How to Flip Contacts from Android to Xiaomi Redmi: All Ways with Detailed Instructions

Why Standard Methods Don’t Always Work, and How to Avoid Data Loss

Transferring contacts between smartphones to Android seems like a simple task — until you encounter the nuances of Xiaomi Redmi. Even experienced users have problems: contacts are duplicated, profile photos are lost or accounts are not synchronized. MIUI (Xiaomi firmware has its own contact processing algorithms that are not always compatible with Google or Samsung’s “clean” Android.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods for transferring contacts, including little-known techniques for the Redmi Note 12/13, Redmi 10/11 and other lines. Special attention will be paid to backup, without it, even proper synchronization can lead to data loss.

Method 1: Sync through your Google account (the most reliable method)

This method works on 99% of devices, including all Xiaomi Redmi models, as it uses the built-in Google Contacts features, and the main advantage is that contacts automatically update on both phones if you add or change the record.

To move contacts:

1. On your old phone: open Settings → Accounts → Google and make sure the switch opposite Contact is on. If not, turn on and wait until sync is complete (it can take up to 10 minutes).
2. On the new Xiaomi Redmi: Sign in to the same Google account when you first turn on. If your phone is already configured, add your account to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Add an account.
3. Open the Contacts app, tap the three dots in the top right corner, and select Settings → Contact Management → Display Contacts. Make sure your Google account is selected.

⚠️ Note: If the contacts on the old phone are not stored in Google, but in the memory of the device or SIM-You must export them first, select Export/Import in Contacts. → Export to your device (.vcf format), then import the file to Google Contacts via the web version.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 Automatic synchronization in real time
• 📱 It works on all versions of Android and MIUI
• 🔒 Data protected by Google backups

Method 2: Transfer via VCF file (for devices without internet)

If you don’t have internet access or prefer manual control, you can export contacts to a.vcf file and transfer it to Xiaomi Redmi via USB, Bluetooth or the cloud, a method that is suitable for Redmi 9A/9C models and other low-end devices where there may be no stable network connection.

Instructions:

1. On your old phone, open your contacts. → ⋮ (menu) → Contact management → Exports/imports → Export to the device. Select all contacts and save the file (usually called contacts.vcf).
2. Transfer the file to Xiaomi Redmi: 📁 Through USB-cable (file transfer mode) 📲 via Bluetooth (send the file as a business card) ☁️ Through the Cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud)

Redmi

contacts.vcf

Make a backup of contacts on an old phone

Check the space available on Xiaomi Redmi (minimum 1 MB)

Make sure the.vcf file is not corrupted (open it to PC)

Select the right account to import (Google or MI)

-->

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Contact photos are not transferred (names and numbers only)
• 🔄 When you update contacts on one phone, changes are not automatically synced.
• 📱 On some firmware MIUI Imports can be duplicated

Method 3: Use MI Cloud (for Xiaomi account holders)

If you already have a Mi Account (for example, you used Xiaomi before), you can transfer contacts through the company’s cloud, which is convenient because in addition to contacts, you save notes, SMS and even system settings (on some models).

How it works:

1. On an old phone (if it’s also Xiaomi): Open Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud. Enable Contact Sync and wait until it’s finished.

Redmi

• Sign in to the same Mi Account when setting up or through Settings → Accounts and Sync.
• Activate contact synchronization in Mi Cloud.

Tips for successful transfer:

• 🔋 Make sure that both phones have a battery charge. > 30% – Long-term transmission discharges devices.
• 📶 Turn off Wi-Fi on both phones – this speeds up Bluetooth connection.
• 📌 If contacts are not sent, try breaking them into pieces (50 pieces each).

💡

If Bluetooth is permanently breaking, try rebooting both phones and turning on Visible for All mode in the Bluetooth settings on the old device.

Method 5: Third-party applications (for advanced users)

If standard methods don't work (for example, because of custom firmware or damaged contacts), you can use specialized applications. We tested the 3 most reliable ones:

1. My Contacts Backup (free, no ads): Exports contacts to a.vcf file and sends them to email. Supports photo backup.
2. Copy My Data (from Samsung, but runs on Xiaomi): Transfers contacts, calendar and photos over Wi-Fi Direct. Requires installation on both devices.

CLONEit

• Copy contacts, SMS, apps and even wallpaper.
• It's rootless.

How to choose an application:

• 📱 If you only need to transfer contacts – My Contacts Backup.
• 🔄 If you need to sync between multiple devices, then Copy My Data.
• 📲 If you buy a new Redmi and want to move everything, Cloneyit.

⚠️ Note: When using CLONEit on Xiaomi Redmi with MIUI 14 may need to temporarily disable battery optimization for the application in Settings → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start, otherwise the transmission will interrupt.

💡

Third-party apps are convenient, but always check reviews before installing. Some programs (such as "Super Backup") contain hidden advertising or require a premium subscription to export.

Problem Solving: Why Contacts Are Not Delayed or Duplicated

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, you can get errors, and here are the most common ways to correct them:

If none of the methods worked:

1. Check if the antivirus (such as Avast or 360 Security) is blocking your contacts.
2. Make sure that Xiaomi Redmi has enough memory (minimum 500MB free).
3. Reset the Contacts app settings in Settings → Apps → Contacts → Storage → Reset.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions