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

Moving from Honor to Xiaomi Poco is not just a brand change, but also a need to transfer all the important data: contacts, photos, messages and even app settings. Many users are afraid of losing valuable information or spending hours manually copying files. In fact, the process can be automated using built-in tools. MIUI and Google services.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to transfer data – from the official Mi Mover application to manual copying via a computer. You will learn which method is the fastest, which saves the most data types, and how to avoid common mistakes (such as losing WhatsApp chat history or duplicate contacts). We will also compare the performance of each method in the table and give recommendations for specific Poco models (e.g. Poco). X6 Pro or Poco F6).

If you have already tried to transfer data and faced problems, at the end of the article there are FAQ with solutions for common bugs (e.g., "Mi Mover can't see old device" or "Photos moved but no creation dates").

Preparation for transfer: what to do before the start

Before you start the transfer, check three key points:

• 🔋 The battery charge on both smartphones should be at least 50%. The process can take up to 1 hour, and if Honor or Poco turns off in the middle, the data can be damaged.
• 📶 Stable Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network). For methods through Google Account or Mi Cloud, you will need to upload / upload data to the cloud.
• 📱 Free space on Xiaomi Poco. If the new phone has less memory than the data on Honor, the transfer will be interrupted. → Memory.

Also be sure to update the firmware on both devices. On Honor, you can do this in Settings. → System system → Update on Poco - in Settings → The phone. → System updates. Outdated versions MIUI magic UI It may not support modern data transfer protocols.

⚠️ Note: If data encryption is enabled on Honor (in Settings) → Security → Encryption, some transfer methods may not work, in which case use the method via a computer (section 4).

We advise you to make a list of critical data that you need to transfer in advance:

• 📞 Contacts (including groups and attached photos)
• 📸 Photos and videos (especially from folders) DCIM/Camera and Pictures/Screenshots)
• 💬 Communications (SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram)
• 🎵 Music and downloads (Download and Music folders)
• 📅 Calendar and notes (if you use standard applications)

2. Method 1: Mi Mover – official Xiaomi app

Mi Mover is a built-in tool MIUI, It's a method that allows you to transfer data from Android devices (including Honor) to Xiaomi or Poco over a direct Wi-Fi connection, which is the most reliable method, because it doesn't require cloud services and keeps the folder structure.

Step-by-step:

1. On Xiaomi Poco, open the Mi Mover app (if not, download from Google Play).
2. Select I get the data → Android.
3. On Honor, install Mi Mover from the Play Market (or through the APK, If the model is not supported, select I send data.
4. Scan it. QR-code from the Poco screen on Honor or connect to the created access point.
5. Select the data types to transfer (contacts, messages, media, etc.) and confirm the beginning.

It can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour, depending on the amount of data, and at the end of the process, a report of the transferred files will appear on Poco.

⚠️ Note: Mi Mover does not carry data from certain applications (e.g. Viber or banking programs) and use built-in export/import within the applications themselves.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 Stores folder structure and metadata (photo creation dates, albums).
• 🚀 Faster cloud-based methods (no download speed limits).
• 🔒 Data is not transmitted through third-party servers.

Disadvantages:

• 📱 Requires to install the app on Honor (some models may not work).
• 🔌 Does not tolerate settings of system applications (for example, alarm clocks or energy saving modes).

Charging both phones >50%|Installed Mi Mover on Honor|Unplugged. VPN/proxy on both devices|Freely. 10+ GB on Poco|Wi-Fi is on on both phones-->

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

If you only need to migrate contacts, calendar events, notes, and some settings, the easiest way is to sync through Google Account, which works on all Android devices and requires no additional apps.

How to move:

1. On Honor, open Settings. → Accounts. → Google and enable sync for the data you need (contacts, calendar, Google Keep, etc.).
2. Wait for the sync to complete (check in Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Management → Sync).
3. On Xiaomi Poco, add the same Google Account to Settings → Accounts and synchronization.
4. Turn on sync for the same data types. Contacts and calendars will appear automatically.

You can use Google Photos for photos and videos:

1. On Honor, install Google Photos and enable autoload in Settings → Backup and synchronization.
2. Wait for the download to complete (check in the web version of photos.google.com).
3. On Poco, log in to the same Google Photos account and download the files back to your device.

Limitations of the method:

• 📁 Photos and videos are uploaded in compressed quality (free only up to 15 GB in "High Quality").
• 💬 Communications (SMS) Application data (such as WhatsApp) is not portable.
• 🔄 Synchronization can take hours with a large amount of data.

💡

If you have a lot of photos but not enough space on Google Drive, buy a 100GB (139 GB) tariff for a while. ₽/One month), move the data, then cancel the subscription. Files will remain in the cloud even if the place runs out.

