How to copy apps from Honor to Xiaomi: a complete guide with step-by-step instructions

Moving from Honor to Xiaomi is not just about changing the interface, it's also about migrating all the apps installed. Many users are faced with the challenge of how to save their favorite programs, games and data as they change ecosystems. Unlike moving contacts or photos, copying apps requires a special approach because of the differences in the architecture of Android devices from different brands.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to transfer applications – from standard backup tools to manual extraction of.apk files. You will learn which methods save the data of applications (for example, progress in games or settings messengers), and which are suitable only for copying the programs themselves. MIUI magic UI, Avoid common mistakes in the transition between ecosystems.

Importantly, not all applications can be migrated directly, and some programs (such as banking or DRM-protected) are tied to a particular device or account, and they will require alternative solutions, which we will also consider.

Why you can’t just copy apps via USB or Bluetooth

Many users try to migrate apps by simply copying the /data/app folder from one smartphone to another, a method that doesn't work for several reasons:

• 🔒 Android Protection: The system blocks the installation of applications from unverified sources unless they are signed with a developer’s digital signature.
• 📱 Different CPU architectures: Honor often uses Kirin processors (ARM64), Xiaomi is Snapdragon or Mediatek. Incompatible.apk files will not be installed.
• 🗃️ Application Data: Even if you copy.apk, settings and saves (such as in games) will remain on the old device.
• 🔄 Android Versions: Apps built for one OS version may not work on another (for example, from Android 10 to Android 13).

Another trap is binding to Google or Huawei services, where apps from AppGallery won’t work properly on Xiaomi if they’re simply copied, and apps that use HMS Core instead of Google Mobile Services will not work properly.

Method 1: Backup through Google Account (for Play Market applications)

The most reliable method for apps installed from Google Play is to store not only the programs themselves, but also some of their data (for example, settings or progress in some games).

1. On Honor: Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google. Enable Sync for App Data and Contacts. Go to Settings → System → Backup and activate Google Drive Backup.

On a Xiaomi smartphone:

• When you first enable, select “Restore from backup” and log in to the same Google account.
• If the phone is already set up, go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Restore Data.

⚠️ Note: This method does not work for applications installed from APK It also does not store data from certain games (such as Genshin Impact or AppGallery). PUBG Mobile – they will require a separate link to the developer account.

Sign in to the same Google account as Honor|Connect to Wi-Fi (the amount of data can exceed 1 GB)|Charge Xiaomi at least 50%|Shut down. VPN (can block synchronization)-->

Method 2: Manual extraction APK-Honor

If the app is not available on Google Play (e.g. regional versions or modified.apk), you can copy it manually.

• 📱 Honor smartphone with root rights (optional, but simplifies the process).
• 💻 Computer installed ADB (Android Debug Bridge).
• 🔌 USB-plug-in.

Instructions without root rights:

1. On Honor, turn on Settings → About Phone → Build Number (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode).
2. Go back to Settings → System → For developers and turn on “Debugging by USB”.
3. Connect the phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm list packages -f | grep "package:" | sed 's/package://g' | awk '{print $2}' It will display a list of paths to all installed.apk files.
4. Copy the file you want on your PC: adb pull /data/app/com.example.app-base.apk (replace the path with the current one from the previous step).

To install on Xiaomi:

1. Transfer.apk to your smartphone (for example, via Mi Drop or Google Drive).
2. Enable Settings → Applications → Special Rights → Installation from Unknown Sources
3. Run the file through any file manager.

⚠️ Note: Not all.apk files will work on Xiaomi:

• 🔧 The application is built for a specific processor architecture (for example, only for the ARMv7, And your Xiaomi is on ARM64).
• 🔒 Huawei’s proprietary libraries are used (e.g., Huawei’s proprietary libraries, HMS Core).
• 📋 The application checks the integrity of the system (for example, banking programs).

Method 3: Using third-party backup programs

If standard methods do not fit, you can use specialized utilities.The best options for porting applications between Honor and Xiaomi:

Instructions for Titanium Backup (from root):

1. Install the program on Honor and provide root access.
2. Select backup apps (click on them and select Save).
3. The backup files will appear in /sdcard/TitaniumBackup. Copy them on Xiaomi.
4. Install Titanium Backup on Xiaomi, provide root and recover data.

For App Backup & Restore (without root):

1. Run the program on Honor and select the applications to be redundant.
2. Click Backup – the files are saved in /sdcard/AppBackupRestore.
3. Move the folder to Xiaomi and install the program there.
4. Restore applications through the Recovery menu.

💡

If the app isn’t recovering, try clearing the cache of Google Play Services on Xiaomi: go to Settings → Apps → App Management → Google Play Services → Storage → Clear the cache.

Method 4: Transfer over Mi Mover (official solution from Xiaomi)

Mi Mover is a proprietary utility from Xiaomi for transferring data from other smartphones. It supports transferring some applications, but with limitations:

• 📲 It only works when you first turn on Xiaomi (or after resetting settings).
• 🔄 Portable only apps from Google Play (not system or modified).
• 📶 Requires both phones to connect to the same Wi-Fi network.

Step-by-step:

1. On Xiaomi, select Data Transfer when you first start.
2. Download Mi Mover from Google Play (or scan it) QR-Xiaomi screen code).
3. Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network.
4. On Honor, select data to transfer (enable "Applications").
5. Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 30 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: Mi Mover is not tolerated:

• 🎮 Game data (progress, preservation).
• 🔐 Applications with connection to the device (banking, some messengers).
• 📱 Honor System Applications (e.g. Huawei Health).

💡

Mi Mover is the easiest way, but only suitable for basic porting. To fully copy applications with data, use a combination of Google Backup + manual APK port.

Method 5: Moving over cloud services (for specific categories of applications)

Some applications support their own synchronization mechanisms, and here's how to migrate data to popular categories:

Example for WhatsApp:

1. On Honor, back up: Settings → Chat → Backup.
2. Copy /sdcard/WhatsApp folder on your PC.
3. Install WhatsApp on Xiaomi and log in with the same number.
4. When the program offers to restore the history, confirm.

For cloud-saving games:

• 🎮 PUBG Mobile: Link your account to Facebook or Twitter in the game settings.
• 🏰 Clash of Clans: Connect to Google Play Games or Supercell ID.
• 🌌 Genshin Impact: Use a cross-platform account with miHoYo.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When migrating apps, users often face typical problems, and here's how to solve them:

• 🚫 «Application not installed": Check if installation is enabled from unknown sources (Settings) → Annexes → Make sure that.apk is compatible with the Xiaomi processor architecture (e.g. Snapdragon requires you to use it). arm64-v8a).
• 🔄 «Application data has not recovered": For games, check the link to the developer account. For instant messengers (for example, Telegram), log in using the same number.
• 📱 «App crashes after transfer": Clear the app cache (Settings) → Annexes → [name] → Warehouse → Clear cache. Check permissions (Settings) → Annexes → Permits).
• 🔒 «App from AppGallery": Install Huawei Mobile Services on Xiaomi (if available for your model.... look for alternatives on Google Play.

Critical information: DRM-protected applications (e.g. Netflix, Disney+, banking programs) can block work on a new device if they are moved manually.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions