How to export contacts on Xiaomi smartphones: all ways of 2026

Moving your contacts from Xiaomi to a new device or backup is often a headache for users. even in 2026 with the release MIUI 15 Many people face problems: contacts are duplicated, profile photos are lost or exports are interrupted due to synchronization errors. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways of exporting - from classic saving to the traditional use of the export of the product. SIM-Map to cloud services that work on all models: from the budget Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

Xiaomi phones are a feature of close integration with the Mi Account ecosystem and Google services, which makes backups easier, but creates confusion: where exactly are your contacts stored? We show you how to identify the source of data, avoid losses in exports, and even restore deleted numbers. And for those who are switching from Xiaomi to iPhone or other brands, we have added a separate section with the nuances of cross-platform porting.

1. How to determine where your contacts are stored on Xiaomi

Before you export contacts, you need to know where they are physically located, and on Xiaomi smartphones, the numbers can be stored in three places:

• 📱 Local phone memory – contacts are only stored on the device (risk of loss when resetting).
• ☁️ Mi Cloud (Mi Account) – synced with Xiaomi account (available after signing in on a new device).
• 🌐 Google Contacts – linked to a Google account (the most reliable option for transferring to other OSes).

To check the source:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) → Contact management.
3. Choose Import/Export → The top of the screen will show your current storage account (e.g., “Phone” or “Google").

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If the contacts list shows duplicates, the numbers are stored simultaneously in several sources. To avoid confusion, combine them through Settings. → Contacts → Connecting contacts

In the models with MIUI 14/15 (for example, POCO F5 Xiaomi 13T) The path may be slightly different: instead of "Contact Management," look for Contact Settings in the app menu. If you have Redmi with custom firmware, check for Backup in the main settings menu.

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

Maintaining contacts SIM-The map is the most universal way, but it has limitations:

• ✅ It works on any phone, even without the internet.
• ❌ SIM-The card only stores the name and number (without photos, email and additional fields).
• ❌ Restriction on quantity: usually 250-500 Contacts (depends on the operator).

Instructions for Xiaomi on MIUI 12-15:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Press three points (⋮) → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
3. Select Export on Export SIM-map.
4. Tick the necessary contacts (or click Allocate).
5. Click Export and confirm the action.

Make sure that SIM-The card is inserted into slot 1 (on some Xiaomi slot 2 does not support recording)

Check the vacant space on SIM (Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Warehouse SIM)

Turn it off (Dual) SIM), If you use two cards at the same time

Keep a backup copy of your contacts in VCF (fail-safe)

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⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) export SIM You erase old contacts from the card before the procedure, copy them back to your phone or make a backup copy.

3. Export contacts to VCF file (vCard)

Format VCF (vCard is a standard contact file that all modern smartphones support:

• 📁 Stores all data: numbers, email, addresses, photos, notes.
• 🔄 Easily imported on iPhone, Samsung, Huawei and even a computer.
• ☁️ You can download to the cloud (Google Drive, Yandex Drive) for backup.

How to export contacts to VCF Xiaomi:

1. Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
2. Select Export to File (or Export to Storage on newer versions of MIUI).
3. Please indicate the contacts for export (you can choose specific or all).
4. Click Export and select the folder to save (we recommend Downloads or Documents).
5. The file will be saved as contacts.vcf or 00001.vcf.

To transfer the file to another phone:

• 📲 Send via Bluetooth, Telegram or Email.
• ☁️ Upload to the cloud and download on a new device.
• 💻 Connect Xiaomi to your computer via USB and copy the file manually.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmware (especially custom) exported VCF-The file can be divided into several parts (by 100-200 To connect them, use the service. VCF Merge.

4. synchronize contacts with Google Account

The most reliable way to back up is to sync with Google Contacts, which will allow you to:

• 🔄 Automatically update contacts on all devices.
• 📱 It’s easy to transfer data to iPhones or other brands’ phones.
• 🛡️ Restore Deleted Numbers for 30 Days via Google Recycle Bin.

