How to transfer contacts to Android on Xiaomi Redmi via Bluetooth

Replacing your old smartphone with a new Xiaomi Redmi is always accompanied by a desire to get started with the device as quickly as possible without being distracted by routine technical issues. The first and most important step for most users is to save the phone book, because losing important numbers can lead to serious problems in communication or business. Although modern cloud services offer automatic synchronization, using Bluetooth remains one of the most reliable and proven methods that do not require access to the Internet.

The process of transferring data between Android devices can seem difficult only at first glance, especially if you have previously used closed-operating phones. In the Xiaomi and MIUI ecosystem (or the new HyperOS), this process is as automated as possible, but requires careful choice of file format and save ways. Understanding the logic of the file system will help you avoid duplication of records and data loss during transfer.

In this guide, we will take a closer look at all the steps of device pairing and contact file transfer, focusing on the nuances that are often overlooked. You will learn how to properly prepare both smartphones, which file formats are best supported and what to do if the connection is broken. The key to successful porting is the use of the vCard (.vcf) format, which ensures that fields are compatible between different versions of Android.

Preparation of devices and compatibility check

Before you start direct data transfer, you need to make sure that both devices are in good condition and ready to go. Check the battery level on both smartphones, as active search for devices and transferring files over Bluetooth can significantly consume energy. If the charge is below 20%, it is recommended to connect the gadgets to the power source so that the process is not interrupted halfway.

Make sure both devices have visibility enabled. On the old smartphone, go to Settings → Bluetooth and activate the switch. On the new Xiaomi Redmi, also turn on Bluetooth and make the device visible to all nearby devices for a certain time. This is a critical step, as hidden mode can prevent the phone from being detected.

⚠️ Note: When pairing devices, make sure you are no longer at a distance. 1-2 Obstacles in the form of walls or metal structures can significantly reduce the transmission speed or cause connection errors.

It’s also worth checking if there’s room for a new smartphone, and while contacts take up a bit of space, transferring thousands of records with photos and additional fields can take several megabytes of free memory.

Step-by-step instruction for pairing via Bluetooth

The process of connecting two Android devices is standardized, but the menu interface may differ depending on the version of the MIUI shell or HyperOS. Open the Bluetooth menu on the old device and start searching for new devices. The name of your new Xiaomi Redmi should appear in the list of available gadgets.

Click on the target device name to start the mating procedure. Both phones will request confirmation of pairing with the verification code. Make sure the codes match, and click Confirm or OK on both devices. Once successfully paired, status will change to Connected.

Now you need to go to the Contacts app on your old phone, highlight all the entries you plan to move, usually using a three-dot menu or a select all button at the top of the screen, and then select the Share or Export option after selecting.

In the list of methods of transfer, select Bluetooth. The system will suggest selecting the recipient device — find your Xiaomi in the list. The receiving device will request a file to be accepted. The copying process will take time depending on the number of contacts.

Export and import of telephone book

There are two main approaches to data transfer: transferring each contact separately or exporting the entire book to one file. The second option is preferred, since it creates a single archive in.vcf format, which is then imported into the memory of the new device, which allows you to save the data structure and avoid errors when the connection is broken.

To export all contacts on your old device, open the contact management menu and select "Import/Export." Then select "Export to Device Memory" or "Export to File.vcf." The system will create a file, commonly called 00001.vcf or contacts.vcf, at the root of the internal memory or contact folder.

Once you create a file, transfer it over Bluetooth to Xiaomi Redmi. On the new device, the file will be saved to the download folder or Bluetooth. To activate contacts, open this file through the file manager or just click on the notification of the received file. The system will automatically prompt you to import data.

⚠️ Note: When importing a large number of contacts, the system may request permission to access the storage.

Solution: Problems with format and duplicates

One of the common problems with transferring data between different Android phone manufacturers is the appearance of duplicate records, which happens if the new device has already performed initial sync with a Google account, and you additionally import contacts from the file, the system sees the same numbers and creates new records instead of combining.

To solve this problem, Xiaomi has a duplicate merging function. Once you have completed the import, go to the Contacts app, open the settings and find the "Combine Duplicates" item. The system will analyze the database and suggest combining records with the same numbers or names.

Another common difficulty is incorrect display of names or loss of profile photos, which is because some fields in vCard may not be supported by the older version of Android on the donor device, in which case it is recommended to check where contacts are saved: choose saving to a Google account, not to the phone memory, to ensure better compatibility of fields.

Use filtering when exporting if you only need to move certain contact groups, such as Work or Family, to avoid clogging the phone book with unnecessary delivery numbers or spam.

Alternative methods and utilities Mi Mover

While Bluetooth is a universal method, Xiaomi has developed its own Mi Mover app, which greatly speeds up and simplifies the data migration process, which is pre-installed on all new smartphones of the brand and allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also applications, photos, videos and system settings.

To use Mi Mover, install the app on both devices (if the old one is missing, it can be downloaded from the Play Market). Launch the app, select the device role (Sender or Receiver) and scan. QR-The connection is created via Wi-Fi Direct, which provides transfer speeds several times higher than Bluetooth.

The advantage of this method is that it distributes data intelligently: contacts are immediately transferred to the right cells, and messages and call history are saved completely, but if the old phone is very old and does not support the installation of modern applications, Bluetooth remains the only working option.

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Use Mi Mover for initial setup, and leave Bluetooth as a backup channel for quick transfer of multiple contacts on the fly in the future.

Remember that after a successful data transfer, it is recommended to back up on a new device. This can be done through the Settings menu → About phone → Backup. Save the backup file to your computer or to the cloud storage.

Data security and completion of the process

Once all contacts have been successfully transferred and verified, you need to ensure the security of the data on the old device if you plan to sell or give it away. Simply removing contacts is not enough, since they can be restored with special utilities.

Check that all the numbers on the new Xiaomi Redmi are displayed correctly, with the correct names and bindings to the new Xiaomi Redmi. SIM-Test a few calls to make sure the communication module is working, sometimes after mass import, you need to reboot the device to correctly index the database.

Turn off Bluetooth visibility on both devices after work is done, which will protect you from unwanted pairing attempts by unauthorized persons in public places, and regularly update your contact list, removing unnecessary entries to keep the database up to date.

⚠️ Note: Do not transfer contact files over open Bluetooth networks in public places without confirmation, as there is a theoretical possibility of interception of data by attackers.

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Using Bluetooth to transfer contacts is safe and secure, but specialized software like Mi Mover is better suited for a full migration of the system.