How to transfer contacts from iPhone to Xiaomi: proven methods

Changing the operating system is always stressful for the smartphone owner, because it is scary to lose important data. However, the transition from iOS to Android platform in Xiaomi smartphones has become as simple as possible thanks to built-in tools. You no longer need to manually interrupt hundreds of numbers, since modern methods allow you to copy the entire phone book in a couple of minutes.

In this article, we will look at all the current synchronization methods, from cloud services to local Wi-Fi transfer. The fastest result is the use of the Mi Mover application, which is pre-installed on all new devices of the brand. We will look at the nuances of each method so that you can choose the most convenient for your situation.

Before you start the procedure, make sure that both smartphones are at least 50% charged. Unstable power can interrupt the data transfer process, which will require a repeat operation. Also check that both devices are enabled Bluetooth and geolocation access, as they are used to detect devices.

Preparing devices for data migration

The first step is to properly prepare the source and target gadgets. On iPhone, you need to make sure that all contacts are stored in iCloud memory or on the device itself, not just in messengers. Go to the settings and check if the contacts are synchronized so that the data is current at the time of copying.

Xiaomi requires you to create or sign in to an existing Mi Account, a key element of the ecosystem that will not only allow you to move numbers, but also save them in the cloud in case you lose your phone in the future. Without authorization, some portability features may not be available or work properly.

⚠️ Warning: Make sure both smartphones are connected to the same Wi-Fi network if you plan to use cloud methods or LAN transmission.

It's also worth freeing up space on the new device, although contacts take up a minimum of space. However, if you plan to port photos or apps, free memory will be critical. Check the operating system version on both phones and upgrade them to the latest available version if necessary.

Using the Mi Mover application for portability

The most effective tool is the proprietary utility Mi Mover, which is designed specifically for migration of users from other platforms, including iOS.The application automatically determines the type of data transmitted and optimizes the transfer rate, creating a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices.

To get started, open the app on Xiaomi and select Reciever. iPhone will require you to install a similar app from the App Store or scan it. QR-code that will appear on the screen of the new smartphone. Once the devices are connected, you will see a list of categories available for transfer.

In the data list, make sure to check "Contact" or "Phonebook." You can deselect other categories if you want to move only numbers, leaving media files in the old place. Click "Send" and wait for the process to be completed without turning off the device screens.

⚠️ Warning: Do not turn off the Mi Mi Miver app during transfer. Switching to other apps or locking the screen may break the connection and interrupt the copying.

Once the operation is complete, the system will suggest that you view the data transferred, and the contacts will be automatically distributed to the appropriate fields in the Android phone book, and if some numbers are not identified correctly, they can be quickly edited with built-in tools.

Synchronization through Google Account

An alternative and very reliable method is to use Google's capabilities, because Android is based on Google's services, importing from iCloud to Google Contacts is a native solution, ideal if you're already using Gmail on a new phone.

First, you need to export your iPhone contacts. Go to iCloud.com via your browser on your computer or mobile device, select Contacts and export them in vCard (.vcf) format. Then go to contacts.google.com and import this file.

Once you upload a file to the Google cloud, take your Xiaomi and go to account settings. Add the same Google account and enable contact sync. The system automatically pulls all the numbers from the cloud into your smartphone memory.

The advantage of this method is that your numbers will always be with you now, regardless of the phone change, and you just need to log in to any device to access the database, and it creates a robust backup that's hard to lose.

Transfer through SIM-map: classical method

If the volume of the phone book is small or there is no access to Wi-Fi, you can use it. SIM-This method is considered obsolete due to the number of characters in the number and name, but it works even without the Internet. On iPhone, go to the contact settings and select Export to the Internet. SIM-map».

After copying, move the SIM card to Xiaomi. In the Contacts app, find the import/export menu and select Import from SIM-The system will suggest selecting a save location: it is recommended to choose a Google account or phone memory, rather than the SIM card itself.

The main disadvantage of the method is the loss of additional fields, such as email, address or photo of a subscriber. Android can break up long names into several entries if they do not fit into the SIM card limit. Use this method only as a temporary solution.

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Save contacts directly to the Google or Mi Cloud cloud to avoid problems with cropping names in the future. SIM-The map limits the functionality.

Solving import problems

Users often encounter duplicates when a single contact is displayed multiple times, which occurs when the numbers are stored in both the phone’s memory and Google account, and on the phone. SIM-To solve this problem, the Contacts app has a built-in unification tool.

Go to contact management and find the item "Combine duplicates" or "Clean up." The system will analyze the database, find matches by phone number or name and suggest combining them into one card, which will make the phone book neat.

Another problem can be encoding names, especially if they have specific characters, in which case re-importing via vCard file, which usually saves UTF-8 encoding correctly, helps. Avoid manual editing of export files in simple text editors.

Setting up display and sorting on Xiaomi

Once the transfer is successful, you should adjust the phone book to a more convenient view, so you can sort it by name or by surname in the MIUI or HyperOS shell, and it is often more convenient for Russian-speaking users to sort it by name, because we often keep full names in contacts.

Go to the Contacts app settings and find the Display section, where you can set up the format of the number display, turn on the phone search in the settings, and determine the priority account for new entries, and set up saving new numbers immediately in Google or Mi Cloud.

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Properly setting up your priority account to save ensures that all new numbers will automatically sync to the cloud without you being involved.

It's also worth checking how the contact photos are displayed. SIM-The photo card is missing, and can be restored if it was saved in Google Contacts. Just enable sync in your account settings.

Security and backup

Once all the migration work is done, it is critical to back up. Backup is the only guarantee that you won't lose data if your device breaks down or is stolen. At Xiaomi, you can do this through Mi Cloud or locally on your computer.

To create a local copy, go to your phone's settings, select About Phone, and find Backup and Restore. Select creating a new backup and only mark contacts so you don't waste space on unnecessary files. Save the archive to your computer or external drive.

⚠️ Attention: Check regularly that the sync with the cloud works correctly. Add a test contact and check for it in the web version of the service through the browser.

Using cloud technology, you can not only save numbers, but also find a device, block it remotely or erase data in the event of a theft. Find a device only works with an active account and the Internet is turned on.

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