How to transfer data from Xiaomi to Honor without losing information: the full guide

Why Xiaomi and Honor Data Transfers Need a Special Approach

The transition from Xiaomi to Honor is not just a brand change, but a transition between two different ecosystems with unique features. Both companies use their own Android shells (MIUI for Xiaomi and Magic UI for Honor), which creates additional difficulties when migrating data. The main problem is that standard portability tools (such as Google Backup or Smart Switch) often do not take into account the specifics of these firmware.

Unlike switching between devices of the same brand, where data is synchronized automatically through the manufacturer’s account (for example, Mi Account or Huawei ID), this requires manual configuration or use of third-party solutions, especially for messages, notes and application settings that are stored in proprietary formats. For example, Xiaomi encrypts backups of notes in.mib format, which Honor does not recognize without conversion.

Another nuance is the differences in the Android version. Honor devices of recent years (such as the Honor 90 or Magic5 Pro) run on Android 13/14 with Magic UI 7.0+, while many Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 11) are still updated to Android 12 with MIUI 14, which can lead to conflicts when restoring backups, if you do not consider version compatibility.

Preparing for the transfer: what to do on Xiaomi before the transition

Before you start migrating, you need to follow several critical steps on the original Xiaomi device, and neglecting them can lead to data loss, especially if the smartphone is enabled encryption or activated reset protection features.

First, check the status of your Mi Account. If you’ve used sync through it, make sure that all data (contacts, notes, photos in Mi Cloud) is uploaded to the cloud. To do this, go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud and update your backups manually. Note: the free Mi Cloud tariff provides only 5 GB — if the data volume exceeds this limit, some files are not synced.

Second, disable all locking functions that may interfere with the transfer:

• 🔒 Reset protection (in Settings) → Passwords and security. If it is active, after reset, Honor will require you to enter the username and password from Mi Account.
• 📱 Tethering SIM-Maps (in some regions, Xiaomi will block the device when you replace it) SIM).
• 🔄 Automatic encryption (if enabled, backup may not be restored to Honor).

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi has enabled Find Device, it must be disabled in advance, otherwise, after transferring data, Honor may be blocked after 72 hours due to suspected theft.

Disable reset protection|Check the free space in the Mi Cloud|Update backups manually|Delete unnecessary files (cache, duplicates)|Disable Device Search (Find Device)|Remove the tether. SIM-cards (if any)

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Method 1: Transfer through Google Account (the most universal method)

Using a Google Account is the only officially supported way to migrate between different brands on Android, and it is suitable for transferring most data, except apps and their settings. The advantage of the method is that it works even if you have devices on different versions of Android (for example, Xiaomi on Android 12 and Honor on Android 14).

Step instructions:

1. On Xiaomi, go to Settings → Google → Backup and enable the option to Backup in Google Drive.
2. Choose which data to save: contacts, calendar, SMS (Android 8 only+), Photos (via Google Photos), Wi-Fi settings and apps (list, but not the list itself) APK-file).
3. On Honor, when you first turn on, select Copy Data → From the Cloud → Google and log in to the same account.
4. Confirm the data recovery and wait for the process to be completed (can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the volume).

Limitations of the method:

• 📱 Installed apps are not portable (only their list to download from the Play Market).
• 📝 Notes and call records are not synchronized (they are stored in proprietary formats). MIUI).
• 🔧 Some system settings (such as gestures or power saving modes) are not restored.

💡

If no contacts are displayed after transferring to Honor, check Settings → Accounts → Google if sync for Contacts is enabled. Sometimes it turns off automatically after recovery.

Method 2: Use the Phone Clone app (for Honor)

Huawei Phone Clone (formerly HiSuite) is a proprietary solution from Honor that allows you to transfer data directly over Wi-Fi or over Wi-Fi. QR-The advantage of this method is that it supports the portability of applications with data (for example, saved games or settings messengers), which can not Google Backup. MIUI (especially Xiaomi 13/14).