Method 3: Transfer over a cable OTG or computer (for large volumes)

If you have tens of gigabytes of data (for example, a collection of photos in the Internet) RAW or a large library, the most reliable way is to copy through USB-This method is also suitable if the Honor is encrypted or Mi Mover is not working.

Option 1: Through the computer (Windows/macOS)

1. Connect Honor to your computer via USB-cable (select File Transfer Mode (MTP) notice-curtain).
2. Copy the right folders (DCIM, Download, Pictures, etc. on the hard drive.
3. Connect Xiaomi Poco and paste the files into the appropriate folders.

Option 2: Through OTG-adapter

1. Buy it. OTG-adapter (stands) ~200 ₽) and a flash drive of sufficient volume.
2. Connect the flash drive to Honor, copy the data (use a file manager, such as Files by Google).
3. Connect the flash drive to Poco and transfer the files back.

What data can be transferred in this way:

• 📁 All multimedia (photo, video, music) without loss of quality.
• 📄 Documents (PDF, DOCX, XLSX) and APK-file.
• 🎮 Save games (if stored in a folder) Android/data).

What's not going to happen:

• 📞 Contact and SMS (You need to export them separately through the Settings. → System system → Backup).
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords (they will have to be re-entered).
• 📱 System settings (brightness, sound profiles, etc.).

⚠️ Note: When copying through a computer, do not use formatting of the flash drive into FAT32, If you have files larger than 4GB (e.g. video in the 4K). It is better to format it in exFAT or NTFS.

5. Method 4: Transfer WhatsApp and other messengers

Chats on WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber are not portable in the standard way, but need separate instructions.

For WhatsApp:

1. On Honor, open WhatsApp. → ⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup and create a backup in Google Drive.
2. Install WhatsApp on Poco, log in to the same account and restore chats from backup.

For Telegram:

• 🔄 Chatbot. @SaveMyChatBot — exporting history HTML/JSON.
• 📁 Manually through Settings → Data and memory → Exporting Chat History (without Media Files).

For Viber:

1. On Honor, go to More → Settings → Account. → Backup and save a copy to Google Drive.
2. On Poco, install Viber, log in to your account and restore your data.

⚠️ Note: WhatsApp backups are linked to your phone number and Google Account. If you change the number, chats won't recover! In this case, use a local backup (file) msgstore.db.crypt14 file WhatsApp/Databases).

6. Method 5: Transfer over Mi Cloud (for Xiaomi users)

Mi Cloud – cloud storage from Xiaomi, which allows you to synchronize contacts, notes, photos and even SMS. This is a great way to use the Xiaomi ecosystem on your previous device.

How to transfer data:

1. On Honor, export contacts to.vcf (via Contacts) → ⋮ → Contact management → Exports).
2. Upload the file to Mi Cloud via the web version (i.mi.com).
3. On Poco, log in to the same Mi Account and enable sync in Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.

What can be transferred through Mi Cloud:

Mi Cloud is convenient for additional backup, but does not replace a full port, for example, it will not save WhatsApp history or game settings.

7. Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To make it easier for you to determine, we have compiled a comparative table of all methods:

Selection recommendations:

• 🔄 If you need to move everything fast → Use the Mi Mover.
• ☁️ If only contacts and calendar are important → Google Account.
• 📁 If you have a lot of photos/video → cable OTG.
• 💬 If you need to save chat messengers → manual export/import.

💡

For Poco models F5, Poco X6 Pro and later recommend first update Mi Mover to the latest version – in the new firmware improved compatibility with Honor devices (tested on Honor 90 and Honor Magic 5).

8. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:

1 Mi Mover doesn't see Honor device

• 🔄 Reboot both phones.
• 📶 Turn it off. VPN, proxy.
• 🔧 On Honor, turn on Developer Mode (7 taps by build number in Settings) → About the phone) and activate the debugging USB.

2.Photos moved without creation dates

• 📅 Use the Exif Tool app to recover metadata.
• 🔄 Transfer via Mi Mover or cable – they save the original dates.

3. Not tolerable. SMS

• 📱 Use third-party apps (SMS Backup & Restore).
• ☁️ For MIUI switch on sync SMS Mi Cloud.

4.Whatsapp doesn't restore chats

• 🔑 Make sure you use the same phone number and Google Account.
• 📁 Check that there is enough room for a backup on Poco.
• 🔄 If it doesn’t work, move the local backup (msgstore.db.crypt14) manually.

5. Poco is short of space.

• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary files through Settings → Memory. → Cleanup.
• 📁 Transfer data in parts (first photo, then video, etc.).
• 💾 Use a memory card (if the Poco model supports microSD).

💡

If some apps (such as Huawei AppGallery) are missing after the Poco transfer, don’t try to install them manually – they may not work on the app. MIUI. Instead, look for analogues on Google Play.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions