Changing the ecosystem from iOS to Android often causes users to worry about losing important data, and the most critical asset here is the phone book. Xiaomi Redmi owners can be calm: modern tools allow you to migrate data almost automatically, keeping even a complex structure of records with photos and additional numbers. The process does not require deep technical knowledge, but knowing the nuances of synchronization will help avoid typical errors such as duplication of records or loss of fields.
In this article, we will take a look at all the migration methods available, from the branded Mi Mover app to classic export through a Google account. The choice of the specific method depends on whether you have a new Xiaomi smartphone in your hands right now or are just planning to buy. The most reliable method for full synchronization without using a third-party Wi-Fi connection is direct cable or cloud synchronization via iCloud. Let’s look at each option Step-by-step.
Preparing iPhone for data transfer
Before any manipulations begin, you need to make sure that the original device is ready for the correct exchange of information. Often users forget that contacts on the iPhone can not be stored in the memory of the phone, but be tied exclusively to iCloud or other accounts, which can make it difficult to export them in VCF format. Check the display settings by going to the Contacts app and making sure that all the necessary sources are included.
It is also critical to update the software on both devices to current versions. On iPhone, go to Settings → Main → Software Update, and on Xiaomi, to Settings → About Phone. Older versions of firmware may contain bugs in data protocols, which will interrupt the process or distort the encoding of names (for example, the appearance of “brownberry” instead of Cyrillic).
⚠️ Warning: Make sure your iPhone is enabled to sync contacts specifically with iCloud if you plan to use cloud-based methods. → [Your name] → iCloud, where the slider opposite the Contacts item must be active.
Be sure to check the space available. Although the contacts themselves take up minimal space, temporary files created during export or intermediary applications require a buffer zone. If memory is crowded, iOS can force background transfer processes to close.
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Before transferring, back up your contacts on your iPhone via iTunes or Finder on your computer.This will take 2 minutes, but will save your phone book in case of a malfunction when transferring to the new Android.
Method 1: Use the Mi Mover application
The fastest and most native way for Xiaomi owners is to use the Mi Mover app, which is designed specifically for migration from iOS, and allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also photos, music and even some system settings. The main advantage of the method is to create a direct Wi-Fi channel between devices, which ensures high speed transfer without spending mobile traffic.
To get started, open the Mi Mover app on Xiaomi (usually in the Tools folder). Select the Receiver role. On the iPhone, download the app of the same name from the App Store, launch it, and select the Sender role. QR-iPhone camera code devices connect.
- 📱 On iPhone, select data to transfer: make sure that (check) is opposite to the item “Contacts».
- 🔒 Allow access to the local network on your iPhone if iOS asks permission for the Mi Mover app.
- 🚀 Click the “Send” button and wait for the process to be completed without turning off the device screens.
- ✅ Once completed, check the phone book on Redmi by opening the Contacts app».
It is important to note that when transferring via Mi Mover, contacts are saved to the memory of the phone or Mi Account, but not always automatically synced with Google. Once the migration is completed, it is recommended to go to the contacts settings on Xiaomi and force sync with the Google account so that data does not disappear when resetting in the future.
☑️ Checklist for Mi Mover
Method 2: Sync through Google Account
This method is considered the “gold standard” for the Android ecosystem, as it provides constant cloud protection, the essence of the method is to first upload contacts from the iPhone to the Google cloud, and then simply log into this account on the new Xiaomi Redmi.
Install the Gmail app from the App Store on your iPhone and log in to your Google account. Then go to iPhone Settings → Contacts → Accounts. Select the added Google account and make sure the Contacts switch is activated. Once turned on, the phone will automatically start uploading numbers to the Google cloud.
On the Xiaomi side, the process is as simple as possible. When you first set up your phone or through the Settings menu → Accounts and sync, add the same Google account. Android will pull all the records from the cloud itself. This is the most reliable way to eliminate data loss when the device breaks.
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Syncing through Google Account is the only method that guarantees the safety of contacts even in the event of complete loss or theft of both smartphones, since the data is stored on Google servers.
Sometimes it happens that contacts do not appear on Xiaomi immediately. In this case, open the Contacts app on Redmi, click on three dots in the corner (or gear), select Settings and find Sync Now. Also check the display filter: Sometimes the phone only shows you the contact with the SIM-Maps that hide downloaded from Google.
Method 3: Export via VCF (vCard)
If the Internet connection is unstable or you prefer local methods, manual export to a.vcf file is great. This universal format is supported by all operating systems. On iPhone, open the standard Contacts app, click on the "Select" button in the upper right corner and tick all the necessary entries (or click "Select All" in the upper left corner if you want to move the entire database).
Once highlighted, click the share button and select the transfer method. You can send the file to yourself by email, save it to iCloud Drive, or transfer it via AirDrop on a Mac, and then transfer it to a PC. The file will be called something like contacts.vcf.
The resulting file must be opened on a Xiaomi smartphone. If you sent it to the mail, just open the letter on Xiaomi and click on the attachment. The system will suggest importing contacts. Select a Google account or Phone to save. When importing a large number of records (more than 500), the process can take several minutes, and the phone can get a little warmer - this is normal processor work.
| Parameter | Mi Mover | Google Sync | VCF File | SIM-map |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speed. | Tall. | Medium | Depends on size. | Low. |
| Photo preservation | Yes. | Yes. | Yes. | No. |
| Saving email | Yes. | Yes. | Yes. | No. |
| We need the Internet. | No (local Wi-Fi) | Yes. | No. | No. |
What happens if the VCF file is not opened?
Method 4: Transfer through SIM-map (Basic map)
Use of the SIM-The card is a "grandfather" method that should only be used in extreme cases when other methods are not available. SIM-Cards have very limited memory and no support for long names, second numbers, email addresses and contact photos, but for basic name and number transfers, this is still the case.
On iPhone go to Settings → Contact and find the item “Import contacts” SIM». After copying the data to the phone, extract SIM-map and paste it into Xiaomi Redmi (or use an adapter if form factors differ, although modern models typically use nano-SIMs).
On Xiaomi, go to the Contacts app, click on the menu (three dots or gear) and select “Import Contacts «SIM-card" and as the recipient, choose your Google account8ount or phone memory. After the import is completed, it is strongly recommended to remove the card from the device. SIM-card back to iPhone or other phone so as not to risk data in case of possible Android crashes.
Addressing problems and duplicates
Once contacts are transferred, users often face the problem of duplication of records.This occurs when the same contact is stored in both the phone's memory and Google's, and may have been imported again. Xiaomi has a built-in tool to address this problem. Open Contacts, go to settings, and select "Combine Repetitive Contacts."
Another common problem is that you don't have photos of your contacts. SIM-map VCF In this case, only manual editing or re-syncing through a full Google account, if the original photos were tied to it, will help.
⚠️ Warning: Never massively delete contacts on a new phone without making sure that the backup on your iPhone or Google cloud is up to date and complete. An error in source selection (“delete from your account” instead of “delete from your phone”) can result in the loss of your entire database.
If you notice that names are displayed in the wrong encoding (such as question marks), try changing the system language to Xiaomi to English, and then returning Russian. Sometimes this forcibly restarts the indexing of the phone book and corrects the display of characters.