The shift from Apple’s ecosystem to Android devices, such as Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO, often raises concerns about the loss of sensitive data. The most valuable asset in a phone is, of course, a phone book containing the numbers of colleagues, friends and delivery services. The migration of this data has become much easier in recent years thanks to advanced synchronization tools, but requires a clear understanding of the sequence of actions.
There are several proven methods to move contacts without losing information or duplicating records: You can use Google cloud services, a dedicated Mi Mover app from the manufacturer, a standard export feature via iCloud, or even a physical one. SIM-The choice of the specific method depends on your current situation, whether you have a stable Internet connection and the number of numbers to be ported.
In this article, we will take a look at each of the available algorithms so you can choose the most convenient option for you. We will look at the nuances of working with Google Contacts, the features of the.vcf format and the subtleties of synchronizing through your Mi Account. Proper execution of instructions ensures that your phone book will be fully restored to the new device in minutes.
Preparation of devices for data transfer
Before you start any data manipulation, you need to make sure that both devices are ready to work. Your iPhone should have the current iOS installed, and your Xiaomi smartphone will have the initial configuration of the MIUI or HyperOS system. It is extremely important that both gadgets have a battery charge of at least 50-60%, since the synchronization process can take time and energy.
Be sure to check for a stable Wi-Fi connection. Mobile internet data transfer is possible but not recommended, especially if your phone book has photos of contacts or many records, which can lead to unforeseen traffic costs. Also make sure you remember the password from your Apple ID and Google account, as they may be required for authorization.
⚠️ Note: Before starting the procedure, we strongly advise you to back up your contacts on your iPhone separately, just in case, this will protect you from accidental data loss in the event of a network failure or synchronization error.
If you plan to use cloud-based methods, make sure that your Google account has free space.Although contacts take up a minimum of space, crowded storage can cause synchronization errors for other services.
Method 1: Sync through Google Account
The most reliable and commonly used method is Google Cloud Sync, which is ideal because contacts immediately enter the Android ecosystem, where they will be automatically saved and updated in the future. First, you need to download the Google Contacts app from the App Store to your iPhone if it is not already installed.
Once installed, open the app and log in to the same Google account you used or plan to use on your new Xiaomi smartphone. In the app settings, find the sync section and make sure the switch opposite Contacts is activated.
- 📲 Launch the Google Contacts app on iPhone.
- 🔐 Sign in to your Gmail account.
- ⚙️ Go to settings and enable synchronization.
- ☁️ Wait for the data to be uploaded to the cloud.
Once you have finished the process on your iPhone, pick up a new Xiaomi smartphone. When you first set up or in the Settings menu → Accounts and sync, add the same Google account. The system will automatically tighten all saved numbers. This is the safest method to avoid data loss when you change your device in the future.
Method 2: Use the Mi Mover application
Xiaomi has developed its own Mi Mover app, which makes it much easier to migrate from other platforms, including iOS, which allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also photos, videos and certain settings. To work the method, you need both smartphones to be nearby and connected to the same Wi-Fi network, or use an access point.
On the iPhone, you need to download the Mi Mover app from the App Store. When you run the app, you'll see the interface that you're going to choose the role of the device, the sender or the receiver. On the iPhone, you'll choose "Sender" (Old phone), and on Xiaomi, you'll run the built-in app and you'll select "Recipient" (New phone), the application will create a temporary Wi-Fi network to which you need to connect.
☑️ Checklist for Mi Mover's work
Once you connect your devices, select a data category to transfer. In this case, we're interested in Contacts. You can deselect from other file types if you don't plan to transfer them right now. Press Send and wait until the process is complete. The speed depends on the amount of data and the quality of the wireless connection.
⚠️ Note: While transferring data via Mi Mover, do not lock smartphone screens or switch to other applications. Interrupting the process may cause damage to the contact file or incomplete copying.
The main advantage of this method is that there is no need for Internet traffic, since the transfer is over a local channel. However, it is worth considering that contacts can be copied to the phone’s memory, not to the Google account, so after transferring, it is recommended to check the default saving settings.
Method 3: Export via iCloud in VCF format
If you can’t use intermediary apps, you can use the standard iCloud functionality. This method is good for its versatility: the resulting file can be transferred in any convenient way (messenger, mail, Bluetooth) and opened on any Android device. First, make sure that the iPhone has enabled synchronization of contacts with iCloud in the Settings menu → [Your name] → iCloud.
Next, you need a computer or a browser on your smartphone. Go to icloud.com and log in to your Apple ID. From the menu, select Contacts. Select all the necessary entries (on your computer this is done by a combination of Ctrl+A or Cmd+A keys, on the mobile version - through the control button in the corner).
Once selected, click on the settings icon (cogs) and select Export vCard. Your device will download a file with the.vcf extension. This file contains the entire contact structure, including names, numbers and addresses. Now this file must be delivered by any means possible to your new Xiaomi phone.
What to do if the file is not opened?
Send the file to you via Telegram, WhatsApp or email. Opening the file on your Xiaomi smartphone, the system will suggest importing the records found. Choose the target account (preferably Google) where the data will be stored. This is a universal way that works even if there is no direct connection between the phones.
Method 4: Transfer through SIM-map
The least preferred but still working method for small phone books is to use the phone. SIM-The main limitation is that SIM-The card has a limit on the number of characters in the contact name and often does not store additional fields such as addresses, emails or second numbers.
To implement this method on the iPhone go to Settings → Contacts (or simply "Contacts" on older versions of iOS).Look for "Import Contacts" SIM" or "Export of contacts to SIM-Apple has hidden direct exports in new versions of iOS, and this method may not be available without using third-party apps from the App Store, such as Copy to SIM".
If the export is successful, take it out. SIM-A card from your iPhone and paste it into your Xiaomi smartphone. After you turn on your phone, go to the Contacts app, open the settings menu (three dots or gear) and select Import/Export Contacts. Specify the source"SIM-Map and destination Phone or Google Account".
| Parameter | Google Synchronization | Mi Mover | VCF file | SIM-map |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photo preservation | Yes. | Yes. | Yes. | No. |
| We need the Internet. | Yes. | No (Wi-Fi Direct) | Yes (for transmission) | No. |
| Additional fields (email) | Yes. | Yes. | Yes. | No. |
| Difficulty | Low. | Medium | Medium | Low. |
Solution and elimination of duplicates
Once data is transferred, users often face the problem of duplicate contacts, which occurs when the same number is stored in both the phone's memory and Google account, or when data is imported from different sources. MIUI and standard Google Contacts have built-in tools to address this problem.
Open the Contacts app on your Xiaomi, go to the settings and find "Consolidate duplicates" or "Contact management." The system will automatically analyze the database and suggest combining records with the same names or numbers, a secure operation that will not cause loss of information, but only structure it.
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If contact names are not displayed correctly after importing, try changing the encoding or display source to a newly created Google account in the contact display settings.
Also check where the new numbers are saved by default. Go to the Contacts app settings and select your Google account under "Save Account" to prevent new numbers from disappearing when you reset your phone, as they will be in the device's local memory.
⚠️ Note: When combining duplicates, look carefully at the preview of changes. Sometimes the system can mistakenly combine different people with the same names (for example, two contacts "Alexander"), so manual control will not interfere.
If you've used multiple portability techniques, first make a full backup of your current phone book. Then carefully remove any extra contact groups. Remember, removing the contact from your synchronized Google account will remove it from all the devices you log in to that account.