Changing a smartphone is often stressful not because of the loss of the device itself, but because of the risk of losing important data, among which the phone book is the number one. Owners of the Xiaomi Mi A2 are in a special position, because this model runs on “pure” Android, which is somewhat different from the shell of MIUI, familiar to most fans of the brand. However, the basic principles of synchronization and export are universal to the entire Google ecosystem.
In this article, we will take a look at all available methods of backing up numbers, from cloud synchronization to manual file transfer. Proper data retention before resetting or selling a gadget is a mandatory digital hygiene procedure that cannot be ignored. We will consider the nuances of working with a Google account, the features of transferring through the SIM-map and use of specialized software.
Regardless of which phone you plan to upgrade to, whether it’s a new Android or an iPhone, the following action algorithms will help you keep in touch with your loved ones and colleagues, and it’s important to understand that each method has its own advantages depending on the size of your number base and the speed of your Internet connection.
Synchronization through Google account
The most reliable and modern way to save a phone book on the Xiaomi Mi A2 is to use built-in sync with Google services. Since this model is from the Android One program, cloud integration is implemented natively and works most stable here. You do not need to install third-party applications, just check the settings of the system.
To start, make sure your Google account is added to the system and has permission to sync contacts. Go to the settings menu, select Accounts or Users and Accounts, find your email address and make sure that the slider opposite Contacts is activated. Once you enable automatic sync, all new records will be instantly saved to the cloud.
⚠️ Warning: If you just added new numbers manually to your phone's memory, don't rush to reset. Give your device a few minutes in Wi-Fi mode so it can send the changes to Google's server.
To initiate a forced update right now, you can use a hidden menu or standard interface. Go to Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync and click on Sync. Once the process is completed, all your data will be accessed at contacts.google.com from any other device.
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Use the “Free Space” feature in the Google Photos and Google Contacts app to remove duplicates that may have accumulated over the years of using your smartphone.
The advantage of this method is that when you log in to a new phone with the same login and password, the entire phone book will boot automatically. You will not need to perform any additional manipulation of files or cables. This is especially convenient if you are switching to any other smartphone running Android.
Export of contacts in VCF-file
If you don’t have access to the internet or prefer to store backups locally, the ideal solution is to create a VCF file (vCard) format, which is supported by almost all modern phones, email clients and operating systems, making it a great choice for long-term archiving.
To create a copy, open the standard Contacts or Phone app on your Xiaomi Mi A2. Depending on the firmware version, the control menu can be under the three-point button or in the side hamburger menu. Select Settings or Contact Management, and then find the Import/Export Contacts option.
- 📁 Click Export to Storage to create a file on internal memory.
- 💾 Select the save format, usually.vcf.
- 📂 The system will select a phone memory or SD-file-card.
- 🔍 After completion, a file with a date of creation will appear in the root folder or Contacts folder.
You can copy the file to your computer, send it to yourself by email, or send it over Bluetooth to a new device, and on a new phone, you just open the file, and the system will suggest importing the records it contains, and this is a universal method that works even if Google services are temporarily unavailable.
☑️ Pre-export verification
It is worth noting that when exported, VCF stores not only phone numbers, but also additional fields such as email addresses, jobs and addresses, if they have been filled out. However, contact photos may not be saved on all recipient devices, as this depends on the format support of a particular manufacturer.
Transfer through SIM-map
Copying method through SIM-The card is one of the oldest and still relevant, especially when switching between phones of different operating systems, for example, from Android to a button phone or an old iPhone.
The process starts by copying the records from the phone's memory to the SIM card chip. Open the contacts app, go to settings and select "Import/Export." In the list of options, find "Export to the SIM card." SIM-The system will warn you that some data may be lost because the format is not available. SIM-card.
| Parameter | Phone memory | SIM-map |
|---|---|---|
| Number of rooms | No restrictions. | Usually up to 250-500. |
| Number length | Anybody. | Up to 20 characters |
| Name of contact | Long, with emojis. | Short, often circumcised |
| Supplementary fields | Address, email, photo | Absent. |
⚠️ Note: When copying the SIM-Long contact names may be cropped, and second phone numbers (mobile, work, home) are often combined or lost as the standard SIM-The card supports only one number in the name.
After the contacts are maintained on SIM-Take it out of the Xiaomi Mi. A2 And paste it into a new phone. In the menu of the new device, select import from SIM-This is a good way to make it simple, but it's not recommended for users with a large phone book, because it can take a long time and the risk of losing the formatting of names is very high.
Use this method only in extreme cases when other methods are not available. For a full backup, it is better to resort to cloud technologies or create file copies that preserve the entire data structure without distortion.
Use of the Mi Mover app
Xiaomi has developed its own app called Mi Mover, which is designed to quickly migrate data between smartphones. Although the Xiaomi Mi A2 runs on pure Android, this app is often available for installation or already preinstalled, allowing you to transfer data not only to other Xiaomi phones, but also to any Android devices.
To get started, install the app on both smartphones (old and new), run the program and select the device role: “Sender” for your current phone and “Receiver” for a new one. The app will create a local Wi-Fi network through which data will be transmitted, so there is no Internet connection for this process.
In the data transfer list, make sure to check "Contacts." You can also choose photos, messages, applications and system settings. The speed depends on the amount of data, but it usually takes a few minutes. It's a great way to completely clone a device without having to reconfigure each setting.
What if the Mi Mover doesn’t see the second phone?
It is important to note that when you transfer to other brands, some system settings may not be transferred, but contacts, as a basic function, are always copied correctly. Once the process is complete, check the phone book on the new device for duplicates.
Transfer contacts to iPhone (iOS)
Moving from the Xiaomi Mi A2 to the iPhone requires a special approach, as the Android and iOS ecosystems differ. The best tool for this is Apple’s official app called “Move to iOS,” which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store on your Xiaomi.
Launch the app on your new iPhone during initial setup (or after reset). On the Apps and Data screen, select Move Data from Android. On the Xiaomi Mi A2, open the Move to iOS app, accept the terms of the agreement, and enter the code that appears on the iPhone screen.
- 🍎 Make sure both phones are connected to the same Wi-Fi network or use the iPhone network you create.
- 📲 On the Xiaomi screen, select Contacts, as well as other data you want to move.
- ⏳ Wait for the loading band to end without switching to other apps.
- ✅ After completion, the contacts will appear in the application “Phone” on the iPhone.
An alternative way for advanced users is to use a Google account. If you add your Google account to your iPhone settings (Settings → Contacts → Accounts → Add Account → Google) and enable contact sync, all numbers from the Google cloud will automatically pull up to iOS memory. This is often faster and more reliable than using a wireless transfer protocol.
⚠️ Note: When porting to your iPhone via the Move to iOS app, the process may be interrupted if an incoming call or background update is launched on Android.
Problem Solving and Frequently Asked Questions
While copying data, users often face technical difficulties, such as missing menu items or synchronization errors, and understanding the causes of these failures will help quickly restore the functionality and save important data.
One of the common problems with the Xiaomi Mi A2 is out-of-synchronization when new contacts don’t appear in the cloud, often solved by clearing the cache of the Google Play Services service or re-authorizing in the account, and it’s also worth checking if Google’s cloud storage is crowded, as at a limit of 15 GB, sync can stop.
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Regularly checking the sync status in your Google account settings helps prevent data loss in the event of a sudden smartphone breakdown.
If you encounter a situation where contacts are lost after a system update, don’t panic. Most often they are simply hidden by a display filter. In the Contacts app, click on the menu and select Contacts to Display by ticking the box against All Contacts or your Google account.