide

Moving from Honor to Xiaomi Redmi is not just a brand change, but also a need to transfer all the important data: contacts, photos, messages and applications. Many users face difficulties when trying to synchronize devices from different manufacturers, especially when it comes to models with proprietary firmware Magic UI (Honor) and MIUI (Xiaomi). In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods of data transfer, their pros and cons, and also give recommendations on choosing the best method depending on the amount of information and technical capabilities of your devices.

The peculiarity of the transfer between Honor and Redmi is that both brands use their own ecosystems: Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) from Honor and Google Mobile Services (GMS) from Xiaomi. This can create conflicts during direct synchronization, so some methods require preliminary preparation. For example, when using Mi Mover on the Xiaomi Redmi 12/13 series, you may need to disable the Data Protection feature in the Honor settings, otherwise the process will end in error. We have taken into account all such nuances and described them in detail in the relevant sections.

It's also important to consider the amount of data that's being transferred. If you're talking about a few gigabytes of photos and videos, you should avoid wireless methods, which can take hours and be interrupted by an unstable connection. In such cases, the optimal use of an OTG cable or an intermediate storage (computer, external drive), for small volumes (contacts, messages, notes), cloud services or specialized applications like Mi Mover will be suitable.

1.Using Mi Mover: The Official Way Xiaomi Is Using

Mi Mover is an integrated application on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones designed to transfer data from other devices, including Honor.It supports the transfer of contacts, messages, photos, videos, audio files and even some settings. The application does not carry the installed APK-files and data from some third-party messengers (such as WhatsApp or Viber).

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

• 📱 On Xiaomi Redmi, open the Mi Mover app (usually found in the Tools folder or searchable).
• 🔄 Select the option “I am the recipient” and wait for the appearance QR-code.
• 📲 On Honor, install the Mi Mover app from AppGallery or APKMirror (unless preinstalled).
• 🔗 Run Mi Mover on Honor, select "I'm the sender" and scan QR-Redmi screen code.
• 📁 Select data types for transfer and confirm the start of transfer.

It can take anywhere from minutes to an hour depending on the amount of data, and it's important that both phones be connected to the same Wi-Fi network or within range of a direct Wi-Fi connection (without a router), and if the transmission is interrupted, try restarting the application or using another method.

⚠️ Note: On some Honor models (such as the Honor 90 or Honor Magic 5), the Mi Mover may not see files due to Magic limitations. UI 7.0+. In this case, before transferring the data to the Download folder or to the SD-map.

Charging both phones > 50%|Shut down. VPN firewalls|Connect to a single Wi-Fi network|Release. ≥ 2GB of storage on the Redmi|Install the latest version of Mi Mover on Honor-->

2.Move over cloud services: Google Drive, Huawei Cloud, Mi Cloud

Cloud storage is a universal way of transferring data, independent of the phone model, and the main advantage is that you can transfer files gradually without being tied to the simultaneous operation of both devices, but there are also disadvantages to this method: limited space (usually free 5-15 GB) and dependence on Internet speed.

Let’s consider three popular options:

To transfer via Google Drive:

1. On Honor, upload files to Google Drive (backup folder or manually).
2. On Redmi, log in to the same Google account and download files through the Files app.
3. Contacts and calendars are synced automatically when you add a Google account to Redmi.

Tip: If you have a lot of photos, use Google Photos with the "Free Space" function on Honor after downloading. On Redmi, photos will appear in the Gallery app after sync.

Google Drive|Huawei Cloud|Mi Cloud|Yandex.Disk.|Other-->

OTG direct cable transmission: fast and without internet

If you don’t have access to stable Wi-Fi or want to transfer a lot of data (e.g. 50+GB), the best option is to use an OTG cable (or USB-C to USB-C adapter), which works 10 to 20 times faster than wireless counterparts and is independent of battery power (if connected to charging).

You'll need:

• 🔌 Cable OTG plug-in USB-C (For modern Honor and Redmi).
• 📁 File Manager on both phones (e.g. Total Commander or Built-in Explorer).
• ⚡ Power supply (it is recommended to connect both phones to charging during transmission).

