How to transfer contacts from Android to Xiaomi Redmi: all the ways from Google Account to Bluetooth

The transition to the new Xiaomi Redmi smartphone is always an exciting moment, especially when it comes to the safety of important data. Contacts accumulated over the years become a real headache if you do not know how to transfer them correctly. SIM-This only works with numbers stored on the card itself (which usually don't have more than 200 of them.

In fact, the process of transferring contacts from one Android device to Xiaomi Redmi takes from 2 to 15 minutes, depending on the method chosen. In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods, including syncing through Google Account, using the Internet and using the Internet. MIUI Account, Bluetooth transfer, export via.vcf file and even transfer via SIM-cards (yes, it is still relevant!). Particular attention will be paid to the nuances that arise on Xiaomi devices with a shell MIUI — For example, why contacts are sometimes duplicated or not displayed in the standard Phone app».

Whether you’re switching from Samsung, Huawei or another Redmi, the instructions below are suitable for all models – from the budget Redmi 12C to the flagship Redmi K70 Pro. The main thing is not to miss steps with the sync setting, otherwise you risk losing data when resetting your phone.

1. The most reliable way: sync through Google Account

Xiaomi recommends this method in the official documentation, and its advantage is automation: once set up, contacts will be updated on both devices in real time, but there is a caveat: if the old phone has been disabled sync, you will have to turn it on first and wait for the data to update in the cloud.

How to check if your contacts are synced with Google:

1. Open the Contacts app on your old phone.
2. Slip on three points (menu) → Settings → Contact management.
3. If there is a Google item with the number of contacts on the list, the data is already in the cloud.

If synchronization is disabled:

Connect your old phone to Wi-Fi | Open Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync | Enable Contacts slider | Wait for sync to complete (the icon spins in the notification panel) | Check contacts at contacts.google.com (should be displayed)

-->

Now on Xiaomi Redmi:

1. When you first turn on, select “Restore from Google Account” and log in.
2. If the phone is already set up: Settings → Accounts → Add an account → Google.
3. After login, enable synchronization of contacts in the account settings.
4. Open the Contacts app – numbers will appear within 5-10 minutes.

💡

If no contacts appear, check Settings → Apps → App Management → Contacts → Permissions to access your Google account are enabled.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11) after upgrading to MIUI 14 may work with a duplicate contact bug. To fix, go to Settings. → Memory. → Cleanup → Duplicate contacts and perform the merger.

2. transfer via MIUI Account (if both phones are Xiaomi)

If you are switching from one Xiaomi to another (for example, from Redmi 9A to Redmi Note 13 Pro+), it is more convenient to use a branded MIUI account. This method is faster than Google-synchronization and does not require Internet during the transfer stage - data is transmitted directly over Wi-Fi Direct.

Instructions:

1. On the old Xiaomi: 📱 Open the Settings. → Mi Account (or Xiaomi Account in new versions). 🔄 Make sure that contact synchronization is enabled (item "Data Synchronization»). ☁️ Go to i.mi.com from your computer and check if contacts are displayed in the cloud.

new

Redmi

• 📲 When you first turn on, select “Restore from Mi Account».
• 🔑 Sign in with the same account as your old phone.
• 📥 Select “Contacts” in the Data Recovery List.

Synchronization through Google|MIUI Account (for Xiaomi)|Export to.vcf file|Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct|Another way.-->

3. Export contacts to.vcf file (for manual control)

This is a method that works for those who want to back up contacts on a computer or flash drive..vcf (vCard) is a universal format that all smartphones support. It can be mailed, saved to the cloud or tossed over. USB-cable.

Step-by-step:

1. On an old phone: 📇 Open the "Contact" app». 🔍 Tap it on three points. → Contact management → Import/Export of contacts. 📤 Select Export to.vcf (sometimes the item is called Save to Device»). 💾 Specify a folder to save (for example, Downloads) and confirm.

Redmi

• 📎 Connect your new phone to your computer or use it. Bluetooth/Telegram file-transfer.
• 📥 On Xiaomi, open the.vcf file – the system will offer to import contacts.

Important: If your contacts are stored in multiple accounts (e.g. Google + SIM + device), export them separately, otherwise some numbers may not be transferred.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (Like Redmi. 10A s MIUI 12.5) When importing.vcf, a limit on the number of contacts may work – if there are more than 2,000, break the file into parts using vcfsplitter.com.

4.Bluetooth Connection Transfer: When There Is No Internet

The old-fashioned way that helps when traveling or without Wi-Fi, the downside is low speed and the risk of communication disruption, especially if contacts are more than 500, but does not require account registration and works on even the oldest versions of Android.

How to move:

1. On an old phone: 🔵 Turn Bluetooth on in the notification panel. 📇 Open the "Contact» → Select “Send Contacts” (or “Share” in new versions). 📤 Tag the contacts you need (or click “Select All») → «Bluetooth».

Xiaomi Redmi

• 🔵 Turn on Bluetooth and make the device visible».
• 📱 Accept the incoming file (usually saved in the Bluetooth folder).
• 📥 Open the file – the contacts will be added automatically.

If the contacts are not imported:

• 🔄 Reboot both phones and try again.
• 📂 Check if the file is saved in format.vcf.zip — It needs to be unpacked first.
• 🛠️ Install Bluetooth File Transfer app from Google Play for forced import.

💡

Bluetooth is suitable for carrying up to 300-400 contacts, and if there are more, break up the shipment into batches of 100-150, or the connection will be interrupted.

5. Transfer of contacts through SIM-map: last resort

This method is inferior in reliability to the previous one, but sometimes becomes the only way out - for example, if the old phone is broken, and the phone is broken. SIM-The card is good. SIM A limited number of contacts (usually up to 250) are placed and only numbers are saved without additional fields (email, addresses, etc.).

How to move:

1. On an old phone: 📱 Open the "Contact» → Settings → Imports/Exports. 📤 Select "Export to" SIM-Map and specify which contacts to copy. ⚠️ Confirm the replacement of data SIM (Old contacts on the map will be erased!).

Xiaomi Redmi

• 📱 Put it in. SIM-card.
• 📥 Open the "Contact» → Settings → Import with SIM-map.
• 🔄 Choose where to import (on your device or account) Google/MIUI).

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 No photos of contacts and additional fields are saved.
• 📏 Maximum of 250-300 contacts (depending on operator).
• 🔠 Names are saved in the format of "IvanovIvan" (without spaces).

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even with the right portability, the contacts on Xiaomi Redmi may not appear or duplicate, and let’s look at common errors and how to fix them.

Problem 1: Contacts don’t appear after synchronization.

• 🔍 Check if sync is enabled in account settings (Settings) → Accounts. → Google/MIUI → Synchronization).
• 🔄 Restart your phone - sometimes MIUI «Forgetting to update the data.
• 📱 Install Google Contacts from Play Market – it often shows data that isn’t visible in the standard app.

Problem 2: Duplicate contacts.

• 🧹 V MIUI There is a built-in tool for merging duplicates: Settings → Memory. → Cleanup → Duplicate contacts.
• 🔄 If the duplicates are due to multiple accounts (e.g. Google) + MIUI), Turn off the synchronization of one of them.

Problem 3: Contacts are displayed, but without names (numbers only).

• 📇 Check the encoding of the.vcf file – if it is created on an iPhone, you may need to convert through an online service.
• 🔤 In contact settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Encoding) select UTF-8.

💡

If contact photos disappear after the transfer, check if the “Show photos” option is enabled in the settings of the Phone application (Settings → Display contacts).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions