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

The transition from Honor to Xiaomi is not just a smartphone change, it's a complete migration of digital life. Contacts, photos, messages, notes, and even app settings all need to be moved without loss. But how do you do it right so you don't lose important data and spend hours manually restarting?

Many users face problems: files are not copied, contacts are duplicated, and messages from Viber or WhatsApp disappear. The reason is often the wrong way to transfer or ignore device preparation. In this article, we will analyze 5 working methods (including official Mi Mover and cloud services), compare them in speed and reliability, and also explain how to avoid typical errors.

If you’re in a hurry, you can go straight to the Mi Mover section (fastest way) or the Google Drive instructions (if you already have a backup). For those who want to migrate everything, including call history and Wi-Fi settings, there’s a separate section with detailed step-by-step instructions.

⚠️ Important: Before you start transferring, check that Xiaomi has enough free space (at least 20% more than the data on Honor). If memory is not enough, clear the cache or transfer files to the memory card in advance.

Preparing phones for data transfer

The first thing you need to do is prepare both devices, and this step is often missed, and it's not necessary: it depends on whether the transfer goes smoothly or ends in error.

On Honor:

1. Charge the battery to at least 50% (preferably up to 80%).
2. Update the firmware to the latest version through Settings → System → Software Update.
3. Delete unnecessary files (such as duplicate photos or old videos) – this will speed up the transfer.

On Xiaomi:

• 🔋 Charging at least 70% (data transfer consumes a lot of energy).
• 📱 Reset to factory settings if the phone is new (or use "Like New" mode when first turned on).
• 🌐 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (mobile internet may interrupt the process).

⚠️ Note: If data encryption is enabled on Honor (Settings) → Security → Encryption, cable transfer may not work. In this case, use cloud services (section about Google Drive).

Method 1: Mi Mover – the official application from Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a proprietary tool from Xiaomi that allows you to transfer data directly from one smartphone to another via Wi-Fi Direct. The advantage of the method is that you do not need cables, computers or cloud storage.

How it works:

1. Download Mi Mover on both phones: On Xiaomi: the app is preinstalled (find through search). On Honor: download APK from APKPure (official source).

• On Honor: "I'm the sender."
• On Xiaomi: "I'm the recipient."
• On Xiaomi, scan. QR-The code that will appear on Honor.
• Select data for transfer (contacts, messages, photos, video, audio, applications).
• Confirm the start of the transfer and wait until it is completed (may take 10 minutes to an hour).

⚠️ Warning: If the transfer is interrupted, don't turn off Wi-Fi or leave the app, wait for an automatic resumption attempt. If the error repeats, restart both phones and try again.

Install Mi Mover on Honor (APK)| Charge both phones >50%| Connect to the same Wi-Fi network | Free up space on Xiaomi (minimum 10GB) | Disable VPN on both devices-->

What data is transferred through Mi Mover:

Method 2: Transfer through Google Account (for backups)

If your Honor already has sync with Google Account, this method will be the easiest. Pros: no need to install additional programs, data is restored automatically when you first turn on Xiaomi. Cons: not all types of data are synchronized (for example, messages from instant messengers).

Step-by-step:

1. On Honor, check that sync is enabled: Go to Settings → Accounts → Google → [your account]. Make sure that the items are included: Contacts, Calendar, Drive, Gmail, Notes (Keep).

• Open Settings → System → Backup.
• Click "Create a backup" and wait until it is completed.
• On Xiaomi, when you first turn on, select “Recover Data” and log in to the same Google Account.
• Select the latest backup and confirm the recovery.

⚠️ Note: If Huawei Mobile Services was used on Honor (HMS) Google Mobile Services instead (GMS), This method won't work. In that case, use computer transfer.

What exactly is recovered from Google Backup:

• 📇 Contacts (including profile photos).
• 📅 Calendar and reminders.
• 📧 Letters from Gmail.
• 📝 Notes from Google Keep.
• 🎵 Music and books (if downloaded through Google Play).
• ❌ Not recovering: SMS, Call history, files from internal memory, Wi-Fi settings.

