How to transfer contacts to Xiaomi on iPhone

The transition to the Apple ecosystem often causes Android smartphone users, particularly Xiaomi, to worry about losing sensitive data. The most valuable asset in a phone is a phone book containing the numbers of colleagues, friends and delivery services. Fortunately, modern technology allows you to transfer contacts in just a few touches, preserving the entire structure of records.

There are several proven methods of data migration, from official Apple utilities to manual export through the cloud services. The choice of the specific method depends on the state of the new device: whether it is in the initial configuration stage or already in active use. In this article, we will discuss all the current options so that you can choose the most convenient one.

So don't worry about the integrity of the information, because if you do the algorithm right, no number will be lost. We're going to look at both automated solutions and manual methods for those who prefer complete control of the process. Let's start with the detailed analysis of the instructions.

Use of the Move app to iOS

The simplest and most formal way, designed specifically for migrating from Android to iOS, requires that the new iPhone is in the initial setup phase (the Software and Data screen), and if the phone is already set up, you will need a full reset to factory settings.

Xiaomi will need to install the official “Move to iOS” app from the Google Play store. Once you run the program on both devices and connect to the same Wi-Fi network, the system itself will suggest transferring data, which is good because it transfers not only contacts, but also message history, photos and even free apps.

The transmission process can take anywhere from minutes to an hour, depending on the amount of data, and it is important not to switch to other apps on an Android device or interrupt the connection, and the stability of the Wi-Fi signal is a critical factor in the success of the operation.

⚠️ Note: If an incoming call or system notification arrives on Xiaomi during the transfer, the process may be interrupted.It is recommended to turn on Do Not Disturb mode on both devices before syncing.

Once you've finished copying, the iPhone will display a success message, and the contacts will be automatically distributed across fields, and the duplicates are usually combined by the system, which is the most seamless method for new devices.

Synchronization through Google account

Xiaomi smartphone owners use Google’s default account to run the system. This is a huge advantage when switching to an iPhone, since all contacts can already be in the cloud. Just check on Xiaomi in the Settings menu → Accounts → Google, if contact sync is enabled.

If sync is active, your numbers are already saved to Google servers. On the new iPhone when you first set up or in the Settings menu → Contacts → Accounts need to add the same Google account. iOS will offer to sync the data.

This is convenient because it works in the background, so even if you lose your phone, contacts will stay in the cloud, and for users who change devices frequently, cloud sync is the most reliable insurance policy.

Importantly, when you add an account to your iPhone, you can choose which data to sync, and you can only leave your contacts and calendar on, for example, by eliminating email or notes if you don’t need them on your new device.

Export of contacts to VCF file

A universal method that works even without access to the Internet during the transfer phase, the idea is to create a special.vcf file that contains a text description of all contact cards, and this file can be transferred by any convenient means: via Bluetooth, messenger or mail.

To create a file on Xiaomi, open the Contacts app, click on the menu (three dots or bars) and select Import/Export Contacts. Then select Export to Internal Memory or Export to.vcf.

Once a file is created, it must be sent to an iPhone, the easiest way to send it to yourself is to Telegram (“Favorites”), WhatsApp or email, and when you open a file on iOS, the system automatically prompts you to add all the numbers found to the phone book.

The advantage of this method is that it's autonomous: you don't need any accounts or a stable Internet connection at the time of transfer, but it doesn't update data dynamically: if you add a new number to Xiaomi after you create a file, it won't appear on your iPhone without a repeat procedure.

Transfer through SIM-map

An old, time-tested method that is relevant if other methods don’t work or if you don’t have access to the internet. SIM-The card can store a limited number of records, usually only a name and number, without additional fields such as email or address.

First, copy the data to the map. On Xiaomi, go to contacts, select a menu and click "Import/Export contacts", then "Export to the destination". SIM-The system will warn that some data may be lost due to map format limitations.

Then you take it out. SIM-Map from Xiaomi and paste it into your iPhone (if sizes match or adapter is used). → Contacts → Import contacts SIM.

The main disadvantage of this method is the loss of detail. All additional fields will be trimmed, and long names can be shortened. Use this option only as a backup or for base numbers.

Solution: Duplicates and errors

When transferring data from Xiaomi to iPhone, there is often a problem of duplicate records, which happens if you used several methods at the same time or if the contacts were saved to different sources (for example, part on the phone, part on SIM, part on Google).

iOS has a built-in tool to combine duplicates, and if it detects duplicates, it can suggest that you combine them automatically, and if that doesn't happen, you can use third-party utilities from the App Store or do it manually through iCloud on your computer.

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Before mass imports, always back up your current iPhone phone book via iCloud, which will allow you to roll back changes if something goes wrong.

Users also often face the problem of encoding: instead of Russian letters, “crackers” can be displayed, this is solved by changing the encoding when exporting to VCF (select UTF-8) or rechecking the language settings in Google account.

⚠️ Warning: Never start importing contacts if your iPhone battery is below 40%. Interrupting the recording process can damage your contact database, which will require specialist intervention.

To manually clean duplicates on your iPhone, go to the Contacts app, find the repeat entry, click Edit, and scroll down to the Link Contacts button. Select a duplicate entry to combine.

Display and sorting setting

After successfully migrating your contacts from Xiaomi to iPhone, you should pay attention to the display settings. Android and iOS have different sorting options: by name or by surname. You can return the usual order to the settings menu.

Go to Settings → Contacts → Sorting. You can choose how the numbers will be lined up in the list, and you can also set the name format in Display, which is especially important if you have many organizations or full names with patronymics in your contacts.

Be sure to check where new contacts are saved by default. In iOS, this is important, as new records can be created in local storage "On iPhone", not in a synchronized iCloud or Google account. Check the path to Settings → Contacts → Default account.

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Properly configuring your account by default ensures that all new numbers you add will automatically go to the cloud and won’t get lost when you change your phone in the future.

Now your phone book is fully adapted to the Apple ecosystem, and check sync status regularly in the first days of use to make sure all changes are recorded correctly.