Changing a smartphone, even within a single technology segment, often becomes stressful for the user because of the need to transfer personal data. The especially critical task is to save the phone book, because losing the numbers of business partners, relatives or emergency services is unacceptable. Switching from MIUI devices to the shell of the Realme UI or ColorOS can seem difficult due to differences in the interface, but modern migration tools reduce this process to a few clicks.
There are several proven ways to perform synchronization, each with its own advantages depending on the amount of data and the speed of the Internet connection. You can use the built-in Mi Mover app, which works great in conjunction with competitors, or rely on Google’s cloud services, which are the universal standard for Android. SIM-map VCF-Files that are saved in the absence of stable Wi-Fi.
In this article, we will take a look at each of the available action algorithms so you can choose the most suitable one for your situation. We will look at the nuances of working with your Mi Account, the features of setting up Google contacts and how to manually manage files. The right approach to this stage will allow you to start using the new Realme device immediately without having to distract yourself from restoring lost information.
Before starting the procedure, make sure that both devices are charged at least 50-60% so that a sudden power outage does not interrupt the transmission process. It is also recommended to check the availability of free space on the receiving smartphone, although the contacts occupy a negligible amount of memory. If you plan to use cloud methods, make sure that both devices are on data transfer or a wireless connection is available.
Using the Mi Mover app for quick migration
The most obvious and frequently used tool is the proprietary utility Mi Mover, which is pre-installed on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones. Surprisingly, this application is also available for installation on devices of other brands, including Realme, which makes the transition process as smooth as possible. The principle of operation is based on creating a direct Wi-Fi access point between devices, which ensures high transfer speeds without the consumption of mobile traffic.
To get started, open the app on your old Xiaomi phone and select the role "Sender". On the new Realme device, if the application is not in the system, you need to download it from the official Play Market store or the official manufacturer's website. After launch, the new gadget selects the role of "Receiver" (Receiver). QR-code or enter a password from the created network, after which the search for devices will begin.
⚠️ Note: When using Mi Mover on a Realme device, extended permissions to access the system may be requested, this is necessary to correctly record data in the new shell contact register, so all requests should be confirmed.
Once you pair successfully, you'll see a list of data categories to transfer, and you can only select Contacts if you want to transfer only the phone book, or you can add photos and messages, and you'll get a report on the number of successfully transferred records, and if there were duplicates in the contacts, the system can suggest combining them, which is a useful feature for cleaning the database.
☑️ Preparation for transfer via Mi Mover
It is important to note that Mi Mover may not work properly with some specific fields in the contact card if the Android versions on the devices are very different, for example, Family Links fields or custom ringtones for individual subscribers may not be portable, in which case the basic information (number, name, email) will be stored completely, and details will have to be added manually.
Syncing through Google account: a universal method
The most reliable and brand-independent way is synchronization through the Google Contacts cloud service. This method is ideal in that your data is always safe on the corporation's servers and accessible from any device after login. On Xiaomi smartphones, the default is often synchronization with Mi Cloud, so you need to manually switch to saving contacts to Google before changing your phone.
To check your current status, open the settings on your old phone, go to Accounts and Sync, and select your Google account. Make sure the switch opposite Contacts is activated. SIM-You can import them to Google first, and you can do this through the Contacts app, by selecting the Import/Export function and pointing the device to the source and the recipient to the Google account.
Once you have made sure that all the numbers are displayed in the web version of contacts.google.com, you can pick up a new Realme. When you first set up your smartphone, just type in the same email address and the phone book will load automatically in the background. If the phone is already set up, just add an account in the settings section "Users and Accounts" and enable sync.
What to do if no contacts appear?
The advantage of this method is that you can easily edit names, add photos, and sort people into groups directly through the browser, and all the changes will instantly affect the smartphone, which is especially useful for maintaining a customer base or organizing large contact lists where structure and relevance of data are important.
Transfer via SIM-card: the classic version
Despite the advances in cloud technology, the SIM-transfer method remains relevant, especially when you need to quickly move the basic list of numbers without being tied to the Internet, which is suitable if you do not have Wi-Fi on hand or do not want to log in to accounts on someone else's or a new device right now, but it has significant limitations on the scope and format of information stored.
