The transition from the Android ecosystem represented by Xiaomi smartphones to the iOS platform is always accompanied by anxiety about the safety of personal data. Especially the question of how to copy contacts, because the phone book is a base without which the device becomes an expensive toy. Fortunately, modern technology offers several reliable migration routes that exclude the loss of important numbers.
In this article, we will take a look at every method available, from cloud sync to manual file copying, and learn how to avoid common mistakes, such as duplicated records or losing specific fields like email addresses and photos, and getting your devices ready before you start will save you time and nerves.
Regardless of your Xiaomi model (whether it’s a Redmi Note or a flagship Mi) and the iOS version on the new iPhone, the ways described below will be relevant.We’ll look at the nuances of working with a Google account, as it is a key bridge between the two operating systems.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before any data manipulations begin, you need to make sure that both smartphones are ready to work. On a Xiaomi device, you should check exactly where the numbers are stored: in the phone memory, on the phone. SIM-Google card or Google account, and most often, Google sync is used by default, which makes it much easier to do this.
On the iPhone side, a stable Wi-Fi connection is required, as downloading large amounts of data can require significant traffic, and make sure that both devices have at least 50% battery charge so that the process does not break down halfway due to discharge.
⚠️ Note: If you plan to use the “Move to iOS” app, the new iPhone should be able to reset to factory settings, as the transfer is only possible at the initial device setup stage.
It’s important to check the amount of free storage in Google’s cloud storage beforehand.If your phone book contains thousands of contacts with photos, space in a standard 15GB may not be enough for full sync before transfer.
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Before starting the transfer, be sure to back up your contacts on Xiaomi through the Export menu in case of unforeseen failures.
Method 1: Sync through a Google account
The most reliable and modern way to migrate is to use Google's cloud profile, because Xiaomi runs on Android, all the contacts are often stored there by default, you just need to make sure that sync is enabled.
Go to Settings on your Xiaomi, select Accounts and Sync (or just Google). Find your inbox and make sure the slider opposite the Contacts section is activated. Click on the sync button to make sure all data has gone to the cloud.
- 📲 Open the settings of the Xiaomi phone.
- 📧 Go to the Google Accounts section.
- 🔄 Forced to start contact synchronization.
- ✅ Check the availability of numbers at contacts.google.com.
Now, on the iPhone, select Mail (or Contacts in new iOS versions) from the settings menu, then Accounts. Add the same Google account and make sure the Contacts switch is on. The system automatically pulls all the records from the cloud to the iOS phone book.
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Synchronization via Google is the only way that keeps two-way communication: changes to the iPhone will be displayed on Android devices.
Method 2: Transfer through SIM-map
This method is considered "classical", but it has a number of significant limitations. SIM-The card can only store textual information, such as name and number, and all additional fields, such as photos, addresses, emails and the second number, will be permanently lost.
To start, export contacts to Xiaomi. Open the Contacts app, click on the menu (three dots or gear) and select Import/Export contacts. SIM-The system will warn you of possible data loss, confirm the action.
After the export is completed, extract SIM-Map from Xiaomi and paste it into your iPhone. On your iPhone, go to Settings → At the bottom of the list, find the button Import contacts from SIM. It'll take a few seconds.
⚠️ Note: Do not use this method if you have more than 500 contacts or if the numbers are recorded in a non-standard format, SIM-The map may not correctly display long names.
If on Xiaomi, contacts are stored in the phone's memory rather than on a SIM, you'll first have to copy them to a SIM card via the contact management menu.This can take time if the phone book is large.
Method 3: Use the Move to iOS app
Apple’s official app, Move to iOS, allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also messages, photos and even Wi-Fi settings. However, as mentioned earlier, this method only works when you initially set up your iPhone.
If your iPhone is already set up and in use, you’ll have to take the radical step of resetting your device to factory settings via Settings → Main → Move or Reset iPhone → Erase content and settings. Only then, on the Hello screen, will the data port be possible.
☑️ Ready for Move to iOS
On Xiaomi, download the Move to iOS app from Google Play. Launch it and follow the instructions on the screen. On your iPhone, select "Move data from Android." Enter the code that appears on your iPhone screen into the app in shaomi. Select "Contacts" and start transfer.
The good thing about this method is that it creates a direct connection between devices, bypassing cloud servers, which can be faster if you don't have fast Internet, but the stability of the connection sometimes suffers and the process can be interrupted.
Method 4: Export and import via VCF file
The universal VCF (vCard) format allows you to save the entire phone book into a single file, which can then be transferred to any other smartphone, which is ideal if you do not want to shine your contacts in the cloud or use third-party applications.
On Xiaomi, go to the contacts app, select the menu, and click Import/Export contacts. Select Export to Storage (or Export to Internal Memory).The phone will create a file with the.vcf extension, usually in the root folder or in the MIUI folder.
Now you have to send this file to your iPhone, and the easiest way to send it to yourself is by email, by Telegram (Favorites), or by cloud drive, and open the file on your iPhone, and the system recognizes the format and suggests adding all the contacts you find.
| Parameter | Google Sync | SIM-map | VCF File |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo preservation | Yes. | No. | Yes. |
| Saving Email | Yes. | No. | Yes. |
| We need the Internet. | Yes. | No. | No (for transmission) |
| Risk of data loss | Minimum | High-pitched | Low. |
Where to find a VCF file on Xiaomi?
Solution and elimination of duplicates
After transferring data, users often face the problem of duplicate records, which occurs when contacts are stored simultaneously in the phone memory, in the Google account and on the Internet. SIM-iOS tries to combine them, but sometimes creates copies.
To fix this on your iPhone, open the Contacts app and go to All iCloud or All Google to see the source of the record. If the duplicates have already appeared, there is no built-in "Delete Doubles" button in iOS, so you will have to use third-party utilities or do it manually through iCloud.com.
Another common problem is the lack of photos. SIM-If you're using Google, but you don't, check if they were saved to a Google profile, not locally to a Xiaomi gallery.
⚠️ Note: When importing VCF Keep an eye on which account you are importing (iCloud or Gmail) and choose iCloud for local storage on your Apple device.
Sometimes, contact names are displayed in the format of "Family Name" instead of "Family Name", or vice versa. This is configured in Settings → Contacts → Display Order. Choose the sorting option that is convenient for you.