How to quickly and safely transfer contacts from one Xiaomi phone to another

Why moving contacts to Xiaomi requires a special approach

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones offer unique data synchronization tools, but many users face challenges when trying to move contacts to a new device. Unlike the iPhone with its iCloud or “pure” Android with Google Contacts, Xiaomi’s ecosystem has its nuances, from duplication of records when synchronized through Mi Account to the limitations of using Bluetooth to transfer large contact databases.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to transfer contacts between Xiaomi devices in the future. 2026 year, including hidden functions MIUI 14/15, circumvention of restrictions on transmission SIM-We will focus on security, how to avoid data leakage when using third-party applications and why public Wi-Fi networks should not be trusted to sync.

Method 1: Synchronize with Mi Account (the most reliable method)

If both Xiaomi phones are linked to the same Mi Account, the transfer of contacts will take no more than 5 minutes, this method ensures the safety of all fields (including notes and profile photos) and works even when changing the region or firmware. Important: before you start, check that the old phone has enabled synchronization of contacts in account settings.

Instructions:

• 📱 On an old phone: Settings → Mi Account → Synchronization → Contacts (slider on) Wait until sync is complete (cloud icon turns green).
• 🔄 On your new phone: log in to the same Mi Account and enable contact sync. Data will appear automatically within 1-2 minutes.
• ⚡ If no contact is available: contact us → Settings → Contact management → Restore and select backup from Mi Cloud.

Stable connection to Wi-Fi or mobile network|Enough space in the Mi Cloud (free) 5 GB)|Both phones have the same version. MIUI (14/15)|Google syncs are disabled (to avoid duplicates)-->

Advantages of the method:

• 🔒 Complete confidentiality – data is not transferred through third-party servers.
• 📸 Profile photos and additional fields (dates of birth, addresses) are saved).
• 🔄 Automatic Update: Changes on one phone synced to another.

⚠️ Note: If you use Mi Account with Chinese firmware (CN ROM), Synchronization may not work well, and in this case we recommend using Google Contacts (method 2).

Method 2: Export and import through Google Contacts

This is a universal method and is suitable if you are switching from Xiaomi to a device of another brand or want to have a backup of contacts in Google Drive. The main advantage is that data is stored in the Google cloud, which makes it easier to access from any device.

Step-by-step:

1. On an old phone: 📲 Open the Contacts app → Settings (⚙️) → Contact management → Exports/imports → Export to file. 📄 Select the.vcf format and save the file to internal memory or Google Drive.

• 📥 Download the.vcf file (if saved to the cloud) or upload it through the cloud. Bluetooth/USB.
• 📞 Open Contacts. → Settings → Imports/Exports → Import from the file and select the downloaded.vcf.

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If you import.vcf with a "file too big" error, break it down using VCF Splitter, a maximum file size for importing into MIUI is 10MB.

Method 3: Transmission through SIM-map (for small bases)

This method is suitable if you have few contacts (up to 250 records) and no access to the Internet, but it has critical limitations:

• 🚫 No photos, notes or additional fields (name only) are shared + number).
• 📏 Symbols: Long names or addresses may be cut off.
• 🔋 The process takes a long time to complete a lot of contacts.

How to transfer contacts via SIM:

1. On an old phone: Contacts → Settings → Contact management → Exports/imports → Exports to SIM-Select contacts for export (you can note all the items).
2. 🔄 Move it. SIM-card.
3. On new phone: Contacts → Settings → Import / Export → Import from SIM-card

⚠️ Attention: If yours SIM-Nano-SIM card, and the old phone only supports micro-SIM, use adapter. SIM This can cause damage to the slot (relevant to Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 and newer).

Through the Mi Account.|Through Google Contacts|Through SIM-map|Through Bluetooth.|Annex side (SHAREit et al.)-->

Method 4: Wireless transmission over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct

The method is convenient if you do not have access to the Internet, but there is time for manual transmission. Bluetooth is suitable for transferring small bases (up to 500 contacts), and Wi-Fi Direct is suitable for large volumes. The main disadvantage is that Xiaomi with MIUI 14+ can lose Cyrillic characters in names when transmitting via Bluetooth.

Instructions for Bluetooth:

• 🔵 On both phones, turn on Bluetooth and make them visible.
• 📲 On an old phone: Contacts → Select the right ones. → Share. → Bluetooth.
• 📱 On a new phone: Accept a.vcf file and import it through Contacts → Imports.

For Wi-Fi Direct:

• 📶 Activate Wi-Fi Direct in Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi Direct.
• 🔗 Connect your phones to each other (no password required).
• 📤 Send the.vcf file through Explorer → Send. → Wi-Fi Direct.

Method 5: Third-party applications (SHAREit, Xender, Mi Mover)

Apps like SHAREit or Xender promise fast communication without the internet, but they have hidden risks:

• 🛡️ Security: Some apps (especially from unverified sources) collect contacts for advertising purposes.
• 📶 Speed: Transmission 1000+ Contacts can take up to 15 minutes.
• 📱 Compatibility: on Xiaomi with MIUI 15 Sharet may not see contacts due to access restrictions.

Recommendations for use:

1. Download apps only from Google Play or Mi App Store.
2. Before transferring, turn off the mobile Internet – so the application will not send data to servers.
3. After transfer, delete the application and clear the cache in Settings → Apps.

For Xiaomi owners, the official Mi Mover app (pre-installed on new models) is the best choice, and it transmits contacts, messages, and even some system settings to use:

Settings → Additional → Mi Mover → I am a new user (on a new phone) / I am an old user (on an old one)

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The official Mi Mover app is the only secure way to transfer contacts through third-party tools on Xiaomi.It does not require internet or collect data.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users face problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If nothing helps, try resetting the Contacts app settings:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Contacts → Storage → Clear data

⚠️ All local contacts (not synced to the cloud) will be deleted!

FAQ: Answers to popular questions