How to transfer contacts from Xiaomi phone to another smartphone: all working ways

Shifting contacts from one smartphone to another is a challenge that every user faces when buying a new device. If your old phone is Xiaomi (be it Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or Mi 11), then you have at least 5 proven ways to copy a phone book without loss. The main thing is to choose the method that suits your situation: whether there is Internet access, whether the operating systems on both devices coincide, and whether you want to save additional information (photo contacts, notes, birthdays).

In this article, we will analyze step-by-step instructions for each option, including the nuances of working with the MI Cloud, Google account, SIM-We'll focus on data security, how to avoid duplicate contacts or accidental loss of contacts when you move from Xiaomi to iPhone, and we'll find special recommendations for iOS here.

Whether you’re planning to sell an old Xiaomi or just want to have a backup of contacts, this guide will help you do things quickly and without errors. And if you have questions about a particular model, at the end of the article there’s an FAQ with answers to typical problems (for example, why contacts don’t sync or how to restore deleted numbers).

1.Contact Transfer via MI Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

The most reliable way for Xiaomi owners to use the branded cloud service MI Cloud, which automatically synchronizes contacts, photos, notes and even SMS between devices on MIUI. The main advantage is that the data is stored in encrypted form, and you can restore it even after resetting the phone to factory settings.

To copy contacts through MI Cloud, follow the following steps:

• 📱 On an old Xiaomi phone: Open Settings → Xiaomi account → MI Cloud. Make sure the switch opposite Contact is on (green) if not, tap it and wait until sync is complete (it can take up to 5 minutes with a lot of contacts).
• 🆕 On the new Xiaomi phone, when you first turn on, the system will prompt you to log in to your Xiaomi account. Use the same data as on your old device. → Xiaomi account → MI Cloud and enable contact synchronization.

Important: If you are switching to a different brand (such as a Samsung or iPhone), then MI Cloud will not work, use the methods in the following sections. Also check that both devices have the latest version of MIUI (relevant to models older than 2020).

Sign in to Xiaomi account on your old phone

Enable contact synchronization in MI Cloud

Check the date of the last backup

Sign in to the same account on a new phone

Update the data in the annex “Contacts”

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If you are having trouble logging in to MI Cloud, try resetting your password through the official account.xiaomi.com. Sometimes sync errors are associated with an unstable Internet connection - switch to Wi-Fi or 4G/5G mobile data.

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If you are selling an old Xiaomi, remember to log out of your MI Cloud account and delete all data via Settings → Additional → Reset. This will protect your information from the new owner.

2. Synchronization through Google account (universal method)

The Google account method is suitable for transferring contacts to any phone — be it another Xiaomi, Samsung, iPhone or even Huawei. MI cloud SIM-map.

How to check where your contacts are saved? Open the Contacts app, click on the three dots in the top right corner, and select Contact Management → Import/Export: Here you will see how many contacts are saved to your Google Account, Device or SIM-map.

• 🔗 Google Link: On the Old Xiaomi Go to Settings → Accounts. → Google → [your email and make sure that the slider opposite Contact is active. If not, turn it on and wait for sync.
• 📲 Export to new device: Add the same Google account on your new phone (in settings or when you first start up.
• 🔍 Check: Open Contacts → Settings → Manage your contacts and make sure that numbers from your Google Account are displayed.

If the contacts are stored only in the device memory (not in Google or MI Cloud) on the old phone, they must be exported first.

1. Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Exports/imports → Export to file.
2. Select Device as Source and save the file in.vcf format (for example, internal memory or SD-map).
3. Transfer this file to your new phone (via Bluetooth, email, or cloud) and import it to Contacts.

Through a Google account

Through MI Cloud

Through SIM-map

Through Bluetooth or cable

Another way.

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If you have a double SIM-map on Xiaomi, make sure contacts are not scattered across different accounts. To combine them, use the function "Unite contacts" in the settings of the Contacts application.

3. Copying of contacts on SIM-map (for older models)

way SIM-This card is suitable if you have an outdated Xiaomi model (e.g. Redmi). 4A or Mi A1) Or the new phone doesn't support cloud services, but there are serious limitations to this method:

If these shortcomings do not scare you, follow the instructions:

• 📱 Exports to SIM: Open your contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Exports to SIM-Select the contacts to copy (you can mark everything) and confirm.
• 🔄 Transfer SIM: extract SIM-Map from the old Xiaomi and paste the new phone.
• 📲 Import to a new device: on a new phone go to Contacts → Settings → Import with SIM-maps and choose where to save data (in Google account or device memory).

⚠️ Attention: If yours SIM-Nano-SIM card, and the new phone only supports eSIM, you’ll need an adapter or operator help to transfer contacts in another way.

After importing, be sure to check the contacts on the new phone - sometimes the names are displayed as unreadable characters (especially if you are not a member of the phone). SIM-In this case, you will have to edit them manually or use alternative methods from this article.

4. Contacts over Bluetooth (without the Internet)

If you do not have access to Wi-Fi or mobile internet, SIM-The card is not suitable (for example, due to the restriction on the number of contacts), you can use Bluetooth. This method works between any phones, but requires patience - transferring a large number of contacts can take up to 20 minutes.

Step-by-step:

• 🔵 Turn on Bluetooth on both phones: Xiaomi does this through Settings → Connections → Bluetooth or via the Quick Settings Panel (swipe down from the top edge of the screen).
• 🤝 Device pairing: on a new phone, find the old Xiaomi in the list of available devices and confirm the connection (coding may be required, usually 0000 or 1234).
• 📤 Sending contacts: on the old Xiaomi open Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Send contacts → Bluetooth. Select the right contacts (or all) and send to the new device.
• 📥 Receiving on a new phone: Confirm receipt of the file (usually in.vcf format) and save contacts to the device memory or Google account.

⚠️ Note: when transmitted via Bluetooth, photos of contacts may not be saved or compressed to low quality, and errors may also occur if the new phone does not have enough memory to receive the file.

If no contacts are sent, try:

1. Reboot both phones.
2. Remove old paired devices in Bluetooth settings.
3. Disable the power saving mode (it can block data transmission).

5. Transfer of contacts from Xiaomi to iPhone (special nuances)

The transition from Android to iPhone is always difficult due to ecosystem differences, but there are three ways to migrate from Xiaomi to iPhone:

Method 1: Through a Google Account (Recommended)

1. On Xiaomi, export your contacts to your Google account (as described in 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: Using iCloud (alternative)

• 🖥️ Export your contacts to.vcf (via Contacts) → Exports).
• 🌐 Open iCloud.com on your computer, log in to your Apple ID and go to the Contact section.
• ⚙️ Click on the gear in the lower left corner. → Import vCard and download the saved file.

Method 3: Using the “Switch to iOS” app (only when the iPhone is first turned on)

• 📱 When setting up a new iPhone, select Data Transfer from Android.
• 🔗 On Xiaomi download the app Go to iOS from Google Play.
• 📶 Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network and follow the instructions on the screen.

⚠️ Note: App Switch to iOS only works when you first turn on your iPhone. If the phone is already configured, use the first two methods.

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When transferring to iPhone contacts from MI cloud SIM-Cards don’t sync automatically – be sure to use Google or iCloud.

6. Use of third-party applications (alternative options)

If standard methods don’t work (for example, due to synchronization errors or firmware features), third-party applications can be used, offering additional features such as backing up to the cloud, clearing duplicates, or moving contacts between different accounts.

Top.-3 Proven applications for transferring contacts with Xiaomi:

• 📱 Copy My Data (free for Android and iOS): Transfers contacts, calendars and photos over Wi-Fi without clouds.
• ☁️ Super Backup & Restore (free): Creates.vcf backups and uploads them to Google Drive or Dropbox.
• 🔄 CLONEit (free): Cloning contacts, SMS, applications and even setting up Wi-Fi to a new phone through a hotspot.

How to use Super Backup & Restore:

1. Download the app from Google Play to both phones.
2. On the old Xiaomi, select Backup → Contacts and save the file to internal memory or the cloud.
3. Transfer the file to a new phone (for example, via a new phone). USB-cable).
4. On the new phone in the same app, select Recovery → Contacts and specify the path to the file.

⚠️ Note: Before using third-party apps, check their Google Play rankings and user reviews. Some programs may request unnecessary permissions (e.g. access to a user experience). SMS geolocation).

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users have trouble moving contacts, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to correct them:

Problem 1: Contacts are not synced with Google Account

• 🔄 Check your internet connection (sync only works with stable Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• ⚙️ Make sure that your Google account settings enable contact sync (Settings) → Accounts. → Google → [your email] → Contacts).
• 📱 Restart your phone – sometimes it solves the hanging process.

Problem 2: The new phone displays duplicate contacts

• 🧹 In the Contacts app select ⋮ → Contact management → Connecting contacts.
• ☁️ If the duplicates are due to synchronization with multiple accounts (e.g. Google and Google) MI Cloud, disable unnecessary source in contact settings.

Problem 3: Cannot export contacts to SIM-card

• 📶 Check that SIM-card not blocked PIN-code.
• 🔧 Some operators (e.g. Tele2 or Yota) restrict the recording of contacts on the Internet. SIM. Try using another card.
• 📱 On older models Xiaomi (up to) MIUI 10) it may be necessary to update the firmware.

Problem 4: Contacts are not saved when transmitted via Bluetooth

• 📂 Make sure that the new phone has enough memory to receive the.vcf file.
• 🔄 Try sending contacts in small batches (for example, 50 pieces).
• 📱 If the file is not opened, check it for viruses (sometimes antiviruses block.vcf as a suspicious file).

If none of these methods worked, try resetting the Contacts app settings on the old Xiaomi:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Contacts.
2. Click Warehouse → Clear the data and Clear the cache.
3. Restart the phone and repeat the export.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions