How to transfer contacts from one Xiaomi phone to another

Changing a smartphone is always stressful, not so much with getting used to a new interface as with the risk of losing important data. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices often wonder how to quickly and without loss transfer a phone book to a new device. Fortunately, the MIUI and HyperOS ecosystem offers many built-in tools that make this process trivial.

Unlike older push-button phones, where you had to manually copy records, modern smartphones allow you to sync hundreds of numbers in minutes. IT-You can choose the most convenient method for you from the following.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to migrate data, from cloud synchronization to physical media, how to avoid duplicate records and what to do if contacts are lost after a system update, and the most reliable way is to pre-sync with your Mi Account before you start setting up a new device.

Preparing for data migration

Before you start to act, you need to make sure that both devices are ready to transmit information. The process will go smoothly if both smartphones are charged at least 50-60% of the battery. Low charge can lead to a sudden shutdown of one of the gadgets at the most inopportune moment, which will interrupt the transfer of files.

It's also worth checking for space. Although contacts take up a minimum of kilobyte space, when using the Mi Cloud backup method or local backup, the system can create temporary files. Make sure both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, as they are often used to detect devices.

It's not superfluous to clear the phone book in advance of obviously junk or old records that you no longer use, which will speed up the process and make the new contact database more neat, and if you have the old phone only stored in the SIM card memory, it's better to copy them in advance to the internal memory of the device for convenience.

Method 1: Using Mi Mover for fast transmission

The easiest and most efficient way, developed specifically for owners of Xiaomi equipment, is the Mi Mover application, which is preinstalled on most modern models and allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also photos, applications, system settings and even desktop layout.

To get started, open the app on both devices. On the new phone, select Receiver and on the old phone, Sender. The system will automatically create a Wi-Fi hotspot or prompt you to scan. QR-This method works even without an Internet connection, using a direct connection between gadgets.

• 📱 Launch the Tools app → Mi Mover on both smartphones.
• 🔗 Click “I am the sender” on the old one and “I am the receiver” on the new device.
• ✅ Select the Contacts category (or System Data) and click Send».

The speed of the transfer depends on the amount of data, but usually the contacts are copied instantly, and the advantage of this method is that the structure of the records is preserved completely: even the photos of subscribers, assigned tunes and additional numbers are left, and after the process is completed, the system will prompt you to open a call log to verify the integrity of the data.

Method 2: Synchronize with Mi Cloud

The Mi Cloud is the heart of Xiaomi’s ecosystem, and if you want your contacts to be secure and accessible from any device, including a computer or tablet, it’s perfect, requiring a Mi Account and an Internet connection.

On your old phone, go to your account settings and make sure the slider opposite the Contacts item is activated. The system automatically uploads all numbers to the cloud storage. On the new device, just log in to the same acca!ount, and the phone book will automatically fill in in the background.

This is particularly useful because it provides continuous synchronization, so if you add a new number on one device, it will appear on all the others where you log in, and it eliminates the need to repeat the transfer procedure in the future.

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Use the Recover from the Cloud feature when you first set up your new Xiaomi phone, which will not only allow you to download contacts, but also your call history, SMS and alarm settings.

Method 3: Transfer through SIM-map

The classic method, which is relevant if you only need to transfer basic data (name and number) and you don't have access to the Internet or Wi-Fi. This method is universal and is suitable even for switching from a button phone to a smartphone. However, it has significant limitations in the volume and format of data.

Modern SIM cards have limited storage and often only support one number per contact. If you have multiple phone contacts in your notebook, only the first number will be retained when exported to SIM, and additional fields such as address or email are likely to be lost.

To perform the operation, go to the Contacts app, click on the three dots in the corner or the menu button and select Import/Export Contacts. SIM-Once completed on the new phone, perform the reverse operation: "Import with" SIM-map».

⚠️ Warning: Before exporting, be sure to back up the contacts on your old phone to internal memory. SIM-The card can sometimes lead to overwriting or deletion of data already on it.

Method 4: Import from a VCF file (Bluetooth or Files)

VCF (vCard) is a universal standard for storing contacts. You can create a single file containing your entire phone book and transfer it in any convenient way: via Bluetooth, messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), or simply copy the file to your computer and then to a new phone.

To create such a file, open contacts, select the Import/Export menu, and click Export to Storage (or Export to File.vcf). The system will create a file, usually at the root of internal memory or in the MIUI/backup/contacts folder. Transfer this file to the new device.

On the new phone, you just click on the file you receive, the system automatically recognizes the format and suggests you import the records you find, you can choose where to save the contacts: in memory of your phone, on a Google account or Mi Account, and you are recommended to choose an account for automatic synchronization.

Solution: Duplicates and missing numbers

After transferring data, users often face the problem of duplication of records, which happens if you synchronize contacts with your Google account and then additionally import them from your Google account. SIM-As a result, the same person can appear twice or three times in the list.

MIUI and HyperOS have a built-in tool to solve this problem: Go to the Contacts app, click on the menu and select “Clean Duplicates” (or “Combine Repeated Contacts”). The system will automatically find matches by phone number or name and suggest combining them into a single card.

If the contacts are gone completely, don't panic. Check the contacts you see in the app settings. Often, the phone only shows the records from the app. SIM-Go to the display settings and make sure that there are checkmarks against all sources: "Phone», «SIM», «Google», «Mi Account».

• 🔍 Use a name search to check if the contact is deleted or simply hidden.
• 🔄 Check the Recycle Bin in Mi Cloud or Google Contacts – Remote records are stored there for 30 days.
• 📂 Make sure that the settings display contacts from all groups, not just “Favorites».

⚠️ Note: When combining duplicates, the system may ask which data to prioritize. Carefully check which number remains the primary one so as not to lose the current communication phone.

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Regular cloud sync (Google or Mi Cloud) is the best protection against loss of contacts in case of a phone breakdown or loss.

Alternative methods and third-party applications

If the built-in tools don't work or seem inconvenient, you can use third-party solutions. Google Play offers a variety of sync applications, such as Copy My Data or CLONEit, which work on a similar principle: create a Wi-Fi Direct connection and transfer data in a packet.

Another option is to use a Google account, where if you sync with Google on your old phone, when you type your Gmail address on the new Xiaomi, all contacts will automatically pull up, a standard mechanism for Android that works consistently on all brands, not just Xiaomi.

For advanced users who are switching from iPhone to Xiaomi, the “Move to iOS” app (at the setup stage) or manual sync via iCloud.com, exporting contacts in VCF format, is great. Ecosystems are becoming more friendly to each other, allowing easy migration between platforms.

Conclusion and safety recommendations

Shifting contacts from one Xiaomi phone to another is a challenge that any user can handle. We looked at methods from fast Mi Mover to classic. SIM-The choice of method depends on your current conditions: Internet availability, data volume and personal preferences.

Remember digital hygiene. Don't store important numbers solely in the device's memory or on the device. SIM-Check regularly if the sync is working and back up before any major changes to the system, such as resetting or flashing.

Now that your contacts are saved and transferred, you can fully use the new smartphone without fear of losing contact with loved ones and colleagues.