Changing your smartphone is always accompanied by a worry about privacy, and the most valuable asset for most users is the phone book. The question of how to transfer contacts to Xiaomi becomes critical in the first minutes after unpacking a new device, because without numbers, communication with the outside world is almost impossible. Fortunately, the MIUI and HyperOS ecosystem offers many tools for data migration, making this process as simple as possible even for inexperienced users.
There are several proven methods of importing records, each with its own advantages depending on which device you are switching from: you can use cloud services, local transfer over Wi-Fi or classic. SIM-The choice of the specific method depends on the original operating system and the amount of data that needs to be moved to the new gadget.
In this article, we will take a look at all the current options so you can choose the most convenient scenario for yourself: we will look at working with a Google account, our own Mi Cloud service, as well as third-party applications for cross-platform portability.
Using a Google account to sync
The most reliable and versatile way to save a phone book is by binding to a Google account, which is ideal if you are switching from another Android smartphone, as all contacts can already be saved in the search giant’s cloud.
Go to your old phone settings, look for Accounts or Users and Accounts. Select your Google account and make sure that the contact box is ticked off or the switch is active. If sync was enabled earlier, your data is already in the cloud and ready to download.
On the new Xiaomi, when you first activate your system, you will be asked to enter your Google account login and password. Once you have successfully logged in, the system will automatically start downloading all the stored data. If the phone is already set up, just add your account through the Settings menu → Accounts and Sync → Google.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure the new device is on the Internet, as sync only occurs when the network is active. Without Wi-Fi or mobile data, contacts will not load.
Once you add an account, open the Contacts app and wait a few minutes, and the system will pull all the records from the cloud itself, and the good thing about this method is that the contacts are not tied to a particular device and will remain accessible even if the phone is lost or broken.
Transfer over Mi Mover for Android devices
The built-in Mi Mover app (or “Mi Move”) is one of the most effective tools for migrating data between Android smartphones, allowing you to transfer not only contacts, but also photos, applications and system settings without using the Internet.
To get started, open the app on both devices. On the new Xiaomi, it's usually pre-installed in the Tools folder. If it's not available, you can download it from GetApps or Google Play. On the old phone, you also need to install the app.
Run the program on both devices. On the new device, select Recieve and on the old device, Send. The new phone's camera scans. QR-code that appears on the screen of the old one, after which the devices will create a secure Wi-Fi connection.
☑️ Preparation for transfer via Mi Mover
In the data transfer list, select Contacts and click Send. The speed depends on the amount of data, but usually the process takes no more than a few minutes, and the advantage of the method is that the structure of the records is preserved completely, including additional numbers and email addresses.
Once the process is complete, the system will suggest importing the data into the phone book.Agree, and in a moment all the numbers will appear on the list.It's a great option for anyone who wants to quickly upgrade to Xiaomi from any other Android smartphone, be it Samsung, Huawei or Honor.
How to import contacts from iPhone to Xiaomi
iOS owners also don't have to worry about losing data when they switch to Android. While the ecosystems of Apple and Google are different, there's a proven algorithm for moving the entire phone book painlessly, and the easiest way to do that is to use an iCloud account.
First, export your iPhone contacts. Go from your computer to iCloud.com and log in to your Apple ID. Go to Contacts, select all entries (click Ctrl+A or Cmd+A) and select export in vCard format.
The resulting file with the.vcf extension must be transmitted to Xiaomi. USB-You can either send a file to yourself in a messenger or by mail, or you can send it to yourself, or you can send it to your new phone, and then you can open it.
⚠️ Note: When importing a vCard file, the system may suggest selecting an account to save. It is better to choose a Google account so that in the future sync will work automatically.
The system automatically recognizes the file format and suggests importing contacts into the phone book. Confirm the action and all entries will be added. The alternative, the Move to iOS app, won't help in the opposite direction, so the vCard method is the most versatile.
You can also use the Google Contacts app on your iPhone, install it from the App Store, log in to your Google account and allow sync, and then all the iPhone numbers will fly to the Google cloud and automatically appear on Xiaomi after you log in to the same account.
Copying contacts with SIM-map
The classic method that is still relevant is SIM-transfer, which is suitable if you do not have access to the Internet or cloud services, and if you are switching from a button phone.
Put it in. SIM-Open the Contacts app and click on the menu (three dots or three bars). Select Settings or Import/Export Contacts».
In the menu, find the option “Import with” SIM-The system will suggest selecting an account to which the numbers will be saved, and it is recommended to choose a Google account or phone memory, but not the phone itself. SIM-card to avoid limiting the length of contact name.
| Parameter | SIM-map | Google Account | Phone memory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limit of symbols in a name | Up to 20 characters | No restrictions. | No restrictions. |
| Number of rooms | Usually 1 contact. | Unlimitedly. | Unlimitedly. |
| Availability of data | Only if you have a card. | Internet everywhere. | Only on this device. |
| Risk of loss | High when card breaks | Minimum | Medium. |
Once you've selected the source and the recipient, you'll start copying, and it takes seconds, even with a lot of records.
Why are contact names cut?
Working with VCF backup files
The.vcf (vCard) format is the de facto standard for sharing contact information between different platforms. If you already have one from previous backups or a friend passed it on, it is not difficult to restore the numbers on Xiaomi.
Place the file in any convenient folder in the phone’s internal memory. Then open the Contacts app, go to settings, and select Import from file.vcf. The system will automatically find all the appropriate files in the device’s memory.
Select the file you want from the list, and then the system will ask you where to save the imported contacts, and you have to be careful, because if you choose Phone, the contacts will be stored locally, and if you choose Google, they will immediately go to the cloud.
This method is especially useful for mass contact transfers or data recovery after resetting settings. The vCard file contains not only numbers, but additional information such as photos, addresses and notes, if they were saved during export.
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Regularly back up contacts in.vcf format and save them to a computer or cloud storage other than Google (e.g. Yandex.Disk or Dropbox) for maximum security.
Solving problems in synchronization
Sometimes the transfer process can be complicated: contacts may be duplicated, photos may not be displayed or parts of numbers may be missing, most often due to conflicting data sources or synchronization errors.
If you see duplicates, use the built-in unification feature. The Contacts app from Google or Xiaomi has a tool called Contact Management → Combine and Correct, which automatically finds the duplicates and prompts them to be merged.
If contacts don't load, check the display settings. In the contact menu, click "Display settings" and make sure that the checkmarks are in front of all the accounts you want to download. SIM-cards or other accounts.
⚠️ Warning: Don’t try to manually edit hundreds of contacts immediately after importing if you notice a format error.
The problem may also be app access rights. Make sure that the Contacts and Phone app are allowed accessing storage and contact lists in Settings → Applications → Access Rights. Without these permissions, the import may be formal, but the data will not appear in the interface.
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The most common reason for missing contacts after transfer is that they are simply hidden in the display settings or saved in an inactive account.