Changing a smartphone is always stressful, not so much with getting used to a new interface, but with the risk of losing important data. When a user switches from a Honor device to a Xiaomi gadget, the first and most critical issue is saving the phone book. Losing the numbers of friends, colleagues or business partners is unacceptable, so the data migration procedure must be performed flawlessly.
Fortunately, the Android ecosystems that both manufacturers operate on provide a lot of tools to do this. You don't have to manually interrupt hundreds of numbers or search for complex technical solutions. There are several proven methods, each with its own advantages depending on the amount of data and the availability of the Internet.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available ways, from cloud sync through a Google account to using proprietary migration utilities, and we will also discuss the nuances of working with VCF files and explain how to avoid common import errors.
Preparation of devices for data transfer
Before you start actively copying the phone book, both smartphones must be properly prepared. Ignoring the preparatory stage often leads to interruption of the process or duplicate recordings. Make sure that both the old Honor and the new Xiaomi have a battery charge of at least 50%.
The second important step is to connect to a stable Wi-Fi network. If you plan to use cloud services or wireless transmission, the connection speed will directly affect latency. Mobile Internet is not recommended, as transferring large amounts of data can quickly exhaust your data plan.
It’s also worth checking that both devices have Bluetooth debugging and geolocation enabled if you plan to use local transmission methods. On the new Xiaomi smartphone, it’s advisable to create or sign in to your Mi Account beforehand, as this will make it easier to integrate with the manufacturer’s system services.
⚠️ Note: Before starting any manipulation with contacts, we strongly advise you to create a backup copy of the phone book on the phone. SIM-map or cloud to have a rollback point in case of failure.
☑️ Checklist of preparations
Method 1: Sync through Google Account
The most versatile and reliable method is to use Google cloud storage, because both smartphones are Android-based, your contacts are probably already stored in the cloud, and if you used Gmail for mail on Honor, your numbers are already there.
To start, go to your old phone's settings and find the Users and Accounts or Accounts section. Select your Google address and make sure the switch opposite Contacts is activated. Press the sync button to make sure all data is sent to the server.
Then pick up the new Xiaomi. When you first set up the system or through the Settings menu → Accounts and sync log in to the same Google account. The system will automatically prompt you to recover data from the cloud.
The process can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour depending on the number of records. Once you have completed sync, open the Contacts app on your new device and check for all numbers. If the numbers don't show up right away, try clicking on the menu and selecting the Update option in the Contacts app.
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If contacts are not synced, check the contacts.google.com website in your browser on your computer - if there are no numbers there, then they were not downloaded from the old phone.
Method 2: Use the Mi Mover application
The Mi Mover utility is a powerful tool designed specifically for owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones. It allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also photos, messages and even system settings. For Honor owners, this is one of the most convenient options.
Install the Mi Mover app on both devices. On Honor, it can be downloaded from the app store or through the built-in scanner. QR-codes that will offer downloading APK-On Xiaomi, the application is often preinstalled in the Tools folder".
Run the program on both smartphones. On the new Xiaomi, select Recipient, and on the old Honor, Sender. The receiving device will create a Wi-Fi hotspot. Connect the old phone to that network by scanning it. QR-code.
Once you have established the connection, select Contacts (or System Data) category. You can select specific groups or all records at once. Run the transfer and wait until the process is over. Wi-Fi Direct transfer speeds are much faster than Bluetooth.
| Parameter | Google Synchronization | Mi Mover | VCF File |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed. | Depends on the Internet. | High (Wi-Fi) | Instant. |
| We need the Internet. | Yes. | No (locally) | No. |
| Contact photos | Preserve. | Preserve. | Often lost. |
| Difficulty | Low. | Medium | Low. |
Method 3: Export and import via VCF file
This is a classic, and works even without the Internet or any special applications, based on creating a business card file that contains all the information about your contacts, and the.vcf (vCard) format is supported by all modern smartphones.
On Honor, open the Contacts app. Click on the menu (usually four dots or three bars) and select Contact Management or Import/Export Contacts. Select Export to Device Memory or Export to Storage.
The system will create a file that is usually called contacts.vcf or 00001.vcf. Now this file must be transferred to Xiaomi, which can be done via Bluetooth, messenger (Telegram, WhatsApp), or simply copying the file to your computer and transferring to a new phone.
On Xiaomi, find the file you receive through the file manager or open it directly from the messenger. The system will ask where to save contacts: in the phone, on the phone. SIM-Google card or Google account: Choose a Google account or phone memory to save complete information.
⚠️ Note: When importing from VCF-The file can sometimes be duplicated if some of the numbers have already been saved to the new device. After importing, use the "Combine Duplicates" function in the Contacts app.
What to do if the file is not opened?
Method 4: Transfer through SIM-map
The easiest, but least functional way to use SIM-It is suitable if you have few contacts (up to the physical carrier). 250-500 depending on the operator and you do not care about additional fields such as email, addresses or photos.
Put it in. SIM-Go to your contacts settings and select "Copy Contacts." Use "Phone" as your source, and choose "Recipient" as your source —"SIM-Wait until the copying is finished.
Replace it. SIM-Go to the Contact app, open import settings and select Import with SIM-The system will prompt you to select an account to save, and after confirmation, all the numbers will appear in the phone book.
The main drawback of the method is the limitation on the length of the contact name (often cut to the point of contact). 10-15 and the inability to keep multiple numbers for one person. SIM-Cards may not support the retention of Cyrillic names, turning them into incomprehensible symbols.
Solving and eliminating errors
As users migrate, they may encounter a variety of technical problems, one of which is the “Not enough space” error when syncing, even if the phone’s memory is empty, due to Google’s free storage limit of 15GB, which includes both emails and photos.
Another problem is broken encoding, where question marks or characters are displayed instead of Russian names, which is often when transferred from old button phones or through old file formats, in which case only manual import through a computer with a choice of UTF-8 encoding helps.
If Mi Mover breaks the connection, try to turn off the power saving on both devices during the transfer, and it also helps to reboot both smartphones before starting the procedure.
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The most common cause of errors is an unstable Wi-Fi connection or an outdated version of the Mi Mover app, so always update the software before the procedure.
⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the import process by turning off the screen or closing applications. Interrupting during the recording phase can damage the phone book, which will have to be recovered from the backup.