How to transfer contacts to Xiaomi phone: all ways

Replacing an old smartphone with a new Xiaomi or Redmi brand model is always accompanied by a desire to start using the device as soon as possible. However, the first and most critical barrier for the user is not setting up the interface or installing applications, but saving a personal phone book. Losing important numbers can be a serious problem, especially if there are work contacts or emergency services data. Fortunately, the Android ecosystem, on which MIUI and HyperOS operate, offers many flexible tools for data migration.

Depending on the source of the data (old Android, iPhone or just the same). SIM-map) and the status of the new device, you can choose the most suitable method. Modern cloud technologies make this process almost invisible, but for those who prefer local storage or do not have fast Internet, there are time-tested ways through export files. In this article, we will take a detailed look at each of the options available so you can be guaranteed to keep your phone book.

Preparation for data transfer and verification of sources

Before you start copying directly, you need to evaluate the amount of information and choose the right tool. If you move from another Android smartphone, the process will be as simple as possible thanks to the synchronization of accounts. iPhone or button phones will have to use intermediate file formats or special applications. Make sure that both devices are charged at least 50% so that a sudden power outage does not interrupt the process of writing data into memory.

Special attention should be paid to the status of the contacts themselves on the old device. Often, the numbers are not stored in a single list, but are scattered across different sources: part on the SIM card, part in the phone’s memory, and another in the email service account. For a successful transfer to Xiaomi, the best thing to do is to first combine them in one place, which will eliminate duplication of records and confusion in the future.

Also check for free space. Although text data takes up minimal space, transferring through backups or clone applications may require memory for temporary files. If you plan to use cloud services, make sure that the Internet connection is stable, as it can take time to download large amounts of data at low network speeds.

Syncing with a Google account: the most reliable method

The most preferred and modern way to migrate is to use Google cloud storage, which ensures that your contacts are saved even in the event of physical loss or breakage of the device. To start working on an old phone, you need to enter the settings and find the Accounts and Sync section, and make sure that the switch opposite the Contacts item is activated.

Once synchronization is enabled, the data will automatically be uploaded to the corporation’s servers. On the new Xiaomi smartphone, it is easy to log into the same Google account when you first set up the system. Auto boot will occur in the background, and in a few minutes the phonebook will be fully available in the standard Contacts app.

If automatic sync doesn’t work, you can force it to start. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google and click the update button.

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Check sync status regularly in your Google account settings to make sure new numbers are saved in the cloud, not just in your phone’s memory.

Using the Mi Mover app to transition to Android

For users who change from one Android smartphone to another, Xiaomi has developed a specialized application Mi Mover. It is pre-installed on all devices of the brand and allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also photos, messages and Wi-Fi settings over a local communication channel, which eliminates the need for Internet use and speeds up the process at times.

Run the app on both devices. On the new phone, select Receiver and on the old phone, Sender. QR-If you want to code the devices together, you'll be asked to select the types of data you want to transmit. Make sure you tick the "Contacts" box so that the system knows what to clone.

Transfer speeds depend on the number of records and the specifications of the devices. During the process, do not break the connection or switch to other applications, as this can lead to an error in the transfer of data packets. Once completed, you will receive a full report on the number of successfully transferred records.

Transfer contacts from iPhone to Xiaomi

Apple owners also don’t have to worry about losing data when they switch to Android. While direct synchronization of iCloud with MIUI is impossible without intermediaries, there are several effective workarounds. The easiest one is to use the Move to iOS app in the opposite direction, but Xiaomi’s best approach is exporting through iCloud in the browser or using the same Mi Mover if the iPhone has its version installed.

An alternative and very reliable way is to export via the iCloud web interface. Go from your computer or phone to iCloud.com, log in and go to the contacts section. Once you have all the entries, select the export function and save the file in vCard (.vcf) format. This file then just needs to be transferred to Xiaomi and opened.

Another option is to install the Move to iOS app on iPhone and similar software on Xiaomi, although Apple’s official app only works one way (on iOS), so third-party utilities like Copy My Data are often used for cross-platform porting, which require both phones to connect to the same Wi-Fi network.

⚠️ Note: When transferring from iPhone, make sure that numbers are not broken down into groups that may not show correctly in your Android phone book, and check the formatting of international codes.

Import and export through VCF-file

The universal language for exchanging contacts is vCard (extension.vcf). This method is ideal if you don't have access to the Internet or want to make a local backup on your computer. On an old phone, open the contact app, click on the menu (three dots or strips) and select "Import/Export".

In the menu that opens, select Export to Device Memory or Export to Storage. The system will create a file that is usually called contacts.vcf or has a name with a date of creation. This file can be found in the file manager in the download folder or root directory.

Transfer the received file to the new Xiaomi in any convenient way: via Bluetooth, instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), email or USB-On the new device, just tap-note on the file, and the system will suggest importing the entries contained in it into a phone book or Google account.

The advantage of this method is that it's completely independent of servers and accounts, and you get a physical file that you can store for years on a USB stick or hard drive, and this is especially true for corporate phones or devices that aren't tied to an employee's personal email.

Copying data with SIM-map

Despite the development of technology, many users still keep numbers on the Internet. SIM-This is convenient for frequent phone changes, but has limitations, such as the inability to save long names or multiple numbers for a single contact. To transfer this data to Xiaomi, insert the SIM card into the new device.

After you register, go to the Contacts app. Click on the settings menu or select "Import/Export Contacts"SIM-map" and choose "Phone" or "Google" as your destination. The system automatically reads all available records and prompts you to confirm the operation.

After successful import, it is recommended to remove contacts from the SIM card to avoid confusion, leaving them only in the device memory or the cloud, which will make working with the phone book more comfortable and functional.

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Keeping contacts on SIM-Maps are considered obsolete due to the technical limitations of the format, so immediately after transferring them to the Google cloud.

Recovery from Mi Cloud backup

If you’ve used Xiaomi smartphones before, your contacts could be automatically saved to the Mi Cloud service.This is a native Google alternative, deeply integrated into the MIUI shell. To check, log in to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud and make sure that the contacts sync has been enabled.

To recover data on a new device, you just need to log into your Mi Account. The system will offer to restore data from the last backup, which is especially convenient because it stores not only numbers, but also the history of calls, as well as blocking unwanted subscribers, if the corresponding function was used.

It is important to note that the amount of free storage in the Mi Cloud is limited (usually 5 GB), but for text contact data this is more than enough for many years.

⚠️ Note: When recovering from Mi Cloud, duplicate records may occur if the device already has contacts with the same numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)