Changing a smartphone brand is always an exciting process, involving not only the joy of a new device, but also the need to transfer accumulated gigabytes of information. Owners of the Xiaomi ecosystem, who decided to switch to Realme devices, often face the question of compatibility of tools, as both manufacturers use their own add-ons over Android — MIUI (or HyperOS) and Realme UI, respectively. Fortunately, the process of data migration has become much easier thanks to the standardization of transmission protocols and the availability of specialized applications.
The challenge is not physical file transfer, but the correct transfer of system settings, Wi-Fi passwords, icon placement, and most importantly, message and call history. Simply connecting to Bluetooth or transferring through Google Photos will not ensure complete cloning of the device, leaving the new phone “empty” in terms of user experience. The right algorithm of actions will allow you to start using the new gadget immediately without spending hours manually installing software.
In this article, we will take a look at all the migration options available, from official utilities to cloud services, how to avoid data loss, why some apps may not be automatically transferred, and how to properly prepare both smartphones for the procedure, we will look at the nuances of working with Mi and Realme ID accounts, and also pay attention to the security of your personal data during the synchronization process.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before launching any transfer programs, both smartphones need to be trained in basic ways, a critical step that can lead to connection errors or interruption of transmission halfway. Make sure that both the old Xiaomi and the new Realme have at least 60 percent battery charge. The cloning process can be energy-intensive, especially if a large amount of media is being transmitted.
Both smartphones must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. While some applications can create a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices, having a stable router nearby will significantly speed up the process and reduce the risk of breakups. Also check for free space on the target device: the amount of memory available on Realme should exceed the amount of data you plan to transfer from Xiaomi.
⚠️ Note: Before migrating, it is strongly recommended to back up important data to an external medium or to the cloud. Despite the reliability of modern algorithms, the risk of software failures during mass file recording always exists.
Remember to update the operating system on both devices to the latest available version. Older versions of MIUI or Realme UI may contain bugs that affect the operation of wireless communication modules. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update and check for updates. This action often solves problems with the visibility of devices to each other.
Also, you should turn on the “Don’t Turn Off Screen” function or set your sleep timer to “Never” during transmission, which will prevent the smartphone from going to sleep, which can break the connection at the most critical moment. On Xiaomi, this is done through Settings → Screen and Brightness → Sleep Mode.
Use the official Realme Clone Phone app
The most effective and recommended way to migrate is to use the native Realme Clone Phone app (known in some markets as Clone Phone), an official utility designed specifically for migrating to the brand’s devices, and it supports receiving data from most popular Android smartphones, including Xiaomi.
The process starts with installing the app on both devices. On the new Realme, it is often preinstalled in the Tools folder or available in the Play Market. On the old Xiaomi app, you need to download and install it manually. Once you launch on the new phone, select "This is a new phone" and on the old one, "This is an old phone."
☑️ Preparation for cloning
The system will then offer scanning. QR-The code that will appear on the screen of the new device, the camera of the old one, which is necessary to establish a secure communication channel, and after you connect, you will see a list of data categories that are available for transfer. The application’s algorithm allows you to select specific file types, which gives you flexibility in managing free space.
Importantly, the Realme Clone Phone can port not only media files but also folder structure, which keeps the file system in order, but system settings specific to MIUI (such as control gestures or themes) may not be portable or replaced with analogues in Realme UI.
The list of data that successfully migrate through this application includes:
- 📞 Contacts and call logs (including call history)
- 📸 Photos, videos and audio recordings from internal memory
- 📱 Applications and their data (for most standard programs)
- 📅 Calendar, notes and alarm clocks
- 🔐 Wi-Fi passwords and some system settings
Alternative method: Mi Mover and its limitations
Many users are trying to use the Mi Mover app, which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones, but here lies an important nuance: Mi Mover is designed primarily for data transfer from the main mobile devices. Android/iPhone on Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO. The function of receiving data to devices of other brands is often absent or unstable.
However, in some versions of HyperOS firmware or global shells MIUI You can see the functionality that allows you to use your phone as a source, and if you want to try this method, install Mi Mover on Realme (if you can find it). APK-File) or use the Xiaomi built-in tool to create a local backup.
Why Mi Mover might not work on Realme?
