How to copy contacts from Xiaomi phone: the complete guide

Changing your smartphone or having to recover data after a system reset always causes a slight panic, especially if it is a phone book. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices can face different scenarios: moving from another brand's Android, switching from an iPhone, or simply wanting to back up before upgrading your firmware. Fortunately, the MIUI shell and the newer HyperOS offer powerful built-in tools for migrating data that often work faster and more stable than third-party apps.

In this article, we will take a look at all the available number transfer methods, from cloud sync to manual file importing. You will learn how to avoid duplicates, why some contacts may not show up, and how to properly set up a Google Account to save automatically. Whether you have internet access or an old phone is in a box without charging, you will find a solution.

Before you start taking action, you need to decide on the source of the data and the ultimate goal, and it can take anywhere from a couple of minutes to an hour if the phone book has thousands of records. It is important to understand that modern Xiaomi smartphones by default tend to store data in the cloud, but traditional methods are used to store data in the cloud. SIM-The map or Bluetooth exchange is not gone either. vẫn relevant in certain situations.

Syncing with Google Account: The Most Reliable Method

Using the Google ecosystem is the de facto standard for the Android platform. If you’ve previously used a pure Android smartphone or other shell, your contacts are likely already saved to the cloud. First, make sure that the new Xiaomi device is signed in to the same account. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google and make sure that the slider opposite the Contacts item is activated.

Once synchronization is enabled, the system automatically tightens all the saved numbers, and the good thing about this is that contacts are linked to the mail, not to a particular device. If you lose your phone or buy a new one, just type in your login and password to recover the entire phone book, and that eliminates the risk of data loss if the gadget physically breaks down.

However, sometimes users are faced with a situation where the numbers are in the account, but do not appear in the Contacts app. In this case, you need to check the display settings. Open the phone book app, click on three dots or a gear in the corner and select Contact Filter. Make sure that the tick is opposite your Google account, not just Phone or SIM.

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Always store your contacts in Google Account, not in your phone’s memory, which ensures they are safe even if your device is completely broken or your settings are accidentally reset.

It's worth noting that synchronization can take time with a lot of data. If you have a few thousand numbers in your database, don't panic if they don't show up instantly. Give the device a few minutes connected to Wi-Fi to complete the background process of exchanging data with the search giant's servers.

Import of contacts with SIM-maps and other devices

Many users still keep numbers on the SIM-In the case of a card, especially if the transition is from an old button phone or a device with minimal memory. In Xiaomi smartphones, the import process is as simple as possible. You will need the Contacts app (or Phone), which is the default system.

To start the procedure, open the application, click on the menu (three horizontal bars or dots) and select "Import / export contacts." From the list of sources that appears, select "Import from". SIM-The system will suggest selecting an account to which the numbers will be saved - it is best to choose your main Google account for further synchronization.

If you’re switching from another Android smartphone, the process can be even easier. When you first set up a new Xiaomi, the system will suggest copying data from another device over cable or Wi-Fi. If the phone is already configured, you can use the “Mi Mover” feature, which is pre-installed on all the brand’s devices.

When importing long names may be cropped and additional numbers (working, fax) may be lost, so after transfer, it is recommended to check the records and edit them if necessary.

For iPhone owners, the situation is a little different. SIM-iPhone cards are not possible because Apple doesn’t store contacts on the SIM. You’ll need to export them through iCloud on your computer in vCard format, and then upload this file to Xiaomi, or use the “Mi Mover” app for iOS, which is available in the App Store.

Using Mi Cloud Cloud Storage

Xiaomi’s own cloud-based solution, the Mi Cloud, is a great alternative to Google, especially if you’re actively using other devices like tablets or smartwatches, and it synchronizes not only contacts, but also SMS, notes, voice recorders, and even device location.

To activate this feature, go to Settings → Mi Account. If you don’t have one, you will need to register. After you sign in, go to the Cloud and make sure the Contacts switch is on. Now all new entries will automatically fly to the Xiaomi cloud.

The advantage of Mi Cloud is that it's fast within the ecosystem, so if you lose your phone, you can quickly recover numbers by just logging into your Mi Account on any device, and it's convenient for those who don't want to load Google's storage limit or use multiple mailboxes.

⚠️ Note: When you reset your settings to factory without first syncing with Mi Cloud or Google, all data stored only in the phone’s memory will be irretrievably lost.

Contact management is also available via the i.mi.com web interface. Once you access the site from your computer, you can edit, delete or add new numbers, and they will instantly appear on your phone when you have the Internet, which is especially convenient for office work when you need to quickly edit your phone book from your PC keyboard.

Transfer via VCF and Bluetooth files

The universal format for contact data is a file with the.vcf (vCard) extension, which is ideal when you need to transfer contacts to a device without access to the Internet or when cloud services are not available. VCF It can contain a single contact or a whole phone book.

To back up, open the Contacts app on your old phone. From the menu, select Import/Export Contacts → Export to Device Memory (or Export to Storage). The system will create a file that is usually called contacts.vcf or has a name with a date of creation. This file can be transferred in any convenient way: via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct, instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), or simply copy to a computer.

Once you have a file on the new Xiaomi, just click on it. The system automatically recognizes the format and prompts you to import the records you find, you can choose which account or device to save data to, and this is one of the fastest ways to roll over contacts in bulk.

When transmitted via messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram, a VCF file can be sent as a document, which keeps its structure intact, but if you send contacts as text, you can't import them back without manual input or complex converters.

Working with the Mi Mover app

The Mi Mover app is a heavy artillery for data migration, pre-installed on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, and the utility’s main feature is that it creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between two devices, ensuring high transfer speeds without using mobile network traffic.

Run the app on both phones. On the new device, select "I'm the recipient" and on the old one, "I'm the sender." Scan QR-You can also select the device from the interface, and you can also select the interface for the selection of data, and you can also select the contact. SMS, Call history, images, and even installed apps.

The process of cloning data is automatic, and once completed, Mi Mover will suggest that you complete the work or continue to transfer other files, which is the most complete way to move, since it not only stores the numbers themselves, but also the history of correspondence and calls, which is critical for many users.

It’s worth considering that when porting from iOS, functionality can be limited to basic data due to the closedness of Apple’s system. However, for the Android-Android bundle, this is perhaps the best tool to make a clone of an old phone in minutes.

Solution: duplicates and missing numbers

A common problem after data transfer is the appearance of duplicates. This happens when contacts are stored in Google, in the memory of the phone, and in the Mi Cloud at the same time. Fortunately, there is a built-in cleaning tool in the MIUI shell. Go to Contacts, open the menu and find the item "Contact Organization" → "Combine duplicates." The system will find the repeated records and suggest that they be merged.

Another common problem is the lack of callers names. ID When you call in, even though you have contacts on the list, this is often treated by checking permissions. → Annexes → All applications → Contacts → Permits and make sure that phone and contacts are allowed, and check if the display filter is only for the screen. SIM-map.

If the numbers are missing after you upgrade, don't rush to reset. Often they're just hidden. Check the filtering settings in the phone book app. You should also go to contacts.google.com and check if your data is there. If everything is there, just re-sync the phone.

⚠️ Note: When combining duplicates, the system can select a name from one record and a number from another.Always check the result of the merger so that important details (for example, an email address or a company) are not lost).

In some cases, especially when using third-party launchers or dialers, the standard contact application may conflict.Try clearing the Contacts and Phone app cache through the application management menu.This is a secure operation that will not delete your data, but can correct display errors.

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Regular check and combination of duplicates is the key to a clean and convenient phone book that will not slow down the smartphone.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)