The transition from iPhone to Xiaomi smartphone is always an exciting moment, especially when it comes to the preservation of important data. Contacts accumulated over the years, you can not lose: there are business partners, close people, and casual but valuable acquaintances. Fortunately, the process of transferring them is much easier than it seems at first glance, the main thing is to choose the right method from five proven options that work even for users without technical experience.
In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to transfer contacts with iOS to the Internet. MIUI, From classic (via iCloud or Google Account) to non-obvious (for example, using vCard files or using a digital file). SIM-Each method is illustrated with step-by-step instructions, warnings about common errors, and tips for optimizing the process. And if you're afraid of losing data, there's a backup checklist at the end of this article.
Important: All instructions are relevant for iPhones on iOS 15-17 and Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi, POCO) on MIUI 13-14 or HyperOS. If your device runs on an older version of the software, some steps may differ - but the principles remain the same.
1. Transfer contacts via iCloud (the most reliable way)
iCloud is the gold standard for iPhone owners, requiring no additional apps, running consistently, and storing all contact information, including photos, notes, and social media accounts, the only condition is that the iPhone must be enabled to sync with iCloud.
How does it work? You export contacts from iCloud to a.vcf file, and then import it to Xiaomi. The whole process takes no more than 5 minutes if you follow the instructions:
- Step 1. On your iPhone, open Settings β [Your name] β iCloud and make sure the switch opposite Contact is active (green). If not, turn it on and wait 1-2 minutes for the data to sync.
- Step 2: On your computer (or directly from Xiaomi), go to iCloud.com and log in with your Apple ID account.
- Step 3. Select Contacts, then click on the gear icon in the lower left corner and click "Select All." Then click on the gear again and select "Export vCard." Contacts.vcf will be downloaded to your computer.
- Step 4: Transfer the file to Xiaomi in any convenient way: via Bluetooth, email, Telegram or USB cable. Then open the file - the system automatically prompts you to import contacts into the phone book.
β οΈ Note: If you have two-factor authentication on Apple ID, To log in to iCloud.com, you will need to enter a confirmation code that will come to a trusted device (usually the same iPhone!
Advantages of the method:
- πΉ Stores all contact information, including additional fields (dates of birth, addresses, linked accounts).
- πΉ Does not require the installation of third-party applications.
- πΉ It works even if the iPhone has already been dropped or given to a new owner (just remember Apple). ID).
Disadvantages:
- πΈ You need to remember the data from Apple ID (If you forget your password, restore it in advance).
- πΈ With a lot of contacts (>1000 export may take a few minutes.
2. Synchronization through Google Account (universal method)
If you already use Google services (like Gmail or YouTube), this is the easiest way to do it, which is to add a Google Account to your iPhone, sync your contacts with it, and then log into the same Xiaomi account, and all the data is automatically uploaded to the phone book.
Step-by-step:
- Step 1. On your iPhone, go to Settings β Contacts β Accounts β Add an account β Google.
- Step 2. Enter your Google Account (if not, create it here) and allow contacts to sync (the switch should be green) during the setup phase.
- Step 3: Wait 5-10 minutes for your contacts to be uploaded to Google Contacts, and check this out at contacts.google.com.
- Step 4. On Xiaomi, open Settings β Memory and Files β Google (or Settings β Accounts β Add an account β Google in older versions of MIUI). Log in to the same account and enable Contact Sync.
Important: If your contacts are stored only in your deviceβs memory (not iCloud), you need to transfer them to iCloud or export them manually before syncing with Google (see method 1).
Pros of the method:
- πΉ Auto sync: new contacts added to Xiaomi will be available on other devices with the same Google Account.
- πΉ No need to download files or connect cables.
- πΉ It works even if the iPhone is already disabled or sold.
β οΈ Note: If you have multiple accounts with contacts on your iPhone (e.g. iCloud) + Exchange, Google Contacts can get duplicates. Before penos, check the list on contacts.google.com and delete the repetitive entries.
Check that your iPhone is mobile or Wi-Fi enabled | Make sure your Google Account has enough space (contacts are low, but better to have a stock) | Open contacts.google.com and delete old/duplicate contacts (if any) | Remember your Google Account password or save it to your password manager-->
3. Transfer of contacts through SIM-Card (for small telephone books)
If you have few contacts (up to 200-300) and do not want to mess with the clouds, you can use the good old method - copying on the Internet. SIM-This method is suitable for owners of iPhone with tray under nano-SIM (all models starting with the iPhone 5).
Limitations of the method:
- πΈ SIM-The card stores only the name and phone number (without photos, addresses, email, etc.).
- πΈ The maximum number of contacts depends on the card (usually 200-500).
- πΈ On Xiaomi contacts with SIM They are not synced with Google, and you need to manually store them in your phoneβs memory.
How to move:
- Step 1. On your iPhone, open the Contacts app, click on the contact you want, and select Share Contact. Then click Copy on SIM. Repeat for all contacts (unfortunately, there is no batch copy).
