How to sync contacts between two Xiaomi smartphones: 5 proven ways

Shifting contacts from one Xiaomi to another may seem like a trivial task, but in practice users face nuances from the lack of backup to problems with authorization in cloud services. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of synchronization - from standard (via the standard one). MI Cloud and Google Accounts to Alternatives (Bluetooth, SIM-We will pay special attention to common errors, for example, when contacts are duplicated or not displayed on a new device.

It’s important to understand that synchronization depends on several factors: the version of MIUI on both smartphones, whether you have access to the Internet, and whether contacts are stored in the device’s memory or linked to an account. If you’ve never set up a backup, start with the section on exporting contacts to a VCF file, which is a one-stop-shop approach that works even without cloud services.

For Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO owners running MIUI 12-14, all the instructions below are validated in 2026. If you have an older firmware version, some menu items may differ - in this case, use the Settings → Search search.

1. synchronization through MI Cloud: the fastest way

MI Cloud is Xiaomi’s proprietary cloud storage that automatically backs up contacts, messages and other data, a method that is suitable if both smartphones are tied to the same Mi Account or you are ready to log in to a new device.

To move contacts through MI Cloud, follow the following steps:

• 📱 On an old smartphone: open Settings → Mi Account. → MI Cloud and make sure the switch opposite Contact is active. If not, turn it on and wait until sync is complete (the cloud icon in the status bar should disappear).
• 🔄 On a new smartphone: log in to the same Mi Account (or create a new one if it's the first Xiaomi). → Mi Account. → MI Cloud and enable contact synchronization.
• ⏳ Wait until the process is complete. Time depends on the number of contacts and the speed of the Internet (usually 1-5 minutes).

If contacts do not appear on the new device, check:

• 🔌 Internet connection (better to use Wi-Fi).
• 🔄 Updating data in MI Cloud: Pull down the contact list in the Contacts app to force an update.
• 📱 Version MIUI: on old firmware (below) MIUI 10) manual updates may be required through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using MI Cloud for the first time, the system can request confirmation SMS Make sure you have access to the linked number or mail, or the authorization will be blocked for 24 hours.

2. Transfer of contacts through Google Account

If you prefer the Google ecosystem or don’t want to create a Mi Account, syncing through Google Contacts is a reliable option, which works on all Android devices, including Xiaomi, and avoids duplication of records.

Instructions:

1. On an old smartphone, open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google and select your account. Make sure the Contacts switch is on. If not, activate it and wait for the sync (the spinning circle icon in the status bar).
2. On the new smartphone, log in to the same Google account and enable contact sync in the same settings.
3. Open the Contacts app and pull the list down to update the data.

If the contacts are not displayed:

• 🔍 Check what is in the contact settings (Contacts) → ☰ → Settings → Contact management: the correct account to display.
• 📥 Make sure there is enough memory on the new device: sometimes sync is interrupted due to space shortage.
• 🔄 Reboot both smartphones – this often solves problems with “hang” synchronization.

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If you change your smartphone frequently, set up automatic sync on both accounts (Mi and Google) to eliminate the need to manually transfer contacts every time you update your device.

3. Contacts over Bluetooth: without internet

If you don't have Wi-Fi or mobile internet, Bluetooth is a lifeline, and it's a method that's suitable for sending a small number of contacts (up to 500 records) because when you have a lot of data, the connection can be interrupted.

How to transfer contacts over Bluetooth:

• 📲 On an old smartphone, open the Contacts app, click ☰ → Imports/Exports → Send and select contacts to transfer (or click Select All).
• 🔵 Turn on Bluetooth on both devices and pair (confirm the connection request on the new smartphone).
• 📤 On your old smartphone, select Bluetooth as the way to send and wait until the transfer is completed. On the new device, confirm the file's acceptance (usually a file with the.vcf extension).
• 📥 After transfer, open the received file on the new smartphone and import contacts.

Limitations of the method:

• ⏳ Slow transmission speed (about 10 contacts per minute).
• 📵 Connection breaks are possible if the devices are far apart (maximum 10 meters).
• 📛 Not all contact fields can be transmitted correctly (e.g., additional phone numbers or notes).

⚠️ Note: If the new smartphone already has contacts, importing via Bluetooth can create duplicates. Before transferring, it is recommended to back up existing records (see section 4).

Turn Bluetooth on both devices |

Make sure the battery is charged at least 30 times%|

Place smartphones nearby (within a radius of 1 meter)|

Check the space available on the new device (minimum 1 MB per 100 contacts)|-->

4.Export and import of contacts via VCF file

VCF (vCard) is a universal format for storing contacts that all smartphones, including Xiaomi, support, and is suitable if you want to back up or transfer contacts to a device of another brand (for example, from Xiaomi to iPhone).

Export instructions:

1. Open the Contacts app on your old smartphone.
2. Press. ☰ → Imports/Exports → Export to file.
3. Select where to save the file (e.g., Internal Memory → Download) and confirm the export.
4. A file called contacts.vcf (or similar) will appear in the folder you select. Copy it to the new device via the new device. USB-cable, messenger or cloud storage.

Import instructions:

1. Transfer the.vcf file to the new device.
2. Open the Contacts app → ☰ → Imports/Exports → File-based import.
3. Select the copied file and confirm the import.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 It works without the Internet and cloud services.
• 📁 File. VCF You can edit on a computer (e.g. delete unnecessary contacts before importing).
• 📱 Supported by all modern smartphones, including iOS and Android.

5. Transfer of contacts through SIM-Map: Outdated but working method

Method by which SIM-The card is suitable for owners of older Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi). 4A or Mi A1), It's not cloud-based, but it has some serious limitations:

• 📵 SIM-The card only stores the name and phone number (no email, addresses or notes).
• 📛 Number of contacts limited by capacity SIM (usually 200-250 records).
• ⏳ The copying process takes a long time (up to 10 minutes for 200 contacts).

How to transfer contacts via SIM:

1. On your old smartphone, open your contacts. → ☰ → Imports/Exports → Exports to SIM-map.
2. Select contacts for export (or click Select All) and confirm.
3. Wait until the copy is completed (do not extract). SIM-map!).
4. Move it. SIM-Card to new smartphone and import contacts: Contacts → ☰ → Imports/Exports → Import with SIM-map.

⚠️ Attention: If yours SIM-Nano-SIM card, and the new smartphone only supports eSIM, this method will not work. VCF-file.

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SIM-A map is the most unreliable way to transfer contacts, and use it only as a last resort if other methods are not available.

Third-party synchronization applications

If standard methods don't work (for example, due to a failure in the MI Cloud or Google's limitations), you can use third-party applications.

Recommendations for use:

• 🛡️ Download apps only from Google Play or Mi App Store to avoid viruses.
• 📥 Check reviews before using – some programs may not work properly with MIUI.
• 🔄 After importing contacts through a third-party app, restart your smartphone to make the changes apply.

Important: Apps like Truecaller or GetContact are not designed to sync, they only identify numbers, and don't use them to move contacts, as this can lead to data leakage.

7. Elimination of synchronization errors

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, you can have problems, and let's look at the typical mistakes and their solutions.

• 🔄 Contacts are not synchronized through MI Cloud: Check if Auto Sync is enabled in your account settings. Make sure your device has enough memory (minimum 100MB of free space). MIUI Up to the latest version – in old firmware there are bugs with the cloud.
• 📵 Bluetooth Cuts Connection: Turn off Power Saving Mode (Settings) → Battery → Power Saving Mode: Make sure that all devices are Visibility Mode enabled (Bluetooth Settings) → Reboot both smartphones and try again.
• 📛 Duplicate contacts: Open Google Contacts in your browser (contacts.google.com) and use Find and combine duplicates. In your smartphone contact settings, turn off the display of duplicate accounts (Contacts) → ☰ → Settings → Contact management).

If none of the methods worked, try resetting your contacts:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Contacts.
2. Click Warehouse → Clear your data (this will delete all local contacts!).
3. Start syncing again via MI Cloud or Google.

FAQ: Frequent questions about contact synchronization