How to Transfer Contacts with Xiaomi: All Ways to Import and Export

Transferring contacts from a Xiaomi smartphone is a task that every user faces when buying a new phone, resetting settings or switching to another platform. Even if you have never saved backups, you can return all phone numbers, email addresses and additional information in minutes, and the main thing is to choose the right method depending on where you want to transfer the data: on another Android, iPhone, computer or even physical SIM-map.

In this article, we will discuss 5 Proven ways to import/export contacts from Xiaomi devices (including Redmi models, POCO and Mi on MIUI 12-14). Each method is suitable for different scenarios, from fast transfer through the cloud to manually save to a.vcf file for further printing or archiving. MIUI, This allows you to export your contacts even without access to your Google account.

1. Import contacts through a Google account (the most reliable way)

Synchronizing with Google Contacts is a universal method that works on any Android device (including Samsung, Huawei or Realme smartphones), the main advantage: the data is automatically updated and available even after the phone is reset to factory settings.

To move your contacts to Xiaomi via Google:

1. Open the Contacts app on your Xiaomi.
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) top-right → Contact management → Import/Export of contacts.
3. Select Export to Google and confirm sync.
4. On the new device, log in to the same Google account – contacts will be downloaded automatically.

⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi has not previously enabled sync with Google, export contacts manually through Settings → Accounts. → Google → Contact synchronization. Without this step, data may not be saved!

Sign in to Google account on Xiaomi| Check on contact sync | Connect to Wi-Fi to speed up the process | Make sure there is enough space in the cloud (if contacts > 5000)

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2. Transfer of contacts through SIM-Card (for old phones)

If your new device does not support Google Services (e.g., some Huawei models without Google Services) GMS), Or you're going to the button phone, SIM-The map will be the only reliable option. SIM A limited number of contacts are placed (usually before the 250-500), Only names and numbers (without photos, emails and notes) will be saved).

Instructions for Xiaomi:

1. Put it in. SIM-Xiaomi slot card (if hybrid-slot is used, temporarily remove the second card or microSD card).
2. Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Exports to SIM.
3. Select contacts (or click Allocate) and confirm the export.
4. Transfer the SIM to a new device and import contacts via a similar menu.

⚠️ Note: iPhone imports from SIM It is possible only through third-party applications (for example, SIM Contacts), as the standard iOS contact book does not support this feature.

3. Export contacts to the VCF file (for backup)

The.vcf file (or vCard) is a universal contact storage format that opens on any device, including Windows, Mac, and even Linux. It is convenient to use for archiving or printing a phone book.

How to keep in touch with Xiaomi in VCF:

1. Launch Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to file.
2. Select a save location (internal memory or microSD) and confirm.
3. A file called contacts.vcf will appear in the Download or MIUI folder.

To import VCF to another device:

• 📱 Android: Open the file through Contacts → ⋮ → File-based import.
• 🍎 iPhone: Send the file to iCloud Mail and open it on the device – there will be a suggestion to add contacts.
• 💻 PC: Import through Google Contacts (contacts.google.com) or Outlook.

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If a VCF file doesn't open, check its integrity through online services like VCF Validator. Sometimes, when exporting, there are encoding errors, especially if the contacts have Cyrillic or emoji.

4. sync through Mi Cloud (for Xiaomi owners)

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s proprietary cloud storage that automatically backs up contacts, messages and photos, a method that is convenient if you switch from one Xiaomi/Redmi device to another.

How to transfer contacts through Mi Cloud:

1. On the old Xiaomi go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Make sure the Contacts switch is on and the data is synchronized (the last backup must be fresh).
3. On the new device, log in to the same Mi Account and enable contact synchronization.

⚠️ Warning: Mi Cloud has a free storage limit (usually 5GB) If a backup of contacts is not created, check the free space or clear out unnecessary data (such as old photos).

Google account|SIM-map|File. VCF|Mi Cloud|Other-->

5. Transfer contacts to iPhone (from Xiaomi to iOS)

Switching from Android to iPhone is often accompanied by data portability issues. Apple offers the official Move to iOS app, but it only works when you first set up your iPhone. If the device is already set up, use one of the alternative methods:

Method 1: Through Google Contacts

1. Export your contacts with Xiaomi to Google (see section 1).
2. On iPhone, go to Settings → Contacts → Accounts → Add an account → Google.
3. Log in to the same account and enable contact synchronization.

Method 2: Through iCloud (for advanced users)

1. Export your contacts with Xiaomi to the VCF file.
2. Upload the file to iCloud.com (Contacts section).
3. On iPhone, update your contacts via Settings → [Your name] → iCloud → Contacts.

⚠️ Note: When ported to an iPhone, some fields (such as Additional Numbers or Notes) may not be saved!

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For an error-free transfer to your iPhone, use Google Contacts, which is the most reliable method, as Apple and Google regularly update their services’ compatibility.

6 Recovering Remote Contacts on Xiaomi

If contacts are accidentally erased, they can be restored within 30 days via Mi Cloud or Google Contacts, and act quickly – the later you start recovering, the higher the risk of data loss.

Recovery through Mi Cloud:

1. Open i.mi.com and log in to your account.
2. Go to Devices → [Your Xiaomi] → Backups.
3. Select the last copy with contacts and click Restore.

Recovery through Google Contacts:

1. Open contacts.google.com.
2. In the left menu, select Cancel Changes.
3. Specify the time range (up to 30 days ago) and confirm the rollback.

⚠️ Note: If the contact was only kept on SIM-It's almost impossible to restore them after deleting, either in a card or in a local phone memory (without synchronization!

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users encounter problems, and here are the most common errors and ways to correct them:

• 🔄 Contacts are not synced with Google: Check your internet connection. Make sure in Settings → Accounts. → Google has enabled contact sync. Update Google Contacts app in Play Market.
• 📵 Xiaomi does not see any contacts SIM-map: Try another one SIM-map (possibly problem in the map itself). Clear the cache of the Contacts app in Settings → Appendices. Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (old versions had reading bugs) SIM).
• 📱 No file is imported on iPhone VCF: Send the file to iCloud Mail and open it on your iPhone. Use the Contacts Sync for Google app from the App Store. Check the file format -- it should be. VCF 3.0 (not 4.0).

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If contacts are duplicated after import, use the Combine and Correct function in Google Contacts (on the web version), which will help you delete duplicate entries automatically.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions