The move to a new smartphone is always accompanied by a desire to do it as quickly as possible and without losing important data. Especially relevant is the question of how to transfer applications from Honor to Xiaomi, given that both manufacturers use an Android shell, but have different ecosystem services. Honor owner is used to the interface EMUI or Magic UI, while Xiaomi offers MIUI or HyperOS, which may raise some questions during the initial setup.
Fortunately, technology can clone virtually the entire digital footprint of a user in minutes. The migration process affects not only the installation files of programs, but also their settings, desktop location, and contacts, messages and media. The right approach to this stage will allow you to start using a new device immediately without spending hours manually downloading software.
In this article, we will take a look at all the portability options available, with a focus on full-time utilities and cloud services, and learn about the nuances of working with a Google account and installing apps that may not be available in default stores.
Honor and Xiaomi prepare for migration
Before any data manipulation begins, a series of preparatory steps must be taken that are often ignored by users, leading to failures. Make sure that both the old Honor and the new Xiaomi are charged at least 60-70%. The process of copying large amounts of data, especially photos and videos, can be energy intensive, and discharging the device at a critical moment can interrupt the transfer of files.
It is also important to check whether there is free space on the receiving device. If you plan to transfer all the data from the old phone, Xiaomi memory should be ready to take this load. It is recommended to remove unnecessary debris in advance or temporarily transfer heavy files to the computer if the internal memory of the new gadget is smaller than the previous one.
⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the data transfer process or switch between apps on smartphones during the migration, this can cause files to be damaged or the system to freeze, after which the procedure will have to start again.
Both devices need to be connected to a stable Wi-Fi network if you plan to use cloud methods or wireless. While a direct Wi-Fi Direct connection often works faster, having the internet is essential to login to accounts and check for updates to the system components of migration. Make sure screens don't go out too quickly by setting the display timeout to 5 minutes or 10 minutes in settings.
Using the Mi Mover application for wireless transfer
The most effective and official way to migrate is to use the specialized Mi Mover tool, which is designed specifically for users to move from other platforms to Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices. It allows you to transfer contacts, messages, calls, images, videos, audio files, documents and, most importantly, installed applications.
The process starts with installing the app on both devices. On the new Xiaomi, it is often already built into the system and is located in the Tools folder or available through settings when you first turn on. APK-Mi Mover file or find the application in the Google Play Store. After launching on both phones, you need to accept the user agreement.
Next, select the device role: Xiaomi clicks “I’m a recipient” and Honor clicks “I’m a sender.” The receiver will create a Wi-Fi hotspot that you need to connect to from the old device. In the list of available networks, select the name suggested by Xiaomi and enter a password if you need one.
- 📲 Select the data type to transfer: the system will offer a list of categories, including apps, contacts and media.
- 🔒 Confirm Connection: A confirmation code may appear on the screen, which must be checked on both devices.
- ⏳ Wait for completion: speed depends on the amount of data and the quality of the wireless connection, the process can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour.
⚠️ Note: Apps that require special Google services (GMS), You may need additional authorization after transferring to a new phone, as security settings may reset.
Once the copy is finished, the system will prompt you to automatically install the ported applications. In some cases, especially with banking applications or instant messengers, you will need to re-sign in to the account. This is normal security practice, and Mi Mover cannot bypass two-factor authorization or biometric data.
Synchronization through Google Account and Cloud Services
An alternative and often more reliable way is to use the Google ecosystem. Since both smartphones are Android-powered, your Google Account is the key to recovering most data. When you first turn on Xiaomi or in the account settings menu, you need to log into the same profile that was used on Honor.
In the Sync section, make sure that Contacts, Calendar, Notes (if Google Keep is used) and Photos are activated. To back up the list of installed apps and their data (where developers allow it), go to Google's settings and select Data Recovery.
Settings → Google → Backup → EnableThe good thing about this method is that it doesn't require two phones to be connected side by side all the time. You can set up a new Xiaomi at any time just by logging in to your profile. APK-Application files will be downloaded from the Play Market again, which will require a stable Internet connection and time.
