Changing a mobile device is always accompanied by a mild stress associated with the risk of losing important data. Contacts are the most valuable asset to keep when switching to a new gadget from Xiaomi. Fortunately, modern operating systems and proprietary utilities of the Chinese manufacturer offer many convenient tools for data migration.
In this article, we will take a look at all the current ways to transfer a phone book, learn how to use cloud services, direct connection between devices and even the good old-fashioned ones. SIM-The choice of method depends on which smartphone you are going from and how large the volume of your database.
Using the Mi Mover application for direct transmission
The fastest and most reliable way to transfer numbers from your phone to your Xiaomi phone is to use the Mi Mover app, which is built into the MIUI and HyperOS shell, but is also available for installation on devices of other brands. The program creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices, which ensures high speed transfer without using Internet traffic.
The synchronization process starts with running the app on both devices. On the new Xiaomi smartphone, select the Receiver role, and on the old one, the Sender. QR-The system will ask you to select the types of data to copy, or to connect to a password, and the Mi Mover app can transfer not only contacts, but also call history, SMS, Photos and even installed apps along with their data.
☑️ Preparation for transfer via Mi Mover
It is important that the screens of both smartphones are turned on during the process. If you carry thousands of contacts, the procedure can take several minutes. Do not interrupt the connection and keep the devices close to each other so that the Wi-Fi Direct signal does not weaken.
⚠️ Note: When transmitting via Mi Mover, make sure that the receiving device has enough free memory. Although the contacts take up little space, simultaneous transfer of media files can overflow the storage.
Synchronization through Google account
Google’s ecosystem is the standard for Android, providing seamless synchronization between devices, and if your numbers are saved in a Google account, the entire phone book will automatically be loaded into the device’s memory when you sign in on the new Xiaomi, the cleanest method that doesn’t require any additional software.
To implement this method on your old phone, you need to check your sync settings. Go to the settings menu, find the Accounts section and select your Google profile. Make sure the switch opposite Contacts is activated and you start syncing immediately, and then the data is guaranteed to be sent to the cloud.
On the new Xiaomi device, you just need to add the same Google account when you first set up or through the Users and Accounts menu, and the system will prompt you to restore data from the backup, and you can choose which data to copy, including phone numbers, calendar events and notes, during the setup process.
What to do if no contacts appear?
Transfer contacts from iPhone to Xiaomi
iPhone owners who choose to switch to Xiaomi will have to consider the features of iOS. Direct transmission via Bluetooth does not work here due to Apple’s limitations, but the Mi Mover app has an iOS version that greatly simplifies the task.
The first option is to use iCloud. You need to export your iPhone contacts to.vcf through the iCloud.com web version on your computer, and then import the file to Xiaomi. The second, simpler option is to install the Google Contacts app on your iPhone and allow it to sync with your Google account.
- 🍎 Install the “Mi Mover” app from the App Store on your iPhone.
- 📲 Launch the app on Xiaomi and select “I am the sender» → «iPhone».
- 🔗 Follow the instructions for connecting via Wi-Fi.
- ✅ Select “Contacts” and click “Send».
When migrating from iOS, there are often problems with name formats or duplicates. Once the migration is complete, it is recommended to check the record of each contact to make sure that the numbers are displayed correctly and have the correct international format.
Import and export via VCF file
The universal format for storing contact information is VCF (vCard), which contains all the fields of the contact card: name, number, email, address and photo, the method is ideal if you do not have access to the Internet or want to make a local backup before any manipulation of the system.
To create such a file on an old device, open the Contacts app, go to the settings or management menu. Select the Import/Export option and click Export to Device Memory or Export to File.vcf. The file will be saved in the root folder or Downloads directory.
The path to the file is usually /storage/emulated/0/Contacts/contacts.vcf.The resulting file must be transferred to the new Xiaomi, which can be done via Bluetooth, messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), or simply by copying it to a computer and then to a phone. On the target device, you just open the file through the file manager, and the system automatically prompts you to import the found entries into the phone book.
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Keep the VCF file not only in your phone’s memory, but also send it to your email or cloud storage, which will create an additional recovery point in case your device is lost.
Copying with SIM-map
This method is considered obsolete due to limited functionality. SIM-It remains the only working option for transferring numbers from push-button phones or very old smartphones, the main limitation is that only the name and number are saved on the card, without additional fields.
The process starts with importing data on the old device, if it's stored in the phone's memory, rather than on the card itself. SIM, Just insert a card into the new Xiaomi. After you download the system, open the Contact app, go to the settings and select Import/Export» → «Import with SIM-map».
The system will suggest you choose an account to which the data will be stored. The best way to choose your Google account is to not depend on a physical card in the future. If you choose Phone, contacts will be linked only to that particular device.
⚠️ Attention: SIM-The card has a limit on the number of characters in the contact name (usually up to 20 characters) and often crops long names.
Comparison of methods and elimination of problems
Each of these approaches has its advantages depending on the situation. Mi Mover is the best way to migrate from Android to Android. For regular backups and transitions between different ecosystems (iOS/Android), Google is the ideal account..vcf files are good for one-time transfers of large amounts of data without the Internet.
Below is a table to help you choose the best method for your situation:
| Method | Speed. | Internet is required | Saves a photo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover | Tall. | No (local Wi-Fi) | Yes. |
| Google Account | Medium | Yes. | Yes. |
| VCF file | Tall. | No. | Yes. |
| SIM-map | Low. | No. | No. |
If there are any errors during the transfer, try restarting both devices. Often, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct visibility problems are solved by simply restarting network modules. Also, make sure both devices have the latest security updates installed.
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The golden rule of migration is to always back up your contacts to the cloud (Google or Mi Cloud) before any active migration action is initiated.