Changing a smartphone is always accompanied by a desire to start using a new device as soon as possible, but this process is often overshadowed by the need to restore personal data. Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 10, moving from other models, often face the issue of saving the phone book, because losing the number of an important customer or friend is unacceptable. Fortunately, the Android ecosystem and MIUI branded shells offer many effective tools for migrating information without losing the quality and structure of records.
Current methods allow you to copy thousands of numbers in minutes using wireless technology or cloud services. Depending on which device you are switching from — iPhone, old Android smartphone or button phone — you can choose the best option. Below we will discuss in detail all the available methods so that you can choose the most convenient for your situation and avoid typical errors during transfer.
Preparing for data migration and checking compatibility
Before starting the procedure, make sure that both devices are ready to exchange information. If you are transferring data from another Android smartphone, make sure that Bluetooth and GPS are on both devices, as some methods require them to work actively to find devices. It is also critical to check the battery level: it is recommended to have at least 40-50% of the energy, so that the process is not interrupted halfway due to a sudden shutdown.
⚠️ Note: When using methods that involve resetting settings or deep synchronization, always back up your contacts. SIM-It's a security policy for an unforeseen system failure.
While standard data protocols are universal, older versions of Android (below 6.0) may not display special characters or long names in contacts when transferring to the new Redmi 10. In such cases, it is better to use an intermediate format. VCF, which guarantees the preservation of the text.
Syncing with a Google account: the most reliable method
The most versatile and reliable way to transfer is to use Google Contacts cloud storage. This method is ideal because your numbers are not tied to a physical device, but to an account, which allows you to access them from any gadget after authorization. To start on your old phone, open settings, find the Accounts section and make sure that the sync is selected for Contacts.
Once the data has been uploaded to the cloud, take your new Xiaomi Redmi 10. When you first turn on or through the settings menu, log in to the same Google account. The system automatically prompts you to restore data from the backup, and if you agree, the phonebook will appear in the Contacts app within minutes, depending on the speed of the Internet connection.
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Use Wi-Fi for initial sync so you don’t waste mobile traffic, especially if you have a large number of photos in your contacts.
The advantage of this method is that duplicates are often eliminated automatically by Google’s algorithms, and the structure of names and additional numbers is kept perfectly intact. If automatic synchronization does not occur, you can manually log into the Contacts app on the new device, open settings, and select Recover or Import from your account.
Using the Mi Mover app to transition to Android
For users switching from other Android devices, Xiaomi has developed a specialized application Mi Mover.It is pre-installed on Redmi 10 and allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also photos, applications and system settings over a high-speed Wi-Fi Direct channel. Launch the app on your new phone, select the Receiver role, and it will appear on the screen. QR-scan.
On the old device, you need to install a similar app from the Play Market or scan the code with the camera of the new phone if the system offers this option. Once the devices are connected in the data transfer list, select only Contacts, so that you do not overload the process with unnecessary information if you only need numbers.
☑️ Check before launching the Mi Mover
It is important to note that when you transfer your contacts via Mi Mover, they are stored in your phone’s memory or Google account on your new device, not on your phone. SIM-This is a more modern approach, allowing you to store full profiles with email addresses and avatars, and if the connection breaks, you can resume the process from the stoppage, which makes this very convenient for large amounts of data.
Transfer contacts from iPhone to Xiaomi Redmi 10
iPhone owners who decide to upgrade to the Xiaomi Redmi 10 will need a slightly different approach, as direct sync via Mi Mover with iOS is limited.The easiest way is to use the Move to iOS feature in the opposite direction or, more effectively for Xiaomi, the Move to Android app (if available) or manual sync via iCloud. First on the iPhone, go to the iCloud settings and make sure the Contacts slider is on and the data is synced.
Then go to iCloud.com on your computer, log in, and select all the records in the contact section. Export them in vCard (.vcf) format, and then send the file to your email or messenger. Once you have the file on Redmi 10, the system will prompt you to import all the entries in it into your phone book or your selected account.
What to do if contacts are displayed in squares?
Classical method: SIM-map and Bluetooth
Despite the development of cloud technology, the good old methods remain relevant, especially if you need to quickly throw a few numbers without installing applications. SIM-The card is suitable if your contacts are stored not in the phone memory, but on a chip.Put the SIM in Redmi 10, open the Contacts app, click on the menu (three dots or stripes) and select Import Contacts» -> «S SIM-map».
However, this method has a significant disadvantage: SIM-The card is usually written only by number and name, often with a length limit (up to the end of the card). 10-15 So, if you want to use the characters, fields like email, addresses and second names will be lost, you should use this method only as a temporary method or for very old phone models that do not support modern protocols.
Transfer via Bluetooth is done by opening a contact (or group of contacts), selecting a Share option, and finding the nearest Redmi 10 device, a method that is slow and inconvenient for mass transmission, but can save you when the Internet is down and apps are not available.
Work with VCF files and restore from backup
VCF (vCard) is the de facto standard for exchanging contact information between different platforms. A file with the extension.vcf can contain one contact or a thousand, including photos and complex fields. You can get such a file from any source (mail, messenger, file manager of an old phone) and just open it on Xiaomi Redmi 10.
The system automatically recognizes the format and offers to select a place of saving: in the memory of the phone, on the phone. SIM-You should choose a Google account for future data security if you have a backup of the entire system (for example, made through a Google account). MIUI Backup, when you initially set up the phone, you can select a recovery from the local backup file, which will also return the phone book.
| Transmission method | Speed | Save photo | Necessary Internet | Best for |
|:--- |:--- |:--- |:--- |:--- |
| Google Account | High | Yes | Yes | Permanent Use |
| Mi Mover | Very High | Yes | No | Transition from Android |
| SIM-map | Medium | No. | No. | Button phones |
| VCF file | Instant | Yes | No (locally) | Point Import |
| Bluetooth | Low | Yes | No | 1-2 contacts |
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The VCF format is the only universal portable method that guarantees the preservation of all contact fields (photo, email, address) when switching between any operating systems.
Solution: duplicates and missing numbers
Once migrated, users often face the problem of duplicates, where the same contact is displayed twice or three times. MIUI has a built-in tool to solve this problem. Open the Contacts app, go to the settings and find the item "Combine duplicates" (or "Merge duplicates"). The system will analyze the database and suggest combining records with the same numbers or names.
⚠️ Note: Before automatically combining, make sure that duplicate entries do not have unique information in different fields that the algorithm can ignore.
If contacts are lost after syncing, check the display filter. In the Contacts app, click on the menu and select Contact Filter or Contact Display. Make sure that the checkbox is next to All Contacts or the Google account you select, not just Phone or SIM, where there may be no records.