How to transfer contacts to Xiaomi Redmi 9: the full guide

Changing your smartphone often comes with the inevitable headache of having to move personal information. Redmi 9, a popular budget device, has powerful tools for data migration that many users simply ignore. The process of restoring a phone book can take anywhere from a couple of minutes to several hours if approached randomly.

There are several proven methods, each one suited to a specific situation. You can use cloud services, you can use physical services. SIM-Map or local file copying, and the right way to do it depends on which device you're switching to Xiaomi and whether you have Internet access.

In this article, we will take a look at all the options available so you can choose the most convenient. We will look at both standard Android tools and proprietary MIUI utilities. Proper data organization now will save you from losing important numbers in the future.

⚠️ Before you start any manipulation of contacts, make sure that the device has enough free memory, as some methods create temporary copies of files.

Importing through Google Account: The Most Reliable Method

The most effective way to recover data is to use Google cloud storage. If you have previously used an Android smartphone, your numbers are likely already stored in the cloud. To activate this process on Redmi 9, you need to log into the same account that was used on the old device.

Once you log in, the system will automatically prompt you to sync your data, if you don't, you'll need to manually start the process. Go to Settings, find Accounts and Sync, and select the Google profile you want, and make sure that the switch opposite the Contacts item is active.

Synchronization can take some time depending on the number of records and the speed of the Internet connection. In the background, Android will load all numbers, photos and additional fields. This is the most secure method, since the data is not tied to a physical medium.

It is important to understand that contacts stored locally in the memory of the old phone without linking to the account will not be automatically transferred, in which case you will need to export them first on the old device. Using the Google cloud ensures that if you lose or break Redmi 9, you can easily restore the number base on any other gadget.

Using the Mi Mover app to transition to Android

For Android smartphone owners, Xiaomi has developed a special application called Mi Mover, which allows you to transfer data over Wi-Fi Direct without using the Internet and consuming mobile traffic, while transferring speeds are much faster than using Bluetooth or the cloud.

To get started, install the app on both devices. On Redmi 9, it's often pre-installed in the Tools folder. Launch the program and select the role of the device: "I send" on the old phone and "I accept" on the new one. Then scan. QR-The code that appeared on the Redmi 9 screen.

Once you have established the connection, select Contacts from the data transfer list, you can select specific groups or transfer the entire phone book, and the copying process is fast and does not interrupt when incoming calls.

The unique feature of the Mi Mover is the ability to port not only numbers, but also the history of calls, messages and even desktop layout. This makes the transition to Redmi 9 as comfortable as possible, as the new system becomes almost a complete copy of the old one.

Transfer contacts from iPhone to Xiaomi Redmi 9

iPhone owners also don’t have to worry about losing data when they switch to Android, the Mi Mover app is available on the App Store and supports iOS contact transfer, but it requires some pre-preparedness on an Apple device.

First, make sure that the contacts on the iPhone are synchronized with iCloud or stored in the device memory. When you start Mi Mover on the iPhone, you will need to enter a password from the Wi-Fi network to which Redmi 9 is connected, or scan the code. iOS can request confirmation of trust in the new device.

Select Contacts from the transfer menu. Please note that some specific fields specific to iOS may be cropped or converted to the standard vCard format. Contact photos may not be shared on all versions of iOS.

⚠️ Note: When transferring from iPhone via Mi Mover, iMessage and call history is not portable due to Apple's security restrictions.

An alternative method for Apple users is to export contacts via iCloud settings. Go to iCloud.com from your computer, select Contacts, select all records (Ctrl+A) and export them in vCard format. The resulting file can be transferred to Redmi 9 and opened for import.

Copying contacts with SIM-map

This method is considered “classic” and is suitable for switching from button phones or smartphones without cloud services. SIM-The card has a limited amount of memory, so it often only saves the number and name, ignoring additional fields.

Put it in. SIM-card to Redmi 9 slot. Open the Contacts app and go to the settings (three dots or gears). Find Import/Export Contacts and select Import with SIM-The system will prompt you to select an account where the data will be stored.

It is recommended to save numbers directly to your Google account or phone memory, but do not leave them on your phone. SIM-This will provide better readability and avatars. After copying, be sure to check the list, as long names may have been cropped.

If SIM-The card has many numbers, the import process can take several minutes. Do not remove the card until the operation is completed. In case of an error, repeat the attempt by clearing the cache of the Contacts application».

Manual import and export via.vcf file

The universal way that works on almost all phones is to create a backup file..vcf (vCard) format is supported by all modern OS. You can create such a file on any device and transfer it to Redmi 9 via Bluetooth, USB or messenger.

On the old device, in your contact settings, select Export to.vcf. Save the file in a convenient location. Pass it to your new phone. Once you receive the file, just click on it, and the system will automatically prompt you to import the data it contains.

This method is convenient because it creates a physical copy of your phone book that you can store on a flash drive or computer, which is a great insurance policy in case of account problems. You can edit the file on your computer, removing duplicates before downloading to Xiaomi.

Synchronization with Mi Account

Xiaomi’s ecosystem offers its own cloud service that can duplicate or replace Google synchronization.Mi Account is required to work. This is especially useful if you plan to use other devices of the brand.

Go to Settings → Mi Account. Enable contact sync. If you’ve used Xiaomi before, your data will automatically pull up. The cloud interface allows you to manage contacts via the web version of i.mi.com.

The advantage of the method is deep integration with the MIUI shell. You can quickly restore deleted numbers through a cart in the cloud that stores data for up to 30 days. This is convenient if you accidentally deleted an important contact and cleared the shopping cart on your phone.

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Periodically check the Recycle Bin section in the Mi Account cloud, where remote contacts can be stored, which can be restored with a single click.

It's worth noting that when Google and Mi Account sync together, duplicates can occur. Android can usually combine them, but it's better to keep track of them. Contacts has a "Joint Duplicates" feature that automatically finds and merges duplicate entries.

Resolving problems and frequently asked questions

Users may encounter various difficulties in the transfer process, most often with the formatting of names or the absence of a part of fields. If after importing you see "crackers" instead of letters, change the encoding of the file when exporting to UTF-8.

Sometimes contacts may not show up right away. In this case, check the display settings in the Contacts app. Make sure you tick All Contacts and select the right account to view. Rebooting the device also often resolves cache issues.

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The main rule of successful transfer is to always make a backup in.vcf before starting any mass operations with the phone book.