Changing your smartphone is always accompanied by stress associated with the risk of losing important data, and the first thing that a user worries about is the phone book. The question of how to copy all contacts on Xiaomi becomes a priority immediately after unpacking a new device, because losing the numbers of colleagues, friends and emergency services is unacceptable. Modern Android ecosystems, in particular the shell MIUI or HyperOS, offer many built-in tools for data migration, making this process as simple and fast as possible.
There are several proven ways to save the numberer, from synchronizing with Google cloud storage to using a specialized application Mi Mover. The choice of the specific method depends on where exactly you plan to take data from: from an old Android smartphone, from an iPhone or just from the internal memory of the current device to create a backup. In this article, we will analyze each of the available options in detail so that you can choose the most convenient for your situation.
It's important to understand that regular backups are not just a recommendation, but a necessity in today's digital world. Contact synchronization takes only a few minutes, but can save you hours of wasted time reconnecting in the event of a breakdown or loss of a gadget. Let's look at the basic tools that are already built into your phone.
⚠️ Note: Before starting any data transfer operations, make sure that both devices are charged at least 50-60% battery so that the process is not interrupted halfway due to discharge.
Using the Mi Mover app to migrate from Android
The most efficient and quickest way to transfer data between Xiaomi smartphones and other Android devices is the Mi Mover app, which is designed specifically for cloning information over a Wi-Fi channel, which provides high speed transfer without spending mobile traffic. You don't need to search for cables or connect to a computer, everything happens wirelessly.
To get started, you need to install the app on both devices unless it's pre-installed in the Tools folder. Once you start, you need to select the device role: on the new phone, click "I'm the recipient" and on the old phone, "I'm the sender." The system will create a secure network to which you need to connect.
Once you've established the connection, the interface will suggest you choose the types of data to transfer, so it's important not just to copy the contacts, but also to check the associated settings. You can choose the following elements:
- 📞 Phone Book and History of Challenges
- 📸 Photographs, videos and music
- ⚙️ System settings and alarm clocks
- 💬 Communications SMS and MMS
The copying process takes time depending on the amount of data, but Xiaomi contacts are transferred almost instantly, and the advantage of this method is that it retains the structure of records, including additional numbers and email addresses associated with subscribers.
☑️ Preparation for transfer via Mi Mover
⚠️ Note: Do not leave the app or block smartphone screens during transmission, as this may break the Wi-Fi connection and interrupt the process.
Syncing through Google account: a cloud solution
The most reliable method to avoid thinking about physical porting is sync with your Google account, which is built into the Android operating system kernel and works on all devices, regardless of brand. If you know how to set up sync, your contacts will be available immediately after you enter your login and password on your new device.
To activate this feature, go to your phone's settings and find the Accounts and Sync section. Select your Google account from the list and make sure the switch opposite Contacts is active. The system automatically uploads all records to the cloud, assigning them a unique identifier.
The main advantage of this approach is automatic backup, and any change, addition or deletion of a number on one device instantly affects all other gadgets that log in to that account, which is especially convenient for those who use multiple phones or tablets.
If you’re upgrading to a new phone, just add the same Google account when you first set up the system. Android will offer to recover data from the cloud and in a few minutes your phone book will be in good order.
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Check contacts.google.com periodically to make sure your numbers are properly displayed in the cloud and are not lost in sync.
Export and import via VCF file
The classic method, which works even without the internet, is to create a backup file of.vcf (vCard) format, which is universally supported by all operating systems, email clients and phone books, making it ideal for archiving.
To create a copy, open the standard Contacts app on Xiaomi. Click on the three dots in the corner of the screen or the menu button, then select Import and Export. In the menu that appears, click Export to Storage.
The system will create a file, commonly called contacts.vcf, and save it to internal memory.
- 📤 Send the file to your messenger (Telegram, WhatsApp)
- 📧 Send the file by email
- 💾 Copy a file to a computer or flash drive through USB
On the new device, just open the file and the system will suggest importing the entries contained in it, which is a great way to save Xiaomi contacts locally, without being tied to third-party cloud services.
What to do if the file is not opened?
Transfer of contacts from SIM-card
This method is considered obsolete due to limitations. SIM-The main limitation is that the SIM usually only stores one number per name and does not support the storage of additional data such as email or photo.
To move the records, insert SIM-Go to the Contacts app, select the settings menu, and find the item "Import Contacts «SIM-map».
Once scanned, the system will suggest choosing where to save the data, and the best option is to choose your Google account or your phone's memory, but not the phone itself. SIM-So you don't want to duplicate the map, and it takes a few seconds.
It is worth noting that when importing with SIM, there may be problems with encoding, and instead of Russian letters, "krakozyabr" may appear, in which case it is recommended to use other methods, for example, export through a VCF file from an old phone.
| Method | Speed. | We need the Internet. | Saves a photo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover | Tall. | No (local Wi-Fi) | Yes. |
| Google Sync | Medium | Yes. | Yes. |
| VCF file | Instant. | No. | Yes. |
| SIM-map | Low. | No. | No. |
Recovery of data from iPhone (iOS)
The transition from the Apple ecosystem to Xiaomi requires the use of specialized tools, since direct synchronization between iOS and Android is limited. The best solution for migrating contacts in this case is also the Mi Mover app, which has an iOS version.
The process starts with installing the app on an iPhone from the App Store. On an iPhone, you need to select "I am the sender" and on Xiaomi, "I am the recipient." To connect the devices, scan. QR-code that will appear on the Android smartphone screen.
Once connected, select Contacts to transfer. It is important to understand that due to iOS security limitations, the app may request permission to access contacts, which must be provided, and it may also require you to set up a configuration profile on your iPhone to complete the transfer.
An alternative but more challenging way is to sync your iPhone contacts with iCloud, then log into the iCloud web version from your computer, export your contacts in vCard format and upload them to Google Contacts. However, the direct method through Mi Mover is much easier for the average user.
⚠️ Note: When transferring from your iPhone, make sure that your device is enabled with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, as they are used to detect devices and transfer data.
Managing duplicates and cleaning the phone book
Once you have managed to copy all the contacts, there is often a problem of duplicate records, which occurs if you have previously used several methods of saving or synchronized data from different sources, and Xiaomi has built-in tools to solve this problem.
Open the Contacts app, click on the menu, and select Contact Organization or Contact Management, and it will have the Combine Duplicates function, and the system will automatically find the entries with the same names or numbers and suggest that they be combined into one card.
Cleaning the phone book regularly not only improves visual perception, but also speeds up the search for the right subscriber. Removing duplicates also frees up space in cloud storage and simplifies future backup processes.
If the automatic association missed some entries, you can do it manually. Open the contact card, click the menu (three dots) and select "Combine", then find the appropriate duplicate in the list. This ensures that your database is clean and up-to-date.
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Regularly checking for duplicates after each major data import is the best habit to keep your phone book in order.