💡

If contacts are not displayed after recovery, check the sync settings in your Google account on Xiaomi: Settings → Accounts → Google → Accounts → Account Sync.

Method 3: Transfer over a computer (for full control)

This is a good method if you want to migrate all the data selectively, or if the previous methods didn't work. Pros: maximum control over files, the ability to edit the data before transferring. Cons: requires a computer and a little more time.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer (Windows/Mac/Linux).
• 🔌 Two. USB-cables (preferably original).
• 📁 Backup software (e.g. Huawei HiSuite for Honor or Xiaomi) PC Suite).

Instructions:

1. Connect Honor to your computer and copy all the files you need: Photos and videos: DCIM and Pictures folder. Audio: Music and Ringtones folder. Documents: Documents and Downloads folder.

🔹 For copying SMS and call history use Huawei HiSuite (download from the official website). In the program, select "Backup" and save the file to your computer.

Honor

Xiaomi

Copy files to the new phone into the appropriate folders.

Xiaomi PC Suite

SMS Backup & Restore

⚠️ Note: If you are transferring data from Honor to Xiaomi with different fileymi systems (e.g., with a different fileymi system) F2FS on ext4), Some files may not open, in which case use cloud services or convert files to your computer.

Method 4: Transfer messages from messengers (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram)

Messages from messengers are not carried in the standard ways (Mi Mover or Google Backup).

WhatsApp:

1. On Honor, open WhatsApp and go to ⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup copy.
2. Back up your Google Drive account (make sure your Google account is the same as your Xiaomi account).
3. On Xiaomi, install WhatsApp, log in to the same account and restore chats from backup.

⚠️ Note: If you use Honor with Huawei Mobile Services (without Google), you won’t be able to backup WhatsApp and Viber in Google Drive:

1. Copy the WhatsApp/Databases (or Viber/Backup) folder to your computer.
2. Move it to Xiaomi in the same folder.
3. Reinstall the application and restore the data from the local copy.

Method 5: Transfer applications and their data

Move the apps themselves (APK-files are simple, but their data (e.g. game progress or settings) is more complex:

Method 1: Through Google Account (for supported applications)

• 📱 On Honor, enable app backup: Settings → Google → Backup → Backup of application data.
• 📱 On Xiaomi, when you first start the application, select "Restore".

❗ It only works for apps that support this feature (like most games from Google Play).

Method 2: Manual transfer via Titanum Backup (root required)

1. Install Titanium Backup on Honor.
2. Create a backup copy of the necessary applications and their data.
3. Transfer the backup file to Xiaomi.
4. Install Titanium Backup on Xiaomi and recover the data.

Method 3: Through Helium (no root, but limited)

• 📱 Install Helium on both phones.
• 📱 On Honor, create a backup copy.
• 📱 Transfer the file to Xiaomi and restore it.

⚠️ Limit: Helium doesn’t work on newer versions of Android (above 10) without root.

💡

To transfer these apps without root, use cloud-based saves (if supported) or reinstall apps manually by logging in to the same account (for example, in games through Google Play Games).

Typical problems and their solutions

Even with the right transfer, the data may not appear on Xiaomi or there will be errors.

Problem 1: Mi Mover doesn't see Honor

Problem 2: Contacts are not tolerated

• 📇 Check that contacts are saved in Google Account, not in your phone’s memory.
• 🔄 Sync contacts manually: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronize.
• 📱 Export contacts to the file VCF: Contacts → ⋮ → Imports/Exports → Exports to the vault.

Problem 3: Photos and videos don’t open on Xiaomi

• 🔧 Convert files to your computer using HandBrake or Adobe Photoshop.

Issue 4: Apps fly out after transfer

• 🔄 Reinstall problematic apps from Google Play.
• 📱 Clear the cache: Settings → Annexes → [select the application] → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔧 Check the compatibility of the Android version (for example, the Android 10 app may not work on Android 13).

Frequent Questions (FAQ)