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

Moving from Honor to Xiaomi is not just about changing your brand, but also the need to transfer all the important data: contacts, photos, messages and even app settings. Many users face problems when trying to synchronize between the Huawei/Honor and MIUI ecosystems, especially when it comes to models without Google Mobile Services (GMS). In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways of data transfer, including official tools, cloud services and manual methods – taking into account the features of firmware and manufacturers’ limitations.

The challenge is that Xiaomi and Honor use different ecosystems, one focused on Mi Account and Google, and the other on Huawei Mobile Services (HMS), which means that standard solutions like Bluetooth or NFC often run unstable or do not work at all for large amounts of data. We tested each method on current models (for example, Honor 90 and Xiaomi 14) and identified pros, cons, and critical nuances that are not written in the official instructions.

1.The official way: Mi Mover by Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a Xiaomi-branded app designed to migrate data from other Android devices, and it supports contact, message, photo, video, audio, calendars, and even some app settings, but there are important limitations:

• 📱 It only works on Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 10 and newer (older versions may not be available).
• 🔌 Requires cable. OTG (or Type-C adapter → Type-C) for direct connection.
• ⚠️ Does not transfer data from some Chinese firmware Honor (for example, without data transfer) GMS).
• 🚫 Does not support the transfer of installed applications (.apk files).

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

1. Install the Mi Mover app on both devices (available on Google Play or APKMirror for non-GMS models).
2. On Xiaomi, select I receive data, on Honor I send data.
3. Connect your phones with an OTG cable (Honor may need to allow USB Debugging in Settings → For Developers).
4. Select data types to transfer and wait for the process to complete (can take up to 30 minutes for a large volume).

⚠️ Note: If Honor has firmware installed without Google Services, Mi Mover may not recognize the device, in which case use alternative methods (see Section 3 or 4).

Charge both phones at least 50 times%|Install Mi Mover on Honor (if not in the Play Market – download) APK)|Enable debugging on USB honor|Prepare the cable. OTG or Type-C adapter→Type-C-->

2. Cloud services: Huawei Cloud and Google Drive

If direct cable transfer is not possible, the best option is to use cloud storage. Honor syncs with Huawei Cloud by default, and Xiaomi syncs with Mi Cloud or Google Drive. The main advantage of this method is that you do not need to physically connect devices.

• ☁️ Huawei Cloud provides only 5 GB for free (for photos in original quality this is not enough).
• 📁 Google Drive gives 15 GB, but requires authorization through Google Account (problem for Chinese firmware Honor).
• ⏳ Download/download speed depends on the Internet connection (on a slow basis). 4G 20GB transfer will take several hours).

Instructions for Huawei Cloud:

1. On Honor, go to Settings → Huawei ID → Cloud and enable backup of the required data.
2. Wait until the download is complete (progress is displayed in the same menu).
3. On Xiaomi, open your browser and go to cloud.huawei.com, log in under the same Huawei ID.
4. Download the archive with data on Xiaomi and unpack it (photos and videos will be in the folder Huawei/Backup).

Instructions for Google Drive:

1. On Honor, install Google Photos and Google Contacts (if they are not in the firmware, download APK from APKMirror).
2. Upload your photos/video to Google Photos and export your contacts to Google Photos VCF-file through Contacts → Management → Exports.
3. On Xiaomi, log in under the same Google Account and sync your data.

3. Transfer over a computer (the most reliable method)

If clouds and Mi Mover don't work, the most versatile way is to use a PC or laptop as an intermediary, which works 100 percent regardless of firmware and manufacturers' limitations, but takes a little longer.

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Two. USB-cable (Type-C or Micro-USB, depending on the models).
• 📂 Enough free space on the hard drive (50 recommended)+ GB for backup).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Honor to your computer and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Copy all the necessary data (photos from DCIM, videos from Movies, music from Music, etc.) into a separate folder on your PC.
3. Disable Honor and connect Xiaomi, also in MTP mode.
4. Move files from your PC to Xiaomi (it is recommended to use DCIM/Camera folders for photos so that they are correctly displayed in the gallery).
5. To transfer contacts, export them to Honor to the VCF file (via Contacts → Export) and then import them to Xiaomi.