On Xiaomi, open the Contacts app, go to settings and select Import/Export Contacts. From the menu that appears, click Export on SIM-The system will warn that additional fields such as addresses, emails and second numbers may be lost when exporting. You will be asked to select contacts to carry - you can mark all at once or select specific groups.
| Parameter | Save on SIM | Save on Google | Save to Mi Cloud |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | Limited (usually 250-500) | No restrictions. | Depends on the tariff. |
| Length of name | Cut (up to 10-15 characters) | Complete. | Complete. |
| Photo of contact | It doesn't last. | It's still there. | It's still there. |
| Number two. | It doesn't last. | It's still there. | It's still there. |
After the export to Xiaomi is completed, extract SIM-You can paste it into your Realme smartphone. On the new device, go back to the Contacts app, select Import/Export, and click Import with SIM-The system will prompt you to choose a destination - be sure to specify "Google Account" or "Phone", but not the very same. SIM-card so as not to create duplicates on the chip.
💡
Before extraction SIM-Make sure the phone is turned off, or use the hot replacement feature if your model is on the phone. SIM-This allows you to avoid chip damage.
The main drawback of the method is that it cuts off long names and doesn't support special characters, so if you had numbers in your notebook with extra numbers or complex pauses, they can turn into a normal set of numbers that you have to adjust, so it's best to use this as a backup or for the primary transfer of the most important numbers.
Exports and imports through VCF-file
The most flexible way to control the entire process and create backups is to work with.vcf (vCard) files, a universal standard for sharing contact information and supported by almost all operating systems, email clients and instant messengers. A file can contain hundreds or even thousands of records with all fields, including photos and addresses.
To create such a file on Xiaomi, go to the contacts app, click on the management menu and select "Import/Export Contacts", then "Export to Memory of Device" (or "Export to File.vcf"). The system will create a file, usually in the root folder or in the Contacts directory. This file can be transferred to the new Realme phone in any convenient way: via Bluetooth, messenger (Telegram, WhatsApp), email or USB-cable.
Once you have a file on your new device, just click on it. Android automatically recognizes the format and offers an app to open — select Contacts or Contact Storage. You will be asked to select an account to which the data will be uploaded. Once confirmed, the import process will begin, which will take from a few seconds to a couple of minutes depending on the number of records.
The unique feature of working with VCF-You can open it in a text editor (although the structure is complex) or special contact manager programs to massively change city codes or remove unnecessary characters before downloading to a new phone. This is a powerful tool for those who like complete control over their data.
Addressing problems and duplicates
After transferring contacts from Xiaomi to Realme, users often face the problem of duplication of records, which occurs when the same contact is stored simultaneously in the phone’s memory, on the phone. SIM-And the new system, when synchronized, can combine all sources into a single list, creating multiple copies of one person. UI There is a built-in tool to solve this problem.
To clear the list, open the Contacts app, go to the settings, and find the "Combine Repeated Contacts" (or "Contact Management" → "Clean up"). The system will automatically scan the database, find matches by phone number or name, and suggest combining them into one card. You can perform the operation for all the duplicates found at once or view each case individually.
⚠️ Attention: Before mass contact mergers, make sure that sync with Google is complete. interruption of the merger process may result in the loss of some information or damage to the phone book database.
Another common problem is incorrect display of names if the encoding for export/import was chosen incorrectly. characters or question marks may be displayed instead of letters. In this case, re-importing with the choice of the correct encoding (usually UTF-8) or cleaning the cache of the "Contacts" application through the application settings in the Settings section → Apps → Show all → Contacts → Storage → Clear cache helps.
If some contacts are not linked to an account and are only stored locally, they may disappear when you reset your new phone. To avoid this, check immediately after transfer where the new numbers are stored. The contact app settings should tick "Save new contacts to: Google" or your main account, not "Phone memory."
Additional settings and optimization
After a successful data transfer, you can take the time to set up the display of contacts on the new Realme, the shell allows you to flexibly adjust the sorting by name or surname, which is relevant for users who are accustomed to different standards, and you can also customize the display of photos in the call list, which makes the interface more friendly and recognizable.
You should set up your backup immediately to avoid repeating complex migration procedures in the future. In your Google account settings, enable automatic contact sync, and you can use the Google One app to create complete device backups, including call history and SMS, which is especially convenient when you upgrade to a new model.
💡
Regularly checking your contacts sync in the Google Contacts web interface is the best way to ensure that your phone book is safe in any situation.
Remember that modern smartphones allow you to connect contacts from different sources. If you have a business contact in the corporate database and a personal one in Telegram, the system can suggest combining them into one card so that when you call you see all the available information about the person, this increases the efficiency of communication and makes it easier to find the right people in a large database.