Why Transferring Data Between Android Devices Is Not As Easy As It Seems
Switching from one Android smartphone to another – whether it’s from Samsung to Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 or from Realme 10 Pro to Samsung POCO X6 — It often turns into a headache. Despite the common operating system, manufacturers add their own shells (MIUI, Realme UI), For example, Xiaomi’s “Cloning Phone” feature may not recognize a Realme device as compatible, and Google’s Account does not always correctly restore application settings.
In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods for data transfer – from official utilities (Mi Mover, Phone Clone) to universal solutions like cable. OTG We'll focus on the nuances of portability between different Android shells, which are rarely mentioned in standard instructions, such as why Realme might not see a Xiaomi backup via Google Drive, or how to circumvent the restriction on transferring apps over Bluetooth.
1. Official Utilities: Mi Mover vs Phone Clone (Realme)
Manufacturers offer their own migration tools, but their capabilities are heavily dependent on the model and the firmware version.
- 📱 Mi Mover (for the first time) Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO): utility MIUI, It supports transferring contacts, messages, photos, videos, and even some applications, but it only works when a new device is first turned on.
- 🔄 Phone Clone (for) Realme/Oppo/OnePlus): realme UI, The advantage is cross-platform (you can transfer data from the iPhone), but with Xiaomi there may be synchronization errors.
Which tool to choose? If you're migrating data to a new Xiaomi device, use Mi Mover, which is optimized for the new device. MIUI It's a folder structure that you can use. Realme is a better fit for Phone Clone, but be prepared for the apps to be manually installed.
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Before using official utilities, turn off VPN Check that both devices have Developer Mode enabled. → Debugging by USB. This eliminates 80% of connection errors.
| Criteria | Mi Mover (Xiaomi) | Phone Clone (Realme) |
|---|---|---|
| Supported data | Contacts, SMS, Photos, videos, apps (APK) | Contacts, SMS, Photos, videos, notes (without any information) APK) |
| Transmission speed | Up to 10 MB/s (wi-fi) | Up to 5 MB/s (depending on model) |
| Cross-platformity | Android only. → MIUI | Android/iOS → Realme UI |
| Limitations | It only works at the first launch. | Does not tolerate Wi-Fi passwords and application settings |
⚠️ Note: If you use Mi Mover to transfer to Xiaomi from a Realme phone, pre-disable battery optimization for the utility in the Battery settings → Optimize power consumption, otherwise the connection will break. 30-40% process.
2. Google Account Transfer: Why It’s Not Always Secure
Syncing through Google Account seems like a universal solution, but in practice it faces problems:
- Incomplete app portability: Google restores only the list of installed programs, but not their data (for example, save in games or setup messengers).
- Volume Limits: Google Drive’s free account provides just 15GB, which may not be enough to back up a large number of photos/video.
- Shell conflicts: MIUI and realme UI Different interpretations of backups, for example, Xiaomi may not restore Settings → Sound from Realme backup.
How do you minimize the risks?
Download the latest updates to Google Play Services on both devices
Make sure the Settings option is enabled on the target phone → System system → Backup → Download to Google Drive
Check out the free space in your Google Account (minimum 5GB required)
Disable two-factor authentication for transfer time (may block backup access)
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To transfer, do:
- On an old phone: Settings → Google → Backup → Create a backup copy now.
- New. Xiaomi/Realme: When you first turn on, select “Recover Data” and log in to the same Google account.
⚠️ Note: If you are transferring data from Realme to Xiaomi, check the folder after recovering it via Google DCIM/.thumbnails — Sometimes the photo miniatures are not restored, which is why the gallery displays empty previews.
3. Direct transmission by cable OTG/USB: quickest
Cable use OTG (adapter USB-C → USB-C) It allows you to transfer data at a speed to 40 MB/s - in 4-8 This method is suitable for large files (video) 4K, Application backups) and not dependent on the manufacturer.
What you need:
- 🔌 Cable OTG (for older models; or USB-C → USB-C (for the new Xiaomi 13T, Realme GT Neo 5).
- 📂 File Manager (e.g., Mi File Manager or Files by Google).
- ⚡ Adequate battery charge (minimum) 50%) — process 1-2 hour.
Step-by-step:
- Connect the old phone to the new one via cable. On the screen of the old device, select File Transfer (MTP).
- Open the file manager on your new phone. USB-You will see the folders of the old smartphone.
- Copy the necessary data (we recommend starting with folders) DCIM, Download, WhatsApp).
- To transfer applications, copy the folder /data/app (Root rights are required).
How to transfer applications without root rights?
| Type of data | Can I move it to OTG | nuance |
|---|---|---|
| Photo/video | ✅ Yes. | Folder structure and metadata (shoot date) are saved |
| Contacts | ❌ No. | Export how VCF-file through Contacts → Exports |
| Annexes (APK) | ⚠️ Partially. | Root rights or third-party utilities are required |
| SMS/calls | ❌ No. | Use SMS Backup & Restore |
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Cable OTG — The only way to transfer files larger than 4GB (e.g., video in resolution) 8K or firmware images, because cloud services and Wi-Fi Direct have file size limitations.
4. Cloud services: when they get out (and when they fail)
Cloud storage (Google Drive, Yandex Drive, Mi Cloud) is convenient for data transfer if:
- ☁️ You have a slow internet connection but you have time (download) 10 GB can take up 2-3 hour).
- 🌍 You need to access files from multiple devices.
- 🔄 A backup copy is required "just in case".
However, there are pitfalls:
- 🚫 Xiaomi’s Mi Cloud doesn’t support Realme devices – you won’t be able to recover data directly.
- 📉 Google Photos compresses images when downloading free (quality "High" instead of "Original").
- 🔒 Some files (such as WhatsApp backups) are not uploaded to the cloud due to restrictions. API.
The best strategy:
- Upload your photos/video to Google Photos (selecting “Original Quality”).
- Contacts and calendars sync through Google Account.
- For the rest of the files, use Yandex Drive (gives 10GB free) or Dropbox.
⚠️ Note: If you transfer data from Realme to Xiaomi via Google Photos, check the folder after recovery Pictures/Screenshots — Screenshots may be duplicated due to differences in metadata processing by shells.
5. Applications and their data portability: what works and what doesn’t
Porting installed apps is the hardest part of migrating, and even official utilities like Mi Mover, Phone Clone often miss:
- 🎮 Game savers (such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile).
- 💬 The history of chats in instant messengers (Telegram is restored, and WhatsApp – only if there is a backup in Google Drive).
- 🔐 Wi-Fi passwords and settings VPN.
Solutions for different types of applications:
| Type of application | How to transfer | Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Messengers (WhatsApp, Viber) | Backup copy on Google Drive/cloud | Settings → Chat → Backup copy |
| Games | Account Linking (Google Play Games, Facebook) | Helium (requires root) |
| Banking applications | Reinstallation + reauthorization | — |
| System settings | Manual transfer (e.g. export) APN mobile-internet) | #4636## (Engineering Menu) |
For transfer APK-files and data, unless there is root):
- Install App Backup & Restore on your old phone.
- Create a backup of the desired applications (files with the extension.apk and.obb).
- Transfer files to a new phone (via the phone) OTG cloud).
- Install. APK Installer and restore applications.
⚠️ Note: When migrating WhatsApp from Realme to Xiaomi, make sure the phone number hasn't changed. SIM-card other, restore the backup before activating a new number in the application, otherwise the chat history will be lost.
6.Hidden Data Transfer: Wi-Fi Settings, APN, alarm clocks
Many users forget about system data that is not carried in standard ways:
- 📶 Wi-Fi settings: Network passwords are not synced through Google.Export them using WiFi Password Viewer (root required) or manually reconnect.
- 📡 APN (Access points: Mobile Internet settings (especially for MTS/Tele2) are often reset. enter them manually in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN).
- ⏰ Alarms and reminders: Only transferred through a Google Clock backup or third-party apps like AlarmMon.
- 🎨 Wallpaper and themes: B MIUI Themes are tied to Xiaomi’s account, and in Realme UI — I'll have to download it again.
For transfer APN (If the internet is not working after changing the phone):
- On your old phone, find the current settings. APN In Settings → Mobile network → Access points.
- Copy the parameters (name, APN, proxy, port, etc.).
- On your new phone, create a new hotspot with the same settings.
How to transfer the lock screen settings?
7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
Even when following the instructions, users face typical problems:
- 🔌 "Device not detected when connected to OTG: Check that the cable supports data transfer (not all) USB-C Try another port or cable.
- 🌐 Google Account Sync Error: Delete your account on your target device, reboot it, and add your account again.
- 📱 Mi Mover/Phone Clone's hanging on. 99%: It's about verifying the integrity of the data. Don't interrupt the process, wait. 10-15 minute.
- 🔒 Not recovering. SMS: Use it. SMS Backup & Restore and save backup in format XML Google Drive.
If none of the methods worked:
- Check firmware versions on both devices. For example, Mi Mover does not work between devices. MIUI 12 and MIUI 14.
- Disable brandwalls and antiviruses (such as Mi Security or Realme Security).
- Reset network settings on target device: Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth.
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If you migrate data from Realme to Xiaomi and encounter an error called “Incompatible Protocol Version,” upgrade the firmware on both devices to the latest stable version, which solves 90% of the Mi Mover problems.