How to transfer contacts to Android on Bluetooth on Xiaomi Redmi 9: the complete guide

Transferring contacts between Android smartphones via Bluetooth seems like a simple task, but in practice, users of Xiaomi Redmi 9 often face nuances, from the lack of an option in the menu to synchronization errors. In this article, we will analyze all the ways to transfer contacts wirelessly, from standard MIUI functions to workarounds if Bluetooth refuses to work correctly.

The Redmi 9 (M2003J15SC, M2004J19G, etc.) features a customized MIUI shell that sometimes hides or modifies standard Android options. We tested all methods on MIUI 12.5-14 firmware and identified key points, from device preparation to handling errors like “failed to send contacts” or “file not supported”.

Importantly, if you use a Google or Mi Account, it can be easier to sync through the cloud, but if you need Bluetooth — for example, if you don't have the Internet or to transfer to a device without an account — follow our instructions.

1. Preparation of devices for the transmission of contacts

Before you start transferring, make sure that both smartphones meet the key requirements:

• 📱 Version. MIUI: Redmi 9 should be installed firmware at least below MIUI 12. Check in Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.
• 🔄 Contact Sync: Turn off automatic sync with Google or Mi Cloud in Settings → Accounts to avoid duplication.
• 🔋 Battery charge: Make sure both devices have at least 30% charge – long-term transfer of large contact lists can drain your phone.
• 📡 Bluetooth version: Redmi 9 supports Bluetooth 5.0, but Bluetooth 4.2 mode may be required to be compatible with older models (on automatically).

Also clear the Contacts app cache on both devices: go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Contacts → Storage → Clear the cache. This will eliminate possible data read errors.

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If the receiving phone already has contacts, but they need to be updated, pre-export the current list to the file. VCF via Contact → ⋮ → Imports/Exports → Exports to the vault.

2. Standard method: transmission via contact menu

The most obvious method is to use the built-in Bluetooth contact sharing feature, but it's hidden deeper in MIUI than in pure Android.

1. On the sending phone (Redmi 9), open the Contacts app (an icon with a human silhouette).
2. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Import/Export.
3. Tap Send Contacts → Select the contacts you want (or click Select All) → Ready.
4. In the list of transmission methods, select Bluetooth.
5. On the receiving phone, turn on Bluetooth in the notification curtain or through Settings → Connections → Bluetooth.
6. Wait for Redmi 9 to find the device and confirm pairing on both phones.
7. The receiving phone will receive a request for a file — confirm it. Contacts will be saved automatically in the Contacts app.

If you don’t have the option to Send Contacts, update the Contacts app via Google Play or install an alternative (like Truecaller) that supports this feature.

Bluetooth enabled on both devices |

Contacts not hidden in privacy settings |

There's enough memory on the receiving phone |

Battery savings for the "Contacts" application are disabled"-->

3. Alternative method: Transmission via VCF file

If the standard method doesn’t work (for example, because of the “failed to send” error), export the contacts to the.vcf file and send it manually via Bluetooth. MIUI.

Instructions for Redmi 9:

1. Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Imports/Exports → Exports to the vault.
2. Select contacts to export (or all) and click Export. The file will be saved as contacts.vcf in the Download or MIUI/backup/Contacts folder.
3. Open Files (MI File Manager app) and find the.vcf file.
4. Select the file, click Share → Bluetooth and select the receiving device.
5. On the receiving phone, accept the file and open it – contacts will be added automatically.

A critical nuance for Xiaomi Redmi 9: if a VCF file weighs more than 10 MB, Bluetooth can interrupt the transfer. Break contacts into parts of 200-300 pieces or use Wi-Fi Direct.

4. Solving common mistakes

When transferring contacts via Bluetooth to Xiaomi Redmi 9, users often face typical problems.

If none of the methods worked, check if the antivirus (e.g. Mi Security) is blocking the transmission. Turn it off during the transfer to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Security → Disable it.

Through Bluetooth|

Through Google Account|

Through the VCF| file

Through messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)|

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5. Transfer of contacts through application managers

If the built-in MIUI features don't work, use third-party apps that often offer more options, such as choosing an export format or filtering duplicates.

• 📲 My Contacts Backup: Backs up contacts in.vcf format and sends them via Bluetooth, email or cloud. Supports Xiaomi Redmi 9 without root rights.
• 🔄 Super Backup & Restore: Allows you to export your contacts, SMS There's a compression option to speed up the transmission.
• 🌐 Contacts+: Synchronizes contacts between devices via its own cloud, but also supports Bluetooth sharing.

Examples of My Contacts Backup:

1. Install the app from Google Play on both phones.
2. On sending Redmi 9, click Backup → select Bluetooth → send the file to the second phone.
3. On the receiving phone, open the received file through the same application and press Restore.

The advantage of this method is the possibility of selective reconstitution of contacts and checking for duplicates before import.

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The application side often handles large contact lists (1,000+ entries) better than standard MIUI tools, but requires installation on both devices.

6. Features of transfer to other models Xiaomi

If you are transferring contacts from Redmi 9 to another Xiaomi model (such as Redmi Note 10 or POCO X3), consider the differences in MIUI versions:

• 📱 Nana MIUI 13+ The option to send contacts can be called Share contacts.
• 🔗 On devices with MIUI 14 and newer supported Quick Share (similar to AirDrop), which is faster than Bluetooth.
• 🔄 On older models (Redmi) 5/6) You may need to manually import a.vcf file through Settings → Additionally. → Imports/Exports.

To transfer between Xiaomi and smartphones of other brands (Samsung, Huawei), use the universal format.vcf or applications like Send Anywhere, which do not depend on the shell.

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When transferring between Xiaomi and iPhone, use iCloud or email: export contacts to VCF on Redmi 9, send the file to mail, and import via Mail to iPhone.

7. Security and confidentiality

Bluetooth is not the most secure method, especially in public places.

• 🔒 Turn off Bluetooth visibility after transfer: go to Settings → Bluetooth → Visibility of the device → Never.
• 📌 Delete temporary files: After importing, delete the resulting.vcf from the Download folder.
• 🛡️ Check permissions: Before using third-party applications, deny them access to the SMS and call log (if not required for the task).

⚠️ Note: If you are transferring contacts to a device with MIUI And with a dual space, the imported contacts will only be available in the current space, so that they can be displayed in the second space, export them again inside it.

Also remember that some Xiaomi models (including Redmi 9) can automatically add tags to contacts (e.g., "Imported from [device name]").

1. Open contact → click Edit.
2. Remove the extra tags in the Notes field.
3. Save the changes.

Frequently asked questions