How to Transfer Data from Honor to Xiaomi: The Complete 2026 Guide

Switching from Honor to Xiaomi is not only a brand change, but also the need to transfer all the important data: contacts, photos, messages and applications. Many users face problems when trying to transfer files between these two ecosystems, especially if we are talking about models with different versions of Android or proprietary shells (Magic). UI Honor MIUI/HyperOS In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of data transfer, from standard tools to advanced methods for power users.

The main difficulty is that Honor (especially after the separation from Huawei) and Xiaomi use different cloud services: Huawei Mobile Cloud and Mi Cloud respectively. This means that direct synchronization between them is impossible without additional actions. In addition, some methods (for example, through a Google Account) may not transfer all types of data or require pre-tuning. We tested all the methods described below on current firmware in 2026 and took into account the nuances for popular models like Honor 90, Honor Magic 5, Xiaomi 14 and Redmi Note 13.

Before you start, make sure that both devices are at least 50% charged – long-term transfer operations (especially over Wi-Fi Direct) can drain the battery faster than usual, also prepare a reliable Internet connection if you plan to use cloud services, and make room for Xiaomi – some methods create temporary copies of files.

1. Data transfer via Google Account (universal method)

The most reliable and easy way to do this is to use a Google Account, because both vendors are synchronized with Google services, a method that can be used to transfer contacts, calendars, notes (from Google Keep), mail and parts of apps, but it has limitations: photos and videos will have to be moved separately, and some Honor settings (such as themes or gestures) will not be transferred.

To transfer data through Google Account:

• 📱 On Honor: Open Settings → Accounts. → Google and make sure that sync is enabled for all the right categories (contacts, calendar, drive, etc.) If the account is not added, create it or log in to an existing one.
• ☁️ Wait for the synchronization to be completed. You can check the status at Settings. → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of the account.
• 🔄 On Xiaomi: when you first turn on, select the option "Recover Data" and log in to the same Google Account. If the phone is already configured, go to Settings → Accounts. → Google and enable synchronization.
• ⏳ Wait 10 to 30 minutes (depending on the amount of data) and contacts and calendars will automatically appear, and apps can be restored from Google Play. → Library.

⚠️ Note: If you used a Huawei account on Honor ID For backup, data from it will not be transferred to Google Account automatically. It must first be exported manually (see section on Huawei Mobile Cloud).

The advantage of this method is that it has minimal data loss and no need for additional programs, but to transfer multimedia (photos, videos, music) you have to use other methods, since Google Photos syncs only those files that were uploaded to the cloud in advance.

2.Using Mi Mover (Official Xiaomi App)

Mi Mover is built into the MIUI/HyperOS It's a Wi-Fi Direct application that allows you to transfer data from other smartphones, including Honor, which is a Wi-Fi Direct application that allows you to communicate directly wirelessly between devices without having to go online, and it's a good way to send contacts, messages, photos, videos, and even some applications (APK-file).

Instructions for using Mi Mover:

1. On Xiaomi, open the Mi Mover app (if not, download from the Mi App Store or Google Play).
2. Select the option “I am a new user” (or “Receive data”).
3. On Honor, install Mi Mover from Google Play (if the model supports Google services) or download APK from the official Xiaomi website.
4. Run the app on both devices and select Send Data on Honor and Get Data on Xiaomi.
5. Scan it. QR-code from Xiaomi screen to Honor or connect manually via Wi-Fi Direct.
6. Select data types for transfer (contacts, media, messages) and confirm the transfer.

⚠️ Note: If Honor has firmware without Google services (e.g., HarmonyOS), Mi Mover may not work. OTG or third-party applications such as SHAREit.

Important: Mi Mover does not transfer data from third-party messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) and some system settings (for example, Wi-Fi passwords).

3. Transfer via OTG cable or adapter (direct connection)

One of the quickest ways is to connect Honor directly to Xiaomi. OTG-cable USB-C to USB-C. This method is suitable for transferring large files (video to the Internet). 4K, backups) and does not require an Internet connection, but you will need a file manager with a function OTG (Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).

Step-by-step:

• 🔌 Connect Honor to Xiaomi with the help of OTG-Xiaomi will receive a notification about the connection USB-device.
• 📁 Open the file manager on Xiaomi (such as Google Files or Mi File Manager) and select the section "USB-storage".
• 📥 Copy the required files (folders) DCIM For photos, downloads, etc., in Xiaomi’s internal memory.
• 🔄 For contacts and messages, export them pre-into a file (e.g.,.vcf for contacts) and transfer it over the cable.

Download file manager with OTG| Check connector compatibility (USB-C/Micro-USB) | Free up space on Xiaomi | Disable screen lock on Honor while copying-->

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ High speed (up to 480 Mbps when used) USB 3.0).
• 🔒 Security – data is not transmitted via the Internet.
• 📦 Support for all file types (including.zip or.rar backups).

Disadvantages:

• 🔌 Additional cable or adapter is required (not all models support direct transmission). USB-C to USB-C).
• 📱 Some firmware Honor may need to enable File Transfer Mode" (MTP) manually through the notification curtain.

4.Move over Huawei Mobile Cloud (for Honor models with Huawei ID)

If your Honor is tied to a Huawei ID account (relevant to models up to 2020 or some regions), you can use Huawei Mobile Cloud to back up and then export the data to a compatible format, a method that is harder than others, but allows you to migrate even notes and some settings.

How to transfer data via Huawei Mobile Cloud:

1. On Honor, go to Settings → Huawei ID → Cloud → Backup.
2. Create a full backup (select all categories: contacts, messages, photos, etc.).
3. Once you have finished copying, open Huawei Mobile Cloud in your browser on your PC (cloud.huawei.com) and log in to your account.
4. Export the required data manually: 📇 Contacts: export to.vcf file. 📷 Photo/video: download the archive.zip. 💬 Messages: export to.xml (conversion required for Xiaomi).
5. Transfer your downloaded files to Xiaomi via any convenient method (cable, cloud, email).
6. Import data to Xiaomi: Contacts: open the.vcf file through the Contacts app. Photo/video: unpack the archive in the DCIM folder.

⚠️ Note: Huawei Mobile Cloud does not support direct sync with Mi Cloud. UI 7.0+, Backups are created in a proprietary format and may not open on other devices.

5. Third-party applications for fast transfer (SHAREit, Xender, Send Anywhere)

If standard methods do not work (for example, due to the lack of services Google Honor), you can use third-party applications to transfer files.

• 📲 SHAREit supports transfer of any files at speeds up to 20 MB/s, but contains advertising.
• ⚡ Xender is similar to SHAREit, but with a simpler interface.
• 🌐 Send Anywhere – allows you to transfer files via a web link (convenient for large archives).
• 🔗 LocalSend – open source, non-advertising, works over Wi-Fi or mobile network.

General algorithm of use:

1. Install the same app on both devices (download the APK from the official website if there is no Google Play).
2. On Honor, select files to send and click "Send".
3. On Xiaomi, select “Get” and connect to the sender device via QR-code-drive.
4. Confirm the transmission and wait for completion.

Advantages of third-party applications:

• 🚀 High speed (up to 50 MB/s in the local network).
• 📱 It works without the Internet and Google services.
• 🔄 Support cross-platform transfer (including iOS).

Disadvantages:

• 🛑 Some applications (such as SHAREit) may request excessive permissions.
• 📡 Transfer quality depends on the stability of Wi-Fi Direct.

💡

Before using third-party apps, disable mobile data on both devices – this will speed up transfers over Wi-Fi Direct and save traffic.

6. Data transfer via computer (for large archives)

If you need to move tens of gigabytes of data (like a RAW photo collection or 4K video), the most reliable way is to use a computer as an intermediary, a method that takes longer, but ensures that files are safe and filters out unnecessary data before copying.

Instructions:

1. Connect Honor to the PC via USB-cable and select the "File Transfer" mode" (MTP).
2. Copy all the necessary folders (DCIM, Pictures, Downloads, etc.) to the hard drive of the computer.
3. Turn off Honor and connect Xiaomi to your PC.
4. Transfer files from your computer to Xiaomi, observing the folder structure (for example, photos should lie in the file). DCIM/Camera).
5. For contacts and messages, export them to files (.vcf,.xml) through the relevant apps on Honor and then import them to Xiaomi.

Recommendations for accelerating the process:

• 🖥️ Use it. USB 3.0 ports and cables for maximum speed.
• 🗃️ Archive photo/video folders to.zip before copying (reduce the number of files).
• 🔍 Check the copied data on your computer before the penos on Xiaomi – this will help to avoid losses.

⚠️ Note: If you use a file system on Xiaomi F2FS (is relevant for some HyperOS models, avoid copying files larger than 4GB - this can lead to errors.

7.TiTanium Backup (TiTanium Backup, Swift Backup)

Standard portability methods do not store application data (e.g., game progress, instant messenger settings, or notes in Evernote) and require specialized tools like Titanium Backup (requires root) or Swift Backup (works without root on some firmware).

How to transfer applications with data:

• 📱 Install Swift Backup on both devices (available on Google Play or via Google Play) APK).
• 🔄 On Honor, back up your desired applications (select "Backup" → mark the appendices → "Save").
• 📁 Transfer the backup file (usually in the SwiftBackup folder) to Xiaomi in any convenient way.
• 🔙 On Xiaomi, import backup via Swift Backup (select Restore" → specify the file → "Start").

Limitations:

• 🔒 Some applications (e.g. banking) block backups for security reasons.
• 📱 Xiaomi with HyperOS may need to disable "Optimization" MIUI" developer-setting.
• 🔄 When recovering data messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) may require a re-authorization.

💡

To transfer these applications without root rights, use Swift Backup or the built-in Application Cloning function in MIUI (available in Settings → Applications → Application Cloning).

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability from Honor to Xiaomi