Transferring data from the old Honor to the new Xiaomi Redmi: 5 proven ways

Why Data Transfers Between Honor and Xiaomi Need a Special Approach

The transition from Honor to Xiaomi Redmi is not just a smartphone change, but a transition between two different ecosystems. If you used Huawei Mobile Services (HMS), now you have to work with Google Mobile Services (GMS) and Xiaomi’s proprietary solutions. The main problem is that standard migration tools (such as Mi Mover or Phone Clone) do not always correctly process data from EMUI, the firmware that is equipped with Honor smartphones.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways of transfer, taking into account the nuances of both systems: you will learn how to save contacts, SMS, photos, videos, notes and even call history without loss. Particular attention will be paid to transferring data from Honor to Redmi via cable, which works even when there is no Internet, and avoids problems with synchronizing cloud services.

Important: If your Honor runs on EMUI 12+ and Redmi runs on MIUI 14/15, some features may require additional action, and we have taken these into account in the instructions.

Method 1: Transfer via cable using Mi Mover (recommended)

The most reliable method is to use Xiaomi’s proprietary tool, Mi Mover, which is built into MIUI firmware and supports data transfer from most Android devices, including Honor, with the main advantage of preserving folder structure and metadata (for example, photo creation dates).

What you'll need:

• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (better from the Redmi kit)
• 📱 Charge of both smartphones at least 50%
• 🔒 Disabled screen blockers (PIN, pattern lock) on both devices
• 📂 Free space on Redmi (at least 20% more than data on Honor)

Step-by-step:

1. On the new Xiaomi Redmi, select Data Transfer when you first turn on. If your smartphone is already configured, open Settings → About Phone → Mi Mover.
2. Connect both phones with cable to the adapter (use this). OTG-Adapter if the Honor connector Type-C and Redmi — Micro-USB or vice versa).
3. Honor will receive a request to install the driver - confirm it.
4. In Mi Mover, select data types to transfer: contacts, messages, multimedia, applications (applications will be carried without data, only). APK-file).
5. Wait for the process to be completed (it can take 10 to 40 minutes depending on the volume).

Charge both phones up to 50%+

Disable screen lock

Prepare. OTG-adapter (if necessary)

Make room for Redmi.

Check the cable for efficiency-->

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Data from some Chinese applications (e.g. WeChat or WeChat) is not transferred. QQ).
• ❌ Applications are portable without cache and settings (only APK).
• ❌ On Honor with EMUI 13+ You may need to enable Developer Mode and allow Debugging USB.

Method 2: Cloud Transfer (Google Drive or Huawei Cloud)

If you don't have a cable or you prefer wireless methods, cloud services will be a good alternative, but there are nuances here: Honor uses Huawei Cloud by default, and Xiaomi uses Mi Cloud or Google Drive. To avoid conflicts, you better use Google Account as an intermediary.

Instructions for transfer via Google Drive:

1. On Honor, add your Google Account (if not) to Settings → Accounts.
2. Open Settings → System → Backup and select Backup in Google Drive.
3. Select data to copy: contacts, calendar, photos (via Google Photos), SMS (requires SMS Backup & Restore application).

Advantages of the method:

• ☁️ No cable or adapter required.
• 🔄 The data is synchronized automatically when changed.
• 📁 Only the right types of data can be selectively restored.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Google Photos compresses images when downloading free (to avoid this, use Original Quality, but it takes up space in the cloud).
• ⚠️ SMS and call history is not automatically backed up – third-party software will be required.
• ⚠️ Some data (such as notes from Huawei Notes) are not portable.

Google Drive

Huawei Cloud

Mi Cloud

iCloud

Other-->

Method 3: Transfer of contacts and SMS through SIM-map

If you only need to transfer contacts and messages, you can do without complex manipulation. SIM-map, and for SMS — specialized utilities.

Transfer of contacts via SIM:

1. On Honor, open Contacts → Settings → Import / Export → Export to SIM-card.
2. Choose your contacts for export (be aware that SIM stores a limited number of records, usually up to 250).
3. Insert SIM into Xiaomi Redmi and import contacts through Contacts → Settings → Import with SIM.

SMS transfer via SMS Backup & Restore:

• 📲 Install the app on both phones from Google Play.
• 🔄 On Honor, back up and save the file to Google Drive or send it to Redmi via Bluetooth.
• 📥 Redmi restore. SMS file-based).

💡

If you have a two-sim Honor, check which contacts you use before exporting. SIM Some models only keep contact with the first one. SIM-default-card.

Method 4: Transfer photos and videos through a computer

For large media files (high resolution photos, 4K video), cloud services are not always convenient due to limitations in volume and download speed, in which case it is better to use direct port over the PC.

Instructions:

1. Connect Honor to your computer via USB-cable and select File Transfer Mode (MTP).
2. Copy DCIM (photos and videos), Pictures, Downloads folders to your PC hard drive.
3. Connect Xiaomi Redmi and transfer the files to the appropriate folders.
4. To save the album structure, use Google Photos or Xiaomi Gallery to re-scan the media.

Advantages:

• 💾 There are no limits on volume (except free space on PCs).
• 🚀 Transfer speed is higher than Wi-Fi.
• 🔍 You can sort files before copying.

Possible problems:

• ⚠️ On Honor with EMUI 12+ You may need to unlock access to files in Settings → Security → Access to files.
• ⚠️ Some formats (such as.heic from iPhone) may not open on Xiaomi without converting.

💡

Porting over a PC is the only way to keep the original 4K/8K video quality without compression.

Method 5: Transfer applications and their data (titanium backup and alternatives)

Standard methods do not carry application data (e.g. save in games, setup messengers), this will require root rights or specialized utilities like Titanium Backup (requires root) or Swift Backup (works on some firmware without root).

Instructions for Swift Backup (without root):

1. Install Swift Backup on Honor from Google Play.
2. Create a backup of applications and their data (Backup).
3. Transfer the backup file to Xiaomi Redmi (via cable or cloud).
4. Install Swift Backup on Redmi and restore data (Restore).

Limitations:

• ❌ Without root, not all data will be restored (e.g., some system settings).
• ❌ Some applications (such as banking) block backups.
• ❌ Nana MIUI You may need to disable optimization. MIUI In the battery settings for Swift Backup.

💡

Before migrating apps, check their compatibility with MIUI. Some apps from Huawei (such as Huawei Health) may not work on Xiaomi without peers.

Comparison of data transfer methods: what to choose?

Each method has its pros and cons. Below is a table for quick selection of the best option depending on your needs.

Selection recommendations:

• 🔄 If a complete transfer is required, including SMS, Call history, settings – use Mi Mover.
• ☁️ If real-time sync is important, set up a Google Account.
• 📁 To transfer only media files – connect to the PC.
• 🎮 To save games and apps, use Swift Backup (requires skills).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following instructions, users face problems.-5 errors and ways of solving them:

1. Mi Mover doesn't see Honor: ⚠️ Attention: Honor with EMUI 13+ You must manually enable data transmission USB In the notification curtain after you connect the cable, if that doesn't work, try another cable or port. USB.
2. Contacts are duplicated after import: This happens if contacts are already synced with Google. To fix, open Contacts → Settings → Combine duplicates.
3. Swift Backup does not recover data: ⚠️ Attention: MIUI You need to disable Battery Optimization for Swift Backup in Settings → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start.
4. Notes from Huawei Notes are not portable: The Huawei Notes app does not export to a universal format. Solution: manually copy the text of notes or use screenshots.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions