How to transfer contacts to Android via Bluetooth to Xiaomi: the complete guide

Introduction: Why Transfer Contacts Over Bluetooth and When It Matters

Transferring a phone book between Xiaomi smartphones via Bluetooth remains one of the most versatile ways — despite the abundance of cloud services and instant messengers, which helps when there is no Internet at hand, Mi Account is not synchronized, and Mi Account is not synchronized. USB-For example, you bought a new Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5, The old Mi 11 has not yet been given to a relative, and you need to copy the numbers urgently.

Bluetooth connection is suitable for transferring contacts between devices on MIUI 12, 13 or 14, and other brands (if they support the protocol) OBEX). The main advantages of the method: no dependence on the network, no registration in services is required, and the transfer speed takes only 1-2 minutes. However, there are nuances: not all Xiaomi models work equally well with this feature, and in some cases you will have to use workarounds.

In this article, we will discuss:

• 🔹 Step-by-step instructions for Bluetooth contact transfer on any Xiaomi smartphone (including models without the Send Contacts button").
• 🔹 Common errors and their solutions (for example, when contacts are not displayed in the list to send).
• 🔹 Alternative methods: from QR-codes before exporting to.vcf if Bluetooth refuses to work.
• 🔹 Security Tips: How to Avoid Duplicate Contacts or Loss of Data in Transfers.

Preparation of Xiaomi smartphones for the transfer of contacts

Before you start transferring, make sure that both devices are ready for the procedure, which will eliminate the typical problems like "no contact visible" or "no connection possible".

On the sending smartphone (source):

• 📱 Turn Bluetooth on in the notification panel or through Settings → Connections → Bluetooth.
• 🔓 Allow device visibility (in the same Bluetooth settings, activate the option “Make visible to all nearby devices").
• 📇 Check that contacts are saved in your phone’s local memory, not just your Google or Mi Account account. Open the Contacts app, click on three dots (⋮) → Contact management → Import/Export and see if there is a record of "Phone" or "SIM card".

On the receiving smartphone (recipient):

• 📱 Also turn on Bluetooth and make the device visible.
• 🚫 Remove old paired connections (if any) to avoid conflicts: in the list of associated devices, click on the gear next to the name and select "Delete".
• 📂 Free up space in memory: if there are many contacts (500)+), Check the free space in the Settings section → Memory.

It's important, if you're using MIUI 14 based on Android 13, some Bluetooth features may work differently than in older versions. e.g. in Redmi Note 11 (MIUI 13) the “Send Contacts” button is visible immediately, and in Xiaomi 13 Pro (MIUI 14) you will have to search in the menu of the "Contact" app".

Step-by-step: transfer contacts via Bluetooth to Xiaomi

Now, let's get to the process. The manual is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and other models. POCO, There may be some differences in the menu.

Step 1: Device pairing

1. On the sending smartphone, open Settings → Connections → Bluetooth.

2. Click "Device Search" and select the name of the receiving phone from the list.

3. Confirm pairing on both devices (you may need to enter the same PIN-code, usually 0000 or 1234).

4. wait for the message "Connected" or "Connected".

Step 2: Sending contacts

There are two possible scenarios depending on the version. MIUI:

Method 1 (MIUI 12-13, old models):

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Press three points (⋮) top-right → Choose "Import/Export".
3. Tap "Send contacts" → Choose "Bluetooth".
4. Check the necessary contacts (or click "Select all") → "Send".
5. Select from the list the associated device (receiving a smartphone).

Method 2 (MIUI 14, new models):

1. Open "Contacts" → Click on the profile avatar at the top → "Contact management".
2. Select "Import/Export" → "Send contacts".
3. If there is no Bluetooth option, click on More (or Other Ways) and find it there.
4. Act as in Method 1 (Contact Selection) → shipment).

Step 3: Receiving contacts on the second phone

On the receiving device:

1. When you send it, you'll see a notification that says "Accept file over Bluetooth."
2. Confirm acceptance (you may need to select a folder to save, usually “Downloads” or “Bluetooth”).
3. Open the file after download (usually called contacts.vcf or 00001.vcf).
4. Choose where to import contacts: in the phone memory, SIM-Google card.

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If the receiving smartphone does not appear a notification of the receipt of the file, check the folder "Bluetooth" in the file manager (Files) → Categories → Bluetooth. Sometimes the file is saved there automatically.

Common Problems and Their Solutions

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, Xiaomi users often encounter errors. Let’s look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

A critical feature for Xiaomi: on some models (for example, Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) The Bluetooth contact sending function can be disabled at the firmware level, in which case only manual export to the.vcf file will help (see next section).

⚠️ Note: If you encounter a “failed to connect” error when pairing devices, try resetting the network settings on both phones: → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings will delete all stored networks and paired devices, but often solves the problem.

Alternative ways to transfer contacts to Xiaomi

If Bluetooth is not working or you prefer more reliable methods, consider these options. POCO.

1.Export/import via.vcf file

This is a universal method that works even without the Internet:

1. On the sending phone, open "Contacts" → ⋮ → "Imports/Exports" → "Export to file".
2. Select contacts and save the file (usually in the Downloads folder).
3. Transfer the file to the second phone via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct or USB-cable.
4. On the receiving phone, open the.vcf file and import contacts.

2. synchronization through Mi Account

If both phones are linked to the same Mi Account:

1. On the sending phone, enable contact synchronization: Settings → Accounts. → Mi Account → Synchronization of contacts.
2. On the receiving phone, log in to the same account and wait for automatic synchronization.

Note: This method requires the internet and may not work if the contacts are saved only on the Internet. SIM-map.

Transfer of QR-code

V MIUI 12+ There is a built-in generation function QR-contact-code:

1. Open the contact you want to transmit.
2. Press "Share" → "QR-code".
3. Scan the code with the second phone through the Scanner app or camera.

Cons: You will need to repeat each contact separately.

4. Use of messengers

Quick, but not the safest way:

• 📤 Send a.vcf file via Telegram, WhatsApp or WeChat.
• 📥 Download the file on the second phone and import contacts.

Security and optimization tips

Transferring contacts is a seemingly simple operation, but there are risks involved, and follow these tips to avoid data loss or personal information leakage.

1. Check duplicates

If the receiving phone already has some contacts, duplicates may appear after importation.

• 🔍 Before importing, open "Contacts" → ⋮ → "Contact management" → "Combine duplicates".
• 📊 Use apps like Simpler Merge (available on Google Play) to automatically find and combine repetitive records.

2 Encrypt sensitive data

If you are transferring contacts with important numbers (banks, work), archive the.vcf file with a password:

1. Install an archiver (such as RAR or 7-Zip).
2. Add the file to the archive and set the password.
3. Transfer the archive over Bluetooth and unpack on the second phone.

3. Monitor permits

After handing over contacts, check which apps have access to your phone book:

1. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Permits → Contacts.
2. Disable access for unnecessary applications (games, unfamiliar services).

⚠️ Warning: Never receive.vcf or.apk files over Bluetooth from unknown devices! Attackers may mask malware as contacts. Always check the name of the sending device before confirming acceptance.

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If you regularly move contacts between devices, set up automatic sync via Google account or Mi Account. this will eliminate manual transfer in the future.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions