Changing your smartphone is always accompanied by a desire to start using a new device as soon as possible, and the first step in this process is to transfer personal information. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices often face the need to migrate data from Android smartphones from other manufacturers or older models of the same brand. The process of copying the phone book is a critical element, since losing numbers can lead to serious inconvenience in communication and work.
Fortunately, the current MIUI and HyperOS ecosystem offers many built-in tools to automate this task without using third-party applications. You don’t have to manually interrupt hundreds of records, since the system allows you to import data in just a few touches of the screen. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, from cloud synchronization to direct cable connection, so you can choose the most convenient option for you.
Before you start, make sure both devices are sufficiently charged and your internet connection is stable if you plan to use cloud services. Backing up data before any manipulation is the golden rule that will keep you from accidentally losing important information in the event of a crash.
Syncing with a Google account: the most reliable method
The most versatile and time-tested way to transfer contacts is to use Google Contacts cloud storage, which is ideal for switching from any Android smartphone to Xiaomi, since it does not require installing additional software and works even when changing the device brand. The essence of the method is that your phone book is not stored on the device, but is tied to the account, which allows you to instantly update it on any gadget.
To start working on an old phone, you need to go to the settings and find the Accounts or Users and Accounts section. Here you should select your Google account and make sure that the switch opposite the Contacts item is activated. Once sync is enabled, the system will automatically upload all the numbers to the cloud, and you can check for them by going to.google.com from your computer.
On the new Xiaomi smartphone, the process is even easier: when you first turn on or in the settings menu, you need to log into the same Google account. Once the device connects to the network, it will automatically pull up all the saved numbers. If this does not happen immediately, you can speed the process by going to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google and clicking the sync button.
⚠️ Note: Make sure that your old phone has your contacts stored in your Google account, not in your device memory or on your phone. SIM-map, otherwise the synchronization will not work correctly.
The main advantage of this approach is the ability to manage contacts through a web interface, where it is convenient to delete duplicates and edit information from a large keyboard. Two-way synchronization ensures that any change you make on a new phone will affect the cloud and other devices.
Using the Mi Mover application for direct transmission
The proprietary utility Mi Mover (or “Mi Moving”) is a specialized tool from Xiaomi, created specifically for the rapid migration of data between smartphones. The application works on the principle of creating a local Wi-Fi network between two devices, which allows you to transfer large amounts of data, including contacts, photos, applications and system settings, at high speed without using Internet traffic.
To start the port, install the Mi Mover app on both devices. On Xiaomi phones, it is often already built into the system and is located in the Tools folder or in the About Phone settings section. When you start on a new smartphone, you need to select the Recipient role, and on the old one, you need to select the Sender. Devices will find each other, and after confirming the connection on the screen will appear QR-scan.
Once you've established the connection, the system will suggest you choose the types of data to transfer, and in addition to contacts, you can flip messages, call logs, media, even desktop icons, the transfer process is controlled by the progress bar, and interruption of communication usually does not lead to data loss — the operation can continue.
☑️ Preparation for transmission via Mi Mover
Importantly, when you transfer contacts through Mi Mover, they are stored in the local memory of the new device or in the default account, and local storage is convenient because the data is available even without the Internet, but requires special attention to creating backups in the future.
What if the Mi Mover can’t see the device?
Transfer of contacts from SIM-card
Although this method is considered obsolete due to the limited amount of SIM card memory and the lack of the ability to save additional fields (such as email or addresses), it remains relevant for very old phones or button models. SIM-The card allows you to transfer base numbers and names, but often cuts long names and does not support Cyrillic in some older formats.
The process of importing on Xiaomi is as follows: insert SIM-Open the standard Contacts app, click on the three dots in the corner of the screen or the menu button and select Import/Export Contacts. In the window that appears, select the source Import from SIM-Maps" and specify a save location, such as a "Phone" or Google account.
The system will suggest you select all the contacts or mark only the ones you need, and once confirmed, you will start the copying process, which will take only a few seconds for even a few hundred numbers. SIM-map and check if all records are displayed correctly, without distortion of symbols.
| Parameter | SIM-map | Google Account | VCF file |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transfer speed | Medium | High (depending on the network) | Instant. |
| Photo preservation | No. | Yes. | Yes. |
| Additional fields (Email) | No. | Yes. | Yes. |
| Risk of loss | High (physical wear and tear) | Low. | Medium (file needed) |
Using a SIM card is only advisable if other methods are not available or the old phone does not support modern data protocols. For modern smartphones Redmi and Poco is the least recommended option because of the risk of losing some information.
Import and export via VCF file
VCF (vCard) is a universal standard for storing contact information that is supported by almost all operating systems and email clients, ideal for manually transferring a phone book when cloud services are not available or contacts need to be moved selectively.
On the old device, you need to open the contact app, go to the control menu and select "Contact Export"; the system will offer to save the file in the memory of the device. After creating a file with the.vcf extension, it must be transferred to the new Xiaomi in any convenient way: via Bluetooth, messenger (Telegram, WhatsApp), email or USB-cable.
Once you have a file on a new smartphone, just open it. The system automatically recognizes the format and suggests importing the records it contains. You can choose which account or storage to add numbers to, and the good thing about this is that you can save the file on your computer as an archive copy in case you lose your phone.
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When exporting to VCF, select the All Contacts option to avoid losing hidden or rarely used numbers that may have been filtered out in the current view.
The feature of working with VCF files on MIUI is the ability to batch import. If you have multiple files from different family members or old phones, you can consistently open them all, and the system will combine the records into a single database, although in some cases, you may need to manually delete duplicates.
Synchronization with Mi Cloud
Xiaomi device owners have access to their own cloud service, Mi Cloud, which is deeply integrated into the system shell, which is especially convenient if you move from the old Xiaomi to the new one, as it allows you to restore not only contacts, but also system settings, notes and voice recordings in the form in which you left them.
To activate the function, log into your Mi Account via Settings → Mi Account. In the “Sync” section, make sure that the Contacts switch is on. On the new device, just log in to the same account and the phone book will automatically fill up with data from the cloud. Free storage is 5 GB, which is enough for thousands of contacts and photos.
A unique feature of Mi Cloud is the ability to restore remote contacts within 30 days through the service’s web interface, and if you accidentally delete an important number or cleared the entire book, you can go to i.mi.com, go to the contacts section and restore the previous version.
⚠️ Note: When you sign in to a Mi Account on a new device, you may need to confirm via SMS The old room, so do not rush to take the old one SIM-recycling-card.
Using Xiaomi’s native cloud also allows you to synchronize blacklists and spam lock settings, making the transition to a new phone even more comfortable as protection from unwanted subscribers will move with you.
Solving duplicate problems and combining records
Often after transferring contacts from different sources (for example, simultaneously with the SIM-Users face the problem of duplicate records. The phone book may appear two identical numbers with different names or one contact with several numbers, which makes it difficult to search. MIUI Provides built-in tools for cleaning the database.
To eliminate confusion, open the Contacts app, go to settings, and find “Combine duplicate contacts.” The system will analyze and suggest that records with the same phone numbers be automatically merged. This is a secure operation that stores all unique data (photo, email) in one card.
In more complex cases, when automatic unification fails, you can use the Contact Management feature in the Google Contacts web version, and there is a powerful Find and Combine tool available that uses algorithms to identify similar names and numbers, allowing you to manually confirm a merger.
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Regular cleaning of duplicates after data migration improves the speed of the phone book and makes it easier to find the right subscriber.
If duplicates appeared due to the fact that contacts were saved both in the memory of the phone and in the Google account, it is recommended to select the source “Google Only” or “Phone Only” in the contact display settings to visually hide unnecessary entries, and then export to one file and import clean.