Switching to a new smartphone is always an exciting process, often overshadowed by the fear of losing important files or getting confused. If you switch from Xiaomi to a new product from Realme, you will be faced with the task of quickly and safely migrating all the accumulated data. Fortunately, modern Android operating systems provide powerful tools to automate this process, making it accessible even to inexperienced users.
The main challenge is that the software shells are different: MIUI (or HyperOS) on the old device and Realme UI on the new one. Despite the visual and functional differences between the interfaces, the (basic structure) of the data remains compatible. You need to choose the right copying method so that contacts, call history, photos and installed applications move to the new device safely and safely, taking a minimum amount of time.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the existing utilities from both manufacturers and test their effectiveness in cross-platform interaction, learn how to avoid common mistakes, why cable is sometimes better than Wi-Fi, and what to do if the process is stuck in the middle. Proper preparation of devices is the key to successfully completing the procedure without losing a single byte of information.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before you run any copying software, you need to do basic training for both smartphones. Ignoring this stage often leads to connection interruption or errors when transmitting large amounts of information. Make sure that both devices are Wi-Fi enabled, as most methods rely on creating a local network between gadgets.
The process of cloning can be energy-intensive, especially if you carry tens of gigabytes of photos and videos, and if the charge falls below the critical mark, one of the devices may shut down, causing file damage.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to carry data if the battery charge on either smartphone is less than 50%, it is better to connect both devices to chargers or a superbank during the procedure.
It is also recommended to free up space on the receiving Realme device.Although the system itself will warn you about the memory shortage, it is better to make sure that there is more free space than the weight of data on the old Xiaomi.
- 📱 Charge both smartphones to a minimum of 60-70%.
- 📶 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network or enable Wi-Fi modules for direct communication.
- 🔒 Unlock the screens of both phones and keep them active.
- 📂 Check the availability of free space on the new Realme.
Remember, connection stability has a direct impact on speed, and if you're in a bad signal area or you're in a bad signal area, or you're in a bad signal area, or you're in a bad signal area, or you're in a bad signal area, or you're in a bad signal area, or you're in a bad signal area, or you're in a bad signal area, or you're in a bad interference area, it can be slow, and ideally, the devices should be in close proximity to each other, not more than a meter away.
Using the Clone Phone app from Realme
The most effective and native way for owners of new Realme devices is to use the proprietary utility Clone Phone, which is designed specifically for migrating data from any Android smartphone, including Xiaomi, and often works more stable than third-party counterparts. It is preinstalled on new Realme phones, but it can also be downloaded to an old phone.
The process starts with installing the app on both devices, and on the new Realme, you'll find it in the Tools folder or in the settings when you first run it. APK-You can find the file or find the app on Google Play if it's available for your model. Once you run, you'll be asked to select the role of the device: "This is a new phone" or "This is an old phone».
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Scanner. QR-Clone Phone codes sometimes run slowly in poor light. If the camera isn't focusing, select the "Manual Search" option and find your Realme name in the list of available devices.
After choosing a role on the screen of the new phone will appear QR-Scan it with an old Xiaomi camera, and the devices will create a secure Wi-Fi connection that will transmit data, which is mobile-friendly and provides high transfer rates often exceeding those of the data. 10-20 MB/s.
Importantly, Clone Phone allows you to select specific types of data to transfer, you can only copy contacts and messages, or download a full clone of the system, including the placement of icons on the desktop. The app automatically adapts some settings to make the interface on the new phone as familiar as possible.
- 📲 Install Clone Phone on both devices.
- 🆔 On the new Realme, select “This is a new phone” on Xiaomi – “This is an old phone».
- 📷 Scan it. QR-code or connect manually via Wi-Fi Direct.
- ✅ Select data categories to copy and start the process.
Keep in mind that when you transfer apps, they will be downloaded from the Google Play Store on a new device, rather than copying installation files, which ensures that Realme installs versions optimized for its processor and Android version, which reduces the risk of conflict.
Mi Mover Method: Can You Use Xiaomi Software?
Many Xiaomi users are used to the handy Mi Mover tool and wonder if it can be used to transition to Realme.Theoretically, the app backs up in a format that MIUI understands. However, when you try to restore this data on a device with a Realme UI shell, you will encounter incompatibility of file formats.
The Mi Mover app on the receiving side (Realme) simply does not recognize the archive created by the sender (Xiaomi), because the structures of the system databases differ. You can only transfer media files (photos, videos, music) if you choose the appropriate mode, but contacts, call history and system settings will not be imported correctly.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to restore a full Mi Cloud backup or local Mi Mover backup to Realme through standard system tools.This can lead to errors in the application registry or the appearance of junk files.
