How to transfer data from Honor to Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: a complete guide to comparing all methods

Moving from Honor to Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is not just a brand change, but also a migration of all the important data: contacts, photos, messages and even app settings. Many users face difficulties with this transfer, especially if you have not previously had to change the ecosystem (from Huawei/Honor to Xiaomi). In this article, we will analyze all the current ways – from the official Mi Mover tool to manually copying through the OTG cable – and also explain which data can be transferred without loss and which will have to be reconfigured.

The Redmi Note 9 is powered by Xiaomi’s MIUI shell, which has its own synchronization nuances, for example, transferring data through Google Account works differently here than on pure Android, and some features (like SMS backup) may require additional steps. We tested all methods on real devices and highlighted the pros and cons of each so you can choose the best option for your tasks.

Preparation for transfer: what to do before the start

Before you start migrating, follow a few critical steps on both devices to help avoid data loss or disruptions in the process.

On Honor's phone:

• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 50% – transfer can take up to 30 minutes, and discharging in the process will interrupt the operation.
• 📱 Update your firmware to the latest version through Settings → System system → Software updates. On older versions. EMUI (below 10.0) may not be available for export.
• 🔒 Make sure there is no lock from the manufacturer (e.g., the device is not locked, FRP). If the phone is linked to a Huawei account ID, Remember your login and password – they may be required to unlock after resetting.

On Xiaomi Redmi Note 9:

• 📦 Reset the phone to factory settings (if it's new or has already been used) this will clear the memory of unnecessary files and prevent data conflicts. → The phone. → Resetting settings.
• 🔌 Prepare the cable. USB-C → USB-C (or OTG-Adapter if ports are different. Xiaomi's original cables often run more stable than cheap ones.
• 🌐 Connect to Wi-Fi at good speed – some methods (e.g., Google Drive) require you to download large amounts of data.

⚠️ Note: If data encryption is enabled on Honor (optional in Settings) → Security, cable transfer may not work, in which case use cloud services or disable encryption in advance (you will need to reset your phone!).

Also check what data you need to transfer, such as apps (APK-You can copy files, but your settings and your cache don't. SMS And the call logs are not carried in every way:

2. Method 1: Mi Mover is the official tool from Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a MIUI-built application for transferring data from other smartphones, including Honor, which supports contact, message, photo, video and even some settings, with the main advantage of simplicity and no need for cloud services.

How to use:

1. On Redmi Note 9, open the Mi Mover app (if not, download from Google Play).
2. Select the option "I am a new user".
3. On Honor, download Mi Mover from AppGallery or APKMirror (the official Xiaomi website may not open on Huawei devices).
4. Run the app on both phones and select Send Data on Honor and Get Data on Xiaomi.
5. Connect devices via cable (or Wi-Fi if supported). Honor may need to allow debugging over USB in Settings → For developers.
6. Select the data types to transfer and wait for the process to be completed.

The speed of the transfer depends on the amount of data and the type of connection. On a 10 GB cable, photos and videos are copied in about 15 to 20 minutes. If the process is stalled during the Preparation stage, try:

• 🔄 Restart both applications.
• 🔌 Use a different cable (preferably original from Xiaomi).
• 📶 Switch from Wi-Fi to cable (or vice versa).

⚠️ Note: If you have a firmware installed on Honor EMUI 12+, Mi Mover may not recognize the device due to Huawei's data access restrictions.

Charge both phones|Download Mi Mover on Honor|Enable debugging on USB honor|Prepare the cable. USB-C → USB-C|Free up space on Xiaomi (minimum 20% of memory)-->

Method 3: Transfer through Google Account (for contacts, calendar and email)

If you only need to move your contacts, calendar and email, the most reliable way is to sync through Google Account, which works on any Android device and does not require additional applications.

Instructions:

1. On Honor, open Settings → Accounts → Google and log in to your profile (or create a new one).
2. Activate sync for Contacts, Calendar and Gmail.
3. Wait for the sync to complete (check in Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync).
4. On Xiaomi Redmi Note 9, add the same Google Account to Settings → Accounts.
5. Turn on synchronization – the data will automatically be downloaded to the new device.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 Automatic update of contacts when changes occur.
• 🌐 Access data from any device (including PC via contacts.google.com).
• 📱 No need for cable or additional programs.

