How to Transfer All Data from Xiaomi to Realme: 5 Proven Ways

The transition from Xiaomi to Realme is not just a brand change, but a complete migration of digital life: contacts, photos, messages and even app settings. Many users fear this process, considering it difficult or risky. In fact, transferring data between Android devices in 2026 has become easier than ever, thanks to built-in tools and cloud services. However, there are nuances: not all methods are equally effective for different types of data, and some methods can lead to loss of information if you do not follow the instructions.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 working ways to migrate data, from the official MI Mover and Realme Clone Phone utilities to universal solutions via Google Account and physical connection, and learn which method is best for contacts, photos, apps or SMS, and how to avoid common mistakes, such as why Bluetooth portability almost always loses to cloud services, or why the MI Mover app doesn’t work with Realme on Android 13+ without pre-setting.

Whether you’re changing the Redmi Note 12 to the Realme 11 Pro+ or the POCO X5 to the Realme GT Neo 5, this guide will help you save all the important data without loss, and the main thing is to choose the right way depending on the amount of information and device models.

Preparation for transfer: what to do before the start

Before you start migrating, make sure both devices are ready for the process, and skipping this step can cause data loss, slowing down the transfer, or even crashing new applications.

On Xiaomi, check:

• 📱 Battery charge: at least 50% on both phones, and data transfer can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the volume.
• 🔄 Software Updates – Install the latest firmware versions on both devices via Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📡 Wi-Fi network - both phones must be connected to the same network (for wireless methods).Use 5 GHz to speed up.
• 🔒 Unlock – remove all graphic keys, PIN-fingerprints or codes at the time of transfer.

On Realme, reset to factory settings if the phone is new. This will remove unnecessary pre-installed apps and free up space. Go to Settings → Additional Settings → Reset → Delete all data.

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

Also prepare:

• 🔌 Cable OTG (If you plan to transfer through a physical connection).
• ☁️ Cloud service – check if there is enough space in Google Drive or Mi Cloud.
• 📝 List of important apps – Write down logins and passwords from accounts that aren’t automatically synced (e.g. banking apps).

2. Method 1: Official utility MI Mover (for Xiaomi → Realme)

MI Mover is a proprietary application from Xiaomi that allows you to transfer data to other Android devices, including Realme.

• 📞 Contacts, call log
• 📸 Photographs and videos
• 💬 Communications (SMS/MMS)
• 📁 Annexes (only) APK-files, no data)
• 🎵 Music and documents

However, there are limitations:

• ❌ Does not tolerate settings of system applications (for example, themes or sound profiles).
• ❌ On Realme with Android 13+ You may need to manually adjust permissions.
• ❌ It doesn’t work with some Realme models released after 2023 (e.g., the Realme 11 Series).

Step-by-step:

1. Download MI Mover on both phones: Xiaomi: preinstalled (find Settings → Additional → MI Mover). Realme: download APK from APKPure (official source).

• On Xiaomi: I'm an old phone.
• On Realme: I'm the new phone.
• Connect to a single Wi-Fi network or create an access point on Xiaomi.
• On Xiaomi, select the data to transfer and confirm the start of the process.
• Wait until it is completed (it can take up to 30 minutes for 30+GB of data).

⚠️ Note: If Realme has a “failed to connect” error, check if developer mode and debugging are enabled. USB. To do this, go to the Settings. → The phone. → Software version (click 7 times), then in Settings → Additionally. → Developer settings and activate Debugging by USB.

Install MI Mover on Realme|Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network|Shut down. VPN firewalls|Charge phones to 60%+|Remove the screen lock-->

Method 2: Realme Clone Phone (alternative to MI Mover)

Realme offers its own migration solution, the Clone Phone app, which is built into firmware and optimized for the brand’s devices, but also supports portability from Xiaomi, Samsung and other Android devices.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Works with all Realme models, including the new ones (Realme 11 Pro, GT 6).
• ✅ Transfers Wi-Fi settings and some system data.
• ✅ Supports wireless and wired transfer.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Slower. MI Mover with a large amount of data (100)+ GB).
• ❌ Does not transfer data of certain applications (for example, WhatsApp or Viber).

How to use Clone Phone:

1. On Realme, go to Settings → Additional Settings → Clone Phone.
2. Select a new phone and follow the instructions.
3. On Xiaomi, download Clone Phone from Google Play or at the official link.
4. Connect your phones via Wi-Fi Direct or OTG cable.
5. Select the data to transfer and wait for completion.

To speed up the process, use the OTG cable:

• 🔌 Connect Xiaomi to Realme via Adapter USB-C → USB-C.
• 📲 On Realme, select the mode USB-file transfer.
• ⚡ The transfer of 50 GB of data will take ~15 minutes vs 40+ wifi).

Method 3: Transfer through Google Account (universal method)

If the proprietary utilities don't work or you prefer cloud solutions, Google Account is the most reliable way.

• 📇 Contacts
• 📅 Calendar and events
• 📧 Mail (Gmail)
• 📸 Photos (if Google Photos are enabled)
• 🎮 Data from some games (via Google Play Games)
• 🔑 Passwords (if you use Google Password Manager)

However, there are limitations:

• ❌ Applications are only ported as a list to install (data inside them is not).
• ❌ SMS The call log is not automatically synced (more applications are needed).
• ❌ Files (documents, music) are not transferred – only through Google Drive.

Step-by-step:

1. On Xiaomi go to Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Make sure sync is enabled for: Contacts Google Photo Calendar (if you need to move photos)

Realme

Google Account

Settings → Accounts

Synchronize now

Google Play

My games and apps → Library

To transfer SMS and call logs, use the SMS Backup & Restore app:

1. Download it to Xiaomi from Google Play.
2. Create a backup (backup) copy.
3. Transfer the backup file to Realme (via Google Drive or cable).
4. Install the same app on Realme and restore the data (Restore).

Option 1: OTG cable (direct connection)

1. Buy an OTG adapter with a USB-C connector (for the new Xiaomi and Realme).
2. Connect Xiaomi to Realme via an adapter.
3. On Xiaomi, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
4. On Realme, open the File Manager and copy the folders you need (DCIM, Downloads, Pictures).

Option 2: Through a computer (Windows/macOS)

1. Connect Xiaomi to your PC and copy the files to a separate folder.
2. Turn off Xiaomi, connect Realme.
3. Transfer the files back to the new phone.

Table: Transfer speed depending on method

⚠️ Note: When connecting via cable, do not remove USB-This can cause file damage, especially if the video is transferred in format.MOV or.MKV.

Method 5: Transfer applications with data (for games and instant messengers)

Standard transfer methods (MI Mover, Clone Phone and Mover only copy APK-So if you migrate WhatsApp this way, for example, the chat history will stay on the old phone:

For messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber):

• 💬 WhatsApp: On Xiaomi, back up your Settings → chat → Backup. Copy the folder. /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases Install WhatsApp on Realme and restore chats when you first start.

Telegram

• All chats and media files are synced through the cloud automatically – just log in to your account on a new phone.
• 🖥️ Games without cloud (e.g. Genshin Impact): Use Helium or Swift Backup (root rights required). Create a backup on Xiaomi and restore to Realme.

For banking applications:

• 🏦 Most banks (Sberbank Online, Tinkoff) are tied to the device:

💡

To migrate your application data, always check if it supports cloud sync, and if it doesn’t, use specialized tools like Helium or manually copy folders with settings.

7.Typical mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

Problem 1: MI Mover or Clone Phone is 99% “hang-up”

• 🔄 Solution: Restart both applications. Turn off Battery Savings in the settings. Try another method (e.g. cable) OTG).

Problem 2: Contacts are not tolerated

• 📇 Solution: Check if contacts are saved in Google Account, not in phone memory.Export contacts to.vcf file via Contacts → Settings → Exports.

Problem 3: Photographs moved but not opened

• 🖼️ Solution: Check the file format – Realme may not support.HEIC (use the converter in.JPG). Move photos through Google Photos – it automatically converts formats.

Problem 4: Apps are not installed on Realme

• 📱 Solution: Enable installation from unknown sources in Settings → Security, if APK-The file is corrupted, download the application again from Google Play.

Problem 5: There is not enough space for Realme

• 📦 Solution: Move files to a memory card (if supported). Use Google Drive for temporary storage. Remove unnecessary pre-installed apps via Settings → Annexes.

8. FAQ: Answers to frequent questions