Instructions:

1. Connect Honor to Redmi via OTG-The Redmi will be notified "USB-plug-in".
2. On Redmi, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. Open the file manager on Redmi and go to the section USB-storage device (this is the memory of Honor).
4. Copy the right folders (DCIM, Download, Pictures, etc.) to internal memory or SD-map.

⚠️ Note: Some Honor models (such as the Honor 80 Pro) when connected OTG You may need to unlock access in the developer settings (Settings) → System system → For developers → Debugging by USB). Without it, Redmi won’t see the files.

If OTG-The cable is not recognized, check if your Redmi model supports the function "USB-Host (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ Supports, and the base model Redmi 10A — In this case, use the computer as an intermediate (see next section).

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If the OTG cable is not suitable for connectors, use the USB-C (male) to USB-A (female) adapter + the standard USB cable from Honor.

4. Computer Transfer: Reliable and With Full Control

Using a PC or laptop is the most reliable way to transfer, especially if you want to sort files before copying or back up, which is also suitable if Honor or Redmi have little space and cloud services are not suitable due to space constraints.

Procedure:

1. Connect Honor to your computer via USB-cable and select File Transfer Mode (MTP).
2. Copy the necessary folders (DCIM, WhatsApp, Documents, etc.) to the hard drive of the computer.
3. Turn off Honor and connect Redmi, also in MTP mode.
4. Move files from your computer to Redmi by following the folder structure (e.g., photos must be in DCIM/Camera to be displayed in the gallery).

For the transfer of contacts and SMS, you can use specialized programs:

• 📇 MyPhoneExplorer – allows you to export contacts, messages and call logs in.vcf and.csv formats.
• 📱 Droid Transfer – convenient for transferring data from messengers (WhatsApp, Viber).

Important: When copying photos and videos, make sure that the files do not have any DRM-protection (e.g., screenshots from some banking applications or streaming services may not open on another device).

5. Wireless transmission via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct

If you don’t have an OTG cable or a computer at hand, you can use wireless technology, but this method is only suitable for small amounts of data (up to 1-2 GB), since the transfer speed over Bluetooth is only ~2-3 Mb / s, and Wi-Fi Direct can be unstable.

Instructions for Wi-Fi Direct:

1. On Honor, activate Wi-Fi Direct in your Wi-Fi settings (usually in the "Advanced" menu).
2. On Redmi, also enable Wi-Fi Direct and connect to the Honor device.
3. Use a file manager (e.g. ES Explorer) to send files.

For Bluetooth:

• Connect the devices in Bluetooth settings.
• Select files on Honor and submit them via the Share Menu → Bluetooth.
• Take the files to Redmi.

⚠️ Note: When transferring files via Bluetooth > 50MB can break into pieces, causing them to be damaged. Avoid this method for high-resolution video.

Alternatively, apps like Send Anywhere or Xender, which create a local network between devices, are faster than Bluetooth, but also depend on the stability of the connection.

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To transfer large files (video, backups) use an OTG cable or a computer. Wireless methods are only suitable for documents and small photos.

6. Applications and their data portability: what you need to know

Unfortunately, the direct transfer of installed applications (APKs) and their data between Honor and Redmi is not possible due to differences in firmware architecture.

• 📲 List of applications: Export the list of installed programs through AppBrain or Adb-command: adb shell pm list packages -f > apps.txt Then install them manually on Redmi from Google Play or APKMirror.
• 🔄 Application data: For messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) use built-in backup functions: - WhatsApp: Settings → chat → Backup (save to Google Drive) - Telegram: data synced to the cloud automatically.
• 🎮 Game progress: Games with Google Play Games or Huawei GameCenter support allow you to save progress in the cloud. log in to Redmi with the same account.

To port data to applications that don’t support cloud sync (such as some banking programs), contact the developer support team – they can provide manual export instructions.

Exception: If the bootloader is unlocked on Honor and TWRP is installed, you can create a full /data partition backup and restore it to Redmi (assuming firmware compatibility).

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

When you move data between Honor and Redmi, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

If some files are missing after transferring to Redmi, check:

• 🗑️.Trash folder or Recycle Bin in the file manager.
• 🔍 Displaying hidden files settings (enable in Explorer).
• 📁 Time folder. /storage/emulated/0/Download/temp.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions