Changing a smartphone is always stressful, not so much with losing a familiar device as with the risk of losing the accumulated over the years of using gigabytes of information. Owners of the MIUI ecosystem are often wary of switching to other brands, fearing the difficulties of migrating contacts, photos and app settings. However, the transition to Realme devices running the Realme UI shell (based on Android) is much smoother than it may seem at first glance.
Modern migration tools allow you to clone almost the entire digital cast of the owner, including folder structure and icon layout. You do not need to manually rewrite numbers or search for each file in the archives. The process takes from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the amount of internal memory, and requires minimal user intervention.
In this article, we will look at all available synchronization methods, from the regular Mi Mover application to manual copying via PC. We will pay special attention to the nuances of transferring correspondence from messengers, passwords and specific system settings, which are often lost during a standard move.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before the active phase of the transfer, you need to perform a number of preparatory actions that are often ignored, which leads to errors or interruption of the process. First of all, make sure that both the old Xiaomi and the new Realme are charged at least 60-70%.
It is also critical to check for free space on the target device. If you move from a 128GB model to a 64GB device, you will have to manually sort the content, since automatic transfer "all in a row" is impossible if space is not enough.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to interrupt the data transfer process by turning off the screen or closing applications. Although modern systems are resistant to failures, the forced termination of the Wi-Fi Direct module can cause some files to remain in a temporary buffer and be lost.
Make sure that both devices have Bluetooth and GPS enabled, which are used for initial handshakes and location, which are sometimes required for Google services to work properly and for geodata transfers to the gallery, and also disable any power saving modes that may limit background activity of network interfaces.
Using the Mi Mover application for portability
The most effective and native way to migrate is to use the official Mi Mover app, which, despite its name, is fully compatible with devices from other brands, including Realme, which allows you to transfer data over a direct Wi-Fi connection without consuming mobile traffic and providing high speed transfers.
To get started, install the app on both devices. On Xiaomi smartphones, it is often built-in and is in the Tools folder or in the About Phone settings. On Realme, you need to download it from Google Play or the App Market official store. After you start on the old device, select the role "Sender" (I submit) and on the new one - "Receiver" (I accept).
The connection process takes place through scanning. QR-When you connect, you'll see a list of data categories that you can transfer, and the algorithm is optimized to send system settings and contacts first, and then heavy media files.
☑️ Check before launching the Mi Mover
Special attention should be paid to the choice of formats. The application automatically converts some settings to be clear to the Realme UI shell. However, some system logs and application cache may not be transferred, which is even better for the performance of the new device. You can selectively exclude large video files if you want to configure the new phone from scratch, saving only contacts and photos.
Transfer through Google Account and Cloud Services
An alternative and highly reliable method is synchronization via Google account, ideal for those who value the integrity of their data and do not want to depend on direct connections between phones, and when the new Realme is first turned on, the system will offer to restore data from a Google backup if you enter the same login and password.
The following types of data are stored within the Google ecosystem:
- 📞 Calendar contacts and events – synchronized instantly when connected to the network.
- 📸 Photos and Videos – through Google Photos in original or compressed quality.
- 📝 Notes and documents – if you used Google Keep or Google Docs.
- 🔑 Passwords saved in Google Password Manager will be automatically inserted in Chrome apps and browser.
Xiaomi owners can also use the Mi Cloud, which requires you to go to the Mi Account settings on your old phone and force sync to start. Then, on the new device, you can install the Mi Cloud app or go through the browser to download the necessary files, but to work fully on Realme, you still prefer to use standard Google tools.
What to do if Google sync is suspended?
It’s important to understand the difference between a local backup and a cloud one. Cloud storage has limits (usually 15GB for free), so it might not be a good way to transfer large amounts of video to 4K without buying additional space, so it’s better to combine methods like contacts and settings through Google, and media files through cable or local network.
