The acquisition of a new Xiaomi smartphone is always a joyous event, but often overshadowed by the need to transfer personal information.The most important part of a user’s digital profile is the phone numbers we collect in the device’s notebook for years. Losing that data can be a disaster, disrupting business and personal connections, so the question of how to transfer contacts to Xiaomi is a priority for each owner.
Fortunately, the MIUI and HyperOS ecosystem offers a variety of tools for migrating data, making it as simple and fast as possible. You don't have to manually interrupt hundreds of numbers or look for complex technical solutions, since most methods are built directly into the operating system. Modern algorithms allow you to complete the transfer in minutes, saving even additional fields such as email addresses, photos and job positions.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all available synchronization methods, from the use of cloud storage to the physical transfer of the data. SIM-We will look at the nuances of working with devices from different brands, including iPhone, and also pay attention to data security during the migration process. The right approach to this stage of setting will ensure that you will be comfortable using the gadget from the first minutes after turning on.
Preparation for data transfer and verification of sources
Before you start the active phase of migration, you need to conduct a preliminary audit of the existing data on the old device. Often, the numbers are stored randomly: part in the memory of the phone, part on the SIM card, and some duplicates are lost in the accounts of various messengers. To successfully complete the operation, it is important to clean this database by removing obvious debris and combining repeated records.
Make sure both the old and new Xiaomi devices have sufficient battery life.The process can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the amount of information, and a sudden power outage can damage the contact database files.It is also recommended to connect both gadgets to a stable Wi-Fi network, especially if you plan to use cloud sync via Google Account or Mi Cloud.
⚠️ Warning: If your old phone has two-factor authentication installed to sign in to your Google account, make sure you have access to your phone number or backup codes to confirm sign-in on your new device.
Check the version of the operating system on the original smartphone. If you are using a very old Android model below version 4.0, some current wireless porting techniques may not work correctly. In such cases, it is worth considering the option of exporting via a.vcf file or manually copying to the SIM-The map is the most reliable, albeit slower way.
Using the Mi Mover app for wireless migration
The most effective and native way for owners of Xiaomi equipment is the use of a specialized application Mi Mover. This tool was developed by the company's engineers specifically for the rapid migration of data between devices running the shells MIUI and HyperOS. The main advantage of the method is that it creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between phones, without consuming mobile operator traffic and providing high transfer speeds.
To get started, run the app on both devices. On the new Xiaomi smartphone, select Recieve, and on the old phone, Send, and the app will automatically scan the available networks and prompt you to connect to the access point created by the new device. Once you establish the connection, you will see a list of data categories available for transfer.
In the list, select Contacts. You can also tick other data, such as messages, photos, system settings and installed applications. Click Send and wait for the process to be completed. Transfer speeds can vary, but typically a few thousand contacts are transferred in less than a minute.
Importantly, Mi Mover is able to carry not only the numbers themselves, but also the avatars attached to them, if they are stored in the phone’s local memory. However, if your contacts are synced with your Google account, the app may suggest that you complete the sync first to avoid duplication of records, which is especially true for users who often change devices.
What if Mi Mover can't see an old phone?
If automatic detection doesn’t work, try turning off mobile internet on both devices and leaving only Wi-Fi enabled. Also make sure that the old phone doesn’t have aggressive antiviruses or firewalls that block local connections. In extreme cases, you can create an access point manually and connect to it through the Wi-Fi settings of the old phone using the password displayed on the Xiaomi screen. Synchronization via Google Account: The classic method that is suitable not only for Xiaomi, but for any other Android smartphone is synchronization through Google services. This method is considered to be the standard for logistic data storage on the device and is so stored in the case of the password on the device, and all the data loss is so it is stored in the device. To use this method on your old phone, go to the settings and look for the Accounts or Users and Accounts section. Select your Google account and make sure the switch opposite the Contacts item is activated. If you haven’t synced for a long time, click the Sync button or three dots in the corner of the screen to force you to update your data. On the new Xiaomi, when you first turn on, the system will ask you to enter your Google account details. Once you successfully log in and connect to the Internet, the phone will automatically download all the saved numbers. If the device is already configured, you can add an account manually through the Settings menu. → Accounts and synchronization → Add an account. 📲 Open the settings on the old device and select the “Accounts” section». 🔄 Click on your Google account and make sure you tick the contacts sync. 📲 On the new Xiaomi, log in to the same account in the “Accounts and Sync” section». ☁️ Wait for the data to load automatically or click Sync manually, and the feature of working with Google Contacts is the ability to manage it through the web interface. You can access contacts.google.com from a computer, sort the list, delete duplicates, or restore deleted numbers from a shopping cart that stores data for up to 30 days, making it extremely convenient to pre-clean the database before transferring to a new device. Transferring contacts from iPhone to Xiaomi The transition from iOS to Android, in particular to Xiaomi, was previously considered a difficult process, but today it is as simple as possible.The main tool here is also the Mi Mover app, which has an iOS version available in the App Store. An alternative and very popular method is to use Apple’s “Move to iOS” app, but Xiaomi tools or third-party utilities are better suited for reverse migration (from iPhone to Android). If you use the standard method through iCloud, you will need to first export contacts from the iPhone. Go to the iCloud settings on the iPhone and make sure that the Contacts switch is on. Then go to the icloud.com website on your computer, log in to your Apple ID, select everything (Ctrl+A or Cmd+A) and export them to the new file format, then you can automatically log into your Google account. This method is good because it does not require you to install additional software on your iPhone if you are already using iCloud. Method Speed Complexity Save photo Mi Mover (iOS version) High Low Yes iCloud + Google Medium Medium Partial Move to iOS App Low High No SIM-There is also a third-party app called “Copy My Data” that allows you to transfer contacts, calendars and photos over Wi-Fi between iPhone and Android, which requires installation on both devices and being on the same network. Despite the availability of free advertising, it does show great results when transferring large amounts of data without losing the encoding of names. Import and export via vCard and Bluetooth In situations where there is no access to the Internet or cloud services, time-tested local data transfer methods come to the rescue. The.vcf (vCard) format is a universal standard for storing contact information. It supports not only numbers but additional fields, and is read by almost any phone, regardless of the operating system. To back up your old device, open the Contacts app, click on the menu (three dots or a hamburger), and select "Import/Export contacts." Select the option "Export to device memory" or "Export to storage." The system will create a file, usually called 00001.vcf or contacts.vcf book, which will contain your phone file, and then you can transfer it to a simplerupload it via your phone, and then send it to a new file. Xiaomi just click on the received file, and the system automatically prompts you to import contacts into the phone book. ⚠️ Note: When importing from a.vcf file, keep a close eye on the process so as not to create duplicates if part of the numbers have already been synced through Google. The system usually suggests combining duplicates, but it is better to monitor this point. This method is especially useful when switching from button phones or devices based on Symbian, Java or older versions of Windows Phone, where modern cloud methods may not work. The.vcf file is a kind of “digital passport” of your phone book that every prudent user should have. Copying contacts with SIM-Despite the development of cloud technologies, SIM-The card remains a popular storage medium, especially among users who frequently change phones or don’t trust the Internet: SIM-The card usually stores only the name and number, cropping long names and ignoring addresses, email addresses and photos. SIM-maps on Xiaomi, insert the card into the new smartphone. After booting, go to the Contacts app (or Phone» → Click on the settings menu (three dots in the upper right corner) and select "Import contacts «SIM-Map, and as your destination, choose Google Account or Phone, and it is recommended to choose a Google account to avoid future data loss when changing devices. The system considers the records from the chip and save them in the memory of the smartphone. 📱 Put it in. SIM-map to the new Xiaomi smartphone. 📂 Open the Contacts app and click on the settings menu. 📥 Select “Import Contacts» → «SIM-map». 💾 Specify the location of the save (Google Account is recommended) if you are switching from a phone where contacts are stored in the device memory rather than to the device. SIM, You need to export them to the map first. In older phones, this feature is in the contact menu called Copy Everything on the map. SIM-Remember, when you copy the map, SIM Long names can be cut to the 10-15 Some older chips may display Cyrillic incorrectly.Solution: duplicates and missing numbers After a successful, seemingly portable transfer, users often face the problem of duplication of records. This happens when contacts are saved simultaneously in your phone’s memory, to your Google account, and to your Mi Account. To get your phone book in order, open the Contacts app on Xiaomi, click on the menu, and select Contact Management» → «The system automatically finds the duplicates and suggests that they be combined into one card, a secure operation that stores all the numbers and data from the cards being combined. Cleaning out duplicates regularly not only improves the visual appearance of the list, but also speeds up the search for the right subscriber. If contacts are lost after transfer, first check the display filter. In the Contacts app, click on the menu and select Contact Filter or Contact Display. Make sure to check the box opposite “All contacts” or select the appropriate accounts (Google, Phone, SIM). Often, after importing, the system defaults to hiding certain groups. Why are contacts not synced with Google? Most often, the problem lies in an unstable Internet connection or a lack of space in Google storage (the limit is 15 GB). Also worth checking is that the sync in your account settings is disabled. Try to delete your account from your phone settings and add it again, which often solves the problem of "hangover" sync. Can you restore remote contacts? Yes, if you used sync with Google. Go to Google Contacts from your computer, in the left menu click “Other actions” (cog icon or three dots) → «Cancel changes. You can roll back the contact database status by 10 minutes, 1 hour, yesterday or up to 30 days ago? Using trusted applications like Mi Mover or Copy My Data is safe. However, avoid obscure programs that require strange permissions. The best way to protect your data is to always transfer data through official accounts (Google, Mi), where information is protected by encryption. In conclusion, the process of migrating contacts to Xiaomi has become as automated and clear as possible. Regardless of which device you used before, you can save your phone book intact. The main thing is to choose the appropriate method and carefully monitor the progress of the operation, so that you enjoy the new gadget without losing important connections.