A more workable use case for Xiaomi tools is to create a local backup. You can go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Restore → Data Backup, select the right items and create a backup. The backup file will be saved in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder. This file can be manually transferred to Realme, but you can only recover data from it if the new phone has a MIUI shell installed, which is impossible on Realme.
So, speaking of limitations, Mi Mover is not a suitable tool for transferring data to Realme. Trying to use it as the main method will only lead to a waste of time. The only useful scenario is using Xiaomi as an intermediary for creating a backup on a PC, but it is too difficult compared to the direct method.
| Characteristics | Realme Clone Phone | Mi Mover (on Xiaomi) | Google Account |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deferral of contacts | Yes. | Yes (only with Xiaomi) | Yes. |
| Portability of applications | Yes (APK + data) | Yes. | Only a list. |
| Transferring Wi-Fi settings | Yes. | Yes. | No. |
| Transmission speed | High (Wi-Fi Direct) | Tall. | Depends on the Internet. |
Synchronization through Google Account and Cloud Services
The most reliable, though not the fastest way to save contacts, calendar and notes is sync through Google Account. Since both smartphones are running Android, logging into the same Google account will automatically tighten all the information you need. Make sure that Xiaomi has all the sync points enabled in its Google account settings.
To do this, go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google and check if the check boxes are in front of Contacts, Calendar, Keep Notes and other services. After that, on the new Realme, it is easy to enter your login and password when you initially set up or in the account menu, and the data will appear in a few minutes.
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Use Google Photos to automatically upload images. Turn on Autoupload and Sync on the old Xiaomi, wait until it's finished, and all photos will appear in the gallery of the new Realme immediately after you log in.
Notes are worth noting: If you’ve used Xiaomi’s standard Notes app, syncing through Google may not work, as it’s a proprietary app, in which case it’s better to export important notes to text format or use third-party cross-platform apps like Google Keep or Notion to keep records in the future.
You can use Google Drive for multimedia and documents. Upload important files to the drive from your old phone, and just download them on a new one. This is especially true for documents that are not photos or videos, and for backups of messenger correspondence if they are stored there.
Transfer of messengers: WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber
Messengers require a separate approach, since the history of correspondence is stored locally on the device or in specific cloud storage. Telegram in this regard is the most convenient: just enter a phone number, and all chats (except secret) will be downloaded automatically, since they are stored on the servers of the messenger.
WhatsApp is a bit more complicated. When moving from Xiaomi to Realme (both Android), the best way is to use the built-in backup feature on Google Drive. On an old phone, go to WhatsApp → Settings → Chats → Backup and click “Create.” Make sure the copy is created on Google Drive, not locally.
⚠️ Note: When restoring WhatsApp on a new phone, use the same phone number and Google account as on the old device.
Once WhatsApp is installed on Realme and the number is verified, the app will find the backup on Google Drive and prompt you to restore chats and media files. This process can take time depending on the size of the database. For Viber, the procedure is similar: back up in Viber settings on Xiaomi, and it will recover when you first start on Realme.
If automatic recovery fails, you can try to transfer the local WhatsApp folder (located in the root of internal memory or in Android/media) through the file manager to a new phone before launching the application. However, the Google Drive method is considered more stable and less prone to access rights errors in new versions of Android.
Frequent problems and ways to solve them
Users can face a variety of difficulties in migrating, and one of the most common is 99 percent interruption, often due to the aggressive Realme UI energy saving system, which can kill the background data transfer process if the screen goes out. Solution: keep the screen of the new phone on and the cloning app open in the foreground.
Another problem is the lack of some apps after the port, which happens if the application was installed from a non-Play Market (for example, from Mi GetApps or from the Internet). APK-In this case, the Realme Clone Phone can copy the installation file, but not the program itself.
It is also possible that after transferring contacts, they are displayed with duplicates or in the wrong format. To fix this, open the Contacts app on Realme, go to settings and select the "Combine Repetitive Contacts" or "Import/Export" function to clean the list.
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The most common cause of port errors is an unstable Wi-Fi connection or a phone switching to power saving mode. Keep your devices near the router and connected to the charger.
If you find that Wi-Fi passwords are not portable, this may be due to differences in Android versions, in which case the easiest way to use the "Share" feature is to use the "Share" feature. QR-code" in the Wi-Fi settings on the old phone and scan it with the new one. It takes a few seconds and solves the problem of accessing the network.