How to transfer data from Honor to Xiaomi Poco X3: 5 proven ways

Switch from Honor smartphone to Xiaomi Poco X3 — It's not just hardware updates, but it's migration of all the important data -- contacts, photos, messages, even app settings -- and many users are afraid of losing information or spending hours manually transferring files. In fact, the process can be automated using Mi Mover’s built-in tools, cloud services, or even a physical cable connection.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to transfer data – from the official Xiaomi solution to universal methods through Google Account and third-party applications. UI or EMUI) Poco X3 (s MIUI). You will learn how to avoid sync errors, why some files may not move, and what to do if the process is stuck in the middle.

Important: Poco X3 (model M2007J20CG and M2007J20CI) Not all Honor protocols are supported, for example, wireless transfer via Mi Mover may not work smoothly on devices with a mobile device. EMUI 12+ We've tested all of these methods on current firmware in 2026, and we're specifying where workarounds will be required.

1. Preparation of telephones for data transfer

Before migrating, there are several critical steps to follow on both devices, and skipping either of them can result in data loss, incomplete file transfers, or app failures after porting.

On Honor:

• 🔋 Charge your phone to at least 50% – it can take up to 1 hour with a large amount of data.
• 📁 Free up space: Delete unnecessary files (especially from folders) DCIM and Downloads) if the internal memory is more than 80% full. Mi Mover may refuse to work if space is scarce.
• 🔒 Turn off the screen lock (PIN, pattern lock is a requirement for wireless transfer via Mi Mover.
• 📶 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (if you plan to use cloud services) Mobile Internet is not suitable due to transmission capacity limitations.

On Xiaomi Poco X3:

• 📱 Do the initial setup before the account login stage. Don't miss the Wi-Fi connection step, which is needed to download the Mi Mover.
• 🔄 Update your firmware to the latest version through Settings → The phone. → System updates, older versions MIUI (Below 13) drivers for Honor recognition may not be available.
• 🛠️ Install the Mi Mover app from Google Play if it’s not in the default firmware (relevant for custom builds) MIUI).

⚠️ Note: If data encryption is enabled on Honor (Settings option) → Security → Encryption, Mi Mover won't be able to read files, in which case use methods through Google Account or physical cable. OTG.

Check the compatibility of the models:

2. Method 1: Transfer over Mi Mover (official Xiaomi solution)

Mi Mover is a built-in tool MIUI, It's designed to migrate data from Android devices to Xiaomi, and it supports the transfer of contacts, messages, photos, videos, music, and even some of the app settings:

On devices with EMUI 12+ magic UI Mi Mover may not see the phone due to Huawei's restrictions on accessing the file system:

1. On Honor, turn on Developer Mode (Settings) → The phone. → Build Number – Press 7 times and activate Debugging USB.
2. In Mi Mover on Poco X3 Select the option “Connect to your old phone via cable».
3. Confirm access to data on Honor when a request appears.

Step-by-step:

1. At Xiaomi Poco. X3 Run Mi Mover (find it in the app menu or search it).
2. Select “I am a new user» → «Android».
3. On Honor, download Mi Mover from Google Play (if it’s not available) and run it.
4. Select the role of “Old device” and wait for the appearance QR-code.
5. Scan it. QR-Poco screen X3.
6. Select data types for transfer (contacts, messages, media, etc.).
7. Confirm the start of transmission on both phones.

The speed of the transfer depends on the amount of data:

• 📞 Contact and SMS: 1-2 minutes.
• 📸 5 GB of photos: 15-20 minutes.
• 🎵 10 GB of music/video: 30-40 minutes.

⚠️ Note: If the process is stuck in the Preparation phase, restart Mi Mover on both phones and reconnect. If the error is repeated, use alternative methods (see sections 3-5).

Charging both phones >50%|Disabled screen lock on Honor|Wi-Fi enabled on both devices|Last update installed MIUI Poco X3|Freed up space on both phones-->

Method 3: Transfer through Google Account (universal method)

Syncing through Google Account is the most reliable way to transfer, because it doesn't depend on the phone manufacturer, but it has limitations:

• ✅ Transferred: Contacts, calendars, notes (from Google Keep), photos (if Google Photos are enabled), some app settings.
• ❌ Not tolerated: SMS, Call log, application files (e.g. game saves).

Instructions:

1. On Honor, open Settings. → Accounts. → Google and make sure that sync is enabled for all the data you need (contacts, calendar, drive, etc.).
2. Wait for the sync to complete (check in Settings → Accounts → Google → Sync).
3. At Xiaomi Poco. X3 When you first turn on, select the option “Restore from backup” and log in to the same Google Account.
4. Select a backup with Honor (it will be marked by the date of the last sync).
5. Wait for the recovery to be completed (it can take 5 to 30 minutes depending on the volume).

To transfer photos and videos:

1. On Honor, install the Google Photos app and enable autoload (Settings) → Backup and synchronization).
2. Wait for the download to complete (check in Photo → Library → Devices).
3. On Poco. X3 Sign in to the same Google Photos account – all media files will be available under Photos».

Critical nuance: if the photos on Honor were stored on the SD-The map, you need to copy them first to internal memory or to Google Photos manually. Mi Mover and Google Account do not see files on external media.

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If you have slow internet, before syncing with Google Photos, connect Honor to Wi-Fi and leave it to charge overnight.Download 10+ GB photos in the cloud can take several hours.

Method 3: Transfer over OTG cable (for large data volumes)

If you have a lot of data (20)+ GB) or previous methods failed, physical connection via cable OTG — The most reliable solution. You're going to need one:

• 🔌 Cable USB-C to USB-C (adapter USB-C Micro-USB if Honor has a Micro-USB connector).
• 💾 flash drive or external SSD (Optionally, if you need to transfer data in several stages).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Honor to Poco X3 cable OTG. On Poco. X3 notice «USB-plug-in».
2. Click on the notification and select File Transfer (MTP).
3. On Poco. X3 Open any file manager (such as Google Files or embedded file manager) MIUI File Explorer).
4. Go to section «USB-Device – there will be displayed folders of internal memory Honor.
5. Copy the data you need (usually folders) DCIM For photos, Downloads for downloads, WhatsApp for chats) in internal memory Poco X3.

Advantages of the method:

• 🚀 Maximum transfer speed (up to 40 MB/s when used) USB 3.0).
• 📂 All files are transferred, including game saves and hidden folders.
• 🔒 No risk of data loss due to synchronization failures.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Cable required OTG (not always complete).
• 🔋 The battery charge will last only for 1-2 hours of active transmission.

⚠️ Note: If you are connected to Poco X3 Does not see Honor, check: On Honor is enabled File Transfer (MTP) customized USB (Settings → System system → Regime. USB). Is the original cable used (cheap) OTG-cables may not support data transfers, whether firmware on both devices (older versions) is updated EMUI There may be no drivers for MIUI).

5. Method 4: Transfer through third-party applications (SHAREit, Xender)

If standard methods do not work, you can use third-party applications to transfer files over Wi-Fi Direct.

• 📲 SHAREit – Supports file transfer, contacts and applications.
• ⚡ Xender - fast transmission with no volume restrictions.
• 🔗 Send Anywhere – generation of one-time links for download.

Instructions on the example of SHAREit:

1. Install SHAREit on both phones from Google Play (or AppGallery for Honor).
2. On Honor, select "Send", on Poco X3 — «Get it».
3. Select files to transfer (photos, videos, contacts, etc.).
4. Confirm the connection on both devices (they must be on the same Wi-Fi network or use Hotspot).
5. Wait until the transfer is complete.

Limitations:

• 📶 Speed depends on the quality of Wi-Fi (average 5-10 MB / s).
• 📱 Not all apps are portable SMS call-book.
• 🔒 Risk of data leakage when using public networks.

Method 5: Transfer via backup to PC

If none of the previous methods worked, you can back up the data on your computer and then restore it to Poco. X3. This method is suitable for transferring all types of data, including SMS, call log and application settings.

Tools required:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows or Mac.
• 🔌 Cables. USB-C/Micro-USB telephone-connection.
• 🛠️ Programs: Huawei HiSuite (for Honor backup). PC Suite (for recovery on Poco) X3). Dr.Fone or MobileTrans (Universal Tools).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Honor to your PC and install Huawei HiSuite.
2. Backup all data (select “Backup» → «Complete»).
3. Turn off Honor and connect Poco X3.
4. Set up Mi. PC Suite and select “Restore from backup».
5. Specify the path to the backup file (usually saved in the file) C:\HiSuite\Backup).
6. Select the data to recover and wait for the process to be completed.

Advantages:

• 💾 Full control over the data transferred.
• 🔄 Selective recovery (e.g., only possible) SMS or just photographs).

Disadvantages:

• ⏳ Long-term process (backup 30)+ GB may take several hours).
• 💻 Computer required.

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Use this method if you want to transfer data from an older Honor model (e.g. Honor) 7A or 8X), where modern transmission protocols do not work.

7.What to do if the data is not transferred?

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, some files may not be transferred.

Problem 1: Contacts are not transferred.

• 🔍 Check if your contacts are synced in your Google Honor Account.
• 📱 Export contacts to.vcf file: Open Contacts → Settings → Export/Import. Select "Export to Device" and save the file. Transfer.vcf to Poco X3 and import it.

Problem 2: Not overtaken SMS.

• 📩 Use the app. SMS Backup & Restore: Install it on Honor, back it up. Move the backup file to Poco X3. Install the same app on Poco X3 and restore SMS.

Problem 3: The photos are moved but not displayed in the gallery.

• 🖼️ Check the folder. DCIM File Manager – the files may have been copied, but the gallery has not yet indexed them.
• 🔄 Reboot Poco. X3 or manually update your media library (in Google Photos click "Update»).

Problem 4: Applications have been moved but are not working.

• 📦 Remove and reinstall problematic apps via Google Play.
• 🔑 If the app requires a license (such as paid games), sign in to the same account as you do on Honor.