Exporting contacts with Xiaomi Redmi: a complete guide to all versions of MIUI

Moving contacts from Xiaomi Redmi to a new device or backup is often a headache for users.Even seasoned smartphone owners get lost in the maze of settings MIUI, Especially when it comes to hybrid models. SIM-In this article, we'll look at all the current ways of exporting contacts, from classic copying to traditional firmware. SIM before syncing with Google Account and creating backup.vcf files.

Feature of Redmi (including Note line) 10/11/12/13, POCO X3/X4/X5 and budget Redmi A1/A2) — in a non-standard location of the contact menu and restrictions on the number of entries in the SIM-We've taken these nuances into account and prepared instructions that work for the purpose of MIUI 12.5, 13 and 14, If you encounter a "failure to export contacts" error or you don't see a portability option, here's a solution.

1. Export of contacts to SIM-map: step-by-step instruction

The method is suitable for rapid transfer of basic contacts (name) + number) to another device through SIM. Keep in mind that SIM-The card only saves 250-500 contacts (depending on the operator) and does not support photos, email or additional fields.

How to export:

• 📱 Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette).
• ⚙️ Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Select Contact Management.
• 🔄 Tap Import/Export Contacts → Exports to SIM-map.
• 📋 Select the necessary contacts (or click Select All) → Exports.
• ⏳ Wait until the end (the screen will display a notification "Export completed").

Free space on SIM-map (go to Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Memory. SIM)

No PIN2 lock (if any, disable SIM settings)

Contacts are not duplicated (combine repeated records in advance)

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⚠️ Attention: Redmi with two SIM-If the contacts are not displayed after transfer, check if they are saved to the second. SIM by default (go to Contact Settings) → Default storage).

2. synchronize contacts with Google Account

The most reliable way to back up is to link contacts to a Google Account.

• 🔒 Automatic updates when adding new contacts.
• 🌍 Access from any device, including PC via contacts.google.com).
• 📸 Saving photos, email, addresses and notes.
• 🔄 Possibility to roll back to the previous version (up to 30 days).

How to turn on synchronization:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
2. Select your Google Account (if not, add it through Add Account).
3. Activate the slider opposite Contact.
4. Click Sync Now (in the upper right corner).

1. Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data).

2. No background restrictions for Contacts application (Settings → Applications → Application Management → Contacts → Battery → No restrictions).

3. Is there enough space in Google Account (1 contact) ≈ 1-3 KB).-->

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi with Chinese firmware (China) ROM) Google may not be synced, in which case use the export method to.vcf (section 3) or set Google Contacts from Play Market.

3. Export contacts to VCF file (vCard)

The.vcf (vCard) format is a universal way to transfer contacts between devices. The file contains all the information (numbers, email, addresses, photos) and is compatible with iPhone, Samsung, Windows and other platforms.

Instructions for MIUI 13/14:

1. Open Contacts. → three-point → Contact management.
2. Select Import/Export Contacts → Export to File.
3. Specify the folder to save (we recommend Downloads or Documents).
4. Name the file (for example, contacts_backup_2026.vcf) and press Save.

To transfer the file to another device:

• 📎 Send.vcf by email, Telegram or Bluetooth.
• 📱 Open the file on the new phone – the system will prompt you to import contacts.
• 🖥️ On PC, import through Google Contacts (click Import in the left menu).

4. Transfer contacts via Mi Cloud (for Xiaomi account holders)

Mi Cloud is a cloud storage from Xiaomi that automatically backs up contacts, SMS and notes, which is suitable if you use a Mi Account and plan to switch to another smartphone of the same brand.

How to enable backup:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Account.
2. Sign up (if you haven’t done so before).
3. Activate the contact synchronization slider.
4. Press Sync now.

To reconnect with the new Redmi:

• 📱 Enter the same Mi Account when you first set up your phone.
• 🔄 Enable contact synchronization in account settings.
• ⏳ Wait until it is completed (may take up to 10 minutes at 1000)+ contact).

Synchronization with Google

Exports to SIM-map

VCF file

Mi Cloud

Another way.-->

⚠️ Note: If you reset your phone to factory settings without detaching your Mi Account, contacts from Mi Cloud can be deleted from servers after 30 days of inactivity.To avoid data loss, export your backup to.vcf every six months.

5. Alternative methods: Bluetooth, email and third-party applications

If standard methods don’t work (for example, on custom firmware or after a reset), use alternatives:

A. Bluetooth transmission:

1. On Redmi, open Contacts → select the required records.
2. Press Share → Bluetooth.
3. Select the target device and confirm the transmission.

⚠️ Limit: you can only send 1 contact at a time. Use.vcf for mass transfer.

B. Emailing:

• 📧 Export contacts to.vcf (Section 3).
• 📎 Attach the file to the letter and send it to yourself.
• 📱 On the new phone download the attachment and import.

B. Third-party annexes:

6. Solving common mistakes in the export of contacts

If you are experiencing problems, check out these points:

Mistake: “I failed to export contacts to SIM”

• 🔌 Remove and insert. SIM-Cards are re-readable (sometimes contacts are not read due to poor connection).
• 📵 Check if Flight Mode or Charge Savings are enabled (they block access to the flight). SIM).
• 🔄 Update the Contacts app through Play Market.

Contacts are not synced with Google

• 🔒 Make sure that in the settings → Annexes → Contacts → Permits enabled access to Contacts and Warehouse.
• 📡 Switch from Wi-Fi to mobile Internet (sometimes network locking interferes with synchronization).
• 🔄 Delete and add a Google Account again.

VCF file is empty or corrupted

• 📁 Check if there is enough space on the device (export requires free space).
• 🛠️ Export contacts in portions (for example, 200 entries).
• 📥 Try opening a file on your PC through Google Contacts.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Contacts.

2. Click Storage → Clear Data and Reset Settings.

3.Reboot the phone and repeat the export.

⚠️ After reset, all unsynchronized contacts will be deleted!-->

7 How to transfer contacts Xiaomi Redmi to iPhone

The transition from Android to iOS requires additional steps due to ecosystem differences, and the most reliable way is through a Google Account or a.vcf file.

Method 1: Through Google Contacts

1. On Redmi, sync your contacts with your Google Account (Section 2).
2. On iPhone, go to Settings → Contacts → Accounts → Add an account → Google.
3. Enter the same account and enable contact synchronization.

Method 2: Through the VCF file

1. Export your contacts to.vcf (Section 3).
2. Send the file to an email or upload it to iCloud Drive.
3. On the iPhone, open the file and the system will suggest adding contacts.

⚠️ Note: On iPhone, contacts from.vcf can be duplicated if they are already in iCloud. → [Your name] → iCloud → Contacts.

FAQ: Frequent questions about exporting contacts to Xiaomi Redmi