To transfer SMS and call logs, use specialized programs:

• 📱 SMS Backup & Restore (available on Google Play and Google Restore) APK).
• 📞 Super Backup & Restore (supports call backup).

⚠️ Note: When copying photos and videos via PC, check that the files do not have any DRM-Security (e.g. screenshots from some banking applications may not open on another device) In this case, use cloud services or specialized programs like Syncios.

1. Reboot both devices.

2. Install HiSuite drivers (for Honor) or Mi PC Suite (for Xiaomi).

3. Use another USB-port (preferably) USB 3.0).-->

4.Alternative applications: SHAREit, Xender, Send Anywhere

If you don't have an OTG cable or access to a computer, you can use third-party wireless data applications, the most popular ones being:

• 📲 SHAREit supports file transfers at up to 20 MB/s (requires connection to one Wi-Fi network).
• 🔄 Xender – works without the Internet (creates its own access point).
• 🌍 Send Anywhere – allows you to send files through 6-digit code (convenient for large volumes).

How to transfer data to Send Anywhere:

1. Install the application on both phones (you can download from the official website).
2. On Honor, select files to send and click Send → Generate code.
3. On Xiaomi, enter the received 6-digit code in the Receive field.
4. Wait for the transfer to be completed (speed depends on Wi-Fi or mobile internet).

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ Does not require cables or a computer.
• ✅ It even works on firmware without GMS.
• ✅ Supports file transfers up to 10GB at a time.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Speed is lower than with direct cable connection.
• ❌ Some apps (such as Shareit) show ads.

5. Transfer of applications and their data

Unfortunately, none of these methods allows you to transfer installed applications along with their data (for example, save in games or configure messengers).

• 📦 Titanium Backup (requires root rights) – creates full backups of applications and their data.
• 🔄 Swift Backup (alternative to Titanium, root rights needed).
• ☁️ Backup to the cloud (for individual applications, such as WhatsApp or Telegram have their own export functions).

Instructions for transferring WhatsApp:

1. On Honor, open WhatsApp. → ⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup copy.
2. Back up in Google Drive (if the firmware supports GMS) or locally to your phone.
3. Install WhatsApp on Xiaomi and log in under the same number.
4. When requesting, restore the chats from the backup (if you used Google Drive, you will need the same account).

To transfer these games (such as Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile) use the account link:

• 🎮 Link the game to Facebook, Google Play Games or Mi Account on Honor.
• Install the game on Xiaomi and sign in under the same account – progress will be automatically pulled up.

⚠️ Note: If the game does not support cross-platform synchronization (e.g. some Chinese) MMORPG), You can only transfer saves through root or specialized tools like GameGuardian (risk of blocking your account!).

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

The choice of how to transfer data depends on several factors: the amount of information, the availability of additional devices (PC, OTG cable) and firmware limitations. Below is a comparison table:

Selection recommendations:

• 🔥 For maximum speed and reliability, use a computer.
• 📱 For quick transfer without PC – Mi Mover (if the firmware supports) GMS).
• ☁️ For backup – Huawei Cloud or Google Drive.
• 🌐 For firmware-free GMS — Send Anywhere or Computer.

💡

If you have Chinese firmware installed on Honor without Google Services, the only reliable way to do this is to transfer it over a computer or apps like Send Anywhere.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you migrate data from Honor to Xiaomi, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

• 🚫 Mi Mover does not see Honor device Solution: Make sure Honor is enabled USB (Settings → The phone. → Build number – tap 7 times to unlock the developer menu. Also try using the original Xiaomi cable.
• 🔄 Photos moved but not displayed in the Xiaomi Gallery Solution: Move files to folder DCIM/Camera If it doesn't work, use Google Photos to re-index.
• ☁️ Huawei Cloud does not allow you to download backup Solution: Check what is on your Huawei account ID If you've been backing up a long time ago, update it before you download it.
• 📱 Applications are not portable Solution: Use APK Extractor on Honor to save.apk files of applications, and then install them on Xiaomi manually. app data is only transferred through Titanium Backup (root needed).

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔋 Battery level (at low charge, some devices block data transmission).
• 📶 Quality of Internet connection (for cloud services).
• 🔒 Presence of an antivirus or firewall blocking transmission (turn them off temporarily).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions