How to import contacts from Xiaomi phone: all ways with explanations

Shifting contacts from a Xiaomi phone is a challenge that every user faces when changing their device, resetting or switching to another platform. Despite its apparent simplicity, the process can be complicated by the features of MIUI firmware, the variety of storage formats (SIM, Google, local memory) or the limitations of operating systems. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of importing, including nuances for different versions of MIUI and smartphone models, from the budget Redmi to the flagship Xiaomi 14.

We will focus on the problems that most often arise: duplicate contacts after transfer, loss of profile photos or inability to export due to blocking the Mi Account account. SIM-If you plan to switch from Xiaomi to an iPhone or other Android smartphone, you will find step-by-step instructions tailored to the specifics of both platforms.

1.Preparation: Where Xiaomi contacts are stored and how to verify them

Before you start importing, you need to know where your contacts are stored, and in MIUI, they can be stored in three places:

• 📱 Local phone memory - contacts are only tied to the device and are not synced to the cloud.
• ☁️ Google account - automatically synced with Google servers, the most reliable option for transferring.
• 📶 SIM-Map – limited number of records (usually up to 250), no photos or additional fields.

To check the current storage location:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Press three points (⋮) top-right → Contact management.
3. Select Import/Export → Export. The system will show available sources (e.g. Phone, Google, SIM).

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If Google is not listed in the source list but you are sure that sync has been enabled, check your account settings: Settings → Google Accounts → Contact Sync.

Important: if the contact is only kept on SIM-And you'll have to import them into your phone or Google's memory first, because most portability methods only work with local or cloud data:

1. In the Import/Export menu, select Import with SIM-map.
2. Specify the target storage (phone or Google).
3. Confirm the import – the contacts are copied to the selected location.

2. Method 1: Export contacts to a VCF file (for transfer to another Android or computer)

VCF (vCard) is a universal standard for storing contacts, supported by all modern devices. Export to VCF is suitable if you plan to:

• 📲 Transfer contacts to another Android smartphone (including not using the same name)-Xiaomi).
• 💻 Save a backup copy on your computer.
• 📱 Import contacts to iPhone via iCloud or email.

Export instructions:

1. Open Contacts. → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
2. Select Export to File (or Export to Storage in older versions of MIUI).
3. Specify the source (e.g., phone or Google).
4. Select contacts for export (you can mark all or select individual records).
5. Click Export and save the file to the phone’s memory (usually in the Download or MIUI/backup/Contacts folder).

Make sure the file is correct.|Open the file through any text editor (e.g. Notepad)++): It should start with BEGIN:VCARD and contain contact blocks separated by END:VCARD.

Check the encoding | The file must be encoding UTF-8, otherwise the Cyrillic will be displayed by Krakozabras.

Copy the file to your computer | For reliability, save the copy to your PC or cloud (Google Drive, Yandex.Disk).

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To import VCF to another device:

• 📱 Android: Copy the file to your new phone, open your contacts → Imports/Exports → File-based import.
• 🍎 iPhone: Send in VCF-file to the mail that's open on the iPhone. → Add all contacts.

Computer

contacts.google.com

3. Method 2: Sync with Google (the most reliable method for Android)

If your contacts are linked to a Google account, it takes only a few minutes to transfer them to a new device.

• 🔄 Automatically update contacts on all devices.
• 📱 Quickly switch from Xiaomi to any other Android smartphone.
• ☁️ Backup without manual export.

⚠️ Note: If your contacts are stored in local memory on Xiaomi, you must first transfer them to Google. VCF (Method 1 and then import through Google Contacts.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Automatic update when changing contacts.
• ✅ There is no limit to the number of records (unlike the number of records). SIM-map).
• ✅ Profile photos and additional fields (dates of birth, addresses) are saved).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Requires a stable Internet connection for first synchronization.
• ❌ When you change your Google account, your contacts will not automatically move.

Method 3: Copying contacts on SIM-Card (for old phones)

This method is inferior in terms of convenience synchronization with Google, but remains relevant for:

• 📞 Transfer contacts to button phones or old feature phones.
• 🔋 Quick backup without internet access.
• 📱 Temporary storage of contacts when resetting Xiaomi to factory settings.

Problem 3: Contacts are not synced with Google

• 🔍 Reason: Background sync is disabled or traffic is restricted for Google.
• 🛠️ Solution: Check the synchronization settings: Settings → Google accounts → Contact sync. Turn off background traffic restriction: Settings → Battery and productivity → Battery consumption management → Select Google Contacts Sync → No restrictions.

Problem 4: On SIM-The card does not have enough space for all contacts.

• 🔍 Reason: Standard SIM No more than 250 contacts.
• 🛠️ Solution: Break contacts into pieces (e.g. export the letters A-M first, then H-Ya) or use alternative methods (VCF, Google).