How to import contacts from your phone to Android Xiaomi

The switch to a new smartphone is always accompanied by a desire to start using the device as quickly as possible without wasting time manually entering dozens of numbers. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices often face the need to quickly move the entire phone book from the old device, regardless of its operating system. Fortunately, the MIUI and HyperOS ecosystem offers several effective tools for this task, from cloud synchronization to local file transfer.

The migration process can vary greatly depending on which device you used before. If it was a different Android smartphone, it will take minutes due to the built-in features of the system. iPhone owners also do not need to worry, since there are proven ways to convert and transfer data without losing formatting or special characters.

In this article, we will take a closer look at all the current import methods, look at the Mi Mover utility and learn how to properly configure sync with your Google account. You will learn how to avoid typical errors such as duplicate recordings or loss of photos of contacts, and you will be able to fully use your new gadget immediately after unpacking.

Use of the built-in Mi Mover application

The fastest and most reliable way to transfer data, including contacts, photos and applications, is using the proprietary utility Mi Mover. This application is pre-installed on most modern Xiaomi smartphones and allows you to transfer information over a direct Wi-Fi connection, which provides high speed and does not require mobile traffic. To start work, you need to run the application on both devices or download it to an old phone if there is a clean version of Android installed.

Once the program is launched on the new phone, Xiaomi will select the Receiver role, and on the old device, the Sendor role, and the devices will find each other automatically, after which you will need to confirm the connection by scanning. QR-In the data selection menu, make sure to check the Contacts section so that the system knows what to clone first.

It is important to note that when transferring a large amount of data, the process can take time, so interrupting the transfer process by turning off the screen or leaving the application can damage the contact database. Make sure that the device screens do not go out during the active transfer phase. Once the operation is completed, the system will automatically prompt you to check the integrity of the data and combine duplicates if they are detected.

Synchronization through Google account

The most versatile method that works seamlessly when switching from any Android smartphone is syncing through Google’s cloud service. The good thing is that your contacts will always be safe, even if you lose your phone or decide to change device manufacturer in the future.

On the new Xiaomi device, you just need to log in to the same Google account you used before, and immediately after logging in, the system will automatically pull up all the saved numbers from the cloud, which happens in the background, and you can watch the contact list in the phone book gradually replenished with new entries.

• 📱 Open Settings on your old phone and find the Accounts section.
• ☁️ Select your Google account and make sure the switch opposite Contacts is active.
• 🔄 Click the sync button or update the page to make sure the data has gone to the cloud.

If you're switching from an iPhone, you'll need to pre-installe Google Drive or Google One on iOS, go to your backup settings, and enable your contacts to be saved. Then you just log in to Xiaomi, and the numbers will appear automatically, eliminating the need to manually export and import files.

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Google synchronization is the only method that guarantees the safety of contacts even in the event of complete breakdown or loss of both phones, since the data is stored on the company’s servers.

Transfer by means SIM-map

Although this method is considered obsolete due to the limitations on the length of the name and the lack of the ability to save additional fields (addresses, email, photos), it remains the simplest and does not require the availability of the Internet. SIM-The card has a built-in memory where you can write basic subscriber information, which is ideal if you want to quickly flip numbers from a button phone or a device with a damaged screen.

First, insert SIM-You can use a card to your old phone and copy the contacts from the device's memory, which is usually found in the contact management menu and is called "Copy on the phone". SIM» or “Export on” SIM-Remember that the SIM card memory is limited, often no more. 250 contact, and names may be cut to 10-15 symbolism.

After copying, rearrange. SIM-Go to the Contacts app, click on the three dots in the corner of the screen (or menu button) and select Settings. In the list that opens, find Import/Export Contacts and select Import with SIM-The system will suggest you to choose a place to save: it is recommended to choose a Google account or phone memory, but not the phone itself. SIM-map to avoid creating duplicates.

⚠️ Note: When importing with SIM-All numbers will be kept in international format, but not broken down by group, photos of contacts and additional numbers (working, fax) will be irretrievably lost, as the format will be completely lost. SIM-The card does not support this data.

Import from a VCF (vCard) file

VCF (vCard) is the de facto standard for sharing contact information between platforms, a database that can contain thousands of records along with photos, company logos and detailed descriptions, and you can get it from an email client, messenger, or download it from another vendor’s cloud storage.

To import a file to Xiaomi, first move it to your phone’s memory (via the phone). USB-Cable, Bluetooth or download from the Internet. Then open the standard Contacts app, go to the settings menu and select Import from file.vcf. The system will find all available files of this format in the device memory and will prompt you to select the desired.

Once you select a file, the system will ask where to save the imported data, and it is important to be careful: if you choose a Phone, the contacts will be linked only to that device, and the best choice is your Google or Xiaomi Cloud account, which will ensure that they are automatically backed up in the future.

• 📂 Find a file with the.vcf extension in the File Manager Explorer.
• 📥 Click on the file and select the Contacts app to open.
• 💾 Confirm the import and wait until the data processing is complete.

Comparison of data transfer methods

The best way to choose depends on your priorities: speed, security of additional data or availability of an Internet connection. Below is a comparative table that will help determine the method that is suitable for your situation.

As you can see from the table, Mi Mover and Google sync are the leaders in functionality, they allow you to transfer not only numbers, but also related information, which makes communication more comfortable. SIM-The card is justified only in extreme cases, when other methods are technically impossible.

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Before starting mass import, back up your current contacts on your new phone, even if it's new. You can do this in your contacts settings by selecting Export to File.vcf. This will take a couple of seconds, but it will save the situation if something goes wrong.

Solving and removing duplicates

Once contacts are imported, users often face the problem of duplicate records, which occurs when the same number is stored in both the phone’s memory and Google account, and on the phone. SIM-The system. MIUI It has a built-in tool to solve this problem that automatically finds and combines repetitive entries.

To clear the list, open the Contacts app, go to settings, and find the Cleanup Duplicates (or “Combine Repeated Contacts”). The system will prompt you to view the pairs found and combine them automatically. This action is safe and will not lead to loss of information, since when you combine, all the fields from both records are saved.

⚠️ Note: If contacts are not displayed correctly after import (for example, instead of digit names), check the file encoding. VCF or storage format SIM-In rare cases, you may need to manually import through Google Contacts in your browser to correct the encoding.

Also, make sure that the display is set up correctly. Contact settings have a Contacts to display. Make sure that it selects All Contacts, otherwise some of the numbers may be hidden by the filter. After all the procedures, your phone book will be brought into perfect order.