How to Export Contacts with Xiaomi 12: All the Working Methods of 2026

Why Xiaomi 12 owners lose contact when they move to a new phone

Xiaomi 12 (including the Pro, X and Lite) runs on the MIUI 13/14 branded shell, which offers several ways to back up contacts. However, many users face the problem: when you change your device or reset your settings, some numbers “disappear”, due to disparate data storage.

• 📱 Locally – only in the phone’s memory (risk of loss when resetting)
• ☁️ Google account (synchronized automatically, but not all are enabled)
• 📇 Nana SIM-map (restriction on number and format)
• 💾 V VCF-file (universal format, but requires manual export)

According to Xiaomi Community, up to 37% of MIUI users don’t know where their contacts are stored until a crash occurs, and this article will help avoid data loss by choosing the best way to export depending on your task – whether it’s porting to an iPhone, backing up before selling, or syncing with Mi Account.

Method 1: Export of contacts to SIM-map (for rapid transfer)

This method is suitable if you need to transfer the main numbers to another phone without using the cloud. note: SIM-card stores only names and numbers (no photos, email and additional fields), and is limited to 250-500 contacts depending on the operator.

Instructions for Xiaomi 12:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette).
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) top-right → Select Contact Management.
3. Go to Import/Export Contacts → Exports to SIM-map.
4. Tick the necessary contacts (or click Allocate) → Ready.
5. Choose. SIM-Card (if there are two) and confirm the export.

⚠️ Note: If you have dual-SIM version of Xiaomi 12, check what you export to the card that you then insert into the new phone. SIM Delete old data without warning!

Export speed depends on the number of contacts: up to 100 numbers are copied in 10-20 seconds, large lists can take up to 1-2 minutes. → SIM.

Make sure that SIM-The card is not filled (check in Settings). → SIM-map)

Disable the recording restrictions (if any)

Select the correct SIM for dual-SIM

Save a backup copy to the VCF (in case of failure)

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Method 2: Sync with Google Account (automatic backup)

The most reliable way is to link contacts to a Google account, which will be available on any device with the same login, including an iPhone, tablet or computer (via contacts.google.com).

How to turn on sync on Xiaomi 12:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
2. Select your Google account (if not, add it through Add Account).
3. Activate the Contact Slider (should turn blue).
4. For forced synchronization, tap three points (⋮) → Synchronize now.

To check if your contacts are saved in the cloud:

1. Go to contacts.google.com from your computer.
2. Make sure all numbers are displayed (may take up to 5-10 minutes after synchronization).

⚠️ Note: If you delete a Google account from your phone, all associated contacts will disappear from the device but remain in the cloud. VCF pre-existingly.

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Before selling Xiaomi 12, untie your Google account in Settings → Accounts and reset to factory settings. This will remove all data, including contacts, from the device.

Method 3: Save contacts to a VCF file (universal format)

The.vcf (vCard) file is the standard format for storing contacts that all modern smartphones support. It is convenient to send it via Email, Telegram or save it to the Internet. USB-accumulator.

Step-by-step instructions for Xiaomi 12:

1. Open Contacts. → press three points (⋮) → Contact management.
2. Select Import/Export Contacts → Export to File.
3. Make sure you have the right contacts (or highlight everything) → Exports.
4. Specify the folder to save (for example, Downloads) and confirm.

The finished contact.vcf file can be:

• 📎 Attach to the letter and send yourself to the mail.
• 📱 Transferring your phone to another phone via Bluetooth or USB-cable.
• ☁️ Download to Google Drive or Mi Cloud for backup.

The size of the file depends on the number of contacts and photos attached, for example, 500 contacts with photos will take about 5-10 MB, and without a photo – 100-300 KB.

Method 4: Transfer over Mi Cloud (for Xiaomi owners)

If you’re switching to another Xiaomi smartphone (like the Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5), the best way to use Mi Cloud is to use Xiaomi’s cloud storage, which automatically syncs contacts, SMS, photos and notes between devices on MIUI.

How to turn on synchronization:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Cloud.
2. Sign in to your Mi Account (or create a new one).
3. Activate the Contacts slider and wait for the synchronization to be completed (the cloud icon will turn green).
4. On the new Xiaomi phone, log in to the same Mi Account – contacts will be downloaded automatically.

Mi Cloud offers 5GB of free space, which is enough for 10,000+ contacts.

• 🔄 Synchronization works only between devices on the MIUI (Not suitable for iPhone or Samsung).
• 🌐 Requires an Internet connection (it is better to use Wi-Fi for large volumes).
• 🔒 Data is stored on Xiaomi servers (if it is critical, use it). VCF Google).

⚠️ Note: If you delete Mi Account from your phone, all data from Mi Cloud (including contacts) is deleted from your device but remains in the cloud. To avoid conflicts, export your contacts to the cloud before deleting your account. VCF.

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Mi Cloud is the best choice for switching between Xiaomi smartphones, but it is not universal. For cross-platform portability, use Google or VCF.

Method 5: Manual transfer via Bluetooth or USB (without internet)

If you don’t have access to the Internet or don’t trust cloud services, you can transfer contacts locally via Bluetooth or other services. USB-This method is suitable for transmission to old phones or devices without support. Google/Mi Cloud.

Option 1: Through Bluetooth

1. On Xiaomi 12, open Contacts → Select the contact you want → Share → Bluetooth.
2. Turn on Bluetooth on the target device and confirm the file is received.
3. Repeat for each contact (or use Send a few in the Contact Management menu).

Option 2: Through USB-cable

1. Connect Xiaomi 12 to your computer via USB (select File Transfer Mode).
2. Copy the contacts.vcf file (see Method 3) to the folder on your PC.
3. Connect the second phone and transfer the VCF to its memory.
4. On the target device, import contacts from the file.

The transmission speed depends on the method:

• 📶 Bluetooth: ~1-2 contacts per second (slow for large lists).
• 🖥️ USB: Instantly (limited only by the speed of copying the file).

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To speed up your Bluetooth transfer, use the Send Several feature in the Contacts menu, which allows you to select up to 100 numbers at a time.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even if you follow the instructions, Xiaomi users 12 They're having problems exporting contacts.-5 mistakes and their solutions:

1. Contacts shall not be exported to SIM-map

• 🔹 Reason: SIM-card filled or blocked.
• 🔧 Solution: Check the free space in Settings → SIM-cards or use another SIM.

2. synchronization with Google is not working

• 🔹 Reason: No Internet connection or account not confirmed.
• 🔧 Solution: Check the network connection and restart the synchronization manually.

3.VCF file doesn't open on new phone

• 🔹 Cause: A damaged file or incompatible encoding.
• 🔧 Solution: Export contacts in small batches (100-200 pieces each).

4. Contacts are duplicated after importation

• 🔹 Reason: Re-imports from the same source.
• 🔧 Solution: Before importing, delete old contacts or use the option to Combine duplicates in contact settings.

5.Mi Cloud does not sync contacts

• 🔹 Reason: An outdated version MIUI or server failure.
• 🔧 Solution: Update the software in Settings → Update the system or try it later.

If the problem is not resolved, try an alternative export method (e.g., use VCF instead of SIM).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions