How to send contacts from Xiaomi phone: all the ways 2026

Transferring contacts from a Xiaomi phone is a challenge that every user faces when buying a new device, resetting settings or switching to another platform. Unlike iOS, where synchronization is tied to an Apple ID, the MIUI ecosystem offers several alternative paths, from cloud services to local export to a file. The main problem is that many users lose contacts due to ignorance of synchronization nuances or the wrong choice of export format.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to transfer contacts from Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, including hidden MIUI 14/15 features, bypassing export restrictions to.vcf, and compare the speed and reliability of each method. Particular attention will be paid to the problem of duplication of contacts when syncing through Google Account — this is the most common user complaint in 2026. If you need to move contacts to an iPhone, Samsung or even a computer — here you will find step-by-step instructions based on the latest MIUI updates.

Export of contacts via MIUI (local file.vcf)

The most versatile way is to save contacts to a.vcf (vCard) file, which can then be imported to any device, which is hidden in the depths of the menu in MIUI, but works steadily even on older models like the Redmi Note 8.

To export contacts:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a human silhouette).
2. Stick to three points (⋮) top-right → Select “Contact Management».
3. Scroll down and click “Import/Export Contacts” → “Export to File”.
4. Select an account (if contacts are saved in Google or Mi Account) or a “Phone” for local contacts.
5. Specify the folder to save (we recommend Downloads or Documents) and confirm the export.

Contacts.vcf file can be:

• 📤 Send on. Telegram/WhatsApp document.
• 📧 Attach to the letter in Gmail or Mail.ru.
• 🖥️ Copy to a computer through USB-cable.
• 🔄 Import to a new device through the same section "Import / Export».

⚠️ If you have more than 2,000 contacts, MIUI It can break them down into multiple.vcf files. Before importing them to a new device, combine them through services like VCF Merge.

Contacts are not duplicated (combine repetitive)

Selected the correct account (phone/Google/Mi)

Enough memory in the save folder

The file will not be overwritten (remove the old.vcf)

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2. sync through Google Account (automatic transfer)

If your contacts are linked to a Google Account, it takes only 5 minutes to transfer them to a new device, a method that is suitable for switching to Android devices from other brands (Samsung, Huawei) or even iPhone (via iCloud).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Select your account (if not added, click Add Account).
3. Activate the Contacts slider (if it is gray, synchronization is disabled).
4. Wait for the synchronization to be completed (progress is displayed in the status bar).

To transfer contacts to the new device:

• 📱 On your new phone, log in to the same Google Account.
• 🔄 Enable contact synchronization in settings.
• ⏳ Wait 5-10 minutes (depending on internet speed).

⚠️ Note: If you previously synced contacts via Mi Account and Google at the same time, the new device may have duplicates. To avoid this, turn off sync to Settings before transferring. → Accounts. → Mi Account and leave only Google.

Google Account

Mi Account (Xiaomi)

Local file.vcf

Bluetooth/NFC

Another option-->

3. Transfer via Mi Account (only for Xiaomi devices)

Mi Account is Xiaomi’s proprietary cloud service that automatically backs up contacts, messages and notes, which is convenient if you switch from one Xiaomi/Redmi device to another (for example, from the Redmi Note 11 to Xiaomi 14).

How to turn on synchronization:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Account.
2. Sign in to your account (if not registered, create it).
3. Activate the Contacts slider.
4. Click on Sync (button at the bottom of the screen).

To be transferred to a new device:

• 📱 Turn on the same Mi Account on your new phone.
• 🔄 Turn on contact synchronization.
• 📞 Contacts will appear in the “Contacts” app in 1-2 minutes.

Advantages of Mi Account:

• 🔒 Automatic backup (once a day).
• 📲 It works even if your phone is lost or broken (just log in to your account on a new device).
• 🌐 Access to contacts via i.mi.com web version.

4. Bluetooth or NFC transmission (for close devices)

If you want to quickly transfer contacts to another Android device (for example, a friend or colleague), you can use Bluetooth or NFC. This method does not require Internet, but is only suitable for transferring a small number of contacts (up to 50-100 pieces).

Instructions for Bluetooth:

1. Open Contacts and select the entries you want (click your finger for multiple selection).
2. Click on "Share" (arrow icon) → "Bluetooth".
3. Turn on Bluetooth on both devices and pair.
4. Confirm the file on the second phone.

For NFC (if supported):

• 📱 Turn it on. NFC In Settings → Connections and sharing → NFC.
• 🤝 Bring the phones back to each other (distance) < 5cm).
• 📋 Select contacts to transfer – they will be sent automatically.

⚠️ Note: When transmitted via Bluetooth, contacts are saved in.vcf format, but may not be imported automatically. Once you receive the file, open it manually and click "Import».

1.Reboot both phones.

2. Remove old coupled devices in Settings → Bluetooth.

3. Activate Visible for all mode for 2 minutes.

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5. Export of contacts to the computer (backup)

Keeping contacts on your computer is a reliable way to back up, especially before you reset your phone to factory settings, and you can use a.vcf file or specialized programs like Mi PC Suite.

Method 1: Through a.vcf file

1. Export your contacts to.vcf (see section 1).
2. Connect your phone to your computer through USB-cable (select the "File Transfer" mode»).
3. Copy the contacts.vcf file to any folder on your PC.

Method 2: Through Mi PC Suite

• 🖥️ Download and install Mi. PC Suite.
• 📱 Connect your phone to your computer and allow debugging. USB.
• 🔄 In the program, select "Reserve Copying» → note “Contacts» → press "Start».
• 💾 The backup file will be saved in.mbk format (you can restore the backup file using the same program).

For import from computer to phone:

• 📤 Copy the.vcf or.mbk file back to your phone.
• 📱 For.vcf: Open the file through Contacts» → «Imports».
• 🖥️ For.mbk: use Mi PC Suite → «Recovery».

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Backups of contacts on your computer protect against data loss when your phone is stolen, broken or reset. Store files in the cloud (Google Drive, Yandex Drive) or on an external drive.

6. Transfer contacts to iPhone (via Google or iCloud)

The transition from Xiaomi to iPhone requires additional steps due to the closed Apple ecosystem.

Method 1: Through Google Account

1. Sync your contacts with Google on Xiaomi (see section 2).
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 full port)

• 📤 Export your contacts to Xiaomi in.vcf.
• 🖥️ Open iCloud.com on your computer, sign in to your Apple ID.
• 📋 Go to Contacts» → press the gear down there. → «Import vCard».
• 📱 On iPhone, enable sync with iCloud (Settings) → [Your name] → iCloud → Contacts).

⚠️ Note: When you transfer your Google Account to your iPhone, your contact photos may not show up. To fix this, use iCloud or specialized apps like Copy My Data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi contact transfer