How to Transfer Contacts from Xiaomi Phone: All Working Methods of 2026

Shifting contacts from Xiaomi’s smartphone to a new device or backup is a challenge that every user will eventually face. Unlike photos or music, the phonebook contains critical data: coworkers’ numbers, customer addresses, linked messenger accounts. An export error can lead to lost connections, so it’s important to choose a reliable method.

In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of transferring contacts from Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO — standard-function MIUI We'll focus on the nuances of why some numbers are not exported, how to avoid duplicates, and what to do if contacts "disappear" after transfer (MIUI 14/15) and take into account the limitations of Chinese versions of devices.

1. Export contacts through the built-in MIUI function

The easiest way is to use the standard MIUI tool to create backups, which is suitable for most models, including the Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5. The main advantage of the method is to save all additional information (mail, addresses, notes to contacts).

To export contacts:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette).
2. Slip on three dots in the top right corner → select Contact Management.
3. Go to Import/Export Contacts → Export to File.
4. Specify the location of the storage (internal memory or SD-map) and confirm the action.

The file will be saved in.vcf (vCard) format in the MIUI/backup/Contacts folder. It can be mailed, uploaded to the cloud, or copied to another phone via USB. Note: if you have a Chinese version of MIUI (without Google services), the path to the menu may be different — instead of Contact Management, look for Contact Settings.

Contacts synced to your Mi Account (if used)

The phone has enough free space (the.vcf file weighs ~1-5 MB)

Battery optimization for the Contacts app is disabled

The file is not saved to SD-ExFAT file system card (may not be readable)

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2. synchronization with Xiaomi account (Mi Account)

If you use a Mi profile, contacts are automatically backed up in the cloud, a method that is convenient for quick transfer to a new Xiaomi phone or recovery after a reset. However, it has limitations: the Mi Cloud only stores up to 5,000 contacts (for free accounts) and does not support export to other services (for example, Google Contacts).

How to turn on synchronization:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Account.
2. Activate the switch opposite Contact.
3. Wait until the synchronization is complete (the cloud icon will turn green).

To transfer contacts to another phone:

• 📱 Sign in to a new device under the same Mi Account.
• 🔄 Enable contact synchronization in account settings.
• ⏳ Wait 5-10 minutes (depending on internet speed).

(1) Both devices have mobile internet or Wi-Fi enabled.

2) In Settings → Applications → Application Management → Contacts are allowed background activity and auto-start.

3) Chinese firmware may require manual updates to the Mi Cloud app via the App Store (not the Play Market!).-->

3. Transfer via Google Account (for global versions of MIUI)

For owners of global versions of Xiaomi (with Google services pre-installed), the most universal way is synchronization with Google Contacts.

• 🔄 Automatically update contacts on all devices (including iPhone or Samsung).
• 📤 Export a phone book in.csv format for editing in Excel.
• 🛡️ Restore contacts even after resetting the phone to factory settings.

Instructions for setting:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Select your account (or add a new one).
3. Activate synchronization for Contacts.
4. Wait for the process to be completed (check in the web version of Google Contacts).

If the contacts are not synchronized:

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (Google services may be blocked, especially in China:

• Install Google Contacts Sync from the Play Market.
• Or use it. APK-Google Contacts application file from APKMirror.

Synchronization with Mi Account|Google account|Manual export to.vcf file|Other services (iCloud, Yandex, etc.)|I'm not synchronizing.-->

4. Transfer of contacts via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct

If you want to quickly transfer contacts to another Xiaomi phone (or Android device) without the Internet, you can use direct transmission over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct. The method works even on older models (Redmi 4A, Mi A1), but has limitations:

• ❌ Contact photos and additional fields (e.g., dates of birth) are not shared).
• ❌ Only one contact can be sent at a time (mass shipment is not available).
• ❌ On some firmware, the function is hidden in the depth of the menu.

How to send a contact via Bluetooth:

1. Open the Contacts app and select the desired number.
2. Tap it on three points. → Share.
3. Select Bluetooth and confirm pairing with the target device.
4. On the second phone, accept the incoming.vcf file.

For Wi-Fi Direct:

• 📶 Enable Wi-Fi Direct in Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally on both phones.
• 🔗 Connect devices to each other (no password required).
• 📤 Send a.vcf file through any file manager (e.g., Mi File Manager).

5. Use of third-party applications (for mass transfer)

If the built-in methods don't work (for example, you need to transfer contacts to your iPhone or filter duplicates), third-party software will help. We tested 3 reliable applications:

Recommendations for use:

• 🔍 Before export, check the application permissions (Settings) → Annexes → Permits).
• 📁 Save backups to the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox) or on PC.
• 🔄 After transferring to your new device, do a duplicate check (Google Contacts has a built-in tool).

Transfer contacts to iPhone (via.vcf or iCloud).

- Filter duplicates before the perenosom.

- Keep your history of changes (who edited the contact and when).-->

Manual transfer through SIM-map (for older models)

If you have a Xiaomi Redmi 3S, Mi 4i Or another outdated device without access to the cloud, you can use it. SIM-The method is suitable only for transferring the main numbers (without mail, addresses, photos).

Instructions:

1. Put it in. SIM-card.
2. Open Contacts. → Settings (⚙) → Imports/Exports → Exports to SIM.
3. Select contacts to transfer (or click Select All).
4. Confirm the export and wait until it is completed.
5. Move it. SIM-Card to new device and import contacts.

⚠️ Note: Consider the limitations of the method: SIM-The card only keeps the name. + number (maximum 255 characters per contact) on one SIM It can fit 200 to 500 contacts (depending on operator) and numbers in format. +7 can be displayed as 8 (fix manually).

If contacts are not imported with SIM:

• 🔄 Restart your phone and try again.
• 📱 Check if the new device supports importing from SIM (On the iPhone, this feature is missing).
• 🛠️ Use it. SIM-Reader for your computer and edit contacts via Excel.

7 Recovery of remote contacts after transfer

If after the transfer contacts are lost or duplicated, use these tips:

If the contacts are deleted without a backup:

• 🔍 Check the folder. MIUI/backup/Contacts on the phone – sometimes files are left behind after reset.
• 📧 Write in support of Xiaomi (via Settings) → The phone. → Reviews: They can recover data from the cloud within 30 days.
• 🛠️ Use recovery software (like Dr.Fone) but the odds are low without root.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's contact transfer