Changing your smartphone is always stressful, not so much the loss of your gadget as the risk of losing your digital data. The most valuable information users fear losing is their phone book. If you buy a new device from Xiaomi, whether it’s the flagship Xiaomi 16 series or the budget model from the Redmi Note 15 line, the number transfer procedure can seem confusing due to the abundance of methods.
Fortunately, the ecosystem MIUI And HyperOS offers a lot of built-in tools for data migration. IT-In this article, we will take a detailed look at all the current methods, from cloud synchronization to manual import, so that you can choose the most convenient for your situation.
There are several main ways to solve the problem: using a Google account, a branded service Xiaomi Cloud, an application. MI Mover and the classical method through SIM-Each of them has its own characteristics, advantages and limitations, which we will discuss below.
Preparing the old and new device for migration
Before you start directly transferring data, you need to do a number of preparatory steps, which will ensure the stability of the process and minimize the risk of errors. First of all, make sure that both the old and the new have a battery charge of at least 50%. The process can take time, especially if you have a lot of contacts or you transfer them with photos.
The second critical step is checking the stability of the Internet connection. Cloud methods require a Wi-Fi network with good bandwidth. If you plan to use Bluetooth or a direct connection via Wi-Fi Direct (as in MI Mover), make sure that the wireless modules are activated on both gadgets.
- 🔋 Charge both smartphones to at least half to avoid a sudden shutdown.
- 📶 Connect devices to the same Wi-Fi network to speed up data transfers.
- 🆔 Remember passwords from your accounts (Google, Mi Account) as they may be required for authorization.
It is also recommended to clear the memory on the new device if it was already in use, or reset to factory settings for a clean start, which will avoid duplication of records and conflicts of software shells. If the old phone is running on Android, the process will go as smoothly as possible due to the compatibility of platforms.
☑️ Checklist before start
Syncing through Google Account: The Most Reliable Method
Using Google Cloud Storage is an industry standard that works seamlessly on all Android smartphones, including Xiaomi and POCO. The essence of the method is that all your contacts are saved on Google servers and linked to your inbox. When you log in to this account on a new device, the phone book will be restored automatically.
To start with, on your old phone, go to Settings → Accounts and Sync. Find your Google account on the list and make sure the switch opposite Contacts is activated. If sync has been disabled, turn it on and click Sync or Sync Now to let the data go to the cloud.
⚠️ Note: If the contacts on the old phone are stored only in the device memory ("Phone") or on the phone. SIM-You can't use a map instead of a Google account, cloud sync will not work. You'll need to copy them to your Google account through the contact management menu.
On the new Xiaomi, the process is even easier. When you first turn on or in settings, add the same Google account. The system itself will suggest restoring data from the backup. If the phone is already set up, just log in to your account through Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google and enable Contact Sync.
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Use the display filter in the Contacts app to make sure you see the Google posts, not hidden local copies.
The main advantage of this method is the independence of the phone brand. Even if you decide to switch to Samsung or iPhone in the future, your numbers will remain secure and will be available instantly after you enter your login and password.
Using Xiaomi Cloud (Mi Cloud) for the ecosystem
Xiaomi device owners have access to their own cloud service, the Mi Cloud. This is a great alternative to Google, especially if you are deeply integrated into the brand ecosystem. Mi Cloud allows you not only to store numbers, but also synchronize messages, notes, voice recordings and even the location of the device on the map.
To move contacts this way, on your old phone (if it’s also Xiaomi), log in to your Mi Account via Settings → Mi Account. Go to Cloud and make sure the Contacts slider is blue. Click Sync to upload data to Xiaomi servers.
On the new device, sign in to the same Mi Account. The system automatically pulls up all the stored data. If the old phone is not from Xiaomi, you can use the web version of the service. Go to i.mi.com from your computer, log in to your account and manually add or import contacts from the.vcf file, which can be unloaded from the old device.
| Parameter | Google Contacts | Mi Cloud | Locally (Memory) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand dependency | No (Android/iOS) | Best of all, Xiaomi. | Just a specific phone. |
| Storage volume | 15GB (free) | 5GB (free) | Depends on the phone's memory. |
| Recovery speed | Instantly at the entrance | Instantly at the entrance | Requires manual importation |
| Risk of data loss | Minimum | Low. | High when broken. |
Using Mi Cloud is especially handy if you change phones frequently within the brand, creating a single environment where your data is always at hand, no matter which Redmi or Black Shark you have in your hands.
Mi Mover app: fast transfer of "just at once"
If you want to throw not only contacts, but also photos, apps, settings and messages, the best solution will be the proprietary utility MI Mover. It is pre-installed on all modern Xiaomi and POCO smartphones, and for other Android devices it can be downloaded from Google Play.
Run the app on both devices. On the new phone, select the Receiver role (New Phone) and on the old phone, the Sender role (Old Phone), the app will create a Wi-Fi hotspot. Connect the old phone to the network created by the new one by scanning it. QR-code.
Once you connect, you'll see a list of data categories. Select Contacts (and any other files you want to use. Click Send and wait for the process to be completed. Transfer speed depends on the amount of data, but usually the contacts are transferred in a few seconds.
⚠️ Warning: Do not unlock your phone screens or switch to other apps while transferring large amounts of data through Mi Mover, so as not to interrupt the Wi-Fi Direct connection.
The good thing about this method is that it doesn't require internet and it works even in the field, and it's perfect for a situation where you don't have Wi-Fi access, but you have two phones on hand.
Classical method: import through SIM-map VCF-file
Sometimes, modern technology can fail, or you can't access the Internet, and in those cases, time-tested methods come to the rescue. SIM-This is the most versatile way that works even on push-button phones.
On the old device, open the Contacts app, click on the menu (three dots or strips) and select Import/Export. SIM-- The map. SIM-The card has limitations: you can usually only save your name and number, without additional fields such as email, address or photos.
The second option is to create a.vcf file (business card). In the same import/export menu, select Export to Storage or Export to Internal Memory. The file you create can be transferred to a new phone via Bluetooth, messenger (Telegram, WhatsApp) or USB-On the new device, just open the file and the system will prompt you to import all the numbers it contains.
- 💾 SIM-The card is suitable for base numbers, but cuts off long names and is devoid of photos.
- 📁 The.vcf file saves the entire contact structure, including avatars and additional fields.
- 📤 Bluetooth is easy to transfer files if there is no internet, but it is slow.
This approach is often used as a backup approach, and if the clouds are not available, the contacts.vcf file will be your salvation, and it is recommended to store such backups on a flash drive or send them to your own mail.
What if the contacts are not displayed after import?
Solution: duplicates and missing numbers
After transferring data, users often encounter unpleasant artifacts, such as duplicate records or the disappearance of part of the numbers, duplicates occur when the same contact is stored on Google, in the memory of the phone, and on the phone. SIM-The system sees them as different records.
To eliminate the chaos, use the built-in unification function. In the Contacts app on Xiaomi, go to the settings and find the item "Combine Repetitive Contacts." The system automatically finds matches by phone number or name and offers to combine them into one card.
If you lose numbers after you reset or change your phone, check the display filters. Often, contacts are successfully downloaded, but the phone only shows Contacts on your phone, hiding those in the Google or Mi Cloud cloud. Also check the Recycle Bin folder in the contact app - deleted records are stored there for 30 days.
It is important to know that when using two SIM-The system can default to save new numbers on the card. SIM, Check the default save settings in the contact menu so that new entries are not lost.
Cleaning your phone book regularly and distributing contacts correctly will save you from having to solve these problems in the future.
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Automatic duplicate pairing is a standard MIUI feature that solves 90% of the som problems in the phone book after migration.