Changing the operating system from Android to iOS often raises concerns about the safety of personal data, especially the phone book. Xiaomi owner, moving to the iPhone 11, faces the need to migrate hundreds of numbers that can be scattered in different storages: in your phone memory, Google account or on SIM-Fortunately, Apple and Google engineers have come up with some reliable ways to do this without having to type manually.
The process of transferring contact data can take from a few minutes to an hour depending on the method chosen and the amount of information. We will consider three main scenarios: using the official Move to iOS app, synchronizing through Google’s cloud service, and the classic method of importing through the Internet. SIM-Each of them has its own characteristics and is suitable for different situations.
Before starting the procedure, it is important to make sure that both devices are charged at least 50% and connected to a stable Wi-Fi network. Interrupting the process during the data transfer stage can cause file corruption or a complete stop migration. Below we will discuss each step in detail so that you can choose the best option for your situation.
Xiaomi and iPhone 11 Prepared for Data Migration
The first step in any migration process is to properly prepare the original device. MIUI You need to check where your numbers are physically stored, and users often don’t realize that some contacts are stored in your phone’s memory and some are stored in your Google account, which can lead to the loss of some data when you move them.
To check, open the standard Contacts app and go to your display or contact management settings. You need to make sure all important numbers are marked as syncable. If you see the Combine Duplicates option, use it before you start porting so that the new iPhone 11 doesn’t get confused with repetitive entries.
And the first setup you have to do on your new Apple device is, if you're already activated and you're using it, you'll need to reset to factory settings to use the Move to iOS method, a critical point that many people forget.
☑️ Ready for transfer
Make sure that the iPhone 11 has the latest version of iOS installed. Older versions of the operating system may not work properly with modern data protocols or have security vulnerabilities.
Method 1: Use the Move app to iOS
The official migration method from Apple is considered the most complete, as it allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also message history, photos, videos and even some settings. To implement this method, the iPhone 11 must be at the initial setup stage (Hello screen). If the phone is already set up, you will need to reset through Settings → Main → Move or reset iPhone → Erase content and settings.
On Xiaomi, you need to download the Move to iOS app from the Google Play store. After installation, launch the program and accept the terms of the license agreement. On the smartphone screen, you will request permission to access contacts, geolocation and storage - all these permissions are required for the correct operation of the utility.
On the iPhone 11, when you set up, select "Move data from Android" and the screen will show a six-digit or decimal code, the same code must be entered in the application on Xiaomi, and after you enter the device, you will create a temporary secure Wi-Fi network through which data transfer will go.
⚠️ Warning: Don’t switch to other apps on Xiaomi during transfer.If you fold the Move to iOS app or the screen goes out, the process may stop and you’ll have to start over.
In the data transfer list, make sure to select Contacts, you can also choose photos and messages, but this will significantly increase the waiting time. Once the progress bar is complete, the content will be installed on the iPhone, and in a few minutes your phone book will be fully available.
What if the code doesn't fit?
Method 2: Sync through a Google account
This is the most convenient way for those who are already actively using the Google ecosystem, because Xiaomi smartphones by default require a Google account to be linked, most of your contacts may already be in the cloud, eliminating the need to use third-party apps or cables.
First, make sure that sync on Xiaomi is successful. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google and click on your account. Make sure the switch opposite Contacts is active. You can also visit contacts.google.com from your computer to visually check for all numbers.
On iPhone 11, go to Settings → Contacts → Accounts → Add an account. Select the Google logo and enter the same email as Xiaomi. In the sync services list, be sure to tick the box next to Contacts. The system will ask if you need to save data from your iPhone to Google - select Save to create a backup.
Once synced, contacts will appear in the Phone or Contacts app within minutes, depending on the speed of the Internet, and the advantage of this method is that any changes to the phone book will automatically appear on all devices where you log in to this account, including tablets and computers.
Method 3: Transfer through SIM-map VCF file
A classic method that does not require the internet but has significant limitations. SIM-The card is only capable of storing text data (name and number), so photos, email addresses, job titles and additional numbers will be lost.
On Xiaomi, open the contact app, click on three dots in the corner or the menu button and select "Import/Export Contacts." SIM-The system will warn you that some data will be cropped, confirm the action. Once completed, remove the Symbol and paste it into the iPhone 11.
On iPhone, go to Settings → Contacts → Import SIM contacts. Choose where to save data: to iCloud or to your phone. The process will take a few seconds. If you want to use a VCF file, on Xiaomi, select Export to Storage, transfer the resulting.vcf file to your iPhone via messenger or mail and open it - the system will suggest adding all contacts at once.
| Parameter | Move to iOS | Google Sync | SIM-map |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo preservation | Yes. | Yes. | No. |
| We need the Internet. | Yeah (Wi-Fi) | Yes. | No. |
| Difficulty | Medium | Low. | Low. |
| Keeps the call history. | No. | No. | No. |
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Method SIM-The card is only suitable for emergencies when there is no Internet access, as it does not keep complete contact profiles.
Solving common synchronization problems
Sometimes the transfer process can encounter technical hurdles, such as contacts may not show up on your iPhone even after successful synchronization, in which case check the display settings in the Contacts app. Click on Groups or Lists in the top corner and make sure that the checkbox is in front of All Contacts or a specific Google account.
Another common problem is the encoding of names. VCF or SIM-The Cyrillic names can turn into a set of characters, in which case only re-exporting with the correct encoding (usually) will help. UTF-8) or using cloud synchronization that automatically processes Unicode characters.
⚠️ Warning: If you see duplicate contacts after the transfer, don't manually delete them one at a time. On iPhone, go to your contacts settings and find the "Duplicate Search" feature (available in iOS 16 and later) to combine them automatically.
Xiaomi users also often face aggressive energy savings that kill background syncs. To avoid this, add Google or Move to iOS to battery exclusions (“No restrictions”) in MIUI settings. This ensures that the system does not interrupt data transmission midway through the process.
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After the transfer, make sure to back up your contacts in iCloud. Go to Settings → [Your name] → iCloud and turn on the Contacts slider. This will save your phone book if you lose your phone in the future.
Setting up display and sorting after transfer
After a successful migration, you should adjust the usability of the phone book. iOS may default to sorting by surname, which is unusual for Android users, where you often use sorting by name. You can change this from the Settings menu → Contacts → Sorting order. Choose "Name, Surname" if you are so familiar.
It is also worth checking the format of the display of numbers. In some regions or when imported from different sources, numbers can be recorded without a country code or with different separators. You can use third-party cleaners from the App Store to bring them to a uniform view, but you should do this with caution, saving a backup beforehand.
An important aspect is the integration of messengers. After transferring the numbers WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber may not immediately “see” new contacts. Go to the settings of each messenger and click “Update” or “Sync contacts” to avatars and statuses pulled from the updated phone book.
Final recommendations on data security
When you complete the transfer, don’t rush to delete data from the old Xiaomi. Leave the phone on and connected to Wi-Fi for a couple of days to make sure all data is working correctly on the new device. Only after fully adapting to the iPhone 11 can you start cleaning or selling the old gadget.
Remember that a full copy of contacts in the cloud Google or iCloud is a must-have security condition. Local storage on a device without backup in an era of high risk of losing gadgets is an unnecessary risk. Regularly check whether automatic sync is working.
Moving to a new platform is also an opportunity to clean up the digital space, while contacts are still fresh in your phone’s memory, go through the list and delete unnecessary posts, block spam numbers and organize contacts into groups (Family, Work, Services), which will make using the iPhone more comfortable from the early days.