Changing your smartphone, especially the Xiaomi ecosystem, is always accompanied by a desire to start using the device as quickly as possible without losing important data. The most critical information for most users is the phone book, and losing numbers can be a serious problem. Fortunately, modern technologies and the shell of MIUI or HyperOS offer many effective tools for data migration.
In this article, we will take a look at all the current methods of transferring a phone book, from cloud services to local file transfers, learn how to avoid duplication of records, how to properly configure synchronization and what nuances exist when you move from an iPhone or older versions of Android.
Data recovery has become much easier in recent years, but requires attention to detail. Backup is a security foundation that can never be ignored, and we'll look at both standard system tools and third-party utilities to address this.
⚠️ Before you start any data manipulation, make sure that both devices have at least 50% battery charge so that the process does not stop in the middle.
Using a Google account to sync
The most reliable and standard way for Android smartphone owners is to use Google Contacts cloud storage. If your previous phone was running Android, chances are your numbers are already stored in the cloud. You don't have to export anything manually, just log in.
On the new Xiaomi device, when you first activate, the system will prompt you to log in to your Google account. If you missed this step, go to the Settings → Accounts and Sync menu. Add your account and make sure that the slider opposite the Contacts item is activated. The system automatically pulls up all saved numbers.
The good thing about this method is that it doesn't require both devices to be side by side at one time, you can prepare a new phone in advance by logging in to your account through your computer or any other device, and it's in the background and doesn't consume a lot of traffic.
However, you should be careful if there are duplicates, if the contacts on the old phone were stored in memory. SIM-card, and in the phone memory, when synchronized, copies may appear. MIUI It has a built-in tool for combining them, which we will talk about below.
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Syncing through Google is the fastest way if the old device was enabled automatic upload contacts to the cloud.
Mi Mover app: local data transfer
The official Mi Mover app is a powerful tool designed specifically for migrating to Xiaomi devices, which allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also photos, applications and system settings. It does not need the Internet to work, since it creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices.
Install the app on both smartphones. On a new Xiaomi device, it's often pre-installed in the Tools folder. Launch the program, select the role of the device: "I send" on the old phone and "I am the recipient" on the new one. Scan. QR-pairing.
Once connected, select Contacts from the data transfer list, you can select specific groups or migrate the entire phone book, and the speed depends on the amount of data, but it usually takes only a few minutes for a few thousand numbers.
- 📱 Supports transfer with Android 4.0+ and iOS (through a special application).
- 🔒 Data is transmitted over the local network without leaving the limits of your devices.
- 🔄 Automatically converts contact formats for compatibility with MIUI.
☑️ Check before launching the Mi Mover
Transfer via Bluetooth and VCF-file
The classic method that helps when you don't have access to the Internet or cloud services, which is to export contacts to a VCF file and then transfer them, and it's universal and works with almost any phone model, including a button.
On the old device, open the Contacts app, click on the menu (three dots or bars) and select Import/Export. Click Export to Storage. The system will create a contacts.vcf file in the phone's memory. This file can be transferred via Bluetooth, ShareMe or instant messengers.
Once you have a file on Xiaomi, just click on it. The system automatically recognizes the format and suggests importing the records, and you can choose which account to save the data to: Google, Mi Cloud or device memory.
⚠️ Note: When importing large VCF-file (more than) 2000 contact process may take up to 5-10 Do not close the "Contact" app during processing.
What happens if the VCF file is not opened?
Synchronization with Mi Cloud
Xiaomi’s ecosystem offers its own cloud service, Mi Cloud, which is a great alternative to Google’s services, especially for users who want to have a full backup in MIUI format.
To use this method, log in to your Mi Account on both devices. On your old phone (if it's also Xiaomi), enable contact sync in the cloud settings. On the new device, just log in to the same account and the phone book will appear automatically.
The advantage of this method is that it's very integrated with the system. Mi Cloud not only stores numbers, but also your call history, messages, and even your desktop icons, and it allows you to recreate an exact replica of the old interface on a new gadget.
| Parameter | Google Contacts | Mi Cloud | Local file (VCF) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet is required | Yes. | Yes. | No. |
| Speed of operation | Tall. | Medium | Depends on Bluetooth. |
| Risk of data loss | Minimum | Minimum | Medium (physical file) |
| Support for photo contacts | Complete. | Complete. | Partial |
Switching from iPhone to Xiaomi
The transition from iOS to Android is often a concern for users regarding data loss. However, Xiaomi has a special mode for Apple users. The Mi Mover app has a separate option for iPhone devices.
The process requires installing the “Move to iOS” app (or similar one from Xiaomi in the App Store) on an iPhone. Once you create a Wi-Fi connection, you can transfer contacts, calendar and photos. It is important to note that apps and passwords will not be able to move due to differences in the architecture of the OS.
Alternatively, go to iCloud.com from your computer, select Contacts, select everything (Ctrl+A) and export in vCard. The resulting file is then imported into your Google account or into your Xiaomi phone.
When transferring from iPhone, there is often a problem with formatting names. In iOS, it is customary to write the name in full, and in Android, fields can split. After importing, it is recommended to check several records and use the editing function if necessary.
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If you switched from an iPhone, be sure to turn off iMessage on your old device before retrieving it. SIM-Cards, otherwise you may stop receiving them. SMS new phone.
Cleaning and combining duplicates
After transferring contacts from different sources (e.g., part came from SIM, part from Google, part from VCF) there is often chaos of duplicates. The same person can be recorded three times with different numbers or name variations. MIUI has a built-in mechanism to deal with this.
Open the Contacts app, click on the profile avatar or three dots in the corner, and select "Duplicate Cleanup." The system will suggest combining similar entries, and you can do this automatically or manually check each group.
It's also useful to sort contacts by source, so you can select to only show contacts from your Google account in the display menu, hiding local copies, and that will help keep your phone book clean in the future.
- 🧹 Check the duplicate list regularly after each major import.
- 📂 Keep all contacts in one source (cloud) rather than in your phone’s memory.
- 📝 Use a single name recording format to make it easier to search.
⚠️ Attention: Automatic unification may mistakenly associate different people with the same names if they have the same numbers or addresses.