Changing mobile devices is often stressful for fear of losing important numbers of friends, colleagues and partners. Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners can breathe a sigh of peace: the company’s ecosystem offers many convenient tools for data migration. The process of transferring the phone book takes only a few minutes, if you know the right sequence of actions.
There are several proven methods, each of which is suitable for different situations: you can use cloud storage, local Wi-Fi transfer or even the good old-fashioned ones. SIM-The choice of the particular method depends on which device you are going from and how much data you need to save.
In this detailed guide, we will look at all the current import options, including Mi Cloud, Google Contacts sync, and MIUI Migrate, which will allow you to choose the most convenient scenario for your case.
Using a Mi Account to synchronize
The most native way for Xiaomi devices is to use the manufacturer’s own cloud, and MIUI is deeply integrated with the company’s services, making it the most stable method, and you’ll need a Mi Account account that is created when you first activate your smartphone.
To get started, open the settings menu and find the Mi Account section. Log in to your profile or register a new one. After logging in, go to Cloud and make sure the switch opposite the "Contacts" label is activated. The system will automatically start uploading numbers to secure storage.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure you use a stable Wi-Fi connection, as primary synchronization of large amounts of data can consume mobile traffic.
On the new device, just log in to the same account. After you log in to Settings → Mi Account → Cloud, enable contact sync. The phone will download all the records from the cloud to the device's memory.
- 📱 Open the settings on your old phone.
- ☁️ Go to the Mi Account section and log in.
- 🔄 Enable Contact Synchronization in the Cloud Menu.
- 📥 On the new device, log in to the same account to automatically download.
The good thing about this method is that contacts will be saved even if a physical device is lost or broken, and a backup in the cloud is your insurance against the accidental deletion of important information.
Transfer via Google Contacts
Android is based on Google services, so syncing through this account is universal. This is ideal if you switch from any Android smartphone to Redmi. All data is stored on the servers of the corporation and does not depend on the phone manufacturer.
On an old device, make sure that the numbers are saved in Google, not in your phone’s memory. You can check this by opening the Contacts app and going to your display or contact management settings. If they are saved locally, export them to.vcf and import them to your Google account.
On the new Xiaomi, when you first turn on or in the Settings menu → Accounts and sync, add your Google account. The system will offer to synchronize data, including calendar, mail and phone book.
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Use the contacts.google.com web interest to check if all numbers have been uploaded to the cloud before changing your device.
The advantage of this method is that when you reset your settings to the factory (Hard Reset), the contacts will not be lost. Just re-enter your username and password, and the phone book will be restored completely.
| Parameter | Description | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Speed. | High, dependent on the Internet | Wi-Fi or 4G/5G |
| Compatibility | Any Android, iOS (through settings) | Google account |
| Data volume | No restrictions (up to 15 GB per account) | Available place in the cloud |
| Difficulty | Minimum | Password knowledge |
Importing data from SIM-card
It's a classic method that doesn't require the Internet or complex settings, and it's good for transferring basic data, names and numbers. SIM-The card has limitations on the amount of memory and length of the recorded name.
First, put it in. SIM-A card with saved numbers in the new Redmi. Once you boot up, open the standard Contacts app. Click on the three dots in the corner of the screen or the menu button to call for additional options.
Select the item Import/Export Contacts and then Import with SIM-The system will suggest selecting a place to save: it is recommended to choose a Google Account or Phone, but not the phone itself. SIM-map to avoid creating duplicates.
⚠️ Note: When importing with SIM-Cards may be cropped with long contact names or additional fields such as email addresses and job titles.
If you have two SIM card slots, the phone will ask you which data to count from, pick the one you want to read from, and wait until the process is complete, which usually takes a few seconds.
- 📲 Put it in. SIM-slot-card.
- 📒 Open the Contacts and Settings menu.
- 💾 Select Import with SIM-map.
- ✅ Confirm the action and wait for the copy to be completed.
Mi Migrate app for quick migration
For owners of older Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones, there is a special system application MIUI Migrate, which allows you to transfer data directly over Wi-Fi Direct without using the Internet, which is the fastest way to change devices within the same brand.
Run the app on both devices. On the old phone, select "Sender" and on the new Redmi, "Receiver." The new device's camera scans. QR-code displayed on the screen of the old phone, after which a direct connection will be established.
In the data transfer list, be sure to tick Contacts, you can also select message transfers, call history, photos and installed applications, and transfer speeds can reach 20-40 MB/s.
☑️ Preparing for migration through Mi Migrate
The process is fully automated. Once the transfer is complete, the new phone will suggest integrating the data into the system, and the duplicates are usually intelligently combined.
Importantly, the older device must have MIUI version 9 or higher installed to work properly, and the newer HyperOS models have the functionality built into the original system setup.
Working with VCF backup files
The universal.vcf (vCard) format allows you to transfer contacts manually through a file manager or Bluetooth, a method that is useful when you need to move a phone book from a button phone or device without access to cloud services.
On the original device, export contacts to the file. This is usually done through the Contacts menu. → Management → Export to file.vcf. Transfer the received contact.vcf file to Xiaomi in any convenient way: via Bluetooth, Mi Drop or USB-cable.
Once you have a file on Redmi, open it through the file manager, and the system automatically recognizes the format and prompts you to open it with the Contacts app. Click Import, and all the records will be added to the phone book.
Where is the export file stored?
And the good thing about this is that you can save the file on your computer as an archived copy, and if you lose your phone, you can always restore the numbers by just flipping the file back.
When importing a large file (a few thousand contacts), the process can take up to a minute.
Solving and eliminating errors
Sometimes the import process may not be right: contacts may not show up or duplicates appear. Often the problem lies in the display settings. In the Contacts app, click on the filter menu and select "All Contacts" instead of just "Phone Contacts."
If the numbers are not synced with Google or Mi Cloud, check the date and time on the device. Incorrect timestamps can block a secure connection to the servers. It is also worth checking for updates to the Contacts app in the GetApps store or Play Market.
⚠️ Note: If after importing contacts are displayed as “Unknown number”, try clearing the cache of the application “Phone” and “Contacts” through the menu of application settings.
If duplicates do appear, use the built-in cleanup function. In the Contacts app, go to Settings → Clear Duplicate Contacts. The system will prompt you to combine the repeated records automatically.
- 🔍 Check the display filter in the contact menu.
- 📅 Make sure the date and time are set correctly.
- 🧹 Use the built-in tool to remove duplicates.
- 🔄 Reboot the device after mass data import.
Regular backups will save you the need to look for complex solutions in the future.Timely export to VCF or the cloud is the only guaranteed way to avoid losing data when a screen or motherboard breaks down.
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The most reliable method is the combined one: basic synchronization via Google/Mi Cloud plus periodic manual export to the VCF file to the computer.