How to clone Xiaomi phone on Realme 8: a complete guide with proven methods

Transferring data between smartphones of different brands is not an easy task, especially when it comes to switching from Xiaomi to Realme 8: MIUI The first and the realme UI (Differences in storage architecture, pre-installed services and even backup formats can create problems when trying to clone".

Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to copy files to a memory card or to the cloud - but this only works with media files, SMS, Call histories, application settings, and even some passwords are stored in system partitions that are not available for manual copying. In this article, we’ll break down 3 working migration methods, including official tools and workarounds for complex cases (e.g., if Realme 8 doesn’t see a Xiaomi backup).

We will pay special attention to the compatibility of Android versions: on Xiaomi it can be MIUI 12-14 (Android 10-13), And on Realme. 8 — Realme UI 2.0-4.0 (Android 11-13). The difference in even one version of Android sometimes blocks transfer through standard means. → Realme Account and why some applications (e.g. banking) will require re-authorization.

1.Cloning Preparation: What to Do on Xiaomi Before the Transfer

Before you start migrating, make sure to follow these steps on the original Xiaomi device, which will help you avoid losing critical data and speed up the process:

✅ Update. MIUI Up to the latest version. old builds (e.g, MIUI 11 or lower) may not properly back up new versions of Android. Check the relevance in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

✅ Sync your data with Mi Cloud. Even if you don't plan to use Xiaomi's cloud on Realme 8, backup in the cloud will become insurance:

• 📇 Contacts (include in Settings) → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization)
• 📝 Notes and calendar (if you use standard applications)
• 📷 Photo/video (optional if you don’t want to copy it manually)

⚠️

Note: If bootloader lock is enabled on Xiaomi, some cloning methods (e.g. via a bootloader) ADB) Check the lock status with the command fastboot oem device-info - if Device unlocked: false, you will need to unlock.

🔧 Turn off data protection. Some applications (like Mi Browser or Xiaomi Gallery) encrypt files:

1. Go to Settings. → Passwords and security → Data protection.
2. Turn off the file encryption option (if active).
3. Reboot the phone.

Make a backup copy in Mi Cloud|Update MIUI last-minute|Disable data encryption|Check the vacant space (minimum 5GB)|Write down logins/passwords from accounts-->

Method 1: Official portability via the "Clone Phone" (Realme) application

Realme offers its own migration solution, the Clone Phone utility pre-installed on Realme 8.

• 📱 Contacts, SMS, call-up
• 📸 Photo, video, audio files
• 📁 Documents (PDF, DOCX etc.)
• 🎮 Some app settings, but not all!)

But there are nuances: the application does not always work correctly with Xiaomi due to differences in the data structure. MIUI. For example, it might miss:

• 🔄 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings (you will have to reconfigure)
• 🔐 Saved passwords from Mi Browser or Google Chrome
• 🎵 Musical app playlists (e.g. Mi Music)

📌 Step-by-step instruction:

1. On Realme 8, open the Clone Phone app (you can find it in the Utility folder or through search).
2. Select "This is a new phone" → "Android".
3. On Xiaomi download the Clone Phone app for the sender (version for the mobile phone). MIUI).
4. Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network (or use a hotspot on Xiaomi).
5. On Xiaomi, select data to transfer and confirm the transfer.

⏳ Transfer time depends on the amount of data:

💡

If Clone Phone is “hanging” during the connection phase, try to disable it. VPN Also make sure that Xiaomi doesn’t have active power saving modes (they can block background data transfers).

Method 2: Manual transfer through backup MIUI + Recovery at Realme

If the Clone Phone didn't work out (or you want to move system application settings that are usually ignored), try this one. It's more complicated, but it gives you more control.

🔧 Step 1: Create a local backup on Xiaomi

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Select the data to save (we recommend that you note everything except "System Data" - it is incompatible with Realme).
3. Click "Create a backup" and wait until it is completed (the file will be saved in the folder). MIUI/backup/AllBackup).

🔧 Step 2: Remove data from backup

Backup file MIUI It has a.mbk extension and it's encrypted to extract data:

• 🖥️ Connect Xiaomi to your PC and copy the *.mbk file to your computer.
• 🛠️ Use the utility. MIUI Backup Extractor (required Java) Commands for extraction: java -jar miui_backup_extractor.jar -d backup.mbk output_folder
• 📂 In a file. output_folder Unpacked data will appear (contacts in contacts.vcf, SMS into sms.xml etc.).

🔧 Step 3: Transfer data to Realme 8

• 📱 Contacts: import contacts.vcf via Contacts → Settings → Imports/Exports.
• 💬 SMS: use the app SMS Backup & Restore (Available on Play Market).
• 📁 Files: copy folders DCIM, Download, etc. directly via cable or cloud.

Method 3: Transfer through Google Account (partial)

If the previous methods seem complicated, you can use Google sync, which won't carry all the data, but will cover the basic ones:

• 📇 Contacts (if linked to Google)
• 📅 Calendar and tasks
• 📎 Some app settings (such as Google Chrome or Gmail)
• 📲 List of installed applications (but not their data!)

