Buying a new smartphone is always a thrill, but the process of transitioning from an old device can be a real challenge if you don’t know the right tools. The most valuable part of a user’s digital baggage is often not the operating system or a set of applications, but a phone book that can be lost or damaged by inept actions. The owners of the Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco ecosystem are in a good position, as the MIUI and HyperOS shell offer powerful built-in tools for data migration.
Modern methods allow you to copy in minutes using wireless technology or cloud services. You don't need to be a technician to understand this, just follow the logic of actions. We'll look at all the current ways: From the use of native Mi Mover app to classic export through SIM-This is especially important for those who switch from button phones.
It is important to understand that the choice of method depends on the state of your old device: whether it is running the operating system, whether there is access to the Internet or the screen is broken. Below we will discuss each scenario in detail so that you can choose the most suitable for your situation and ensure that you keep in touch with all the important people.
Using the Mi Mover app for wireless migration
The most efficient and modern way to transfer data is to use the proprietary Mi Mover tool. This application is pre-installed on most Xiaomi smartphones with the shell MIUI 12 and later, and is also available for installation on other Android devices. The main feature of the method is to create a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices, which provides high transfer speeds without the use of mobile traffic.
The process starts with running the app on both smartphones, and on the new device you choose the Receiver role, and on the old one, the Sender. QR-And if you use the new phone's camera, the devices connect, and you can access a selection of data categories, and in addition to contacts, the system will offer you to move your call history, SMS, Photos and even the placement of icons on the desktop, if the architecture of the systems allows.
It's worth noting that when you're transferring a lot of data (like if you're copying a gallery), it can take time, but the phone book usually loads instantly. If the connection is interrupted, the application can resume transfer from the stoppage, which eliminates loss of information, making Mi Mover the leader in migration for ecosystem users.
What if the Mi Mover can’t see the device?
Make sure both devices are powered by GPS and Bluetooth. Sometimes, a temporary shutdown of mobile internet (4G/5G) on both devices helps to force the system to use only a Wi-Fi module for data transfer. Also, make sure that neither device is in power saving mode. Synchronize through a Google account and the cloud. Google ecosystem provides one of the most reliable ways to save contacts that works independently of the smartphone brand. The essence of the method is that your numbers are not stored locally in the phone memory, but are tied to your Google account. When you first set up a new one, it is enough to simply enter your username and password into the phone, and make sure that you log into the phone from the device, and log into the "You will automatically log into the account, and log into the device, and log into the device, and log into the device, and log into the device, and log into the "You will log into the old one, you will log into the account, and log into the old one, you will log into the device, and log into the device, and you will log into the account, "You will log into the old one. " Select your Google account and make sure the switch opposite the Contacts item is activated. If the sync is successful, you can check it through your computer browser by visiting contacts.google.com, which should display all your numbers. On the new Xiaomi smartphone, when it first turns on, the system will suggest restoring data from Google's backup. If you missed this step, don't worry. You just go to Settings, select Accounts and Sync, add your Google account, and manually click Sync. In a few seconds, the contact list will appear in the phone book. SIM-Maps on Xiaomi The method of transfer through SIM-The card is considered a classic and still relevant, especially when switching from button phones or devices with a damaged operating system. However, this method has significant limitations: SIM-The card has a small amount of memory and often does not support saving additional fields such as email, addresses or photos of subscribers. SIM-A card with saved numbers to the new Xiaomi smartphone. Open the standard Contacts app and go to the settings menu (usually three dots in the corner or the menu button). Select the option "Import and export contacts", and then click "Import from" SIM-The system will suggest selecting a location for saving: it is recommended to choose a "Phone" or "Google account" to avoid future copying problems. Characteristics SIM-Google Account Local Storage Save Photo No Yes Yes Limit characters in the name Limited (often 10-15) No No Network Dependence No Internet Required No Data Loss Risk High (if card is damaged) Low (cloud storage) Medium (when phone breaks) After importing, be sure to check the number list. It is often the case that long names are cut off and numbers can be written in an international format without a plus or country code, which will require manual editing. 📊 From iPhone to AndroidC Android to AndroidC button phone From the Google cloud Export and import through VCF The universal format for storing contacts is a file with the extension.vcf (vCard). This method is ideal if you want to back up manually or transfer data between devices on different platforms, such as an iPhone to Xiaomi.The file contains the entire contact structure, including tags, addresses and notes, and weighs very little. On your old device, open the contact app, select the control menu, and click "Contact Export." VCF, The storage site is an internal memory or microSD card. Once a file is created (usually called contacts.vcf or has a date name), it must be transferred to a new smartphone, which can be done via Bluetooth, messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), or simply by copying the file through a file via a new smartphone. USB-On the new Xiaomi, find the file you received through the File Manager Explorer and click on it. The system automatically recognizes the format and suggests importing the entries it contains, so you can choose which account or device to store the data to, and it's a great way to combine contacts from multiple old phones into a single list on a new device. 💡When importing VCF-If you have a file containing duplicate contacts, Xiaomi's system will offer to merge them automatically. You can agree to this to avoid clutter in the phone book, where one person can be listed under several entries. After data transfer, users often face the problem of duplicate records or the disappearance of part of the numbers. This occurs when the contacts were saved in different places: partly on the Internet. SIM, Partly in the phone memory and part in Google. The MIUI shell has a built-in tool to clean up this "digital trash," but sometimes manual intervention is required. Check the display settings first. In the Contacts app, click on the settings and find "Displayed Contacts." Make sure that check "All Contacts" boxes. If "Telephone Only" is selected, the numbers synchronized with Google or SIM can be hidden, creating the illusion of data loss. If you see that one person has two records (e.g. Ivan and Ivan Mobile), use the link function to check "All Contacts" and the system will find a critically "It will find the phone numbers for the phone number corrections. ⚠️ Note: Before mass deletion or consolidation of contacts, it is strongly recommended to make a backup (Export to.vcf). Misconception can lead to the loss of unique numbers if the system algorithm determines different contacts as the same. The transition from iOS to Android (Xiaomi) has its own nuances, as file systems and database structures differ. Direct sync via Mi Mover is possible if the iPhone has an app version installed, but it is often more reliable to use the “bridge” method through Google. → Contacts → Accounts, add your Google account, and enable contact sync. Once the iPhone transfers numbers to Google servers, the new Xiaomi just logs in to the same account. All contacts, including those saved to iCloud, will appear on the device. The alternative, but longer, way to go is to reverse the Move to iOS app, so reliance on cloud services is a key success factor, but basic data, including numbers, emails and names, migrate without loss. Can I move contacts if the screen of an old phone is broken? Yes, it's possible if the phone turns on and works. USB, can be used ADB If the screen is completely black, but the phone responds to touch, you can try connecting it. USB-mouse-wise OTG-cable to blindly (to the touch) export to the cloud or to the SIM-Where better to keep contacts: on your phone or on your account? Definitely on your account (Google). Saving to your phone ("Device Memory") is dangerous because if you break your smartphone, reset or lose your device, you lose all numbers instantly. Google accounts provide real-time synchronization and access to numbers from any device, including your computer. Why are contact photos missing after the transfer? Contact photos are often stored locally or linked to a specific social network profile. SIM-When you transfer photos through a Google account, photos should be automatically uploaded, but this can take time and a stable Wi-Fi connection, as they take up more space than text.