Changing your smartphone is always accompanied by a desire to move all the important data to a new device as quickly and painlessly as possible. Owners of the Xiaomi and Redmi ecosystem are in a great position, as MIUI and its successor HyperOS offer built-in synchronization tools. The process of data migration has become much easier in recent years, but users still have many questions about which method to choose to guarantee the preservation of the phone book.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods, from cloud synchronization to direct cable connection, how to avoid duplication of records and what to do if numbers are moved without names. Proper preparation before starting the procedure will save you time and nerves, ensuring that all important numbers are fully copied.
Before you start, make sure that both devices are at least 50-60% charged; sudden power outages during the transmission of large data sets can lead to errors in the contact database or damage to the system files; and check for a stable Internet connection if you plan to use cloud services.
Preparing devices for data migration
The first step is to check the operating system versions on both smartphones. Differences in the MIUI or HyperOS versions can affect file format compatibility and system utilities. Go to Settings → About the phone and make sure the software is updated to the latest available version.
Memory cleaning on the new device also plays a major role, although contacts take up a bit of space.Make sure there's enough free space on the new Redmi or Xiaomi for system sync processes to work.If the phone is new, just skip the cleaning step, but make sure it's not full of system debris after unpacking.
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Before you start the transfer, remove the unnecessary duplicate apps on the new phone to avoid conflicts when syncing data.
An important point is to check accounts. If you use Google or Mi Account, make sure you remember the login passwords. Two-factor authentication may require access to a phone number or backup email, so make sure you have the option to get them.
Mi Mover Method: A Standard Solution for Xiaomi and Redmi
The most effective and quick way to transfer contacts from shaomi to shaomi redmi is to use the built-in Mi Mover application. This tool is designed specifically for the brand ecosystem and allows you to transfer not only the phone book, but also photos, applications and system settings. MIUI.
To get started, open the app on both devices. On the old smartphone, select the role of "Sender", and on the new Redmi - "Receiver". The system automatically creates a local Wi-Fi network for data transfer, which will provide high speed and will not consume your mobile traffic. The connection process takes only a few seconds.
☑️ Check before launching the Mi Mover
Once connected, the device interfaces synchronize, and you'll see a list of data categories to transfer. Select Contacts or System Data to transfer only the phone book, or mark all the items for a full migration. The transfer speed over Mi Mover is significantly higher than the Bluetooth speed, which is critical for a large amount of data.
During the transfer, do not switch between applications or block smartphone screens. Interrupting the connection can cause some records to fail or damage the address database.
What if Mi Miver doesn’t find the device?
Synchronization through Google Account
Google cloud storage is a versatile method that doesn't depend on the manufacturer's shell, ideal if you're planning to switch your phone again in the future, perhaps even to a different brand of device, all contacts are saved in the cloud and automatically uploaded when you log in.
On an older Xiaomi device, go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google. Make sure the switch opposite the Contacts item is activated. Click on Sync or Sync Now to force the data to the server.
On the new Redmi, when you first set up, type in the same email address. If your phone is already configured, just add your account to the settings menu. The system automatically prompts you to recover data from the cloud. Automatic synchronization will save any changes in real time in the future.
| Parameter | Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Speed. | Depends on the Internet. | Use Wi-Fi. |
| Data volume | No restrictions. | Up to 25,000 contacts |
| Security | High (encryption) | I need a password. |
| Duplicate | Automatic merger | Checking after sync |
It’s important to note that Google Contacts has a built-in error-correcting tool. If you notice duplicates after synchronization, go to the web version of contacts via your browser and use the “Combine and Correct” feature, which will help clear the list of duplicate entries that may have occurred during previous transfers.
Transfer through SIM-map: classical method
Although this method is considered outdated, it remains the only option if both phones do not have access to the Internet or are malfunctioning in network modules. SIM-The map is a physical medium, but the serious limitations of this format must be borne in mind.
Insert the method to implement SIM-Map to old Xiaomi. Go to the Contacts app, select the settings menu and click on Import/Export Contacts. Select Export to Export SIM-The system will warn you about the possible loss of some data, because the format SIM-card.
⚠️ Note: When exporting to SIM-The card will only be saved by names and numbers, and photos, email addresses, titles and additional numbers will be permanently lost.
After export, re-export SIM-card to the new Redmi. From the contact menu, select "Import with" SIM-"map" and specify the place of saving - it is better to choose an internal memory or Google account, rather than the SIM itself, so that you can edit it further.
Use of Bluetooth and VCF files
If wireless networks don't work, you can use Bluetooth technology to transfer a contact list file, and the good thing about this is that it creates a backup in.vcf (vCard) format that you can save to your computer or send to your messenger.
In the contacts app on your old device, click on the menu (three dots or bars) and select "Import/Export." Click "Export to Storage" or "Export to File.vcf." The system will create a file with all the contacts in internal memory. Find this file through Explorer, click on it and select the transfer method "Bluetooth".
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The.vcf file is a universal format that is supported by almost any smartphone and email service, making it a great option for backup.
On a Redmi receiving device, accept the file and open it. The system automatically prompts you to import the entries found into the phone book. The versatility of the format allows you to transfer contacts even to devices from other manufacturers, if you decide to move away from the Xiaomi ecosystem in the future.
Addressing problems and duplicates
After the transfer, users often face the problem of duplicate records, which occurs when contacts are stored simultaneously in the phone memory, in the Google account and in the Mi Cloud. To eliminate the chaos, open the Contacts app on the new device, go to the settings and find the "Duplicate Combination" option.
The system will automatically find the repeat numbers and combine them into a single card with a full set of information, which is the standard procedure for cleaning the database after the migration, and also check where the contacts are displayed: in the display settings, you can select the impression from a specific account only to filter out the excess.
⚠️ Note: If contact photos are lost after transfer, this is due to export format restrictions. Photos are restored only when fully synchronized through Mi Cloud or Google Account, but not when transmitted via the Mi Cloud or Google Account. SIM simple VCF file.
In some cases, you may need to manually resolve conflicts. If the system asks which record to leave, compare the data carefully. Often, one record has a current work number, and another one has a home address, which is also important. Manually checking critical contacts after automatic transfer will never be superfluous.