How to transfer contacts from one Xiaomi phone to another: all ways of 2026

Shifting contacts from an old smartphone to a new Xiaomi is a challenge that every user faces when changing devices. Even if both phones are from the same brand (for example, the Redmi Note 12 and the POCO X5 Pro), the process is not always intuitive: somewhere you need authorization in Mi Account, somewhere you need backups, and sometimes a couple of touches. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to transfer contacts between Xiaomi phones, including the nuances for different versions of MIUI (12 to 14).

The main problem is the risk of data loss if you export incorrectly, for example, if you transfer contacts through the Internet. SIM-If you don't check the entries limit (usually 250), some numbers may not be copied, or if you use a Google account, the sync will freeze due to poor Internet. We will tell you how to avoid such mistakes and choose the best method depending on your situation.

1.Move contacts via Mi Account (the fastest way for Xiaomi)

If both phones are Xiaomi (including sub-brands Redmi, POCO, Black Shark), then synchronization through Mi Account will take no more than 5 minutes, this method works even without an Internet connection on the new device (the data will be tightened when you first log in to the account), the main condition is that the old phone must be enabled to sync contacts.

How to check and enable synchronization:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Account.
2. Make sure the switch opposite Contact is active (green).
3. Click Sync manually if the data hasn’t been updated for a long time.

Now on the new phone:

• 📱 Turn on the device and connect to Wi-Fi.
• 🔑 Sign in to the same Mi Account as on your old phone.
• ✅ Wait for automatic synchronization (usually takes 1-2 minutes).

Important: If your old phone had multiple accounts (e.g. Mi Account + Google), make sure that the contacts are saved in Mi Account. Check this in the Contacts app: open any contact and see which account it is linked to (displays under the name).

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If contacts are duplicated after synchronization, go to Contacts → Management → Combine Contacts and select Autounite.

2. Export contacts through Google account (universal method)

Synchronization through Google is suitable if:

• 🔄 You are switching from Xiaomi to another brand (such as Samsung or iPhone).
• 🌐 Want to have a backup of your contacts in the cloud.
• 📵 The new phone doesn’t have a Mi Account yet.

Instructions for the old phone:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Select your account and enable Contact Sync.
3. Click Sync Now (in some versions) MIUI button ⋮ → Synchronize).

On the new phone:

1. Add the same Google account in your settings.
2. Turn on contact sync.
3. Open the Contacts app and wait for the posts to appear (it can take up to 10 minutes).

If you use a corporate Google account (for example, from work), the synchronization of contacts can be blocked by the domain administrator.

3. Contacts over Bluetooth (without the Internet)

Bluetooth is the only way to transfer contacts without the Internet and without accounts, suitable for Xiaomi any models, including the old ones (Redmi 4A, Mi A1).

• ⚠️ Only name and number (without photos, addresses, notes) are transmitted).
• 🐢 Transmission speed is low (about 10 contacts per minute).
• 📵 In some models POCO function hidden in the menu.

Step-by-step:

1. On both phones, turn on Bluetooth (Settings → Connection and Sharing → Bluetooth).
2. Connect devices (click Device Search and confirm the code on both screens).
3. On the old phone, open Contacts, press ⋮ → Imports/Exports → Send contacts.
4. Select contacts (or click Select All) and confirm sending over Bluetooth.
5. On the new phone, accept the incoming file and save the contacts.

⚠️ Attention: On phones with MIUI 14 and later, the Bluetooth contact sending function may not be available due to Android limitations. In this case, use file transfer VCF (method №4).

4. Export and import contacts via VCF file (for backup)

.vcf (vCard) is a universal format for storing contacts. It can be transmitted via instant messenger, email, USB-cable QR-Advantages of the method:

• 📄 All data (photos, addresses, birthdays) are stored).
• 🔄 You can edit the file before importing it (e.g., delete unnecessary contacts).
• 💾 The file serves as a backup copy.

How to export contacts to VCF:

1. Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to file.
2. Choose where to save the file (e.g., Internal Memory → Download).
3. Click Export and wait for the file to be created (usually contacts.vcf).

How to import on a new phone:

1. Transfer the.vcf file to a new phone (e.g., via Explorer or Google Drive).
2. Open the file and the system will prompt you to import contacts.
3. Select an account to save (such as Mi Account or Local Account).

5. Transfer of contacts through SIM-map (for older models)

The method is suitable for Xiaomi release before 2018 (for example, Redmi 3S, Mi 5), which still supported the storage of contacts on SIM. Modern smartphones do not usually allow you to record contacts on SIM, but can read them from there.

How to transfer contacts to SIM:

1. Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Exports to SIM.
2. Select contacts (be aware that a maximum of 250 entries are placed on the SIM).
3. Confirm the export.

How to import from SIM to a new phone:

1. Put it in. SIM-card.
2. Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Import with SIM.
3. Choose where to save your contacts (for example, in Mi Account).

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with MIUI 12 and newer export function to SIM It can be disabled. In this case, use the file. VCF Bluetooth.

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SIM-card is the most unreliable way to store contacts: data can be erased when overwriting, and numbers are limited to 20 characters (without formatting).

6. Alternative methods: applications and cloud services

If standard methods do not fit, you can use third-party tools:

• 📱 Mi Mover (official app from Xiaomi): transfers contacts, messages, photos and applications over Wi-Fi. Works only between Xiaomi phones.
• ☁️ Google Contacts (contacts.google.com): Manual export/import via web interface.
• 🔗 SHAREit or Xender: Transfer a.vcf file without cables.
• 📧 Email: Send yourself a.vcf file by mail and open it on your new phone.

Example of Mi Mover:

1. Install the app on both phones from Google Play or the App Store.
2. On the old phone, choose I am the sender, on the new phone, I am the receiver.
3. Scan it. QR-link-code.
4. Select Contacts and start transferring.

Warning: Apps like SHAREit request access to contacts, messages, and files. Check permissions in Settings → Applications → Manage permissions and disable unnecessary permissions before using.

Comparison of methods of transferring contacts

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts to Xiaomi