Changing your smartphone is always stressful, not only because you're getting used to a new shell, but also because you need to move your personal information. When you move from the Android ecosystem to iOS, the most critical step is saving your phone book. Losing your friends, colleagues and delivery numbers can turn your new gadget into a useless expensive toy, so you have to be responsible, and fortunately, modern technology allows you to do it quickly and without losing data, if you know the right sequence of actions.
There are several proven methods, each with its own advantages depending on your situation: you can use cloud services, local Wi-Fi transmission or even manual file copying. In this article, we will discuss all the ways in which you can choose the most convenient for yourself. The main task is to make sure that no contact is lost during migration.
Before you start to act, you need to do basic training for both devices, which will take only a couple of minutes, but save you from a lot of potential errors in the process. Make sure that both smartphones are at least 50 percent charged and also connected to a stable Wi-Fi network. If you plan to use cloud sync, check for free storage space.
Preparation of Xiaomi phone book for export
The first step should always be to audit the data on the old device, and users often do not realize that some of the numbers are stored in the memory of the phone, but on the phone. SIM-Open the Contacts app on your Xiaomi and go to the display settings. Here, it is important to select the All Contacts option to see the full picture.
Pay attention to the source of each number. The list can include entries tied to a Google account, Mi Account, or simply stored on the device. The best way to successfully transfer is to consolidate all the data in one place. If you see disparate entries, they should be combined or copied into the main profile before starting the procedure.
⚠️ Note: If your contacts are only kept on SIM-Make sure to copy them to your phone or Google account before you start any manipulations with your iPhone, as iOS doesn’t work well with direct SIM import.
Check if there are any duplicates that may arise after the data merger. MIUI or HyperOS often has a built-in tool to clean up the duplicates, find it in the contact settings menu and run the scan, so you don't have two numbers for each person after the transfer.
Using the Move to iOS app to migrate
The most official and recommended way for Apple is to use the Move to iOS utility, which is ideal if you just bought an iPhone and it is in the initial setup stage, creating a secure Wi-Fi network between devices and transferring data directly, bypassing Internet channels.
To get started, download the Move to iOS app from the Google Play store to your Xiaomi. On your new iPhone, select “Move Data from Android” during the setup process. If the phone is already set up, you will have to reset to factory settings, since the feature is only available on the start welcome screen.
Type the code that appears on your iPhone screen into the corresponding shaomi box. Once you set up the connection, select what you want to move, and in addition to contacts, you can also recast your message history, photos, and even some free apps, if they are available in both stores.
☑️ Checklist for transfer via Move to iOS
Transfer speeds depend on the amount of data, but contacts are usually copied instantly. Don't interrupt the process or switch to other applications on Xiaomi, even if a call is notified. It's best to turn on Do Not Disturb mode on both gadgets so that nothing prevents the operation from completing.
Synchronization through Google account
The most universal method that works even if the iPhone has been in use for a long time is sync through the Google cloud. Since Xiaomi runs on Android, your contacts are most likely already saved to your Google account.
If you have contacts, add the same account on your iPhone. Go to Settings → Contacts → Accounts → Add an account. Select the Google logo and enter your details. After logging in, make sure the slider opposite Contacts is green.
iOS automatically pulls up all the records from the cloud and integrates them into a shared phone book, a technique that is good because it provides constant synchronization: any new number added to the shaomi will automatically appear on the iPhone if you choose to use both devices in parallel.
| Parameter | Move to iOS | Google Sync | VCF File |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed. | Tall. | Depends on the Internet. | Instant. |
| We need the Internet. | Only Wi-Fi network. | I'll be sure. | Not required |
| Difficulty | Medium | Low. | Low. |
| Risk of loss | Minimum | Absent. | Medium. |
It's important to understand that when synced through Google, contacts are not physically copied to the iPhone's memory, but remain in the cloud, displayed on the device. This saves space, but requires a network to initially download the list, but once downloaded, they are cached and available even in flight mode.
Export and import via VCF file
If you prefer complete control of data or you don’t have access to the Internet, you can use the old-fashioned.vcf (vCard) file format, which is the de facto standard for sharing contact information and is supported by all modern operating systems.
On Xiaomi, open contacts, click on the menu (three dots or gear) and select “Import/Export contacts.” Specify the source “Device Memory” or your account, and select “File.vcf” as your destination.
What to do if the file is not transferred?
You can do this via Bluetooth (if you have support), send it to Telegram/WhatsApp, or AirDrop if you have a third-party client installed on your Xiaomi to transfer files. Once you have the file on iOS, just tap it and the system will say "Add all contacts."
It's a good way to be autonomous, but it has one caveat: it creates a static copy, so if you change the number to shaomi after you create a file, it won't update on your iPhone, so it's best to use it as the final point of the move, after which you start using the new device.
Application of the Mi Mover utility
Xiaomi has developed its own application Mi Mover, which is sharpened to work with their shell. Although its main function is to transfer data between Xiaomi phones, it can work with other Android devices, and in some versions supports transfer to iOS through the creation of a special device. QR-code.
Run the app on both smartphones. On shaomi, select "I'm sending" and on your iPhone (if the app is available in the App Store for your regional version) or via the web interface, select "I'm accepting." Follow the on-screen instructions for pairing.
The advantage of this method is that Mi Mover can transfer not only contacts, but also system settings, alarm clocks and even the location of icons on the desktop, if the target device is also based on Android.
⚠️ Note: The functionality of Mi Mover for iOS may differ in different versions of HyperOS firmware and MIUI. If you don’t see an iPhone option, use the method with a Google account as more reliable.
Branded utilities are always preferable when it comes to complex data structures, but for a simple phone book, they can be redundant. However, if you plan to transfer photos or videos, it is worth trying this tool in conjunction with others.
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Save a backup of your VCF contacts to your computer before you start any experiments, and this is your insurance in case you fail to sync.
Solving problems in transfer
Despite the simplicity of the methods described, users often face technical difficulties. One of the most common problems is the name conflict. If there are already contacts with the same names on the iPhone, the system may suggest combining them or creating duplicates. Be careful when choosing an action so that you do not get confused in the list.
Another common mistake is the wrong number format. When you migrate from the Chinese version of MIUI to international iOS, you can get your country code confused. Check a few random numbers after you transfer. If you see zeros or other digits instead of +7 or +380, you have to use mass editing.
It's also possible that sync failures are caused by two-factor authorization in Google, so if your iPhone requires an app password and you type in a regular one, sync won't start, so you need to generate a special password in your Google account security settings.
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The most reliable method is a combination of methods: first sync through Google for the database, then manually import VCF for missing local entries.