Changing your smartphone is always stressful, not so much with setting up a new device as with transferring the accumulated data. The most valuable asset for most users is the phone book, the loss of which can be a real disaster. Fortunately, modern technology and the MIUI ecosystem allow you to solve the problem of “how to transfer contacts from your phone to your Xiaomi Redmi phone” in just a few touches.
Unlike the old push-button models, where you had to manually rewrite numbers or copy them for a long time from the mainframe. SIM-Now, there are automated methods, you can use cloud services, local data transfer, or specialized applications from Xiaomi developers. The choice of a particular method depends on which operating system your previous gadget was running on and whether you have access to the Internet.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the ways that data migration can be done, from built-in tools to third-party solutions. We will look at the nuances of working with Google Account, the features of synchronization through Mi Account and methods of manual importing if automation fails. It is important to approach the process carefully so that no number gets lost during the transfer.
Preparation for data transfer to a new smartphone
Before you start directly copying the phonebook, make sure both devices are ready to go.If you just got a new Xiaomi Redmi out of the box, make sure it's at least 50-60% charged. The process of synchronizing a large amount of data can consume a significant amount of power, and suddenly turning off the device will interrupt the operation.
It is also critical to check the status of the data source: If you plan to move contacts from an old Android smartphone, clean it of garbage and make sure that the numbers are stored in the phone memory or account, and not only on the phone. SIM-In modern devices, the memory of a SIM is limited, and often only numbers are stored there without additional fields such as email or address.
⚠️ Warning: Before any data manipulation is initiated, it is strongly recommended to back up contacts on the old device, if it is still functional.
For cloud services and data applications like Mi Mover to work smoothly, both devices will need to connect to a Wi-Fi network. Mobile internet can be unstable or have traffic restrictions, leading to errors when synchronizing large amounts of information. Make sure you know the Wi-Fi passwords or that they are stored in the device's memory.
☑️ Readiness for migration
Using the Mi Mover app for quick migration
The most effective and native way for Xiaomi devices is to use the Mi Mover app, which is designed specifically for data migration between Xiaomi smartphones, but also works with other Android devices. The main advantage of the method is the ability to transfer not only contacts, but also photos, applications, system settings and even placement of icons on the desktop.
The process starts with installing the app on both devices, and the new Redmi already has it in the Tools folder, and on the old phone, you have to download it from the Google Play Store or scan it. QR-The code that appears on the screen of the new device, and when the application is launched, the host device selects the role of "I am the recipient" and the transmitter selects the role of "I am the sender».
The devices are connected either through scanning QR-It's either by selecting a Wi-Fi network that's created by one of the smartphones, and it creates a local secure network that allows data to travel at high speeds without consuming Internet traffic. In the list of data types for transmission, you must note the item "Contacts", and you can also select "System settings" and "Messages».
- 🚀 High data transfer speeds through local Wi-Fi connection without Internet Service Provider speed limit.
- 📱 Ability to transfer not only contacts, but also the history of calls, SMS and Wi-Fi passwords.
- 🔄 Support for data transfer from other Android smartphones and between Xiaomi devices of different generations.
Once the data is selected, the copying process will begin. The latency depends on the amount of information being transmitted. Unlike cloud methods, it does not require constant Internet access, which makes the method ideal for moving to areas with poor network coverage.
What if Mi Mover can't see an old phone?
Synchronization through Google account
The most versatile method that works on almost all Android devices is sync through Google Contacts. This is ideal if you switch from any Android smartphone to Xiaomi Redmi. The essence of the method is that all your numbers are stored in the Google cloud, tied to your Gmail inbox.
On an old phone, you have to go to the settings, find the Accounts or Users and Accounts section, select your Google account, and make sure that the checkmark is next to Contacts, and then press the sync button, and if the contacts are stored in the phone's memory instead of the account, the system will suggest copying them to Google.
On the new Xiaomi Redmi, you need to log in to the same Google account when you first turn on or in your system settings. The system will automatically prompt you to restore data from the backup. If the phone is already configured, just add an account in the Settings → Accounts and Sync section and enable contact synchronization.
| Parameter | Description | Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Speed. | Depends on the speed of the Internet | Automatic updates in real time |
| Data volume | 15 GB free (with photos) | Access to contacts from any device via browser |
| Difficulty | Low. | No need to install additional applications |
| Reliability | Tall. | Protection against data loss in case of phone breakdown |
An important nuance is where the new numbers are saved: in the Contacts app on Xiaomi, you can choose the default account to save. It is recommended to always choose a Google account so that the next time you change your phone, you do not have to puzzle over the transfer again.
