Transferring Android contacts to Xiaomi Redmi via Bluetooth: a detailed guide

Transferring contacts between Android smartphones via Bluetooth seems like an easy task, but Xiaomi Redmi owners often face unexpected difficulties. Unlike transferring photos or music, contacts require special actions – they can not be sent as a regular file. In this article, we will discuss all the working ways of syncing a phone book between devices, including hidden MIUI settings and avoiding typical errors.

The Xiaomi Redmi (Note 10/11/12/13, Redmi A, POCO) feature is a modified MIUI firmware that limits standard Bluetooth features. For example, in pure Android, contacts are transmitted via the OBEX protocol, but in Xiaomi this process can be blocked due to battery optimizations or privacy settings. We tested methods on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and Redmi 10C models - all instructions are relevant to MIUI 14 and later.

Important: If you have an outdated version of MIUI (below 12.5), Bluetooth contact transfers can be completely disabled by the manufacturer, in which case you will need to update the firmware or alternative methods (about them at the end of the article).

Why does Bluetooth not show the contact transfer option?

The main problem is that the "Send Contacts" item is not in the Bluetooth menu on Xiaomi Redmi.

• 🔹 Restrictions MIUI: Xiaomi has removed support for Bluetooth contact transfer in some firmware versions (especially relevant for Redmi). 9/9A/9C).
• 🔹 Visibility settings: If contacts are saved not in the phone book, but in a Google or Mi Account account, they will not appear in the list available for transfer.
• 🔹 Conflict of Android Versions: Android 13 Devices+ Android 10 can't recognize each other's protocols.
• 🔹 Battery Optimization: Auto-Switching Bluetooth in Settings → Battery interrupts connection.

Before the transfer, check:

If the Contacts item is not in the Bluetooth menu even after checking, go to alternative methods (section 5).

Method 1: Standard transmission via contact menu

This method works on most Xiaomi Redmi with MIUI 12.5+, but requires contacts to be stored in local memory (not in Google or Mi Account).

1. Open the Contacts app on the original phone (from which you are sending).
2. Press three points (⋮) top-right → Select Contact Management → Imports/Exports.
3. Select Export to the device → tick the desired contacts (or click "Select all").
4. In the export method, select Bluetooth (if not available, see Section 5).
5. Activate Bluetooth on both devices and confirm pairing. The Xiaomi Redmi receiver will request acceptance of the.vcf file.

⚠️ Note: If the error "failed to send" appears during export, check:

• 📱 On the receiver (Redmi) whether the option "Receive files" is enabled in the Bluetooth settings (Settings) → Bluetooth → Additionally. → Accept files).
• 🔄 Reboot both phones and re-pair the pairing.
• 📶 Make sure that all Visibility Mode is enabled on the original phone (in Bluetooth settings).

💡

If the option “Export via Bluetooth” is missing, try first exporting the contacts to the.vcf file to the memory card, and then sending this file via Bluetooth as a regular document.

Method 2: Transfer via.vcf (universal method)

If standard export doesn’t work, use a workaround: save the contacts to a.vcf file (business card), and then go over Bluetooth.

Step 1. Export contacts to file:

1. Open Contacts. → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
2. Select Export to Device → specify the save folder (e.g. Downloads).
3. The file will be saved as contacts.vcf or 00001.vcf.

Step 2. Transfer of the file via Bluetooth:

1. Open Files (app) MIUI File Manager).
2. Find the saved.vcf file → click on it → select Share → Bluetooth.
3. Select Xiaomi Redmi receiver from the list of devices.
4. On the receiver, confirm receipt of the file.
5. Open the file → select Import all contacts.

Method 3: Using Mi Mover (official solution from Xiaomi)

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary tool for transferring data between devices, including contacts, and works even if Bluetooth refuses to transfer.vcf files.

Instructions:

1. Download Mi Mover from Play Market on both devices (if it is not in firmware).
2. Open the app on both phones.
3. On the original phone, select I am the sender, on the Redmi receiver, I am the receiver.
4. Scan it. QR-code from the recipient screen or connect via Wi-Fi Direct.
5. Select Contacts in the data list for transfer and confirm the transfer.

⚠️ Note: Mi Mover may not work on custom firmware or if one of the devices has disabled the Wi-Fi Data Transfer function (Settings) → Connections → The app also requires that both phones have at least 30% charge.

Method 4: Sync through Mi Account (for Xiaomi owners)

If both devices are linked to the same Mi Account, the contacts are synced automatically, a method that is suitable for continuous backup rather than a one-time transfer.

How to turn on synchronization:

1. On the source phone: Settings → Accounts → Mi Account → Contact Synchronization (enable the slider).
2. On Redmi Receiver: Log in to the same Mi Account and enable contact sync.
3. Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: When synchronizing with Mi Account:

• 🔄 Contacts saved in Google won’t be transferred, only those in local memory or linked to Mi Account.
• 📱 If the receiver already has contacts, they can be duplicated. Before synchronization, back up.
• 🔒 For security, untie your Mi Account from your old phone after transfer (Settings) → Mi Account → Delete the account).

Method 5: Alternative methods (if Bluetooth doesn't work)

If none of the above methods worked, use these options:

• 📧 Email or messengers: Send the.vcf file to your mail or through the mail Telegram/WhatsApp, Then open it up on Redmi.
• 🌐 Google Account: On the Original Phone: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Contact Sync (enable). On Redmi: Log in to the same Google account and enable sync.
• 📁 Local folder: Copy the.vcf file to a memory card, paste it into Redmi and import contacts through Contacts → Imports/Exports.
• 🤝 Transfer applications: SHAREit, Xender or Send Anywhere transmit contacts without Bluetooth (via Wi-Fi Direct).