🔄 How to transfer:

1. On Xiaomi go to Settings → Accounts. → Google and enable sync for all categories.
2. Wait until completion (check in Settings) → Accounts. → Google → Account management → Synchronization).
3. On Realme 8, add the same Google account and wait for automatic sync.

⚠️

Attention: This method will not be: 💬 SMS and call history (use) SMS Backup & Restore) 📷 Photo/video (copy manually or via Google Photos) 🎮 Game Save (requires separate backups for each game) 🔧 Settings MIUI (themes, gestures, etc.)

Official Utilities (Clone Phone, Mi Mover)|Manual transfer via backup|Synchronization through Google Account|Cloud services (Mi Cloud, Google Drive)|Another option-->

5. Applications and their data portability: what works and what doesn’t

One of the most difficult aspects of cloning is the transfer of installed applications and their data, and there are a few scenarios.

✅ Apps from Google Play:

• 📱 Application list can be restored through Google account (in Play Market) → Library).
• 🗃️ Application data (e.g. game saves) is only portable if the developer supports cloud sync (e.g. Helium or built-in game features).

❌ System applications MIUI:

• 🚫 Mi Browser, Mi Gallery, Mi Music will not work on Realme 8 due to addictions to the game. MIUI.
• 🔄 Alternative: Transfer media files to standard folders (DCIM, Music) and use similar apps on Realme.

🔧 A workaround for complex cases:

If you want to migrate data to an application that doesn’t support cloud backup (such as Xiaomi Home for smart devices), try:

1. On Xiaomi, find a folder with the application data in /data/data/{name packet} (need root or ADB).
2. Copy it on a PC.
3. On Realme 8, install the same app and try replacing its data (root required).

⚠️

Note: Transfer of application data through /data/data This can cause crashes if the versions of apps or Android on devices are different. MIUI 14 (Android 13) It may not work for Realme. UI 3.0 (Android 12).

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To transfer these applications, always check their compatibility with the new version of Android. MIUI (For example, Mi Fit, its data will not be correctly transferred to Realme 8 without loss.

Post-cloning problems and solutions

Even after successfully migrating data, you may encounter problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

🔋 Fast battery discharge on the Realme 8

If after the transfer the phone began to discharge faster, the reason may be:

• 🔄 Background sync (disable unnecessary accounts in Settings) → Accounts).
• 📱 Transferred applications optimized for MIUI (Check in the settings → Battery → Battery utilization).
• 🔌 Incorrect energy saving settings (reset to factory settings in Settings) → Battery → Additionally).

📶 Problems with mobile network or Wi-Fi

If Realme 8 is not connected to the network:

• 📡 Check the settings. APN (Sometimes they don't carry. Path: Settings → Mobile network → Access points (APN).
• 🔄 Reset network settings: Settings → System system → Reset → Resetting network settings.
• 📱 If you have a Wi-Fi problem, delete the saved networks and connect again.

🔐 Authorization errors in applications

Some applications (banks, instant messengers, games) may require re-entry.

• 🔑 Authorization tokens are often tied to the device and are not portable.
• 📱 Device identifiers (IMEI, Android ID) differ.
• 🛡️ Security: Many services block the entry from a new device (for example, Sberbank Online or Telegram).

🛠 How to minimize problems:

• 📋 Write down your critical service logins/passwords in advance (use Google Password Manager or KeePass).
• 🔄 After the transfer, restart Realme 8 to help stabilize the system.
• 📱 Install updates for all ported apps (via Play Market).

7. Alternative cloning methods (for experienced users)

If standard methods don't work, you can use advanced tools, which require technical skills, but give you more options.

🖥️ Method 1: Transfer through ADB (Android Debug Bridge)

ADB It allows you to copy data at a low level, including some system files:

• 📱 Developer mode enabled and debugging by USB both phones.
• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 📂 Knowledge of data paths (e.g, /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db contact).

📌 Example of a command to copy contacts:

adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db


adb push contacts2.db /sdcard/

⚠️ Limitations:

• 🚫 Without root rights, only a limited set of data can be copied.
• 🔧 Not all files are compatible between MIUI and realme UI.

🖥️ Method 2: Use of the TWRP Nandroid Backup

If Xiaomi has custom recovery installed (TWRP), You can create a full backup system and try to restore individual partitions on Realme 8:

• ⚠️ High risk of "bricking" Realme 8 due to incompatibility of cores and drivers.
• 🔧 You can only transfer it. /data (with user data, but not /system.
• 🛠️ Requires an unlocked bootloader on both devices.

📌 Instructions (briefly):

1. On Xiaomi. TWRP Create a backup of the Data section.
2. Copy the backup file to the PC.
3. On Realme 8 (c) TWRP) Try to restore only Data (without Boot and System!).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi cloning on Realme 8