Changing a smartphone is always stressful, not so much with getting used to a new shell, but with the risk of losing important data. For owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices, this process can seem confusing due to the features of the MIUI and HyperOS shell. However, modern methods allow you to save all the phone book entries in literally a few touches without losing a single number.
Before you start taking action, you need to understand where exactly your numbers are physically stored at the moment, and often users do not even realize that their contacts have long been synchronized with the cloud, or, conversely, lie dead weight on the old one. SIM-Data localization is the first and most important step that will determine the choice of the method of transferring data.
In this article, we will take a look at all the possible migration methods, from using Xiaomi branded tools to classic Google methods, learn how to avoid duplicates, what to do if numbers are lost after an update, and how to properly configure automatic saving in the future.
Analysis of current contact vault
Before you start the copying process, you should check where the new numbers are written by default. In modern versions of Android and its shells, accounts are given priority over the internal memory of the device. To check this, open the Contacts app and go to the display settings.
Go to the settings menu and look for Contact Display or Contact Filter. Here you will see a list of all available sources: SIM-Map, internal phone storage, Google Account and Mi Account. If you only see numbers when you select "Phone," they are not protected from loss when you drop or break.
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Before starting any operations, make a manual backup by exporting contacts to the.vcf file, even if you plan to use cloud sync.
It is important to distinguish between the terms "saved on" SIM" and "saved in the account". SIM-The card has a very limited amount of memory and often crops long names or does not save additional numbers (work, fax) for a single record.
- 📱 SIM-card: suitable only for base numbers, risk of data loss when replacing the card.
- ☁️ Google Account: Ideal for users who change devices frequently or use the Android ecosystem.
- 🌾 Mi Account: The Best Choice for Those Who Are Completely Immersed in Xiaomi’s Ecosystem and Use the Brand’s Cloud Services.
- 📂 Local Storage: The least reliable option, data will disappear when reset to factory settings.
Using the Mi Mover app for quick migration
The fastest and most efficient way to transfer data from an old phone (whether it’s Android or iPhone) to a new Xiaomi is to use the Mi Mover app, which is designed specifically for migration between devices and can transfer not only contacts, but also call history, SMS, photos and even Wi-Fi settings.
Run the Mi Mover app on both devices. On the new Xiaomi phone, select Recipient and on the old one, Sender. The app will create a Wi-Fi hotspot that you need to connect to. The data transfer process is done over a local channel, so the speed will be high and Internet traffic will not be consumed.
☑️ Check before launching the Mi Mover
After connecting, select Contacts category from the data transfer list. You can deselect from photos or apps if you only need numbers. Note that when transferring from an iPhone (iOS), you may need to verify trust on the screen of the old device.
⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the transmission process or turn off the phone screens until the end of the communication. Interrupting communication during the copying phase of the contact database can cause damage to the phone book file and the appearance of "broken" records.
The advantage of Mi Mover is that it can automatically detect duplicates, and if you've already synced some numbers with Google, the app will offer you to combine entries rather than create copies of them, which helps keep the phone book in order immediately after you first turn on.
Synchronization through Google Account
The classic method that remains the most reliable for Android users is that the contact database is stored on Google servers and automatically uploaded to any phone that logs in to your account, making it as easy as possible to change devices.
On your old phone, make sure that sync is enabled. Go to Settings → AkkaAccounts and Sync → Google. Make sure the switch opposite Contact is activated. If you see an update icon or the latest sync time, "just," then all numbers are uploaded to the cloud.
| Parameter | Default value | Recommended value | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoloading photo | Included. | On (via Wi-Fi) | Saving traffic |
| Synchronization interval | Automatically. | Automatically. | Better not change. |
| Retention of new numbers | Phone. | Google (Gmail) | Critical! |
| Clearing out takes | Manually. | Automatically. | Through a contact site |
On the new Xiaomi, just add the same Google account when you set up or through Settings → Accounts and Sync → Add an account. The system itself will offer to restore data from a Google backup, which includes contacts. The process can take from 1 to 10 minutes depending on the number of records.
What if the contacts did not appear immediately?
Contact management is conveniently done through the web interface contacts.google.com. There you can massively delete duplicates, restore deleted records (the archive is stored for 30 days) and distribute numbers into groups. All changes will instantly affect the Xiaomi phone with the Internet.
Transfer over Mi Cloud (Mi Cloud)
Xiaomi device owners have access to their own cloud service, Mi Cloud, which is deeply integrated into the system. It is a Google alternative that often operates more stable in regions with unstable connections to Google servers. Free storage is 5 GB, which is more than enough for thousands of contacts and notes.
To activate the function, log into your Mi Account through the settings menu. Go to Mi Cloud and find Contacts. Activate Sync. The system will offer to combine local contacts with cloud contacts - agree if you are sure that the cloud does not have old unnecessary data.
The Mi Cloud is a feature that allows you to restore contacts even to devices of other brands, if you install the Mi Cloud app or log in through a browser, but on Xiaomi this process is native: when you log in on a new phone, all numbers will automatically pull up in the background.
- 🔄 Two-way communication: changing a phone number changes it in the cloud and vice versa.
- 🛡️ Security: Data protected by Mi Account password and two-factor authentication.
- 📉 Memory Saving: Clear Local Contacts allows you to store numbers only in the cloud, freeing up space.
⚠️ Note: When using the Clean Local Contacts function, make sure that the sync is successful. If you delete the local copy before you complete the upload to the cloud, the data will be lost irretrievably.
An important advantage is the ability to restore remote contacts through the i.mi.com website. SIM-The cloud stores the history of changes, which allows you to roll back to the state of the phone book a week or a month ago.
Manual import and export via VCF file
If you don’t have access to the Internet or prefer to store data locally, use the method of manual export to a.vcf (vCard) file. This universal format is supported by all smartphones and email clients.
Open the Contacts app, click on the menu (three dots or hamburger menu) and select Import/Export contacts. Click Export to storage. The system will create a file (usually called 00001.vcf or similar) in the phone's memory. This file can be transferred via Bluetooth, Mi Share, messengers or copied to a computer.
On the new device, the process is reversed: put a.vcf file in the phone's memory and open it. The system automatically recognizes the format and prompts you to import records. Choose an account where you want to save numbers (better Google or Mi, so you don't lose them again).
This is a good way to create a physical copy of your phone book that you can store on a flash drive or hard drive, and it's the only way to ensure that your data is safe even if you completely lock your accounts or shut down your servers.
Solution: duplicates and missing numbers
A common problem after transfer is the appearance of duplicates, which occurs when the same contact is maintained and on the other hand. SIM-map, and in the phone's memory, and in Google. Xiaomi has a built-in tool to solve this problem. → Clearing duplicate contacts.
The system will analyze the database and suggest combining the records with the same names or numbers. Be careful: when automatically combining, some information may be lost (for example, only the home number will remain, and the work will disappear), so it is better to check the critical contacts manually.
If contacts are lost after a firmware update or reset, don't panic. Chances are the new device just doesn't have the right display filter. Go to the display settings and make sure that the checkmark is in front of the account you want (Google or Mi) and not just the phone.
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Regularly checking display filters and enabled synchronization is the best prevention of number loss when updating the system.
In rare cases, when contacts are “broken” (squares are displayed instead of letters), the problem lies in the encoding when transferring from push-button phones or older iOS, in which case only manually rewriting problematic contacts or using third-party vCard editor apps to fix file encoding before importing will help.