Changing from iOS to Android, particularly the popular Xiaomi Redmi or Poco models, often raises concerns about personal data loss. The most valuable asset for most smartphone owners is a phone book containing hundreds, sometimes thousands, of colleagues, friends and delivery services. Fortunately, the modern ecosystems of Apple and Google, as well as specialized software from Xiaomi, allow you to migrate data as quickly and without loss.
The process of transferring contact data can take from a few minutes to half an hour, depending on the method chosen and the amount of information, and in this article we will discuss all the current ways of synchronization, from cloud services to direct cable connection. You will learn how to avoid common mistakes such as duplicates or losing names when importing from the UK. SIM-map.
Using the Mi Mover application for direct transmission
The most effective and native way for owners of Xiaomi devices is to use the proprietary utility Mi Mover. This application is designed specifically for migration of data between smartphones and supports the transfer of not only contacts, but also photos, messages and installed applications. To start working, you need to install the application on both devices: on iPhone it can be downloaded from the App Store, and on Redmi it is often preinstalled in the Tools folder or available on Google Play.
Once the program is running, you need to create a connection on both smartphones. On the new Xiaomi, select Reciever, and on the old iPhone, Sender. QR-The Wi-Fi code or hotspot you need to connect to, and it's important that both devices are in close proximity to each other for a stable signal.
In the data selection menu, make sure to check "Contacts"; you can choose to transfer all or only a select few records; the transfer process takes place over a local Wi-Fi channel, which guarantees high speed and no mobile traffic consumption; once the operation is completed, the system automatically prompts you to save the imported data to the memory of your phone or account.
- 📲 Supports the transmission of call and message history along with contacts.
- 🚀 It works without an Internet connection using a local network.
- 🔄 Allows you to select specific contact groups for transfer.
⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the transmission process or lock smartphone screens until a successful completion message appears. Interrupting may damage contact database files.
Synchronization through Google account
The most reliable and immortal way to save a phone book is through Google Contacts cloud sync. Since the Android operating system is deeply integrated with Google services, this method provides automatic number recovery on the first login on a new Redmi device.
In the app settings, find the sync partition and activate the contact switch. The system will suggest selecting a Gmail account to store the data. Once sync is enabled, the iPhone will start transmitting numbers to the cloud. This process can take some time with a large number of records, so it is recommended to connect the device to the Wi-Fi network.
When sync on your iPhone is complete, pick up the new Xiaomi. When you first set up or through the Settings menu → Accounts and sync log in to the same Google account. The system will automatically pull up all saved numbers by distributing them in the appropriate fields. This is the only method that guarantees data security even in the event of loss or breakdown of both physical devices.
The advantage of this method is that you can manage contacts via a web interface on your computer, so you can easily delete duplicates, combine cards or edit numbers directly in your browser, and changes will instantly appear on your phone.
- ☁️ Automatic real-time backups.
- 💻 Ability to edit the database of numbers through a computer.
- 🔄 Seamless integration with Gmail mailbox.
Export and import via vCard (.vcf)
If cloud sync is not possible for some reason or you prefer to store data locally, a great solution is to use a vCard file. This universal format is supported by all modern smartphones and allows you to transfer contacts as a single file, which can then be opened on Xiaomi.
On your iPhone, open the standard Contacts app. Go to the Contact Selection menu (usually the Group or Select button in the top corner) and click on Select All. Then click Share (square up arrow) and select the way to submit. In the list of formats or actions, find the Export vCard option or simply send the file to yourself by email or messenger.
The resulting file with the.vcf extension must be opened on a Redmi device. When you start the file, Android automatically recognizes the format and prompts you to import the entries contained in it. You can choose which account or phone memory to store the data in, a method that is especially convenient if you want to transfer contacts to a phone that is not yet connected to the Internet.
⚠️ Note: When importing a large vCard file (over 1,000 contacts), the process can take several minutes.
Transfer of contacts through SIM-map
Use of the SIM-The card as a media is an "old school" that still has the right to live, especially if you don't have access to Wi-Fi or a computer: SIM-The card usually stores only the name and number, ignoring email addresses, photos, addresses and additional numbers.
First, you need to export contacts from the iPhone memory to the SIM card. In iOS, this functionality is hidden, so you will need a third-party app from the App Store (for example, “Copy to SIM” or similar), or you need to import via iTunes/Finder to your computer and then sync with SIM through another device. Direct export to SIM on the iPhone is often limited to software.
After the contact is recorded on SIM-Take the card out of your iPhone and paste it into the Xiaomi Redmi slot. On your Xiaomi phone, go to the Contacts app, open the settings, and select Import Contacts «SIM-map" and choose your phone memory or Google account as your destination, and the system will copy the data, and then the SIM card can be used as usual.
The main disadvantage of the method is the loss of detail. All complex names can be trimmed to 10-15 characters, and the Cyrillic alphabet in some older SIM formats can be displayed incorrectly (in krakozyabr), so this method is recommended to use only as a backup option.
- 💾 It does not require an internet connection.
- 📉 Some information is lost (photo, mail, addresses).
- ⚠️ Risk of data damage when retrieving a card during recording.
💡
Before extraction SIM-cards from the iPhone be sure to turn off the device or use a special key for the tray, so as not to damage the moisture detection sensors and the tray itself.
Comparison of data transfer methods
To make it easier for you to choose the best way, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you weigh the pros and cons of each method depending on your specific situation and equipment.
| Method | Speed. | Photo preservation | We need the Internet. | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover | Tall. | Yes. | No (locally) | Low. |
| Google Account | Medium | Yes. | Yes. | Low. |
| File vCard | Tall. | Yes. | No. | Medium |
| SIM-map | Low. | No. | No. | Tall. |
As you can see from the table, Mi Mover and Google Account are leaders in the convenience and completeness of stored information. SIM-The card is only valid in emergency cases, when other options are not available, and the choice of method depends on your priorities: speed, autonomy or maximum compatibility.
Solution: duplicates and coding
Once contacts are transferred, users often face the problem of duplication of records, which occurs when the system cannot automatically combine cards from different sources (for example, iCloud and Google). Xiaomi with a MIUI shell or HyperOS has a built-in tool to solve this problem.
Open the Contacts app, click on the menu (three dots or gears) and find the "Clean up" or "Collect duplicates" option, and the system will analyze the database and suggest combining records with the same numbers or names, a secure operation that does not delete data, but only structures it.
Another common problem is the incorrect display of names (encoding). If you see a set of characters instead of Russian letters, try changing the encoding when importing a vCard file (select UTF-8 or Windows-1251). In the case of synchronization through Google, the problem resolves itself after full synchronization and updating of the page in the web interface.
What to do if your contacts are not synchronized?
Cleaning and structuring the base after migration
The final step in moving to Xiaomi Redmi is to review the phone book, and over the years, the database has accumulated delivery numbers, old contacts, and test records, and now is the time to clean up.
Use the Favorites feature for the most important numbers so that they are always on hand on the home screen of the call, and assign contacts from different sources (work, personal, service) to the appropriate groups, which will simplify the search and allow, for example, to put unique ringtones on certain groups.
Remember to check regularly where new numbers are saved. SIM-card or phone memory, whereas the best option is to save directly to Google account. Check the way to save the contact settings menu, so that in the future you do not lose important data.
☑️ Final contact check
💡
Regular cleaning of the phone book not only frees up space, but also speeds up the work of finding contacts and increases security by removing fraudster numbers or spam databases.