How to transfer contacts from Xiaomi to iPhone: all working ways of 2026

Moving from Xiaomi to iPhone is not just about changing the operating system, itโ€™s also about transferring all the important data. Contacts are often the main headache: how do you keep them intact, avoid duplicates, and avoid losing years of accumulated information? In this article, we will analyze 5 proven methods - from classical (through the use of the silk). SIM-Map and Google Account Up to Modern (using iCloud and specialized apps).

Xiaomi has integrated Mi Account and Google into MIUI, which makes it easier to back up, but can make it harder to export data to iOS. Weโ€™ve taken into account everything from the differences in file formats (.vcf vs.csv) to Appleโ€™s restrictions on importing contacts. If youโ€™re afraid something will go wrong, donโ€™t worry: each method is tested on Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 Pro and 15 models in 2026.

๐Ÿ“Š How do you usually transfer data between phones?
Through the Cloud (Google/iCloud)
Bluetooth or cable.
With help. SIM-map
I use third-party apps.
Never put up with it.

Note: If your iPhone is not activated, complete the initial setup first (select region, connect to Wi-Fi).Some methods (e.g., via iCloud) require a valid Apple ID.

1. Transfer contacts through Google Account (the most universal way)

This method works on 100% of Xiaomi devices, as sync with Google is enabled by default.The main advantage is automatic update of contacts on both phones if you add new entries later.

On Xiaomi:

  1. Open the Contacts app.
  2. Tap it on three points (โ‹ฎ) top-right โ†’ Contact management โ†’ Import/Export of contacts.
  3. Select Export to File โ†’ Mark all contacts (or select the right ones) โ†’ Click Export.
  4. The contacts.vcf file will be saved in the Download folder. Don't change its name!

On the iPhone:

  1. Send the contact.vcf file to your email or via Telegram/WhatsApp.
  2. Open the file on your iPhone โ†’ select Add all contacts.
  3. Contacts will appear in the Contacts app (possibly in the Google section).

โš ๏ธ Note: If you have more than 3,000 contacts, break up the.vcf file into parts of 1,000 records. iOS may not import too large files.

โ˜‘๏ธ Preparing for the transfer through Google

Done: 0 / 1

2. sync via iCloud (for Apple users)

If youโ€™re already using the Apple ecosystem (like a MacBook or iPad), this is the most convenient way to do it. iCloud automatically synchronizes contacts between all devices tied to the same Apple ID.

Instructions:

  1. On Xiaomi, export contacts to the.vcf file (as in the previous method).
  2. Visit iCloud.com from your computer or Xiaomi (via Chrome browser).
  3. Sign in with your Apple ID โ†’ select Contacts.
  4. Press the gear (โš™๏ธ) bottom-left โ†’ Import vCard โ†’ select your file.
  5. Wait 1-2 minutes. Contacts will appear on the iPhone automatically.

โš ๏ธ Note: If you are setting up your iPhone for the first time, select Restore from iCloud backup during activation!

What if the contacts didnโ€™t appear on the iPhone?
1. Check if the contacts sync is enabled in the iPhone settings (Settings โ†’ [Your name] โ†’ iCloud โ†’ Contacts.) 2. Reboot iPhone. 3. Make sure the.vcf file is not empty (open it through a text editor).

3. Transfer through SIM-map (for older models)

This method is suitable if you have:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Previous articleOld Xiaomi (until 2018) without cloud support.
  • ๐Ÿ”’ Limited number of contacts (SIM-card ~250 records).

How to move:

  1. On Xiaomi: Contacts โ†’ โ‹ฎ โ†’ Contact management โ†’ Imports/Exports โ†’ Exports to SIM-map.
  2. Choose contacts (or click Select All) โ†’ Exports.
  3. Extract. SIM-Map from Xiaomi and paste it into iPhone.
  4. On iPhone: Settings โ†’ Contacts โ†’ Import SIM-contact.

Limitations of the method:

Problem.Decision
Contact photos are not transferredUse the cloud method (Google/iCloud)
Limitation on 250 contactsBreak up contacts into groups and export in parts
Incorrect Cyrillic encodingBefore exporting, change the language of the system to English

๐Ÿ’ก

If you SIM-Nano-SIM card, and in the old Xiaomi micro-SIM connector, use an adapter. It can be bought in any communication salon for 50-100 rubles.

