How to copy contacts from iPhone to shaomi: a complete guide

Changing the ecosystem from iOS to Android is often perceived by users as a complex and intimidating process, with the risk of losing important data. However, modern technologies and tools provided by Xiaomi and Apple make it almost invisible to the owner. The most important asset for most people is a phone book, the loss of which is equivalent to digital oblivion. Fortunately, there are proven methods to ensure that all numbers, email addresses and additional fields are safe.

In this article, we will discuss in detail several ways to transfer data, ranging from cloud synchronization through a Google account and ending with local copying through a Google account. VCF-You will learn how to avoid duplication of records and properly configure the display of names on a new device. Whether you change your old iPhone to the latest flagship Xiaomi or budget model Redmi, the algorithm of actions will remain almost identical.

Before you start, you need to make sure that both devices have sufficient battery power and a stable connection to the Wi-Fi network. This is critical for cloud methods, as transferring large amounts of data over the mobile Internet can take a long time or interrupt.

Preparing iPhone for data export

The first step in the migration process is to properly prepare the original device. On iPhone, you need to make sure that all contacts are actually stored in the phone's memory or synced with iCloud, not just with iCloud. SIM-Maps that are often ignored by modern iOS apps. Go to Settings, then select Contacts and check Display. Make sure to check the box on "All iCloud contacts" or "All Gmail" if you've already used Google mail.

If your numbers are stored locally on your device, they need to be exported. Open the Contacts app, find any entry and scroll to the bottom. There you will find the option to Select everything (if it is not visible, use the Share Contact feature for several at once). However, the most reliable way is to use the standard export functionality through iCloud settings on your computer or directly on your phone through the browser.

• 📱 Check the iOS version – it should be at least 10 for stable operation of all export functions.
• ☁️ Make sure that iCloud contact sync is enabled in the Settings section → [Your name] → iCloud.
• 🔋 Charge your iPhone to at least 50% so the process doesn’t stop in the middle.

⚠️ Note: Do not try to transfer contacts via Bluetooth directly between iOS and Android – this feature on iPhones is blocked for transferring the phone book to third-party devices.

It is important to understand that SIM-The card is the least reliable carrier for modern smartphones. It has a limited amount of memory and often crops long names or does not support saving multiple numbers per one. SIM-A card as an intermediate if you have the ability to use digital methods.

Sync with your Google account (the most reliable method)

The most elegant and efficient way to migrate is to use Google Contacts cloud storage. Since the Android operating system installed on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones is deeply integrated with Google services, this method provides not only portability but also constant synchronization in the future.

To start, you’ll need to install Google Contacts from the App Store on your iPhone if it’s not already installed. After installing, log in to your Google account (the same one you plan to use on the new Xiaomi). In the app’s settings, find Sync and turn on the Contact Sync switch. The system will automatically upload all numbers from your phone’s memory to Google’s cloud.

Once you have finished downloading on your iPhone, pick up your new Xiaomi smartphone. When you first set up or through Settings → Accounts and Sync, add the same Google account. The system automatically prompts you to sync your data. Once the process is complete, your entire phone book will appear in the standard call app.

• 🔄 Two-way communication: Changes made to the new phone will also appear on the old phone if it is connected to the network.
• 🛡️ Backup: Your contacts will be safe even if your device is completely lost or broken.
• ⚡ Speed: The process takes 1 to 5 minutes depending on the number of records and internet speed.

⚠️ Note: If you have two Google accounts, make sure you choose the one that will be the main one on Xiaomi, otherwise contacts may “dissolve” in different profiles.

This is particularly good because it clears duplicates, and Google's services have clever algorithms that combine records with the same names and numbers to create a single contact card, which solves one of the most common problems when switching between platforms.

Using the Mi Mover app for migration

Xiaomi has developed its own Mi Mover app, which is designed to make life easier for users who move from other platforms, and it's a built-in solution that allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also photos, videos, apps and even system settings. To work with the iPhone, you will need to download the Mi Mover app from the App Store.

The process starts with running the app on both devices. On Xiaomi, select Reciever and on iPhone, Sender. Devices will create a temporary Wi-Fi network to connect to. Once you connect, select Contacts category and click Send. Data transfer speeds through that channel are usually faster than the Internet.

The feature of the method is that you can select specific contacts if you don't have to move the entire book, you can filter the entries by group or select only selected numbers, which is convenient if you want to leave old work contacts on an old device or clear the list of unnecessary "digital noise".

Once the process is complete, the app will report the number of records transferred, and it is recommended that you check the number of contacts on the new device against the original one, and if the numbers match, then the migration is successful, otherwise you should repeat the procedure or use an alternative method.

Transfer via VCF file (Local method)

If you don't have stable Wi-Fi, or if you prefer to keep your data under control, a VCF (vCard) file method is the perfect solution, and it's a universal format supported by almost any phone directory in the world, and the essence of the method is to create a single file containing all your contacts and then transfer it.

On your iPhone, open the Contacts app. Click on any card, scroll down and select Share Contact. From the menu that appears, select Select All (or select the desired contacts with your fingers). Click Share in the top corner. From the transfer method list, select Save to Files. The system will create contacts.vcf.

Now you have to transfer this file to Xiaomi. The easiest way to send it to yourself is to Telegram ("Favorites"), by mail or through any cloud drive. Open the file on your new smartphone. Android automatically recognizes the vCard format and prompts you to import the contacts you find. Choose the account you want to save them to (Google Account is recommended), and confirm the action.

This is a good way to be autonomous, because you don't need the Internet at the transfer stage if you're using a direct transmission of files over a cable or a LAN, but it doesn't provide any subsequent synchronization, so you'd better start cloud synchronization after import.

Comparison of data transfer methods

To make it easier for you to choose the right option, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you to weigh the pros and cons of each method depending on your specific situation and technical capabilities.

As you can see from the table, Google Sync wins in convenience and reliability in the long run. Mi Mover is better suited for initial setup out of the box when you need to flip gigabytes of data at once. VCF files are a great backup just in case.

Use of the SIM-We put the cards at the bottom of the list for a reason. 4G/5G The modules and contacts on the SIM are often read slowly or incorrectly, and when you change the SIM card to a new phone, the contacts will not go away, but they will not update if you change something on the old one.

Solving and dealing with duplicates

Once transferred, users often face the problem of duplicate records, which occurs when the same contact is stored in both the phone’s memory and Google account, or when a file is imported over existing records. Fortunately, Android has built-in cleaning tools.

Open the Contacts app on your Xiaomi. Click on the profile avatar or three dots in the menu corner. Select Fix and Manage (or Contact Management). There will be the option to Combine and Fix. The system will ask you to find duplicates and combine them into one entry, saving all numbers and addresses.

💡

Periodically check the Recycle Bin folder in Google contacts. Deleted contacts are stored there for 30 days, allowing you to recover accidentally erased numbers after cleaning the duplicates.

Also worth checking is the display of names. On Android, the order may be different from the usual one on iOS. Go to the contact display settings and select your preferred format: "Family Name" or "Family Name." It's a trifle, but it has a significant impact on usability.

If you notice that your contact photos are missing, don't panic. When importing through VCF, photos are often lost because they are stored separately from text information. When synchronized through Google, the photos should be automatically pulled up if they were linked to a Google profile, not just iCloud.

⚠️ Note: Before joining contacts, back up. Google Contacts on your computer (contacts.google.com) has an Export feature that will save your current state in case of an error.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

💡

Use Mi Mover to quickly move the entire dataset when you first turn on, then activate Google Contacts’ constant sync for future security.