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To keep new numbers always saved in the cloud, open the Contacts app, click on three dots or settings, and select “New Contacts Account” by setting up your Google account there.
Transfer via Mi Cloud and Xiaomi account
Xiaomi’s ecosystem offers its own cloud service, Mi Cloud, which is a great alternative to Google, especially if you’re a big user of the company’s services. Mi Cloud allows you to synchronize contacts, notes, photos and even the location of a lost device.
If your old device also had a MIUI shell installed and Mi Account logged in, your contacts could already be synced automatically, and you can check this on i.mi.com by logging in from your computer. If you have contacts, the new Redmi just needs to enter your Mi Account login and password when you first set up.
If the old phone is not from Xiaomi, you can use the web version. You will need to first export contacts to.vcf format (business card) from any device, then upload this file to the Mi Cloud site through the Contacts section.
- ☁️ Integration with system functions MIUI, including the function "Find the device».
- 📂 Ability to manage contacts via web interface from a computer without connecting a phone.
- 🔒 Additional backup layer regardless of Google services.
It’s worth noting that free space in the Mi Cloud is limited (usually 5GB), but it’s enough for thousands of entries for text files, a method that’s especially convenient for those who prefer not to depend solely on the Google ecosystem and want to have a double backup of important data.
Import and export via VCF file
The universal language for phone books is.vcf (vCard), a method that is the gold standard for manual data transfer, as a file with the vcf extension can be read by almost any device with an address book, whether it is Android, iOS or even a computer.
To create a file on an old phone, you open the Contacts app, go to the contact management settings or menu, and select Import/Export or Share Contacts. Then you select Export to Device Memory or Export to.vcf. The system will create a file, usually at the root of internal memory or in the Contacts folder.
The resulting file can be transferred to the new Xiaomi Redmi in any convenient way: via Bluetooth, instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), email or simply by flipping through the Internet. USB-You just open the file on the new device, and the system will suggest importing the contacts it contains.
⚠️ Note: When importing from the file VCF If the phone already has contacts in its memory, the system may ask if it needs to combine duplicates or create new records.
The good thing about this is that it doesn't require Internet or accounts. You just transfer the file. But it doesn't provide constant synchronization: if you add a number to an old phone after you create the file, it won't get to the new Redmi until you re-export.
Copying contacts with SIM-map
Although this method is considered outdated, it is still relevant when moving from very old pushphones or push-button “calls” where there is no option to use clouds or applications. SIM-The card has limited memory and allows you to store only the number and name, ignoring avatars, addresses and additional phones.
First, insert SIM-map to the new Xiaomi Redmi. After you boot, go to the Contacts app. From the settings menu (usually three dots or a gear), find the Import/Export Contacts section. SIM-map».
The system will ask where to save the numbers: in memory of the phone, in the account Google or Mi Account. it is highly recommended to choose a cloud account or phone memory, but do not leave them on the phone. SIM-The card, because if you lose the SIM, you lose the numbers, and then you pick the storage area, and you start copying.
- 📉 Low quality transfer: Long names and numbers in international format are often cropped.
- ⏳ Slow speed with a lot of contacts on the map.
- ✅ It works on even the simplest devices without a screen and operating system.
Once the import is complete, contacts can look like Contact 1 or Contact 2 if the SIM card does not have names on it, and you will have to spend time manually editing the records, making this method less convenient for today’s users with large phone books.
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A SIM card is an emergency transfer option. Always aim to keep your contacts digital (Google/Mi Cloud) so you can access full information about the contact and its history.
Solving and restoring data
There can be technical difficulties in the transfer process. One of the common problems is when contacts seem to be synchronized, but the call list does not show names, only numbers, this is solved by checking the contacts displayed in the Contacts settings of the Contacts app, make sure that the check box is "All contacts" or the correct account is selected.
Another situation is the appearance of duplicates. MIUI has a built-in tool for merging duplicates. Go to the contact settings and find the item "Combine duplicates." The system will analyze the database and suggest combining records with the same numbers or names, which will help clean the phone book from chaos.
If neither of the automatic methods worked, you can use third-party apps from the Play Market, such as “Copy My Data” or “Send Anywhere”, which work similarly to Mi Mover: both devices connect to the same Wi-Fi network, and data is transmitted directly, but the use of native Xiaomi tools is always preferable for security and stability reasons.