Changing a smartphone or switching to a new Xiaomi model often necessitates migration of user data. The most valuable information for most owners is the phone numbers of friends, colleagues and delivery services. The process of transferring them from one Android or MIUI device to another is as simple as possible today, but requires care not to lose important records or create duplicates.
There are several reliable methods for copying a phone book, each of which is suitable for different use cases. You can use cloud storage, local files or even good old-fashioned ones. SIM-The choice of the particular method depends on whether you have Mi Account enabled, whether you have Internet access and how large your notebook is.
In this article, we will take a look at all the algorithms available so you can choose the most convenient option for you. We will look at working with the Xiaomi cloud, Google services, and manual export methods. Proper preparation of data before transfer will avoid chaos in contacts on the new device.
Preparing for data transfer and clearing the list
Before you start the migration process, it is strongly recommended to audit the existing records, often the list of numbers accumulates old contacts, duplicates or entries without names, clearing the list before transferring will save you time in the future and ensure the cleanliness of the database on the new phone.
Go to the Contacts app on your current Xiaomi device, go through the list and delete the unwanted numbers, and pay attention to where your records are stored: SIM-In a card, in a phone memory or in an account, the best way to successfully transfer data is to have all the data in a single storage unit.
⚠️ Note: If your contacts are scattered across different sources (part of the information is available) SIM, The sync process may not be correct, but first combine all the records in one place, such as a Google account or Mi Cloud.
Make sure both old and new devices have enough battery life. While the copying process doesn't consume much power, suddenly turning off your phone during synchronization can cause database entries to fail. Also check for a stable Wi-Fi connection if you plan to use cloud services.
Method 1: Sync with Mi Cloud (Mi Account)
The most native way for Xiaomi appliance owners is to use their own Mi Cloud storage, which is ideal if you are moving from the old Xiaomi to the new one, as it allows you to restore not only numbers, but also the structure of folders, notes and calendar.
First, make sure the original device logs in to Mi Account. Go to your phone settings, find "Mi Account" and log in. Then select "Cloud" or "Sync" and activate the slider opposite to "Contacts." The system automatically uploads all numbers to the server.
On the new Xiaomi phone, sign in to the same account. Once logged in, the system will prompt you to recover data from the cloud. If automatic recovery has not started, go to Settings → Mi Account → Cloud and click Sync. All records will appear in the phone book in a few minutes.
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Use the Find Device feature in Mi Cloud to remotely verify that contacts have actually downloaded to the server before you dump your old phone.
This method is particularly useful because it allows you to manage contacts via a web interface, so you can access i.mi.com from a computer, check for all the numbers, and even edit them if you don't have a phone at hand, and the changes will automatically apply to the device after the next sync.
Method 2: Transfer through a Google Account
Google’s ecosystem is the standard for Android, and syncing through it is one of the most reliable ways to migrate, a method that is universal: it’s suitable for switching from any Android smartphone to Xiaomi and vice versa.
On your old device, open your settings and find the Accounts or Users and Accounts section. Select your Google account and make sure that the sync check box is in front of the Contacts item. If the data hasn't been updated for a while, manually click Sync.
On a new Xiaomi phone, add the same Google account when you first turn on or set up. The system automatically pulls up all the numbers stored in the Google cloud, which ensures that your contacts are safe even if you completely replace the device with a different brand.
| Parameter | Mi Cloud | Google Contacts |
|---|---|---|
| Compatibility | Better for Xiaomi. | Universal for Android |
| Speed. | Tall. | Depends on the Internet. |
| Duplicate | Automatic merger | |
| Web access | i.mi.com | contacts.google.com |
An important advantage of using Google services is the built-in function of merging duplicates. If you lose duplicate numbers in your notebook, Google will offer to combine them into one card, which will make the list more neat and easy to search.
Method 3: Export and import via VCF file
The local method of transferring via a.vcf file (vCard) is the gold standard of reliability, it does not require the Internet and allows you to create a physical copy of your phone book that you can store on a flash drive or send yourself to a messenger.
Open the Contacts app on Xiaomi’s phone. Click on the three dots in the corner of the screen or the menu button and select “Import/Export Contacts.” Next, select “Export to Storage” or “Export to File.vcf.”
⚠️ Note: The default contact file is saved in the root directory or folder MIUI. Do not delete this file immediately after transfer until you make sure that all numbers are correctly displayed on the new device.
The resulting file can be transferred to a new phone in any convenient way: via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct, messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) or simply copying to a computer. On a new device, you just open this file, and the system will suggest importing the entries contained in it.
☑️ Checklist for safe transfer
This method also makes it easy to transfer contacts between different users of the same device or transfer them to people who do not have access to your cloud accounts. vCard file is supported by almost all modern smartphones and email clients.
Method 4: Use SIM-migration-card
Although this method is considered obsolete due to the limitations on the number of characters in the name and number, it remains relevant for button phones or situations where there is no access to the Internet. SIM-The card acts as a physical carrier of information.
In the Contacts app, select the control menu and click "Import/Export." Select the "Export to Export" option. SIM-The system will alert you to the limitations, then start copying, which can take time if you have a lot of contacts.
After the export is completed, insert SIM-card to the new Xiaomi phone. From the contact menu, select "Import with" SIM-maps" and specify the place of saving - it is better to choose "Phone" or Google account, so as not to lose data when changing the SIM in the future.
Limitations SIM-map
It is important to remember that when copying SIM-Additional fields such as email addresses, second numbers or photos of subscribers may be lost, so this method is better used as a temporary or backup option.
Solving problems with duplicates and synchronization
After transferring contacts from Xiaomi to Android, users often face the problem of duplication of records, which occurs when the same number is stored in the phone’s memory, in the Google account, and in the Mi Cloud.
Google’s Contacts app (which is often the standard on Xiaomi) has a built-in bug fixing tool: Open the app, go to the settings or Contact Management section, and find the Merger and Correct item.
The system automatically finds the duplicates and suggests that you combine them, so you can do this en masse for all the duplicates you find, or you can look at each pair of contacts individually, and you can save the information you need from different cards to one.
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Regularly checking for duplicates after any major data transfer is a must-do step to keep the phone book clean.
If the duplicates don't disappear, check the display settings. From the contacts menu, select "Filter" or "Massive Contacts" and make sure you don't check "Phone Only" or "SIM Only" if you want to see the combined list, and sometimes the problem is filtering.