Replacing an old smartphone with a new Xiaomi or Redmi always causes a slight panic associated with the safety of personal data. The most valuable information is the phone book, and losing even one important number can be a serious problem. Fortunately, the Android ecosystem and the Chinese manufacturer’s proprietary utilities offer many ways to migrate data, from cloud services to local files.
In this article, we will discuss all the current methods that allow you to safely and quickly move the entire database of numbers. You will learn how to use the built-in Mi Mover tool, sync through Google Account and good old-fashioned SIM-We will also touch on the nuances of working with.vcf files, which are often used for manual backups.
No matter what device you’re switching from — whether it’s an old Android, iPhone or a push-button phone — you’ll be able to find the right option, and the right method depends on the amount of data, the version of the operating system, and whether you have a stable Internet connection at the time of the procedure.
Using the Mi Mover app for quick migration
The most efficient and modern way is to use the regular application Mi Mover. This tool is pre-installed on all Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones running MIUI or HyperOS. The main advantage of the method is the high speed of data transfer over Wi-Fi Direct without mobile traffic and the need to connect to the router.
The process starts with running the app on both devices, and on the new smartphone, you choose the Receiver role, and on the old one, the Sender. QR-If you have code or manually connect to the network you've created, the system will tell you to select data types. So what you need to do is not just click "All," but make sure that the contact item is marked in the list of selected items.
If the old device does not have Mi Mover installed (for example, it is a phone of another brand), it can be downloaded from Google Play or installed via the Internet. APK-The application can work even between different versions of Android, making it a universal solution.
- 🚀 Speed: Transmission takes place at speed to 20-30 MB/s, which allows you to copy thousands of contacts in seconds.
- 🔒 Security: Data is transmitted over a local encrypted channel, bypassing external servers.
- 📱 Compatibility: Works with Android 4.0 and higher, and iOS (requires a separate Mi Mover app for iPhone).
⚠️ Warning: While Mi Mover is running, the smartphone screen may go out to save power.Do not lock the device completely and keep the screens on so as not to interrupt the Wi-Fi Direct connection.
Once the process is complete, all numbers are stored in the new phone's memory. If you want them to stay in the next reset, check the sync settings immediately.
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Mi Mover is the perfect choice for the transition between Android smartphones, as it retains the structure of records and attached photos of subscribers.
Syncing through Google Account: Cloud Method
The classic and perhaps most reliable way for users of the Google ecosystem is that if your previous phone had sync enabled, all contacts are already in the cloud. You don't have to transfer anything physically, just log in to your account on the new Redmi.
To implement this method, make sure that the old device in the settings of your Google account is ticked against the Contact point. Usually the path is: Settings → Accounts → Google → Sync. If there is no tick, turn it on and click the sync button (usually three dots in the corner of the screen).
On the new Xiaomi smartphone, when you first set up, type the same email address. The system will automatically pull up all the records from the cloud. If the phone is already configured, just add an account through the Settings menu → Accounts and Sync → Add an account → Google.
The good thing about this method is that contacts are not tied to a particular device, you can pull your number out of the cloud at any time, even if your phone is lost or broken, and Google Contacts makes it easy to edit duplicates and merge entries through a web interface.
- ☁️ Autonomy: Does not require both phones to be side by side at the time of transfer.
- 🔄 Relevance: Any changes to one device instantly affect all others.
- 🛡️ Data is protected by two-factor authentication by Google.
⚠️ Note: When syncing through Google, old records with SIM-The cards may not be automatically copied unless they were imported into the phone’s memory.
Exports and imports through VCF-file
The.vcf (vCard) method is the gold standard for compatibility, supported by all operating systems and phone books, and the idea is to create a single file containing the entire number database and then transfer it.
On an old smartphone, open the Contacts app. On the menu (usually three dots or strips), find Import/Export or Contact Management. Choose Export to file.vcf or Export to storage. The system will create a file that can be found in the downloads folder or root directory.
The resulting file must be transferred to the new Xiaomi. This can be done via Bluetooth, Telegram (favorites), WhatsApp or simply toss over the phone. USB-You just open the file on the new device, and the system will suggest importing the data.
| Parameter | Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| File format | .vcf (vCard) | Universal for all OSs |
| File size | Usually a few kb | It is easily transmitted through messengers |
| Photo preservation | Partial | Contact photos may not be transferred |
| Duplicate | Possible. | Manual inspection after importation is required |
This is especially useful if you want to transfer contacts to a computer to create an archived copy..vcf file can be opened even in a text editor, although it will be difficult to read it in this form due to the specific structure of the tags.
What to do if the file is not opened?
Transfer of contacts from SIM-card
The oldest, "oldest" method, but still working, is perfect if you don't have access to the Internet or complex settings, but it has some limitations. SIM-card is usually written only number and name, without additional fields (address, email, photo).
First, insert SIM-card from old phone to new Redmi if phones use different formats SIM (Nano, Micro, use the adapter or contact the communication salon to replace the card with a universal.
In the contact management menu, select Import with SIM-The system will suggest you to choose a save location: it is recommended to choose a Google Account or device memory, but not the device itself. SIM-This is a map to avoid duplicates, and it takes from a few seconds to a minute depending on the number of records.
⚠️ Note: When copying with SIM-Long names may be cut off and numbers written in international format may lose the country code.
If your phone has contacts stored in memory, not on SIM, First, export to the SIM-The card is in the old device, and only then move it to the new device.
Importing via Bluetooth and other wireless protocols
If none of these methods work, you can use standard Bluetooth protocol, which is slow, but doesn't require any additional software or Internet, and it's built into the Android core.
Turn on Bluetooth on both smartphones via the notification curtain or Settings → Bluetooth menu. pair devices: find the name of the new phone in the list available on the old one and enter the confirmation code. Then, in the Contacts app on the old device, highlight all the records (usually through the Select All menu) and click Share.
In the list of methods of transfer, select Bluetooth and specify the target device. The new phone will have a request for a file to be confirmed, and after the transfer is completed, the file will be automatically processed, and the numbers will appear in the phone book.
☑️ Pre-transfer checks
An alternative is NFC (Android Beam) transmission if both phones support this technology, and if you put the devices back together, the system will suggest transferring data, but on current Xiaomi models, the Android Beam feature is often disabled or replaced with Mi Share.
Solution: duplicates and missing numbers
Often, after the transfer, users are faced with the problem of duplication of records, this occurs when the same contact is stored in the memory of the phone, in the Google account, and on the Internet. SIM-Xiaomi has a built-in tool to solve this problem.
Go to the Contacts app, click on the menu and select Tools → Combine duplicates. The system will analyze the database, find recurring names and numbers, and suggest combining them into one card, which will help clear the phone book and make the search more convenient.
If contacts are lost after updating or changing your phone, don't panic. Go to contacts.google.com from your computer. From the menu on the left, select Restore or Restore Contacts. Google stores the change history for up to 30 days, allowing you to roll back the status of the phone book to the point before the crash.
- 🔍 Search: Use smart in-app search by entering a part of a name or number to find lost entries.
- 🗑️ Cleaning: Remove contacts from the SIM-The cards after they have been successfully imported into the cloud.
- 📂 Groups: After the transfer, divide the contacts into groups (Family, Work) for convenience.
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To prevent future data loss, set up automatic synchronization of contacts with your Google Account immediately after you purchase a new smartphone.
By following these guidelines, you are guaranteed to keep your communication history when you upgrade to a new Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone, and the specific method you choose depends on your preferences and the technical condition of the old device.