How to transfer data from Honor to Xiaomi: from contacts to applications

Moving from Honor to Xiaomi is not just about changing your brand, but also the need to migrate all your personal data, from contacts and messages to photos, videos and even app settings. Many users are faced with the challenge of how to do it quickly, without loss and without using a computer? In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to migrate data, including official tools from Xiaomi and universal solutions for all models.

The difference between these brands is that both companies use their own cloud services (Huawei Mobile Cloud and Mi Cloud) that are not directly compatible, but there are workarounds, from standard app cloning in MIUI to manual export through Google Account or third-party utilities like SHAREit, and we tested each method on current models (such as Honor 90 → Xiaomi 14) and identified their pros and cons on speed, reliability and data volume.

Important: If you plan to sell or rent out an old Honor, do a factory reset first – but only after confirming that all files have been successfully copied to the new Xiaomi.

1.Official method: Application Cloning tool in MIUI

Xiaomi’s most reliable and recommended method is to use the built-in app cloning feature (formerly called Mi Mover), which is available on all smartphones with MIUI 12 and later, including Redmi, POCO and flagship series, and the advantage of this method is to transfer not only media files, but also installed applications, messages, call records and even some system settings.

How it works:

• 📱 On the new Xiaomi go to Settings → The phone. → Cloning applications (or search for “cloning” settings»).
• 🔄 Select the option I am a new user and follow the instructions on the screen.
• 📶 Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network (required!) on Honor scan QR-code that will appear on Xiaomi.
• 📁 Select data types to transfer: contacts, messages, photos, videos, audio, applications, etc.
• ⏳ Wait for the process to be completed (can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the volume).

⚠️ Note: If you have Magic installed on Honor UI (not EMUI), The cloning function may not recognize the device, in which case use alternative methods in the following sections.

Battery charge for both phones >50%

Both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (not mobile data!).

Xiaomi has enough free space (transfer takes a temporary cache)

Disabled. VPN Firewalls on both phones-->

2. Move through Google Account (for contacts, calendar and mail)

If you only need to migrate contacts, calendar events, notes and email, the easiest way is to sync through Google Account. This method works on any Android device and does not require additional applications.

Step-by-step:

1. On Honor, open Settings → Accounts → Google and enable sync for all the data you need (contacts, calendar, Gmail, etc.).
2. Wait for the sync to complete (check in Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync).
3. On Xiaomi, log into the same Google account and enable synchronization of the same data.
4. Reboot your new phone – the data should come in automatically.

🔹 Limitations of method:

• ❌ Not tolerated. SMS/MMS, Call histories, files and applications.
• ❌ Photos and videos are synced only if they were previously uploaded to Google Photos.
• ✅ But this method is guaranteed to preserve the structure of contacts (groups, tags, attached files), unlike third-party utilities.

Official Manufacturer Tools (Mi Mover, Huawei Backup)

Cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud)

Direct Wi-Fi transmission (SHAREit, Xender)

OTG cable or adapter

I can’t handle the data, I’m setting up my phone from scratch.-->

3. File transfer over Wi-Fi using third-party applications

If the built-in tools don’t work or you need to transfer large amounts of data (video) 4K, RAW-Photos, archives), use specialized applications for transmission over Wi-Fi:

• 📲 SHAREit – supports file transfer at up to 20 MB / s, retains the folder structure.
• 📲 Xender is similar to SHAREit, but with a simpler interface.
• 📲 Send Anywhere – generates 6-digit code for secure transmission without connecting to a single network.

Instructions on the example of SHAREit:

1. Install SHAREit on both phones from Google Play (or from the official website if there are no Google services on Honor).
2. On Honor, select Send, on Xiaomi, Receive.
3. Scan it. QR-code or connect to an access point created by Xiaomi.
4. Select files to transfer (you can mark entire folders) and confirm the sending.

⚠️ Note: When transferring large files (>1 GB) the application can “hang” during the preparation stage, in which case break the data into parts or use a cable (see next section).

4. Transfer via OTG cable or adapter (for large volumes)

If you have a USB-C cable, a USB-C cable (or an OTG+ cable adapter), you can transfer data directly, like a flash drive. This is the fastest method (speed is limited only by the USB interface) and does not depend on the stability of Wi-Fi. It is suitable for transferring tens of gigabytes of photos, videos or backups.

What you need:

• 🔌 Cable USB-C — USB-C (adapter OTG + cable USB-A — USB-C).
• 📁 File Manager on Xiaomi (e.g., embedded Files or Solid Explorer).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Honor to Xiaomi cable. On Honor, select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the connection notification.
2. On Xiaomi, open the file manager and go to the section USB-device (or Honor).
3. Copy the right folders (DCIM for photo, download, etc.) to internal memory or SD-Xiaomi.
4. To transfer applications, copy the /data/app folder (root rights are required, otherwise you will miss this step).

🔹 Important nuances:

• 📌 Xiaomi doesn’t see Honor as a USB-drive, check the developer settings: turn on Debugging by USB and choose MTP c Configuration USB default.
• 📌 The transmission speed via cable is 2-3 times higher than over Wi-Fi (up to 40-60 Mb / s per cable). USB 3.0).
• 📌 For transfer SMS Calls via cable will require additional utilities such as SMS Backup & Restore.

💡

If you don't have a cable. USB-C — USB-C, adapter OTG + It's a normal charging cable, and the main thing is that the Honor-side connector is USB-C (Micro-USB for older models).

5. backup via Huawei Mobile Cloud and restore on Xiaomi

If your Honor has Huawei Mobile Cloud sync enabled, you can export data from there and upload it to Xiaomi, a way that is suitable for transferring contacts, notes, calendars and some settings, but not media files.

How to do this:

1. On Honor, open Settings → Huawei ID → Cloud and make sure that the data you need is synced.
2. Export contacts to.vcf: Contacts → Settings → Import / Export → Export to memory.
3. Transfer the.vcf file to Xiaomi in any convenient way (mail, messenger, cable).
4. On Xiaomi, import contacts: Contacts → Settings → Import / Export → Import from the file.

⚠️ Note: Huawei Mobile Cloud is not compatible with Mi Cloud, so direct portability is not possible. You will have to use intermediate formats (for example,.vcf for contacts or.ics for calendar).

6. Transfer of applications and their data (save, settings)

Move it yourself. APK-Application files are not enough – you need to save their data (for example, progress in games, settings of messengers:

Method 1: Backup through ADB (for power users)

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab

This team will create a full backup of all applications and their data in the backup.ab file.

adb restore backup.ab

Method 2: Backup applications

• 📦 Swift Backup – Backups applications and data to the cloud or locally.
• 📦 Titanium Backup (Old, but Runs on Older Android Versions).
• 📦 APK Extractor - extracts APK-Installation files (without data!).

🔹 Important: Most apps (like WhatsApp, Viber) have a built-in backup function to the cloud:

• 🔄 On WhatsApp: Settings → chat → Backup copy.
• 🔄 Telegram: cloud chats are synchronized automatically when you log in to your account.

💡

To port these apps without root rights, use their built-in backup features (such as WhatsApp or games). Universal tools like ADB or Titanium Backup require technical skills and do not always work on new versions of Android.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability from Honor to Xiaomi