How to copy contacts from Xiaomi phone: the complete guide

Changing a mobile device is often stressful when the entire phone book is at stake. The Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco ecosystems are faced with the need to move data quickly and error-free to keep in touch with important people. Fortunately, the MIUI and HyperOS shells offer many built-in backup tools that are more stable than third-party apps.

In this article, we will discuss all current methods, from synchronization through the cloud to classical transfer to the Internet. SIM-You'll learn how to avoid duplication of records and what to do if the numbers get mixed up when you import. A competent approach to this process will save you hours of manual reprinting and nerves.

Using a Google account to sync

The most reliable and modern way to save a phone book is by linking to Google services. When you first turn on your smartphone, the system insists on signing in, and this is not accidental: this is where the key to your data is stored. To make sure that the process is running, go to the settings and find the Accounts and Sync section, where you need to select your Gmail address and make sure that the switch opposite to the Contacts item is activated.

If you plan to transfer data to a new device, just log in to it under the same login. All records marked as saved in Google Contacts will be automatically pulled up when you have the Internet, which is especially convenient when switching to an Android smartphone from another brand, since the storage format is universal.

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Always check where the new number is saved when it is created. By default, the system may offer a save on the new number. SIM-card or phone memory, which excludes automatic synchronization.

It's important to understand the difference between on-premises storage and cloud storage, because if a number is stored "in memory of the phone", it won't go to the cloud on its own, and in such cases you can use forced synchronization or export via the web interface contacts.google.com, which ensures that even if you accidentally reset your settings to factory settings, your number base will remain intact.

Transfer via Mi Cloud and Mi Mover

The second powerful tool that is tailored specifically for Xiaomi devices is the Mi Cloud cloud service, which allows you to create full backups of the system, including not only contacts, but also SMS, call history and even the location of icons on the desktop. To activate, go to Settings → Mi Account and enable contact synchronization. This will create a copy in the Xiaomi cloud that is easy to restore on any device with the MIUI shell.

Mi Mover is the perfect tool for migrating to a new phone out of the box, creating a direct Wi-Fi connection between the old and new gadget, transmitting data at high speeds without consuming mobile traffic. Run the app on both devices, select a role (sender or recipient) and scan. QR-code.

• 📱 Supports the transfer of contacts, photos, music and installed applications.
• 🚀 Transfer speeds are much faster than Bluetooth or cable.
• 🔄 Works even if the initial setup has not yet been completed on the receiving device.

The Mi Mover copying process is transparent to the user: you see the progress bar and the approximate end time. Once complete, the data is automatically distributed to the relevant parts of the system, which is the best choice when buying a new smartphone of the same brand, since the complete data structure is preserved.

Classic method: copying to SIM-card

Although technology has advanced, the old-fashioned method of transferring through the SIM-The card remains relevant, especially when changing platforms (for example, from iPhone to Android or vice versa), the main limitation here is the amount of SIM memory and the format of the record: usually only the name and one phone number are saved.

To start exporting, open the standard Contacts app. Click on the three dots in the corner of the screen or the menu button, then select Import/Export Contacts. In the menu that appears, specify the source (phone memory or Google Account) and the recipient (SIM-The system will warn you of possible format limitations, and then start the copying process.

⚠️ Attention: SIM-Cards often have a limit on the number of characters in a name (usually up to the limit of the number of characters in a name). 10-15 signs) and do not support the retention of additional numbers, email addresses or photos.

After the export is completed on the old phone, insert SIM-Go back to the import/export menu, but now select the source "SIM-And the card, and the recipient, the phone, or Google, so you convert the simplified SIM format into a full-fledged memory record.

Import and export via.vcf file

The universal format for storing contacts is a file with the.vcf (vCard) extension, supported by almost all email services and messengers, and you can create such a file directly from the contact management menu by selecting the option "Export to.vcf".

The resulting file can be sent to itself via messenger (Telegram, WhatsApp), mail or transferred via Bluetooth. On a new device, just open this file, and the system will suggest importing the records contained in it, which is ideal for a one-time transfer of large amounts of data without being tied to specific cloud services.

When working with.vcf files, be careful when importing if you have already started using a new phone. The system can create duplicate records if you do not offer a merge function. Always check the result of the import and, if necessary, use the "Combine duplicates" function in the contact settings.

Solving problems with duplicates and display

A common problem after migration is that you have the same entries or numbers disappear from the common list. In MIUI and HyperOS, the display filter is responsible for this. If you don't see the contacts you want, open the app, click on the menu and select Display Settings or Contact Filter. Make sure that the check boxes are in front of all sources: SIM, Phone, Google, Mi Account.

To eliminate duplicates, modern versions of Android offer automatic mergers. Go to contact management and find contact management → Combine repeats. The system will analyze the database, find matches by phone number or name and suggest combining them into a single card.

If duplicates are caused by manual import, you can use the web version of Google Contacts, and there's a handy Find and Combine tool that works much more accurately and visually than mobile counterparts, and once you clean the site, the changes are synced to the phone.

List display and sorting settings

Once the transfer is successful, you should adjust the list to a more convenient view. Depending on your habits, you may be more comfortable searching for people by name or surname. In the Contacts app settings, you can select the "Sort" and "Show names" options.

Also, you should pay attention to the design of the contact card. When transferring from an iPhone or old Android smartphones, the photos may not be tightened if they were saved locally on the device, rather than in the account profile, in which case you will have to update the avatars manually so that when you call you immediately see who is calling you.

Remember that the order of display may depend on the language of the system. If you use multiple input languages or names, sorting can be unexpected, in such cases, it helps to manually edit the contact card, where you can clearly specify how exactly the name should be displayed in the list.

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The most secure and versatile way to store contacts is a Google account, which guarantees the safety of data whenever you change your device and operating system.