Step-by-step:

1. Download Phone Clone to both devices: On Xiaomi: from AppGallery or via APK from Honor's official website. On Honor: the app is preinstalled (called Phone Clone or Data Transfer).

Honor

This is a new device.

Xiaomi

It's an old device.

QR-code

Honor

Wi-Fi

contact

message

photo/video

applications

browser-marking

Confirm the transfer and wait until the connection is completed (do not interrupt the connection!).

⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi has custom firmware installed (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the Phone Clone may not recognize the device. ADB-transference (method 4).

Method 3: Manual transfer via computer (for full control)

If you need to transfer all data without exception, including system files or custom formats (for example, recordings from a Xiaomi voice recorder), the best option is manual copying via a PC. This method takes longer, but guarantees 100% security of information.

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-TypeC cables (preferably original).
• 📁 External drive (flash drive or flash drive) HDD) 32GB+ (if there is much data).

Algorithm of action:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your PC in File Transfer (MTP) mode. If the device is not defined, turn on USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (7 times click on the version, then return to Additional → For Developers).
2. Copy the following folders from internal memory: DCIM (photo/video), Download (download), Pictures (images from apps), Movies (video) Music (audio files) Android/data (application data, if necessary)
3. Export contacts to the.vcf file via the Contacts app (menu → Import/Export).
4. Save SMS with the Backup & Restore SMS app (available in the Play Market).
5. Connect Honor and transfer all files to the appropriate folders. Import contacts through Contacts → Import and SMS through SMS Backup & Restore.

Method 4: Transfer over ADB (for power users)

If standard methods fail (for example, due to incompatibility of Android versions or custom firmware), you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to copy all data, including system files, but requires command line skills. Incorrect use of ADB can lead to data loss or device failure.

Step-by-step:

1. Install. ADB-PC drivers: Download Google's Platform Tools. Unpack the archive into a folder C:\adb.

USB debugging

Xiaomi

Xiaomi

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed).

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f C:\backup_xiaomi.ab

A confirmation request will appear on the phone – set the password for encryption (remember it!).

Honor

adb restore C:\backup_xiaomi.ab

⚠️ Note: Not all data will be restored correctly. MIUI (Themes, gestures, etc. will not be transferred to Magic. UI, Some applications may not work well. Before you restore, back up your data to Honor!

Through Google Account|Phone Clone from Honor|Manual transfer via PC|ADB (for experienced)|Another way

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Method 5: Transfer specific data types (messages, notes, applications)

Some data needs to be tailored, such as WhatsApp messages or Xiaomi notes that are not carried by standard methods, and let's look at the solutions for each case:

1. Message transfer (SMS and messengers)

• 💬 SMS/MMS: Use it. SMS Backup & Restore (saves to.xml and restores to Honor).
• 📱 WhatsApp: Make a backup chat in Settings → chat → Backup. Copy the folder. /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases On PC. Install WhatsApp on Honor, but don't run it! Return the Databases folder to the same location and restore the backup.

Telegram:

Honor

Transfer of notes and documents

• 📝 Xiaomi Notes: Export to.mib via Mi Notes, then convert to.txt with Mi Notes Converter.
• 📄 Documents: Manually transfer via Google Drive or OneDrive.

3. Transfer of data applications

To port games (e.g. save to Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile) or to customize apps (e.g. Nova Launcher):

• 🎮 Use Swift Backup (requires root) or Titanium Backup (for older versions of Android).
• 🔄 For individual games, check for cloud-based storage (e.g., through Google Play Games).

💡

To transfer data to WhatsApp, it is critical to use the same phone number on both devices. SIM-The map has changed, it will not be possible to restore chats!

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to solve them:

Another common problem is that there's not enough space on Honor when you restore it, so if the backup is 64GB and the space is 32GB, the transfer is interrupted.

• 📁 Delete unnecessary files on Honor before recovery.
• 🔄 Transfer data in parts (for example, first contacts and messages, then photos).
• 💾 Use an external microSD (if Honor supports memory extension).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions