How to transfer contacts to iPhone Xiaomi Redmi

The shift from Apple’s ecosystem to Xiaomi devices often raises concerns about privacy, and users fear losing an important phone book they’ve accumulated over the years using iOS, but modern technology allows data migration to take place as quickly as possible and without loss of quality.

The transfer process doesn't require a computer or complex software. Most of the methods are system-level and take only a few minutes, you just need a stable Internet connection or physical access to both devices.

In this article, we will cover all the current sync methods, from cloud services to local file transfers, and learn how to avoid duplication of records and properly configure the display of names on a new device.

Preparing iPhone for data export

Before starting the procedure, you need to make sure that your data on the iPhone is up to date. Check whether the numbers are stored in the phone memory or in the iCloud account, and not on the phone. SIM-The map, because iOS rarely stores contacts on the SIM by default, is a critical point that newcomers often miss.

Make sure both devices are enabled with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Even if you don't plan to use cloud sync, these modules may be needed to run proprietary data utilities. Charge both smartphones to at least 50% to avoid a sudden shutdown in the process.

⚠️ Note: If you have two-factor authentication enabled for Apple ID, Make sure you remember a password or have access to a trusted number to receive a confirmation code if the system requires authorization on a new device.

It's recommended to back up contacts manually before starting a mass transfer. This will take a couple of minutes, but it will be your insurance in case of a software failure. You can export contacts to a.vcf file through the iCloud settings on your computer.

📊 Where do you currently keep your contacts?
In memory of the iPhone
In iCloud
Nana SIM-map
I don't know.

Method 1: Sync through a Google account

The most reliable and native way for Android is to use Google’s cloud service, because the MIUI or HyperOS operating system based on Redmi is deeply integrated with Google’s services, this method provides instant and constant synchronization.

First, upload your iCloud contacts to your Google account. Go to iCloud.com on your computer, log in and select Contacts. Highlight all the entries (click Ctrl+A or Cmd+A) and find the gear icon in the lower left corner.

From the menu that appears, select Export vCard. Save the file to your computer. Then open your browser, go to contacts.google.com and log in to the account you use on Redmi. From the menu on the left, click Import and select the saved file.

  • 📲 Open your settings on Redmi and add your Google account if you didn’t do it the first time you turned on.
  • ☁️ Wait for automatic synchronization: contacts will appear in the phone book via the phone 1-2 minute.
  • ⚙️ Check in your contact settings that the display is set for your Google account, not just your device memory.

The advantage of this method is that your numbers are now linked to your mail, not to a specific phone, and if you lose or replace your smartphone, you don't lose your data. You just need to enter your login and password on any Android device.

What to do if your contacts are not synchronized?
Make sure your Google account settings on your phone have a “Contacts” checkmark. Try turning on and off sync forcibly in the Accounts and Sync menu.

Method 2: Use the Mi Mover application

The Mi Mover utility is designed specifically for migrating to Xiaomi devices, allowing you to transfer not only contacts, but also photos, music and even some system settings.

Install the app on your iPhone and find it on Redmi (usually preinstalled in the Tools folder or available on Google Play). Run the app on both devices. On Redmi, select I'm the recipient and on iPhone, I'm the sender.

Scan it. QR-The code that will appear on the Redmi screen, the iPhone camera, will create a direct Wi-Fi connection. In the data transfer list, be sure to tick the item "Contacts».

☑️ Checklist for Mi Mover

Done: 0 / 4

The speed of transfer depends on the amount of data, but contacts are usually copied in seconds. Once the process is complete, the system will suggest importing the data into internal memory or Mi Account.

ParameterGoogle SyncMi MoverSIM-map
Speed.Tall.Very high.Low.
Photo preservationYes.Yes.No.
We need the Internet.Yes.No (locally)No.
Risk of data lossMinimumMinimumMedium.

Method 3: Transfer through SIM-map

This is considered a classic method, but it has serious limitations, it is only suitable if you do not have access to the Internet or a computer, the main disadvantage is the circumcision of long names and the inability to transfer additional fields (email, addresses, photos).

On iPhone go to Settings → Contacts. Find the item "Import contacts" SIM». If it is not, then your contacts are stored in iCloud or on your phone, and first they need to be exported. SIM-map in large numbers without third-party applications.

After the contact is made to SIM-You can use a map, paste it in Redmi. Go to the Contacts app, click three dots in the corner or the menu button, and select Import Contacts. SIM-Destinaton is a Google account or phone memory.

⚠️ Note: When copying the SIM-map names can be cut to 10-15 symbols, and numbers can be recorded in an international format without a plus, which will lead to problems with the number determinant.

Use this method only as a temporary solution, and immediately after the transfer, it is recommended to export to the cloud service to restore full contact information, the format of storage on the SIM card is obsolete.

💡

If numbers are displayed without a country code after the transfer (e.g. 8999... instead of +7999...), use Google’s Contacts app to batch-change the number format to an international one.

Solution: Duplicates and coding problems

A common problem with migration is the appearance of duplicate records, which happens if you have previously synced some numbers with Google, and then added a full copy from iCloud, and the system sees them as different contacts, even if the numbers match.

To solve the problem, open the Contacts app on Redmi. Click on the profile avatar or settings menu. Find the Combine and Fix function or Find and Combine duplicates. The system will automatically analyze the database and suggest combining matching entries.

Encoding problems (crankies instead of letters) are rare, but are possible when transmitted through older.vcf formats (version 2.1), in which case re-exporting contacts from iCloud with a choice of UTF-8 encoding helps.

  • 🔄 Check your contact list regularly after transfer for empty records.
  • 🗑️ Remove duplicates immediately so you don’t clog your phone book.
  • 📞 Check the display of names in outgoing and incoming calls.

If you use messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram, they can pull contacts from the address book themselves, and make sure you give those apps permission to access contacts after the migration is complete.

💡

The cleanest result without duplicates is a preliminary cleaning of contacts on the iPhone before export.

Setting up display and sorting on Redmi

Once the transfer is successful, you should adjust the usability of the phone book, and the MIUI and HyperOS shells have flexible sorting settings, and you can choose the order "Name, Surname" or "Family, Name" which is more common for users who have switched from iOS.

Go to your contacts settings and find the Contact Display section, where you can choose whether to show contacts only from your phone or also from social networks (Facebook, Skype, etc.), and leave only the phone book and Google for the list to be clean.

Also worth checking is the spam block settings, Redmi has a powerful number detector built in that runs on Google's database or local listings, and needs to be activated separately in the Antispam section.

How to include the definition of unknown numbers?
Go to the Security app → Antispam → Blacklist. Enable the option to identify unknown numbers, allowing organizations and delivery services to be identified even without a contact record.
Can I return my contacts back to my iPhone?
Yes, if you synced them with Google. On your iPhone, add a Google account in your email and contact settings by turning on the Contacts switch. All Google entries will appear in your iOS phone book.
What to do if photos of contacts are missing?
The photos may not be transferred if you used the method. SIM-When synced via Google or Mi Mover, photos are saved, make sure the contact shows a photo, not just an avatar from the social network.

Now your Xiaomi Redmi is fully ready to work with your personal phone book. Choosing the right transfer method will save you time and nerves in the future.