Changing your smartphone is always stressful, not so much with getting used to a new interface as with the risk of losing important data. Especially the question of how to transfer contacts with Maizu to Xiaomi, because the phone book is the foundation of digital communication. Owners of Flyme OS devices often face non-obvious nuances when switching to the shell of MIUI or HyperOS, as systems are different approaches to synchronizing and storing records.
Fortunately, modern Android operating systems provide several reliable ways to migrate data. You can use Google cloud services, a specialized application from Xiaomi or a classic method of exporting files. It is important to understand that the choice of method depends on the size of your phone book and the availability of a stable Internet connection. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods so that you can choose the most suitable for your situation.
Before starting the procedure, make sure that both devices are at least 50% charged, and also check that the old Meizu and the new Xiaomi have the latest versions of the operating system installed, which will help avoid errors when working with system applications and ensure that all contact fields, including photos and additional numbers, are correctly displayed.
Device preparation and account verification
The first step to a successful transfer is to prepare the software correctly, and on a Meizu device, you need to make sure that all the numbers are stored in the phone’s memory or account, and not on the phone’s memory or account. SIM-If you have a large number of numbers, go to the Contacts app, open the settings, and check the groups that are displayed, and if the numbers are scattered across different sources, they should be combined or copied into a single database.
Xiaomi has a key role to play with Mi Account and Google account, and it is recommended to log in to both services before the procedure begins. Google synchronization is a universal bridge between any Android smartphone. Make sure that both devices have Wi-Fi enabled Internet access, as transferring large amounts of data (especially with profile photos) can consume significant traffic.
If your Meizu runs on an older version (like Android 6-8) and the new Xiaomi runs on Android 13 or 14, you may have trouble formatting some specific fields, and in such cases it is better to use intermediate export to the standard.vcf format, which is guaranteed to be read by any system.
💡
Before transferring, remove all test entries and duplicates from the phone book – this will save time to clean the database on the new device.
Method 1: Sync through a Google account
The most elegant and reliable way to move contacts is to use the Google ecosystem, which is ideal if you plan to use Google services on a new device, which is standard for Xiaomi owners, the process does not require the installation of additional software and works at the system level.
On an old Meizu smartphone, go to Settings, select Accounts and Sync (or just Accounts). Find your Google account on the list. Make sure that the contact box is ticked off or the switch is in the active position. If sync has been disabled, turn it on and press the Force Sync button.
Once the data is gone to the cloud, take a new Xiaomi. When you first turn on or in the settings, log in to the same Google account. The system automatically prompts you to restore data from the backup. Even if the phone is already configured, just add an account to the Settings menu → Accounts and sync, and the phone book will “fly” itself in a few minutes.
☑️ Checklist of Google synchronization
The advantage of this method is that any changes you make in the future on any device will instantly be reflected in the cloud.
Method 2: Export and import via VCF file
If you have limited access to the Internet or prefer local storage, use the file method, which allows you to create a physical copy of a phone book in.vcf (vCard) format, a universal industry standard and supported by almost all mobile device manufacturers.
On a Meizu device, open the Contacts app. Click on the menu (usually three dots or a gear) and select "Import/Export contacts." Select Export to device memory or Export to internal memory. The system will create a file that is usually called contacts.vcf or has a name with a current date.
Now you have to transfer this file to Xiaomi, and you can do it via Bluetooth, messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), email, or just by transferring the file through a USB cable to your computer and then to a new phone. Once you get the file on a new device, just click on it. MIUI automatically recognizes the format and suggests that you import the entries into your phone book or account.
⚠️ Note: When importing from the file VCF Watch carefully where the numbers are saved. Select "Phone" or "Google", but avoid saving on the phone. SIM-map, as it has restrictions on the number of characters in the name and can "cut" long Russian names.
The good thing about this is that you have full control of the process, you can pre-open the.vcf file on your computer and check its contents, and you can save it to a flash drive or hard drive as a backup in case cloud services fail.
Method 3: Use of the Mi Mover application
Xiaomi has developed its own data migration solution called Mi Mover (in some regions, “Mi Moving”), a specialized application that allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also photos, music, installed applications and system settings from the old phone to the new one.
To work, you need to install the Mi Mover app on both devices. On Xiaomi, it is often built into the system and is located in the Tools folder or in the About Phone settings. On Meizu, you need to download the application from the Google Play Store or the official Xiaomi website.
The algorithm of action is simple:
- 📱 Launch the app on both smartphones.
- 📶 On the new Xiaomi, select the Receiver role, and on Meizu, the Sender role).
- 🔗 The sender will find the receiver in the list of available Wi-Fi networks.
- 📂 Select the category “Contacts” and click “Send».
The speed of transmission via Mi Mover is much faster than through Bluetooth, because it uses direct Wi-Fi connection between devices, which is especially true if you are not only transferring numbers, but also heavy media files. The application automatically converts data into a format that is understandable to the MIUI shell.
What if the Mi Mover can’t see the device?
Comparison of data transfer methods
To make it easier for you to decide on the method, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you assess the pros and cons of each option depending on your current conditions and data security requirements.
| Parameter | Google Synchronization | VCF file | Mi Mover |
|---|---|---|---|
| We need the Internet. | Yeah (stable) | No (for file transfer only) | No (local Wi-Fi) |
| Speed. | Medium | Tall. | Very high. |
| Portability of photo contacts | Yes. | Yes. | Yes. |
| Difficulty | Low. | Medium | Low. |
| Risk of data loss | Minimum | Low. | Low. |
As you can see from the table, Google Synchronization is the most automated method, requiring minimal user intervention. However, if the Internet connection is unstable, it is better to use Mi Mover or.vcf. Each method has the right to exist depending on the specific situation.
💡
For one-time transfer of a large amount of data (contacts + photos + applications), Mi Mover is the leader in speed and convenience.
Solution: Duplicates and coding problems
After transferring data from Meizu to Xiaomi, users often face two main problems: the appearance of duplicate contacts and incorrect display of names (crankies instead of letters).
The duplicate problem arises if you have previously synced some numbers through Google and then added them through a file or Mi Mover. The MIUI shell has a built-in tool to solve this problem. Go to the Contacts app, click on the menu and select Contact Tools (or “Clean Duplicates”). The system will automatically find the duplicate entries and suggest combining them.
If you see incomprehensible characters instead of names, you have been given incorrect encoding (usually when you create files manually) when exporting, in which case you should repeat the procedure by choosing the synchronization method through Google, which uses the standard UTF-8 encoding. Also check the font in the Xiaomi system settings - sometimes third-party fonts may not display certain characters correctly.
⚠️ Warning: Don't be in a hurry to delete contacts from your old Meizu immediately after transfer. Use your new phone for a couple of days to make sure all numbers are in place, calls are coming through, and SMS-The messages are coming in correctly.