How to turn on synchronization:

1. Open the Settings. → Accounts and synchronization (or Passwords and accounts) MIUI 15).
2. Select your Google account (if not, add it through Add Account).
3. Activate the slider opposite Contact.
4. Click Sync (or More → Sync Now).

To check if your contacts are saved on Google:

1. Open on your computer contacts.google.com.
2. Sign in with the same account as on your phone.
3. Make sure all contacts are displayed (if not, click More). → Re-establish contacts).

Synchronization with Google|Exports to SIM|File. VCF|Mi Cloud|Another way.-->

If you plan to sell or repair your Xiaomi, be sure to turn off sync with Google and delete your account from settings (Settings) → Accounts. → Google → Delete your account; otherwise, the new owner will be able to restore your contacts through the Google shopping cart!

5. Backup through Mi Cloud

Mi Cloud is a cloud storage from Xiaomi that automatically stores contacts, messages and other data.

• 🆓 5GB free (enough for 10,000)+ contact).
• 🔄 Automatic synchronization when connecting to Wi-Fi.
• 📱 Easy transfer to new Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO.

How to enable backup in Mi Cloud:

1. Go to Settings. → Mi Account (or Xiaomi Account).
2. Select Mi Cloud → Backup of the device.
3. Activate the Contact Slider.
4. Click Start Backup (or Sync).

To restore contacts on the new device:

1. Sign in to the same Mi Account when you first set up your phone.
2. In the Mi Cloud section, select Restore. → mark the contact → Start recovery.

⚠️ Note: If you are using a double SIM-map on Xiaomi, Mi Cloud can only save contacts from the main card (slot 1). → Settings → Display contacts.

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Mi Cloud does not support export of contacts VCF To get a file, first sync your contacts with Google and then export them from there to the Internet. VCF via contacts.google.com.

6.Moving contacts to iPhone or other brands

If you are switching from Xiaomi to iPhone, Samsung or another brand, use these methods:

📱 On iPhone (iOS)

1. Export your contacts with Xiaomi to a file VCF (see section 3).
2. Send the file to Email or upload it to iCloud Drive.
3. On your iPhone, open the letter/file and confirm the import.

🤖 On Android (Samsung, Huawei, etc.)

• 🔹 Sync your contacts with Google on Xiaomi, then sign in to the same account on your new phone.
• 🔹 Through VCF: Transfer the file to a new device and import through the Contacts app.

💻 On the computer (Windows/Mac)

Copy the file. VCF on PC and import into:

• 🪟 Windows: Contacts with Windows or Outlook.
• 🍎 Mac: Contacts app (Address Book).

For cross-platform transfer, you can also use the services:

• 🌐 My Contacts Backup (sends contacts to email in the form of a contact) VCF).
• 🔗 Google Contacts (Import/Export via Web Interface).

7. Restore Remote Contacts on Xiaomi

If the contacts are accidentally deleted, they can be restored in several ways:

🔄 Google Contacts (up to 30 days)

1. Open contacts.google.com.
2. In the left menu, select More → Cancel the changes.
3. Specify the time range (maximum 30 days ago).
4. Click Confirm – Contacts will return to the phone the next time you sync.

☁️ Through Mi Cloud (if backup was enabled)

1. Go to Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Restore.
2. Select a backup with the desired date.
3. Mark Contacts and click Restore.

📱 Local Recovery (without backup)

If there are no backups, try the data recovery software:

• 🔧 Dr.Fone (Wondershare) – Recovers contacts directly from the phone’s memory.
• 🔧 EaseUS MobiSaver – works even after resetting (root required).

⚠️ Note: After deleting contacts, do not add new numbers or sync the device – this can overwrite deleted data in the phone’s memory, making recovery impossible.

8. Frequent errors and their solutions

When exporting contacts to Xiaomi, users face typical problems.

If none of these methods work:

• 🔄 Reboot your phone – sometimes helps with sync failures.
• 📋 Update the Contacts app via Google Play.
• 🛠️ Reset the application settings: Settings → Annexes → Contacts → Warehouse → Drop it.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions