Changing a smartphone is always stressful, not so much with getting used to a new interface as with the risk of losing important data. Xiaomi device owners often face the need to quickly move a phone book from an old device, whether it is another Android or even an iPhone. Fortunately, the MIUI and HyperOS ecosystem offers many built-in tools for data migration, making the process as simple and fast as possible.
There are several proven methods, each with its own advantages depending on the condition of the old device and your preferences. SIM-Map, Bluetooth connection or specialized applications for file transfer. Choosing the right way will allow you to avoid manual reprinting of hundreds of numbers and preserve the structure of records, including photos and additional numbers.
In this article, we will discuss each method in detail so that you can choose the most suitable for your situation. We will look at the nuances of working with cloud storage, the features of exporting through the Internet. SIM-Map and hidden features of the standard Contacts app. Follow the instructions to transition to a new gadget without losing important information.
Synchronization through Google account
The most reliable and modern way is to use cloud sync. If your old phone was running on Android, chances are all your contacts are already saved in a Google profile. To start working on a new Xiaomi device, just log in to your account. The system will automatically pull all the records from the cloud, restoring them to the phone book.
The setup process takes only a few minutes. When you first turn on your smartphone or through the settings menu, you need to log in. Make sure the sync settings tick against Contacts, which ensures that the data not only loads now, but will also be saved in the future when any changes occur.
- 📲 Open the settings and go to the Accounts and Synchronization section».
- 🔄 Click on your Google account name and make sure the Contacts switch is active.
- ⏳ Wait until the data update process is complete (usually takes a lot of time). 1-2 minute).
- ✅ Check the Contact App – all numbers must be in place.
The main advantage of this method is that synchronization occurs in the background and does not require a constant connection of the cable. Even if you lose your phone, your numbers will remain safe in the cloud, this is especially true for those who often change devices or fear sudden breakdowns of equipment.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure your old phone has been synced before selling or dumping.If contacts were stored only in the device's memory ("Phone") and were not uploaded to the cloud, they may be lost forever.
Using Mi Account and Xiaomi Cloud
Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphone owners have access to the company’s own cloud service. Mi Cloud allows you to back up not only contacts, but also messages, notes and settings of the system, which is especially convenient if you move from one Xiaomi to another, as it provides the most complete migration of data.
To do this, both devices must have Mi Account created and activated. On the old phone, you need to go to the settings, select your account and enable contact synchronization. After that, the data will be uploaded to Xiaomi servers. On the new device, you just need to log in under the same login, and the phone book will be updated automatically.
It’s important to note that free storage in the Mi Cloud is limited (usually 5GB), but for text data contacts this is more than enough. If you store thousands of records with high-resolution photos, it’s worth checking the cloud occupancy.
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Use the “Find Device” feature in Mi Cloud – it only works if the device is logged in to Mi Account and synchronization is enabled.
Exports and imports through SIM-map
The classic method that is still relevant, especially if you need to transfer contacts from a button phone or device without access to the Internet. SIM-The card allows you to save basic information, such as name and number, but this method has significant limitations in terms of volume and format of data.
The transfer process is as follows: on the old phone you make the export of contacts to the Internet. SIM-Then you move the SIM to the new Xiaomi and import it into the phone's memory, and it's a universal way to work on almost any device, regardless of the operating system.
It is important to note that modern SIM-Cards have a limit on the number of characters in a name (usually up to the 10-15 signs) and do not support saving additional numbers or email addresses for a single contact, and long names or company names may be “cut off.
| Parameter | SIM-map | Google Account | File.vcf |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo preservation | No. | Yes. | Yes. |
| Additional numbers | No. | Yes. | Yes. |
| Symbolic limit | Got (small) | No. | No. |
| We need the Internet. | No. | Yes. | No. |
⚠️ Note: Before transferring through SIM-Make sure to back up your card on your old phone. SIM-Old entries on the new phone can be duplicated if you do not select the option “Replace” or “Combine».
Transfer via Bluetooth and vCard file
If cloud services are not available, and SIM-The card is full, Bluetooth technology comes to the rescue, and this method allows you to transfer a file with all contacts (.vcf or.vcard format) directly between devices. It doesn't require Internet access, and it works even on devices without any Internet connection. SIM-maps).
On the old device, you need to open the Contacts app, select the settings menu, and find the Contact Export option. Select the vCard format and specify the location of the save. Then send the created file to the new Xiaomi via Bluetooth. After receiving the file, the system will suggest importing the data into the phone book.
And the good thing about this is that it keeps the whole structure of the record: photos, addresses, birthdays, and multiple numbers. The.vcf file is a universal standard that can be read by any smartphone or computer, and you can even send it to your messenger or to your mail as a backup.
What to do if the file is not opened?
Mi Mover app for full migration
Xiaomi has developed the Mi Mover app, which allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also apps, photos, music and settings from your old phone to your new one, the most comprehensive solution for a complete replacement.
To work, you need to install the application on both devices (on iPhone it is available in the App Store, on Android it is often built into the system or downloaded from GetApps). After you start, you select the role of the device ("Sender" or "Recipient"), scan QR-code and select data for transmission.
- 📲 Run Mi Mover on both smartphones.
- 🔗 Create a Wi-Fi hotspot through the app and connect to it.
- 📂 Select the category "System Data» → «Contacts».
- 🚀 Click “Send” and wait for the process to be completed.
Mi Mover transfer speeds are much faster than Bluetooth, because it uses a direct Wi-Fi channel, which is ideal if you have thousands of contacts and heavy media, and the app automatically processes duplicates and distributes data to the correct fields.
☑️ Pre-migration checks
Solving Duplicate Contact Problems
After transferring data, users often face the problem of duplicate recordings, which occurs when the same contact is stored simultaneously in the phone's memory, on the phone. SIM-Map and Google account. Xiaomi has a built-in tool to clean the phone book from repeats.
To use the feature, open the Contacts app, click three dots in the corner or the menu button, and select Tools (or Settings). Find "Combine Repetitive Contacts." The system will analyze the database and suggest combining records with the same names or numbers.
Cleaning your phone book regularly not only improves the visual appearance, but also speeds up the search for the right subscriber, and it is also recommended to periodically check whether the number is saved in the cloud or locally, storing data in the cloud is preferable for security.
⚠️ Note: When automatically combining contacts, carefully check the result if you have full namesakes with different numbers. The algorithm can mistakenly combine different people if they have the same names and, for example, the same common working phone number.
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Regular sync with Google or Mi Cloud is the best protection against data loss, and built-in cleaning tools will eliminate the chaos in the phone book.