Changing a smartphone is always an exciting process, often overshadowed by the need to transfer personal data. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices often face the question of how to quickly and without loss transfer the phone book to a new gadget. Fortunately, the Android ecosystem and the proprietary shells MIUI or HyperOS offer many built-in tools for this task, without requiring the installation of third-party software.
In this article, we will take a look at all the methods available, from classic cloud synchronization to direct device connection. Keeping the database of contacts together is critical, because losing numbers can lead to serious communication problems. We will look at the nuances of each method so that you can choose the most suitable one for your situation.
Syncing through Google account: the classic method
The most reliable and time-tested way is to use Google Contacts cloud storage, which is ideal if you switch from any Android smartphone to a new Xiaomi. All your numbers tied to your Gmail account will automatically be pulled up immediately after you log in to your new device.
First, make sure your old phone is synced. Go to Settings → Accounts and sync and select your Google account. Make sure the switch opposite Contacts is activated. If you just bought a new device, just enter your login and password when you first set up the system.
Sometimes it can take a few minutes depending on the number of records and the speed of the Internet connection. Android will identify duplicates and combine them if they are found in the cloud, which allows you to have a current database on any device where you log in.
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Use the “Order Contacts” feature in the Google Contacts app on your computer to remove duplicates in advance and correct errors in names before transferring.
The main advantage of this method is that it is brand-independent, and whether you have a Samsung, Huawei or an old Redmi Note, the algorithm is the same, and once you log in to your account on your new device, contacts will appear in the standard Phone or Contacts app.
Using the Mi Cloud and Mi Mover app
Xiaomi owners have access to the powerful Mi Cloud tool, which is deeply integrated into the MIUI shell. This is perhaps the most native way for the manufacturer's ecosystem, and it allows you to transfer not only numbers, but also SMS, call history and even the placement of icons on the desktop.
The process begins with creating or logging into Mi Account. On the old device, go to Settings → Mi Account and activate contact sync. After that, the data will be uploaded to the company's servers. On the new smartphone, just log into the same account, and the system will prompt you to restore data from the backup.
The alternative to manually configuring is Mi Mover, which is often pre-installed on the brand’s devices, which creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between the two devices, bypassing Internet traffic, and is much faster than that, which is true when carrying thousands of user photos.
☑️ Preparation for synchronization of Mi Cloud
It is important to note that Mi Cloud may require a stable Internet connection, preferably via Wi-Fi, to avoid wasting mobile traffic. If you run out of free cloud space (usually 5 GB), the system will offer an increase in the tariff, but for contacts this volume is more than enough.
Bluetooth Transfer and Local File Sharing
If you don't have an Internet connection or you prefer local methods, Bluetooth comes to the rescue, and every smartphone has a protocol that allows you to transfer contacts in.vcf format. It's a good way to be versatile, but the speed of transfer with a lot of data can be low.
To implement, open the Contacts app on your old phone. Click on the menu (usually three dots or bars) and select Import/Export Contacts. Select Export to Device Memory or Export to Storage.
Once you have created the contacts.vcf file, transfer it to the new Xiaomi via Bluetooth or any messenger (Telegram, WhatsApp). On the receiving side, you just open the received file, and the system will prompt you to import all the numbers found into the phone book.
What to do if the file is not opened?
This method is especially convenient when you need to transfer contacts to a button phone or device with another operating system, although in the context of Android on Android it is used less often due to the presence of faster alters.--WIDGET:keypoint:Local file sharing.vcf does not require internet and accounts, making it ideal for data transfer in limited communication or with increased privacy requirements.-->
Exports and imports through SIM-map
The oldest, but still relevant method is the use of SIM-It's a medium for those cases where you only need to flip over basic numbers without the extra details of photos, email addresses or social media.
On your old device, go to Contact Management and select “Copy Contacts.” Use “Phone” or “Google Account” as your source, and select your destination «SIM-The process can take time, because SIM-Cards have limits on the length of the name and the number of characters in the room.
After the copy is completed, insert SIM-card in the new Redmi Note or any other smartphone. from the import menu, select the source «SIM-map" and destination "Phone" or "Google" All numbers will be stored in the device memory.
⚠️ Note: When copying the SIM-The map is often cropped with long contact names, and numbers can be formatted without a country code. SIM-The card has a limit on the number of records (usually) 250-500), This method is not suitable for large telephone books.
Despite the limitations, this method ensures that your numbers are accessible even if the new phone is not already connected to the network or has not set up an account, a kind of “emergency” option for data transfer.
Comparison of data transfer methods
To make it easier for you to decide on the choice of method, we have prepared a summary table that will help you assess the pros and cons of each option depending on your current conditions and requirements.
| Method | Speed. | We need the Internet. | Saves a photo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Account | Tall. | Yes. | Yes. |
| Mi Cloud / Mi Mover | Very high. | Yes (for the cloud) | Yes. |
| Bluetooth / VCF | Low. | No. | Yes. |
| SIM-map | Medium | No. | No. |
As can be seen from the table, for a full transfer with all attributes (photos, additional numbers), cloud services or direct connection via Mi Mover are best suited. SIM-The card remains an option for emergency or very old phone models.
The choice of the specific method also depends on how carefully you have maintained your digital hygiene before, and if contacts have been scattered in different storage facilities, it makes sense to have a review before moving to the new Xiaomi.
Solving and eliminating errors
Users may encounter various difficulties in the transfer process, such as contacts may not be displayed immediately after synchronization, in which case check the display settings in the Contacts app. Often the default is the Phone Only filter, which hides numbers from Google or Sim cards.
Another common problem is duplication of records, and if you used multiple methods at the same time (like syncing Google and then importing it to SIM), you might see twins in your phone book, and MIUI can find them by going to your contacts and selecting "Combine duplicates."
If contacts are lost after the system update, don't panic. Your sync settings are likely to be lost. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync, select your account and click Sync. Also check if the contacts are hidden in the phone book app itself.
⚠️ Warning: Before performing any mass deletion or contact combination operations, be sure to back up.Exporting to.vcf takes just a minute, but can save you from losing important information.