How to quickly and safely transfer data from Xiaomi to Honor: photos, contacts, applications

Moving from Xiaomi to Honor is not just about changing your brand, but also the need to transfer all the important data: photos, contacts, messages, and even installed applications. Many users face problems when trying to transfer files: slow speed over Bluetooth, sync errors through Google Account or incompatibility of proprietary utilities. In this article, we will analyze 5 working ways to transfer data, compare them in speed and reliability, and also tell you how to avoid typical errors.

The thing about the Xiaomi-Honor transfer is that both manufacturers use their own ecosystems, MIUI and Magic UI, which means that standard tools like the Mi Mover or Huawei Backup may not work directly, but there are workarounds, from using OTG cable to cloud services, and we tested each method on the Redmi Note 12 and Honor 90 models to give accurate recommendations.

If you only need to migrate contacts and photos, cloud backups will suffice, more complex solutions will be needed to migrate fully (including apps and settings), and in this article you will find step-by-step instructions for each case, as well as a method comparison table for key parameters.

1. Transfer data via Mi Mover (official method from Xiaomi)

Mi Mover is an embedded application in MIUI designed to transfer data between Xiaomi devices, but it can work with some Honor models if they support Wi-Fi Direct, a method that is suitable for transferring photos, videos, contacts, messages and even some applications (without data inside them).

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

• 📱 Open the Mi Mover app on Xiaomi (find it through search or in the Utility folder).
• 🔄 Select the option I'm the sender (on the old phone) and I'm the recipient (on the new Honor).
• 📶 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi Direct network (password will appear on the Xiaomi screen).
• ✅ Select data types for transfer and confirm the transfer.

The speed of the transfer depends on the amount of data: for example, 10 GB of photos are transferred in about 15-20 minutes.

⚠️ Note: If you have Magic installed on Honor UI 7.0+, Mi Mover may not recognize the device as the recipient, in which case use alternative methods in the following sections.

Both devices are charged at least 50 times%|Honor has a “Phone Clone” app installed (if Mi Mover is not working)|Disabled. VPN and energy-saving regime|Free space on Honor exceeds the amount of data transferred-->

2.Use of Phone Clone (official decision from Honor)

Honor offers its own Phone Clone app, which works similarly to Mi Mover but with better compatibility with other brands’ devices.This method is suitable for transferring contacts, messages, photos, videos and even call history.

Instructions for transfer:

1. Install Phone Clone on both devices.
2. On Honor, select This is a new phone, on Xiaomi, This is an old phone.
3. Scan it. QR-code from the Honor screen on Xiaomi to connect.
4. Select the data to transfer and wait for the process to be completed.

The advantage of the Phone Clone is that it supports data portability from Android 5.0 and later, while the Mi Mover requires Android 8.0+.

• 🚫 Installed applications are not portable (only their lists for download from the store).
• 🚫 Some system settings (e.g. wallpaper or power saving modes) do not migrate.

Mi Mover|Phone Clone|Google Account|Cable OTG|Other-->

3. Transfer via Google Account (cloud method)

The most versatile way is to sync data through Google Account, which works on any Android device and does not require additional applications, but is only suitable for contacts, calendars, notes, photos (via Google Photos) and some settings. SMS not to be moved.

Step-by-step:

1. On Xiaomi, open Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Enable synchronization for Contacts, Calendar and other data you need.
3. On Honor, log in to the same Google account and wait for automatic sync.
4. To transfer photos, install Google Photos on both devices and enable backup.

Important nuances:

• 📸 Google Photos compresses images for free storage (up to 16 MP resolution.
• 📱 SMS and the call log is not synced through Google – they need a separate backup (for example, through the Internet). SMS Backup & Restore).

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If you have slow internet, connect to Wi-Fi before syncing and turn off automatic app updates to speed up the process.

4. Transfer via OTG cable or adapter

If you don’t have time to wirelessly transfer or data is more than 50 GB, the most reliable way is to use an OTG cable (or USB-C to USB-C adapter), which allows you to transfer any files, including music, documents and even application backups (.apk and.obb).

What you need:

• 🔌 Cable USB-C to USB-C (or OTG + common USB-C cable).
• 📁 File Manager (e.g., Mi File Manager or Files by Google).

Instructions:

1. Connect Xiaomi to Honor via cable.
2. On Xiaomi, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. Open the file manager on Honor and copy the folders you want (DCIM for photos, Download for downloads, etc.).

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Maximum speed (up to 480 Mbps when used) USB 3.0).
• 📂 The ability to selectively copy any files, including hidden ones.

⚠️ Note: Some Honor models (such as the Honor Magic 5) block access to system folders through the system. MTP. In this case, use Total Commander with a plugin. USB Plugin to bypass restrictions.

5. Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct transmission

If you don't have a cable and you don't have more than 1-2 GB of data, you can use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct, which is the slowest method, but it doesn't require any accessories, and it's suitable for sending contacts, individual photos or documents.

How to transfer data:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on both devices.
2. On Xiaomi, select files to send and click Share → Bluetooth.
3. Confirm admission to Honor.

Transmission speed:

To speed up Wi-Fi Direct transfer, use applications like Send Anywhere or Xender, which create a local network between devices and transfer files at speeds up to 30 Mbps.

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Bluetooth is only suitable for small files. Use Wi-Fi Direct or cable to transfer photo albums or videos.

6. Computer transfer (for full backup)

If you need to migrate all the data without exception, including system settings, SMS, call log and apps, the most reliable way is to create a full backup on your computer and then restore it to Honor. This will require a PC with ADB drivers installed and Mi PC Suite (for Xiaomi) and HiSuite (for Honor).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your PC and create a backup via Mi PC Suite (select all data categories).
2. Connect Honor and install HiSuite.
3. Restore data from the backup by selecting the desired categories.

Limitations of the method:

• 🖥️ Requires a Windows computer (official utilities do not support) macOS/Linux).
• 🔄 Not all settings. MIUI Restore correctly on Magic UI.

Comparison of data transfer methods

To choose the best method, compare all methods on key parameters:

For most users, a combination of methods would be the best solution, like Phone Clone for contacts and SMS + OTG cable for photos and videos, and if you need to migrate data apps, you need a computer.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data transfer from Xiaomi to Honor