Comparison of data transfer methods
The choice of the method depends on your priorities: speed, data volume or type of information transmitted. Below is a table comparing the main characteristics of the methods considered, which will help you make an informed decision.
| Parameter | Mi Mover | Google Account | PC (Cable) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed. | High (up to 40 MB/s) | Depends on the Internet. | Maximum (USB 3.0) |
| We need the Internet. | No (local Wi-Fi) | Yes (required) | No. |
| Portability of applications | Yeah (APK files) | List for download | Only files. |
| Difficulty | Low. | Very low. | Medium |
As you can see from the comparison, Mi Mover is the most versatile solution for a full one-to-one migration. It doesn't require the Internet and even copies the folder structure. Google Account is good for setting up basic functions and contacts, but won't carry heavy files quickly. Connecting via PC is "heavy artillery" for those who are used to manually controlling the file system and want to make a full copy of the DCIM and Download partition.
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The combined approach (Mi Mover for photo/video + Google for contacts/passwords) gives the best result and insures against data loss.
Nuances of transferring WhatsApp and Viber correspondence
The messengers deserve special attention, since their correspondence history is stored locally on the device or in specific cloud storage. WhatsApp process is as automated as possible, but requires compliance with the sequence of actions. When you first start WhatsApp on the new Realme, the application will find a backup in Google Drive (if it was made on Xiaomi) and offer to restore it.
If automatic recovery fails, you can use the local port function inside the app itself. To do this, select Chats on your old phone in WhatsApp settings. → Transfer the chat rooms. QR-This is a code that appears on the screen of a new phone, and it uses a local Wi-Fi network, and it doesn't depend on the speed of the Internet.
With Viber, the situation is similar, but it is critical that both devices sign in to the same Viber account (linked to a phone number). A backup is created in Settings → Account → Backup Viber. Once the app is installed on the new phone and the number is confirmed, the system will prompt you to restore the history from Google Drive.
⚠️ Note: WhatsApp and Viber backups are not compatible between different operating systems (Android) ↔ iOS, but when you switch Android-to-Android (Xiaomi to Realme), there are usually no problems.
Keep in mind that secret chats and some types of hidden correspondence may not be transferred by standard methods for security reasons, such data must be transferred manually, taking screenshots or using the chat export function (sending a correspondence file to yourself in email or to the cloud).
Solving problems and errors in synchronization
Even with proven tools, there can be technical failures, and one of the common problems is the connection error when using the Mi Mover. If the devices can't see each other, try turning off mobile internet on both smartphones, leaving only the Wi-Fi module. Sometimes data roaming or VPN-Connections prevent the creation of a local access point.
Another common situation is "broken" files after transfer, which can happen if one of the phones went to sleep during transfer or the screen was blocked. Always keep the screens active during migration. If the files are corrupt, try re-transferring them by selecting only the problem category (for example, only "Video").
In case the new Realme doesn’t see some of the file formats that Xiaomi has opened perfectly, the problem may be the lack of codecs. Install a universal player like VLC or MX Player from Google Play. They contain a full set of codecs and will open any video or audio, regardless of the smartphone manufacturer source.
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If names are not displayed correctly or duplicated after transferring contacts, go to the Contacts app → Settings → Contact filter and select the display only from Google or only from the phone’s memory to remove duplicates.
Cleaning the old device after transfer
After successfully migrating and checking the health of all applications on the new Realme, it is time to take care of the old Xiaomi. Before selling, transferring to relatives or disposal, you need to perform a complete data reset.
For safe removal, follow the following steps:
- 🔓 Sign out from all accounts: Google, Mi Account, Samsung Account (if logged in).
- 📱 Perform reset to factory settings via Settings menu → The phone. → Resetting settings.
- 💾 If the phone supports a memory card, remove it before resetting or format it separately.
Once reset, the phone will look like a new one, just out of the box, ensuring that your personal photos, passwords and correspondence don't fall into the wrong hands. Now your old device is ready for a new life, and you can fully enjoy the capabilities of your new smartphone.