However, if you’re not willing to put new apps in, you can try using Mi Mover in Wi-Fi file transfer mode, but it’s less reliable than specialized cross-platform solutions.
It is better not to waste time experimenting with Xiaomi’s native tools to migrate to Realme. Focus on universal methods that guarantee results. Using native software from the host is always a priority when changing the brand.
Alternative methods: Google Account and Cable
If wireless is causing problems or running too slow, you can always turn to time-tested methods.Sync through Google Account is the "gold standard" for any Android device.Contacts, notes, calendar and even passwords from Chrome will instantly appear on the new Realme immediately after you enter your login and password.
For photos and videos, the best way to use Google Photos is to sync on Xiaomi, wait for the cloud to load, and all the pictures will appear in the gallery of the new phone. This is the most secure way, since your data will be stored in the cloud regardless of the condition of the phones.
What do you do with WhatsApp?
Physically connecting via a USB-C to USB-C cable is another great option. When you first turn on, Realme will offer to copy data from another Android device. Connecting phones with a cable will give you the maximum speed and stability possible. This method is ideal for transferring heavy video files of hundreds of gigabytes.
Compare the basic methods (migration) in the table below so you can choose the best one for your situation:
| Method | Speed. | Reliability | What's transferable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clone Phone | Tall. | Tall. | All (including layout) |
| Google Account | Medium | Maximum | Contacts, settings, passwords |
| USB Cable | Maximum | Tall. | Files, applications, media |
| Mi Mover | Low. | Low. | Media files only |
If you want to make a choice, you need to make a choice of your priorities, and if you want to make a speed and a complete clone, you can choose a Clone Phone or a cable, if you want to keep your contacts and passwords safe, you can use Google sync, and you can combine the best results.
Transferring Multimedia and Files via PC
Sometimes wireless methods are too slow, especially if you own a photo or videographer with a 100+GB archive. In this case, the smartest solution is to use a personal computer as an intermediate buffer, which requires more manual work, but gives you complete control over the file structure.
Connect your Xiaomi to your computer in file transfer mode (MTP). Copy the DCIM, Pictures, Download and Music folders to your PC hard drive. Then connect Realme and transfer the data to the appropriate directories, an approach that eliminates the risk of interruption due to unstable Wi-Fi.
☑️ Checklist for transfer via PC
It's important to remember the folder structure. If you just put all the photos at the root of your internal memory, Realme might not immediately index them or confuse the dates. Try to keep the original directory structure, especially for apps like Telegram or Viber, if you copy their media files manually.
It is also convenient to transfer documents and archives through a PC that do not fall into the standard categories of Photos or Video. File managers on both phones may not “see” each other over the network, and the PC sees all devices as removable disks, which makes navigation easier.
Solutions (Frequent Problems) in Transfer
Even with the best tools, there can be unforeseen difficulties, and one of the most common problems is a 90-95% connection break, often because the screen of one of the smartphones goes out and the power saving system of Xiaomi or Realme kills the background transmission process.
To avoid this, you need to change your energy saving settings before you start migrating, go to the battery settings and set Performance mode or prevent the migration app from sleeping, and it is also useful to increase the time before turning off the screen to a maximum value (10 minutes or “do not turn off”).
Another problem is that you don't display contact names correctly, or duplicate records, which happens when you sync contacts and contacts with your contacts. SIM-maps, both from Google and from your phone at the same time. After transferring data, you are recommended to go to the Contacts app, open settings and select the "Combine duplicates" function».
⚠️ Warning: If the process is dead for more than 10 minutes, don't wait for the weather to come by the sea. interrupt the operation, restart both smartphones and try again by selecting a smaller amount of data for the first attempt.
In some cases, antivirus programs or memory cleaners preinstalled on Xiaomi may block the connection to an unknown Realme device. temporarily disable aggressive protection or add the Clone Phone app to exceptions before starting the procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Will the data from the old Xiaomi be deleted after the transfer?
Can I interrupt the transfer and continue later?
Will logins and passwords from applications be transferred?
How long does it take to transfer 100 GB of data?
Do I need to reset Realme to factory settings before transferring?
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The most reliable way to switch from Xiaomi to Realme is to use the Clone Phone app, which connects both phones to charge, which ensures that not only files but also desktop structure are transferred.