How to import contacts with Xiaomi to Xiaomi: all ways

Buying a new Xiaomi smartphone is always a joyous event, but it is often overshadowed by the need to transfer accumulated information. The most valuable piece of data for most users is the phone numbers saved in a notebook. Fortunately, the MIUI and HyperOS ecosystem offers many tools for rapid migration, avoiding manual reprinting of hundreds of numbers.

There are several proven synchronization methods, each with its own advantages depending on the number of contacts and the availability of the Internet. You can use cloud services, on-premises applications or even good old-fashioned ones. SIM-The choice of the particular method depends on how quickly you need to complete the process and how much data you need to move.

In this article, we will take a look at each option in detail, assess their reliability and speed, and look at the nuances of working with a Mi Account, the features of Bluetooth transmission and the effectiveness of a specialized Mi Mover application, and understanding these differences will allow you to choose the best path for your situation.

Using Mi Accounts for Cloud Synchronization

The most convenient and modern way is to use cloud storage Mi Cloud. This method is ideal if both devices are at hand and have access to a Wi-Fi network. You do not need additional cables or complex settings, just authorization.

On an old smartphone, go to the Settings menu, then select the Mi Account section. Make sure you're logged in to your profile, and find Sync. Here you activate the switch opposite the Contacts item and press Sync to leave the data in the cloud.

Once you have successfully completed your new device, log in to the same Mi Account. The system automatically prompts you to restore data from the backup. If that hasn't happened, just turn on the contacts sync in the cloud settings, and the numbers will appear in the notebook in a few minutes.

• 📲 A stable internet connection is required on both devices.
• ☁️ Data is stored in a secure cloud Xiaomi.
• 🔄 Automatic updates when adding new numbers in the future.
• 🔒 Ability to remotely manage contacts via web interface.

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Cloud sync via Mi Account is the most reliable way to also back up in case your phone is lost.

Transfer through the Mi Mover app

For those who prefer local data transfer without using the Internet, Xiaomi has developed a utility Mi Mover, which is pre-installed in the system, but if it is not available, it can be easily downloaded from the GetApps store. It allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also photos, applications and system settings.

Run the app on both smartphones. Select Recieve on the new device and Send on the old one. Scan to connect the devices. QR-code that will appear on the screen of the new phone, or connect to the created Wi-Fi point manually.

In the data transfer list, make sure to tick Contacts. You can select specific groups or individual records if you don't want to transfer the entire phone book at once. Wi-Fi Direct is much faster than Bluetooth, which is critical with a lot of data.

⚠️ Warning: Do not unlock phone screens or switch to other apps during transfer, as this may interrupt the connection and cause an error.

The process of cloning data takes from a few minutes to half an hour depending on the volume, and once completed, an import file will be created on the new device, which will automatically integrate into the system.

Exports and imports through SIM-map

This method is considered classic and has been used for many years, and it is especially relevant if you don't have Wi-Fi access or want to transfer only a basic number list without unnecessary details like photos or email addresses.

On an old phone, open the Contacts app and click on three dots in the corner of the screen. select Import/Export contacts, then Export to SIM-The system will warn you of the possible loss of some information, because SIM-The card has a limited amount of memory and data storage format.

After export, re-export SIM-card to the new Xiaomi smartphone. Go to the contact management menu and select Import with SIM-Specify the location of the save – it is recommended to choose a Google account or device memory in order to have advanced editing capabilities in the future.

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Before extraction SIM-Make sure the phone is turned off to avoid damage to the chip contacts or software failures in the communication module.

Transfer via Bluetooth and VCF file

If cloud services are not available and Mi Mover doesn't work for some reason, you can use the Bluetooth business card file transfer, which is a great way to be versatile, even between different Android brands.

In the Contacts app, click on the menu and select Import/Export contacts. Click Export to device memory. The system will create a file with the.vcf extension that will contain all the selected entries. This file is usually saved in the root folder or in the MIUI directory.

Turn on Bluetooth on both devices and pair. Find the file you created through the file manager, click on it and select the transfer method "Bluetooth." On the receiving device, you need to confirm the receipt of the file.

• 📂 File. VCF Supports complex contact structure.
• 📡 No need to have an account or internet.
• 🐢 Transfer speeds are lower than Wi-Fi Direct.
• ✅ Suitable for transferring select groups of contacts.

Once you receive the file, the system automatically prompts you to import the contacts, so you can choose which account to save them to, which ensures that all fields, including addresses and notes, are transferred correctly.

Synchronization through Google Contacts

For users who actively use Google services, this method is the most organic. Android by default offers to save numbers to a Google account, which ensures their instant availability on any device after logging in.

Check on your old phone where new numbers are saved. Go to Settings → Contacts → Account to save. If Google is selected, your data is already being raided. If not, export to Google Contacts via the import/export menu.

On the new Xiaomi, just add the same Google account when you first set up or through the Settings menu → Accounts and Sync. Once sync is enabled, all numbers will appear in the list automatically. This takes some time in the background.

⚠️ Warning: Make sure your old phone is fully synced to Google servers before switching to a new device, or some numbers may be lost.

The advantage of this is that it's cross-platform, so you can manage your numbers from your computer through your browser, edit them and group them together, and if you lose your phone, you just need to log in to retrieve your entire history.

Solving import problems

Sometimes the transfer process can be a mess, for example, you might find that contacts have been duplicated or displayed as obscure characters, most often due to file encoding or conflict between different save sources.

If you see duplicates, use the built-in cleaning function. In the Contacts app, go to settings and find Combine Repeated Contacts. The system will analyze the list and suggest combining entries with the same names or numbers.

In cases where the import is interrupted in the middle, check the spare space in the phone's memory. The backup file can weigh a lot, especially if the contacts have high-resolution photos, and it's also worth checking the app's access rights to the device's memory.

• 🧹 Regularly duplicates for base cleanliness.
• 💾 Keep an eye on the free space in your memory.
• 🔄 Phone reboot often solves temporary crashes.
• 📶 A stable Internet is critical to cloud-based methods.

If none of the methods worked, you can try exporting contacts to a VCF file, opening it on your computer with a text editor to verify the data’s integrity, and then uploading it back through the Google or Mi Cloud web interface.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)