Manual transfer of multimedia and documents
Not all files are convenient or securely transferred through clouds or cloners, especially if you are talking about gigabytes of photos in source quality or specific work documents. In such cases, the most reliable is the classic method of copying through a computer or using a file manager with support. FTP/SMB.
Connect Honor to your computer via USB-cable by selecting "File Transfer" mode" (MTP). Copy the folders. DCIM, Pictures, Download and Documents are on the hard drive. Then plug Xiaomi in and move the data to the appropriate directories. Android folder structure is universal, so there should be no compatibility issues.
For those who prefer wireless solutions without installing extra software, you can use the built-in Sharing with Environment (formerly Nearby Share), which allows you to quickly transfer individual files or packages of documents between devices nearby. Just highlight files in the gallery or file manager Honor, click Share and select your new phone.
| Method of transmission | Speed. | Reliability | It's best suited for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover | Tall. | Tall. | Complete migration of the system |
| Google Sync | Medium | Very high. | Contacts and settings |
| USB + PC | Very high. | Maximum | Large volumes of photo/video |
| Bluetooth | Low. | Medium | Multi-file transfers |
☑️ Checklist before beginning
Nuances of working with Google services on Honor and Xiaomi
Owners of relatively new Honor models may face a lack of Google pre-installed services (GMS) due to sanctions restrictions. If your old device has Google services installed manually or through Gspace, the transfer process may require additional steps.
When you migrate GMS-dependent applications (e.g. maps, YouTube, banking apps) to a new phone, they may not start immediately. HyperOS or MIUI may request permission to run background processes or install updates to Google Play components.
The situation can be even more severe for banking applications, some of which require re-associating the device, in which case transferring data through cloning will create a label, but inside the application you will have to log in again, perhaps using SMS code or biometrics. Make sure in advance that SIM-The card is active and receives messages.
Solving Common Problems in Migration
Even with proven methods, technical difficulties can arise, and one of the common problems is to stop the process at a certain percentage, usually due to unstable Wi-Fi connections or energy-saving modes that “sleep” the background transmission process, and it is recommended to turn off the energy saving mode on both devices during the migration.
Another problem is that some applications are not available after portability, which is often the case with programs that have been installed from third-party sources (not from the Play Market or AppGallery), in which case Xiaomi can block their installation for security reasons, and you need to manually allow installation from unknown sources in the security or browser settings.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone is slow or crashes after transfer, reboot the device. In some cases, it is recommended to clear the partition cache. Dalvik/ART Recovery menu if the problems are systemic.
Users also sometimes complain that Wi-Fi passwords or alarm settings have not moved, because different Android shells (Magic UI vs. MIUI) store this data in different system partitions that are restricted to third-party applications, and you will have to reset them manually, which will take no more than a couple of minutes.
Configure the new MIUI/HyperOS interface after the transfer
After successfully migrating applications from Honor to Xiaomi, the user gets into a new visual environment. the interface of MIUI or the new HyperOS is significantly different from the usual Magic UI. First of all, you should pay attention to the control center: in new versions it is divided into a notification curtain and a quick settings curtain, which requires getting used to.
You should set up your theme right away if the standard one doesn’t. Xiaomi’s theme store offers a huge library of styles, many of which are free. It’s also worth checking your gesture settings, as the swipe logic may be different from what you’re used to on Honor. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Buttonless Management to adapt your navigation.
Don’t forget to check permissions for portable applications. Xiaomi’s security system is known for its rigor and can by default prevent applications from accessing a microphone, geolocation or auto-start. Go through the list of important programs (messengers, navigators) and make sure they have all the necessary rights to work correctly.
- 🎨 Personalization: Configure the desktop grid and widgets for easy access.
- 🔔 Notifications: Check notification settings for each app to avoid missing important messages.
- 🔋 Battery: Study the Battery and Performance section to optimize the performance of frequently used applications.
The final step is to update all ported apps to the latest versions through the Google Play Store, which will ensure compatibility with the new version of Android and fix any bugs that may have occurred after the migration.