How to transfer contacts to Xiaomi Redmi from another phone: all working ways

Why moving contacts to Xiaomi Redmi requires a special approach

The transition to a new smartphone Xiaomi Redmi is always an exciting event, but many users face an unexpected problem: how to transfer all contacts from an old device without loss. SIM-And the problem with these maps is that today's Android devices offer multiple ways to migrate data, and that's where the problem is that a wrong method can lead to duplication of records, loss of numbers, or even a complete reset of the phone book.

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones (whether Redmi Note 12, Redmi 10C or POCO X5) run on customized MIUI shells that add nuance to the transfer process. For example, the built-in app cloning in MIUI doesn’t always properly handle contacts from third-party accounts, and standard import through Google can ignore fields like “extra number” or “birthday.” This article will help you avoid typical mistakes and choose the best way to depend on your old phone – whether it’s an iPhone, another Android or even a button machine.

We tested all the current methods on devices from 2023 to 2026 and identified key differences:

• 📱 From Android to Android: The fastest way is through Google Account, but requires pre-setting.
• 🍎 From iPhone to Xiaomi: iCloud is not enough, but there are workarounds for those who do not want to use the cloud.
• 📶 Through SIM-Map: universally but limited to 250 contacts and no photos.
• 🔵 Bluetooth: works without the Internet, but takes a lot of time with a large number of records.

Method 1: Transferring contacts through Google Account (most reliable)

This method is suitable for owners of any Android device (including Samsung, Huawei, Honor) and ensures the safety of all contact fields from the main number to the attached photos.

Instructions for the old phone:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync (or Google → Google Account).
2. Select your Google Account and make sure the switch opposite Contact is enabled.
3. Click Sync Now (or Update in some versions of Android).

Instructions for the new Xiaomi Redmi:

1. When you first turn on, select Restore from backup and log in to the same Google Account.
2. If your phone is already set up, go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Add an account → Google.
3. After entering, wait for automatic synchronization (can take up to 10 minutes).

Important nuance: if the old phone contacts are saved only on the phone SIM-In a card or in a device memory (not in Google), you have to export them first:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Click on three dots (menu) → Contact management → Import/Export → Export to the device (.vcf format).
3. Then import the file to Google Contacts via the web version.

⚠️ Note: If you used an account from another manufacturer on your old phone (e.g. Huawei) ID or Samsung Account, contacts from it are not synced with Google. They need to be manually exported to a.vcf file.

Method 2: Transfer from iPhone to Xiaomi Redmi (via iCloud or direct copy)

iPhone owners face additional challenges due to Apple’s closed ecosystem, but there are two proven ways to do this:

Method A: Through iCloud (recommended)

This method requires a computer, but it ensures that all data is transferred, including photos of contacts.

1. On iPhone, go to Settings → [Your name] → iCloud and turn on Contacts.
2. On your computer, open iCloud.com, log in to your Apple ID and export contacts: iCloud → Contacts → Allocate (Ctrl+A) → Sixteen → Export vCard
3. Send the received.vcf file to Xiaomi Redmi (by mail, via Telegram or via the Internet). USB-cable).
4. On Redmi, open the file and the system will prompt you to import contacts into the phone book.

Method B: Direct copying through the "Transfer Data" application

Xiaomi offers a proprietary solution for migration from iOS:

1. On your iPhone, install the Mi Mover app from the App Store.
2. On Xiaomi Redmi, when you first turn on, select Transfer Data from your iPhone or find Mi Mover in Settings → Memory → Transfer Data.
3. Scan it. QR-code from the Redmi screen to the iPhone and select Contacts to transfer.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Not transferred notes and call history.
• 🔋 Requires charge of both devices >50%.
• 📶 You need a stable Wi-Fi connection (does not work over the mobile Internet).

Method 3: Transfer through SIM-Card (for push-button phones and old Android phones)

If you are switching from a button phone (Nokia 3310, Samsung) E1200) Or old Android (versions 4.0-6.0), SIM-The map remains the most universal solution, but there are critical limitations:

Step-by-step:

1. On your old phone: Contacts → Settings → Copy on SIM (or Manage → Export to SIM).
2. Insert the SIM into Xiaomi Redmi.
3. On Redmi, open your contacts. → Settings (⚙) → Imports/Exports → Import with SIM.
4. Select an account to save (Google or Mi Account is recommended).

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) importation SIM It's only available when you first turn on, and if you miss this step, you'll have to reset your phone to the factory settings or use Mi. PC Suite.

Method 4: Transfer over Bluetooth (without the Internet)

This method is suitable for transferring contacts between two Android devices when there is no access to Wi-Fi or mobile Internet, the main advantage is that it does not require accounts or cables, but there are more disadvantages:

• ⏳ Slow speed (10-15 contacts per minute).
• 📵 The connection may be broken with a large amount of data.
• 🔋 Battery consumption ~10-15% for the process.

How to move:

1. On both phones, turn on Bluetooth and make them visible.
2. On your old phone, open Contacts → Settings → Send Contacts → Bluetooth.
3. Select the contacts you want (or highlight all) and send to Xiaomi Redmi.
4. On Redmi, confirm the.vcf file and import it into your phone book.

1. Reduce the number of contacts transmitted at a time (for example, 50 pieces).

2.Reboot both phones before starting.

3.Use Bluetooth version 5.0+ (Available on the Redmi Note 11 and later).-->

Method 5: Through Mi Account (for Xiaomi owners)

If you already had a Xiaomi, POCO or Redmi smartphone, you can use a branded Mi Account to transfer it, which is convenient because it not only saves contacts, but also:

• 📁 Notes from the annex Notes.
• 📅 Calendar events.
• 🔖 The Mi Browser browser bookmarks.

Instructions:

1. On the old Xiaomi, go to Settings → Mi Account and make sure that Contact Sync is enabled.
2. On the new Redmi, when you first turn on, select Restore from Mi Account.
3. If the phone is already configured: Settings → Memory → Transfer data → Restore from Mi Cloud.

Important: Mi Account synchronizes only those contacts that were saved in the memory of the phone or on the phone. SIM-If they were tied to Google, they won't be backed up by Mi Cloud.

Comparison of all methods: which one to choose?

- You have a button phone (SIM-map),

No Internet access (Bluetooth)

- Transfer to another Xiaomi (Mi Account).-->

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts to Xiaomi Redmi