4. Use of third-party applications (for advanced users)

If standard methods don't work (for example, due to synchronization errors), one of the specialized applications will help. We tested the 3 most reliable ones:

Top.-3 contact-transfer applications:

AnnexPlusesCons
Copy My DataWi-Fi without clouds, supports contact photosLimitation of 500 contacts in the free version
My Contacts BackupExport to.vcf and send to emailAdvertising in the free version
SHAREitHigh speed transfer, supports any filesRequires installation on both devices

The following is a step-by-step guide for Copy My Data:

  1. Install the app on both phones (Android, iOS).
  2. On Xiaomi, select Send Data over Wi-Fi โ†’ Contacts.
  3. On your iPhone, select Receive data over Wi-Fi.
  4. Connect to the network that Xiaomi will create (password will appear on the screen).
  5. Press Start on both devices.

Important: Apps like SHAREit can request access to files and contacts. Check reviews in the App Store/Google Play for data leaks before installing.

5. Manual transfer via computer (for full control)

This is a good way to edit contacts before a penos (e.g., delete duplicates or fix bugs) and require a Windows or macOS computer.

Instructions:

  1. Export your contacts to the.vcf file (see first method).
  2. Connect Xiaomi to your computer via USB and copy the file to any folder.
  3. Open the file via Excel or Google Tables: 1. Rename the file from.vcf to.csv 2. Open in Excel (select comma separator) 3. edit the data if necessary 4. Save back in.csv format
  4. Import the edited file to your iPhone via iCloud or mail.

โš ๏ธ Note: When editing.csv, do not change column names (e.g, FN โ€” name, TEL โ€” This will lead to an import error.

๐Ÿ’ก

The manual method is the only way to completely clear contacts of duplicates before transferring, and use it if your phone book has thousands of repeating entries.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have problems. We've collected the TOP-5 errors and their solutions.

Problem 1: Contacts are duplicated on iPhone

  • ๐Ÿ”น The reason: iPhone already had contacts, and new ones added on top of them.

Problem 2: Contact photos are not tolerated

  • ๐Ÿ”น Reason:.vcf format does not support images in some versions.
  • ๐Ÿ”น Solution: Use Google Contacts or Copy My Data (they save photos).

Issue 3: Contacts are displayed in Chinese/English

  • ๐Ÿ”น Reason: Incorrect coding when exporting from Xiaomi.
  • ๐Ÿ”น Solution: Before exporting, change the system language to Xiaomi to English.

Problem 4: iPhone canโ€™t see a.vcf file

  • ๐Ÿ”น Reason: The file is corrupted or has an incorrect extension.
  • ๐Ÿ”น Solution: Open the file on your computer through Notepad โ€“ if there are unreadable characters, export the contacts again.

Problem 5: Google syncs donโ€™t work

  • ๐Ÿ”น Reason: Xiaomi has disabled synchronization or incorrectly specified account.
  • ๐Ÿ”น Solution: Check settings: Settings โ†’ Accounts. โ†’ Google โ†’ Synchronization of contacts.
Can I transfer contacts from Xiaomi to iPhone without a computer?
Yes, all the methods in this article (except manually through Excel) don't require a computer, and the easiest ones are through Google Account or iCloud.
Why did some contacts disappear after the transfer?
Probable causes: ๐Ÿ“Œ The.vcf file was corrupted in the transmission. Try exporting it again. ๐Ÿ“Œ Contact filtering enabled on iPhone (check Settings) โ†’ Contacts โ†’ Sorting). ๐Ÿ“Œ Contacts were tied to Mi Account, not Google.Export them through Settings โ†’ Mi Account โ†’ Synchronization.
How to transfer contacts from Xiaomi to iPhone if the phone is broken?
If the screen isn't working but the phone is turning on: Connect Xiaomi to your computer via USB. Copy the contacts.vcf file from the Download folder (if there is one there). If the file isn't, use ADB (command line skills required). If the phone isn't turning on, contact the service center to extract data from the memory chip.
Can I transfer my phone history from Xiaomi to iPhone?
No, Apple doesn't provide an official way to import call history.Alternatives: ๐Ÿ“ž Use apps like MobileTrans (paid). ๐Ÿ“ž Take a screenshot of the story and save it in Google Photos.
How long does it take to transfer 2,000 contacts?
Depends on the method: โšก Google/iCloud: 1โ€“5 Minutes (if the internet is good). ๐Ÿข SIM-map: 10โ€“15 minutes (due to recording speed limits). ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ Manual method: 20โ€“30 minutes (including editing).