How to transfer data from Xiaomi to Realme: 5 proven ways without loss

Moving from Xiaomi to Realme is not just about changing your brand, but also having to migrate all the important data: photos, contacts, messages, and even app settings. Many users fear that it will take hours or lead to file loss, but there are actually several reliable ways to do it quickly and without errors.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of data transfer between Android devices, including proprietary tools (Mi Mover, Realme Clone Phone), universal solutions from Google and alternative options using cable or cloud services. We will pay special attention to the nuances of compatibility between firmwares MIUI and realme UI, We also tell you how to avoid common mistakes during the transfer.

Whether you’re upgrading your smartphone or just testing a new device, our instructions will help keep all the data intact, and if you’ve already experienced this task, share your experience in the survey below!

1. Preparation of devices before data transfer

Before you start transferring files, you need to follow several critical steps on both smartphones, neglecting preparation can lead to incomplete data transfer, synchronization errors, or even loss of information.

Let's start with Xiaomi:

• 📱 Update the firmware to the latest version MIUI (Check in the settings → The phone. → Update of the system: Older versions may not support modern transmission protocols.
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 50 percent. Data transfer is energy-intensive, and a sudden shutdown can interrupt it.
• 🗑️ Clear the cache in the applications you plan to transfer data (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) and this will reduce the amount of files transferred.
• 🔒 Turn off screen lock (if possible) or add the device to Settings → Security → Trusted devices to avoid connection breakage.

Now the Realme preparation:

• 📲 Reset to factory settings (if new or used) this will delete unnecessary data from the previous owner and prevent conflicts. → Additional settings → Reset and backup → Resetting all settings.
• 📶 Connect to Wi-Fi at high speed. To transfer over the cloud or Google, a stable connection is mandatory.
• 🔄 Put the debugging on. USB (If you plan to use a cable, activate in Settings → The phone. → Software version (7 times click on build number), then in Settings → For developers → Debugging by USB.

Charge both devices > 50%|Updated firmware on Xiaomi and Realme|Cleared cache in key applications|Reset Realme to factory settings (if necessary)|Connected to a single Wi-Fi network (for wireless methods)-->

⚠️ Note: If data encryption is enabled on Xiaomi (checked in Settings) → Security → Encryption, some portability techniques may not work. In this case, use cloud backup or Google Account.

2. Method 1: Using Mi Mover (the official Xiaomi tool)

Mi Mover is a proprietary utility from Xiaomi designed to transfer data between devices to MIUI. Despite the fact that Realme works on the Realme UI (colorOS fork), this method often works thanks to the support of the Android Beam protocol and Wi-Fi Direct.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ High speed (up to 20 MB/s when using Wi-Fi Direct).
• 📁 Transfers contacts, messages, photos, videos, music, even some app settings.
• 🔗 No Internet connection (works on a local network).

Instructions for transfer:

1. On Xiaomi, open the Mi Mover app (if not, download from Play Market or App Gallery).
2. Select the item I am the sender.
3. On Realme, install Mi Mover (available in the APK-Format on official Xiaomi forums and select I am the recipient.
4. On both devices, confirm the connection via QR-code PIN.
5. Select the data types to transfer and wait for the process to be completed.

⚠️ Note: If Mi Mover doesn’t find a Realme device, try turning on developer mode on both smartphones and activating the option to turn off absolute volume in the developer settings.

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If Mi Mover doesn’t work, try using Realme’s Clone Phone app (available on the Play Market) that supports data transfer from Xiaomi, Samsung and other brands via Wi-Fi Direct.

Method 3: Transfer through Google Account (universal method)

Syncing through Google Account is the most reliable way to transfer data, as it does not depend on the firmware or brand of the device, and is suitable for transferring contacts, calendars, notes, photos (via Google Photos) and some application settings.

How it works:

1. On Xiaomi, open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Make sure that sync is enabled for all the data you need (contacts, calendar, Google Drive, etc.).
3. On Realme, log in to the same Google Account and wait for automatic sync.

To transfer photos and videos:

• 📸 Upload files to Google Photos on Xiaomi (enable autoload in the app settings).
• 🔄 On Realme, install Google Photos and wait for media files to download.
• 💾 To make room, after the transfer, turn on the option to Free up space in Google Photos on Xiaomi.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Not tolerated. SMS and call log (use specialized applications such as: SMS Backup & Restore).
• ❌ Applications and their data are not synced (only the list of installed programs via Google Play).
• ⚠️ Volume limit: Google Photos free rate compresses photos to 16 MP, and Google Drive provides only 15 GB.

Method 3: Transfer data via OTG cable or adapter

If wireless methods are not suitable (for example, due to slow Internet or a large amount of data), you can use a direct connection via cable.

• 🔌 Cable OTG (plug-in USB-C Micro-USB, depending on the Realme model).
• 📱 Adapter (if Xiaomi and Realme have different connectors).
• 💻 File Manager (e.g., Mi File Manager or Files by Google).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Xiaomi to Realme via cable OTG. Realme will have a notification about the connection USB-storage.
2. On Xiaomi, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. Open the file manager on Realme and copy the folders you need (DCIM for photos, Downloads for downloads, etc.).
4. To transfer contacts, export them to the.vcf file on Xiaomi (via Contacts → Settings → Export) and import them to Realme.

Important: When connected via OTG, some Realme models may not recognize Xiaomi as a drive, in which case use the memory card as an intermediate storage or move on to the next method.

⚠️ Note: Do not remove the cable while copying! this can damage files. If the transfer is interrupted, check the files for integrity (for example, try opening several photos or videos).

5. Method 4: Cloud Services (Mi Cloud, Google Drive, Yandex Disk)

Cloud storage is a universal way of transferring data, independent of the smartphone model, and the main advantage is the availability of files from any device and the ability to selectively copy.

Instructions for Mi Cloud:

1. On Xiaomi, open Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on synchronization for the desired data (contacts, photos, notes).
3. On Realme, install the Mi Cloud app (available in APK) and sign in to the same account.
4. Download the data to the device.

For Google Drive or Yandex Disk:

1. Upload files to the cloud with Xiaomi (via the app or web version).
2. On Realme, download files to the desired folders (for example, photos in the DCIM/Camera).

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Cloud services are ideal for carrying large amounts of data (like video files), but require a stable Internet connection. Use Wi-Fi to save traffic.

Method 5: Specialized Applications (Clone Phone, ShareMe)

If standard methods don't work, you can use third-party apps designed specifically for transferring data between smartphones.

1. Realme Clone Phone

• 📱 Designed for devices Realme/Oppo, But supports portability with Xiaomi, Samsung and other brands.
• 🔗 It works via Wi-Fi Direct (does not require internet access).
• ⚡ Transfers contacts, messages, photos, videos, music and applications (without data).

2. ShareMe (from Xiaomi)

• 🌐 Previously called Mi Drop, supports transfer between any Android devices.
• 📶 Uses Wi-Fi Direct or a hotspot.
• 📁 You can send files selectively (for example, only photos from the last month).

How to use Clone Phone:

1. Install the app on both devices (Play Market or APK).
2. On Xiaomi, choose Old Phone, on Realme, New Phone.
3. Confirm the connection through QR-code.
4. Select the data to transfer and wait for completion.

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If the app doesn't find the device, try turning off the VPN or firewall on both smartphones, and check that both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems when transferring data, and consider the most common errors and ways to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, try hand-copying:

• 📁 Copy files to your computer through MTP.
• 💻 Connect Realme and move the data back.
• 🔄 Use export/import via.vcf for contacts.

8. FAQ: Answers to popular questions