Limitations:

• 🚫 Not tolerated. SMS, photo and appendices.
• 🔒 If your contacts are saved to your Huawei account on Honor, you must export them to Google first (see next section).

💡

If contacts on Honor are duplicated after sync, use the Contacts Optimizer app (available on Google Play) to clean up the replays.

Method 3: Manual copying via OTG cable or memory card

If you want to transfer photos, videos, music or documents, the most universal way is to copy them manually.

• 🔗 Cable OTG (Directly connect Honor to Xiaomi as a flash drive).
• 📁 MicroSD Memory Card (if supported by both devices).
• 🖥️ Computer (as an intermediate storage).

Step-by-step instructions for OTG cable:

1. Connect Honor to Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 via OTG-adapter.
2. On Xiaomi, open Explorer (or Files) and select the connected device (Honor will appear as a removable drive).
3. Go to the folders with the data you need: DCIM for photos and videos, Download for downloads, Music for music.

Xiaomi

Internal Storage → DCIM

For transfer through the memory card:

1. Insert microSD into Honor and copy the files you want to use.
2. Remove the card and paste it into the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9.
3. Open the Conductor. → Storage devices → SD-map and move the data to internal memory.

⚠️ Note: When copying photos and videos through OTG Make sure that the files do not have DRM-Protection (e.g. screenshots from some banking applications may not be copied).

5. Method 4: Cloud Services (Huawei Cloud, Google Drive, Yandex Drive)

If you don't have cable or prefer wireless portability, use cloud storage. Huawei Cloud is the most convenient for Honor devices, but universal services like Google Drive or Yandex Drive will also work.

Option 1: Huawei Cloud (for SMS, contacts, photos)

1. On Honor, open Settings → Huawei ID → Cloud.
2. Enable backup for the necessary data (contacts, SMS, photos).
3. Wait for the download to complete (you can check in the Storage Management section).
4. On Xiaomi, open your browser and go to cloud.huawei.com.
5. Log in and download the archive with data on the phone.

Option 2: Google Drive (Universal Method)

1. On Honor, install Google Drive from AppGallery or APK.
2. Open the application, click + → Download and select files.
3. On Xiaomi, log in to the same Google account and download files.

Instructions:

1. Connect Honor to your PC and install HiSuite (download from the official website).
2. In the program, select Backup and mark all the necessary data.
3. Save the backup to the PC hard drive.
4. Connect Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 and use Xiaomi PC Suite (or Mi Phone Manager) to recover data.

Warnings:

• 🚨 HiSuite backup may not be restored to Xiaomi due to the firmware difference, in which case, manually extract the files from the backup folder (usually located in the backup folder). C:\Users\Name of the User\Huawei\Backups).
• 🔐 If data is encrypted (such as notes or passwords), it may not be possible to transfer it.

💡

To transfer music from Honor Music to Mi Music, copy.mp3 or.flac files to the Music folder on Xiaomi. Metadata (album covers, playlists) will have to be reconfigured.

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

When transferring data from Honor to Xiaomi Redmi Note 9, there may be errors, and we have collected the most common ways to fix them:

Problem 1: Mi Mover doesn’t see the Honor device

• 🔌 Check the cable – use the original from Xiaomi or certified USB-C.
• 🔄 Reboot both phones.
• 🛠️ On Honor, turn on Debugging. USB (Settings → The phone. → Build Number – tap 7 times, then return to Settings → For developers).

Problem 2: Photos/videos are not copied via OTG

• 📁 Check that files are not hidden (in Explorer, enable the display of hidden folders).
• 🔒 If files are protected, try copying them to your PC and then to Xiaomi.
• 🗃️ Use the memory card as an intermediate storage.

Problem 3: Contacts are not synced through Google

• 🔄 Make sure your contacts are saved to your Google Account on Honor, not in your phone or Huawei memory. ID.
• 📱 On Xiaomi, check that sync is included in Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of contacts.
• ⏳ Wait 5-10 minutes – sometimes synchronization occurs with a delay.

Issue 4: Applications are not installed after the transfer

• 🔓 Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Security.
• 📱 Check compatibility. APK s MIUI — Some Huawei apps (like AppGallery) won’t work.
• 🔄 If the app crashes, download it again from Google Play.

8. FAQ: Answers to popular questions