- Step 2. Take it out. SIM-iPhone card (use a clip or special key) and paste it into Xiaomi.
- Step 3. On Xiaomi, open the Contacts app, click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Import/Export. β Import with SIM-Indicate where to save contacts (for example, in a Google account or phone memory).
Tip: If you have a lot of contacts, use this method only for the most important numbers and transfer the rest to iCloud or Google.
π‘
Before extraction SIM-iPhone cards make sure they are not locked PIN-If it's locked, unlock it in the settings: Settings β Cellular service β PIN-code SIM
4. Use of third-party applications (SHAREit, Xender, Send Anywhere)
If you want fast transmission without clouds or cables, you'll find specialized file sharing applications, the most popular of which are SHAREit, Xender, and Send Anywhere, which are all direct data transfers over Wi-Fi Direct, which ensures high speeds and no limits on volume.
How to transfer contacts through Shareit:
- Step 1: Install Shareit on both devices: π± On iPhone: Download in the App Store π€ On Xiaomi: Download to Google Play
Step 2.
iPhone
SHAREit
Step 3.
Xiaomi
iPhone
Step 4.
Xiaomi
.vcf
Advantages:
- πΉ Fast: 500 contacts take 1-2 minutes to pass.
- πΉ No Internet connection (works through a local network).
- πΉ Stores all contact data, including photos.
Disadvantages:
- πΈ Third-party software must be installed (although Shareit and Xender are considered secure).
- πΈ On iPhone, apps often request access to contacts β remember to revoke permissions after transfer (Settings) β Confidentiality β Contacts).
What if Shareit doesnβt find the device?
5. Bluetooth transmission (if nothing else works)
Bluetooth is not the most convenient way to send a lot of contacts, but it helps when there is nothing else at hand, for example, if you have no access to the Internet and the USB cable is lost, the disadvantage of the method is that the contacts are sent one by one, not in a packet.
Instructions:
- Step 1. Turn on Bluetooth on both devices: On iPhone: Settings β Bluetooth. On Xiaomi: swipe down the screen and hold the Bluetooth icon (or Settings β Connections β Bluetooth).
Step 2.
Xiaomi
iPhone
Step 3.
iPhone
Bluetooth
Xiaomi
Step 4.
Xiaomi
Tips for speeding up the process:
- πΉ Use group sending: on the iPhone you can select several contacts at the same time (click "Change" in the upper right corner, mark the desired ones and click "ShareΒ»).
- πΉ If Bluetooth breaks, reduce the distance between devices (maximum 1-2 meters).
β οΈ Note: Some Xiaomi models (especially with the MIUI 12 and older) Cyrillic characters in names may be lost when receiving contacts via Bluetooth. Before mass sending, check 1-2 contacts!
Comparison of methods: which one to choose?
To make it easier for you to determine, we have collected the key parameters of each method in the table:
| Method | Speed. | Saving all the data? | Need the Internet? | Difficulty | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iCloud β vCard | ββββ | β Yes (photos, notes, emails) | β Yes (for downloading) | ββ (simple) | Any number of contacts |
| Google Account | βββββ | β Yes. | β Yes (for synchronization) | β (simple) | Users of the Google ecosystem |
| SIM-map | β | β No, just a name. + number) | β No. | βββ (handwork) | Small phone books |
| SHAREit/Xender | βββββ | β Yes. | β No (Wi-Fi Direct) | ββ (need to install the application) | Fast transmission without clouds |
| Bluetooth | ββ | β οΈ Partially (may lose Cyrillic) | β No. | ββββ (long) | Emergency cases |
Selection recommendations:
- πΉ If you have a lot of contact with detailed information β Use iCloud or Google Account.
- πΉ If you need to move contacts without the Internet β scharet SIM-map.
- πΉ If the iPhone has already been dropped or given away β Restore contacts via iCloud.com on your computer.
π‘
For most users, sync via Google Account is the best choice, and it is free, reliable and requires no additional post-transfer actions (contacts are automatically updated on all devices).
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even with the detailed instructions, users sometimes encounter problems.-5 errors and ways of solving them:
- Contacts are not synced with Google Accounts. Reason: iPhone is disabled or contacts are stored only in the device memory. Solution: Check Settings β Contacts β Accounts β Google if the Contacts switch is enabled. If contacts are local, export them to iCloud first (method 1).
- For importation with SIM-The maps are missing Russian letters. SIM-The card does not support Cyrillic (a common problem with old cards).Solution: Use another method (e.g. iCloud or SHAREit).
- SHAREit doesn't see Xiaomi. Reason: Xiaomi has Wi-Fi Direct or background lock disabled. Solution: Restart Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on both devices. On Xiaomi, check the battery settings for SHAREit (Settings for Settings) β Battery β Optimizing the battery).
If none of these methods worked, check:
- πΉ Is the firmware updated on Xiaomi (Settings) β The phone. β Updating the system).
- πΉ Is there enough space in Xiaomiβs memory for new contacts.
- πΉ Does the antivirus block data transmission (stop it temporarily).