How to copy a phone book from Android to Xiaomi: the complete guide

Changing your smartphone, especially to Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO, is always accompanied by a desire to customize your device as quickly as possible. The most critical point in this process is to keep all the entries in the phone book, as losing the numbers of friends, colleagues or delivery services can be a serious problem. Fortunately, the Android ecosystem provides many tools for data migration, making this process simple and understandable even for inexperienced users.

Unlike older push-button phones, which had to manually interrupt hundreds of numbers, modern smartphones allow you to transfer the entire list of contacts in minutes. There are several proven methods, from cloud synchronization through a Google account to using a proprietary utility Mi Mover. The choice of the specific method depends on the condition of the old device, access to the Internet and personal preferences of the user regarding data privacy.

In this article, we will take a closer look at all the current ways to transfer contacts, assess their pros and cons, and consider possible errors and ways to solve them. You will learn how to properly prepare both devices, what permissions you need to give applications and how to make sure that no number is lost during the migration. Follow the instructions to make your new Xiaomi immediately a full replacement for the old device.

Preparation of devices before the migration

Before you start actively copying data, you need to make sure that both the old and new Xiaomi smartphones are ready to go. First, check the battery level on both devices; it is recommended that it is at least 40-50% so that the process does not interrupt in the middle due to battery discharge.

An important step is to check the integrity of the data on the old device. Go to the Contacts app and make sure that the numbers are not saved on the device. SIM-If the records are scattered from different sources, it is better to combine them beforehand. On the new Xiaomi, you need to log into your Google or Mi Account, depending on the chosen method of transferring the data.

Make sure that both devices are enabled with Bluetooth and geolocation if you plan to use wireless transmission methods that do not require internet.In some cases, older versions of Android can block the transfer of large files without the explicit permission of the user. Also check that the screens of both smartphones do not go out too quickly by setting a screen timeout for 5-10 minutes in the settings.

⚠️ Note: If the old phone has a custom shell or modified firmware, standard portability methods may not work properly.

Syncing with a Google account: the most reliable method

The most versatile and time-tested way is synchronization through Google’s cloud services, which is ideal because it doesn’t depend on the old phone model and works even if the devices are in different places, the main thing is that you have access to the Internet. All contacts are stored in the cloud, which serves as additional insurance in case of loss or breakage of a physical device.

To start with, on an old Android smartphone, go to the Settings menu, then select Accounts or Users and Accounts. Find your Google account in the list and click on it. Make sure the switch opposite Contacts is activated. If it has been turned off, turn it on and click the sync button (usually three dots in the corner or a separate button).

Now, pick up a new Xiaomi. When you first turn on, it will prompt you to log in to your Google account. Type in the same login and password as you did on your old device. As you set up, the system will ask you what data to restore -- be sure to tick the box against Contact. If the phone is already set up, just add the account in the settings and enable sync.

• 🔄 Automatic Update: Any changes to the phone book on one device will instantly affect the other.
• 🛡️ Security: Data is protected by Google’s two-factor authorization and will not be lost when resetting.
• 🌐 Cross-platform: access to numbers from any device through the browser contacts.google.com.
• ⚡ Speed: The process takes a few seconds with a stable Wi-Fi connection.

Once synced, open the Contacts app on Xiaomi and make sure all entries are in place. If you see duplicates, MIUI or HyperOS often suggests automatically combining them. To do this, go to the Contacts app settings and select the Combine Duplicates function.

Using the Mi Mover app for fast transfer

Xiaomi has developed its own Mi Mover app, which makes it much easier to switch from any Android device or iPhone, which is perhaps the fastest way, as it creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between phones and does not consume mobile traffic. The application is preinstalled on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO in the toolbox».

Run Mi Mover on your new phone and select the "I'm the recipient" role. On the old device, you need to download the app from Google Play or scan it. QR-code that will appear on the screen of the new phone, after connecting the devices through the displayed QR-code, select the category "Contacts" in the list of transmitted data.

The app allows you to select specific contacts or migrate the entire phone book. Mi Mover's algorithm is optimized to work with large amounts of data, so even a few thousand records will be copied in seconds. It is important not to leave the application and not to lock the screens of smartphones until the process is complete.

The feature of the method is that it copies not only numbers, but additional fields such as subscriber photos, email addresses and assigned ringtones, if they have been stored in the phone's memory.This makes the Mi Mover the preferred choice for those looking to clone their old smartphone one-to-one.

Transfer via VCF file and Bluetooth

If you don't have Wi-Fi access or prefer local transmission methods, a great option is to back up VCF (vCard) format, a universal format supported by almost all operating systems and email clients. The file contains the entire structure of the contact record, including names, numbers and addresses.

On the old device, open the Contacts app, click on the menu (three dots or bars) and select Import/Export Contacts or Contact Management. click Export to Device or Export to File.vcf. The system will create a file that is usually stored in the root of internal memory or in the Contacts folder.

The resulting file can be transferred to Xiaomi in any convenient way: via Bluetooth, messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) or simply copying through the Internet. USB-You can then send a cable to your computer and then to your new phone, and when you transfer the file to your new smartphone, just open it, and the system automatically prompts you to import the contacts it contains.

When using Bluetooth to transmit contacts directly (without creating a file), the process can take a long time if there are more than 100 numbers in the list, since each contact is often transmitted as a separate object.

Copying contacts with SIM-map

Many users still keep numbers on the SIM-This method is considered obsolete due to restrictions on the length of the contact name and the number of characters in the number of characters in the number, but it still has the right to live in emergency situations.

Put it in. SIM-map from your old phone to your new Xiaomi. After you download, go to the Contacts app. Click on the settings menu (usually a gear icon or three dots) and select "Import/Export Contacts." From the menu that appears, select "Import from" SIM-map».

The system will suggest you choose an account where the numbers will be saved, and it is important to choose a Google account or a phone memory, but not the phone itself. SIM-map to avoid duplicate or data loss the next time you change your device. Confirm the import, wait until the process is over and check the list.

⚠️ Note: When copying with SIM-cards are often cropped with long names and extra numbers are lost (such as a second mobile or work card) because the SIM card has tight limits.

After successful importation, it is recommended to SIM-If the old phone had Cyrillic numbers and the new phone had "krakozyak" numbers, the problem might be the encoding. SIM-Maps, and in this case it is better to use cloud methods.

Solution: duplicates and missing numbers

Even with careful porting, users often face the problem of duplication of records, which occurs when the same contact is stored in both the phone's memory and on the phone's computer. SIM-Xiaomi has a built-in cleaning tool, but sometimes manual intervention is required.

Go to the Contacts settings and find the "Clean" or "Contact Management" option. Select "Combine Repeated Contacts." The system will analyze the list and suggest combining the records with the same names or numbers, which will help to clean up the phone book.

If contacts are gone after transfer, don't panic. Most often, they're just hidden by the display filter. In the Contacts app, click on the menu and select Contacts to Display or Filters. Make sure you check the All Contacts box or select all the accounts you need.

💡

Save a backup of your contacts in VCF format on a cloud drive (Google Drive, Yandex.Disk) once a month. This will take a couple of seconds, but will save you in case of a sudden breakage of your smartphone.

It is also worth checking your visibility settings. In some cases, synchronization with multiple accounts (e.g. corporate and personal) may lead to hidden contacts if the source is not activated.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

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The most reliable way to keep contacts is to sync regularly with your Google account, which will eliminate the need for manual transfers every time you change your phone.