How to transfer contacts to Android Xiaomi Redmi: all working ways

Transferring contacts from an old Android device to a new Xiaomi Redmi smartphone is a challenge that every user faces when changing a gadget. Even if both phones run on the same operating system, the nuances of firmware are not easy. MIUI, Synchronization features with a Google account or Bluetooth limitations can turn a simple operation into a puzzle. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of transferring contacts - from classical ones (via the traditional one). SIM-card or vCard) to Xiaomi's branded chips, which will speed up the process at times.

We'll focus on the problem of duplicate contacts when syncing through Google, which is a common error that users detect after transfer, and how to avoid data loss when using Mi Mover (the built-in MIUI tool), and why sometimes Bluetooth transmission is interrupted halfway through the process. If you switch from Samsung, Huawei or another brand to Redmi Note 12, Redmi 13C or flagship series, the instructions below are suitable for any model.

Preparation for transfer: what to do before the start

Before you start transferring contacts, follow a few mandatory steps, which will eliminate the typical problems like incomplete synchronization or loss of data.

• 📱 Check the version. MIUI Xiaomi Redmi Target: Go to Settings → About the phone. Up-to-date versions (14)+) Support all the methods described, and the old ones (MIUI 12 and below) some functions may be missing.
• 🔄 Update contacts on your old phone: Open the Contacts app, swipe down for an update.This syncs data to Google or local database.
• 🔋 Charge both devices to at least 50%.Transfer over Mi Mover or Bluetooth drains the battery faster than usual.
• 📶 Connect to stable Wi-Fi (for cloud methods) Mobile internet may interrupt transmission due to traffic restrictions.

If the old phone only keeps the contacts on SIM-You can take it out and check it's compatible with the new Redmi. Modern Xiaomi smartphones support nano-SIM, but micro-SIM adapters are often included. SIM limited in size (typically up to 250 entries) and do not save photos or additional fields.

⚠️ Note: If your old phone has two-factor authentication enabled for your Google account, prepare backup codes. When you change your device, the system may request confirmation.

2. Method 1: Sync through Google account (most reliable)

This method works on 100% of Android 5.0+ devices and does not require additional applications, the main advantage is the automatic update of contacts when adding new entries on any of the synchronized devices.

1. On your old phone: Open Settings → Accounts → Google. Select your account and make sure the switch opposite Contact is on. Click Sync Now (may be called Update on some firmware).
2. On the new Xiaomi Redmi: When you first turn on, select Sign in to Google and use the same data. If your phone is already set up, go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google and enable Contact Sync.

Contacts will appear on the new device within 5-15 minutes, if this does not happen:

• 🔄 Check the internet connection on both phones.
• 📱 Make sure that on your old phone, the contacts are saved in your Google account, not in your device’s memory (open the Contacts app, click on three dots). → Settings → Contact management).
• 🚫 Turn off traffic savings in network settings (may block synchronization).

⚠️ Note: If your old phone has duplicate contacts (e.g., there are entries in both Google and device memory), combine them before syncing. → Combine duplicates.

Method 3: Using Mi Mover (branded Xiaomi tool)

Mi Mover is an integrated application in MIUI that allows you to quickly transfer data between Xiaomi devices, and it supports not only contacts, but also messages, photos, apps and even system settings.

• ✅ It works without the Internet (transfer over Wi-Fi Direct).
• ❌ Not all Redmi models support portability.-Xiaomi devices (e.g., with Samsung or Huawei).
• ⚠️ It can freeze when transmitting a large amount of data (more than 1000 contacts).

Instructions:

1. On the new Xiaomi Redmi, select Data Transfer when you first enable (or open the Mi Mover app manually).
2. On an old phone, download Mi Mover from Google Play (if it’s not from Xiaomi).
3. Select I am the sender on the old phone and I am the receiver on the new one.
4. Scan it. QR-The code from the screen of the new Redmi old phone.
5. Select Contacts in the data list for transfer and confirm.

If the Mi Mover can't see the old device:

• 🔄 Reboot both phones.
• 📶 Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices.
• 🔧 On an old phone in the Mi Mover settings, try changing the mode from Wi-Fi Direct to Hotspot.

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If Mi Mover is stuck in the connection phase, try connecting both phones to the same Wi-Fi network manually and then restart the app.

Method 3: Export/import via vCard (.vcf)

The.vcf (or vCard) format is a universal standard for storing contacts, supported by all Android devices, including Xiaomi Redmi.

• 📱 You do not have access to a Google account.
• 🔄 We need to move the contacts selectively.
• 📎 Want to keep a backup copy on your computer.

Export of contacts on the old phone:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Click on three dots (menu) → Contact management → Import/Export.
3. Select Export to File → Specify the location of the storage (e.g., internal memory or SD-map).
4. The file will be saved as contacts.vcf.

Imports to Xiaomi Redmi:

1. Transfer the.vcf file to your new phone (via Bluetooth, email or other devices) USB-cable).
2. Open the Contacts app on Redmi.
3. Click on three points → Contact Management → Import/Export → Import from the file.
4. Select the received contact.vcf file and confirm the import.

If the file is large (more than 500 contacts), break it down with services like VCF Splitter, which will speed up import and reduce the risk of errors.

⚠️ Note: When importing.vcf on Xiaomi, the contacts are saved by default to the phone's on-line memory, not to a Google account. To avoid duplication, transfer them to the cloud manually after importing: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronize contacts.

5. Method 4: Transfer through SIM-Card (for a small number of contacts)

This method is useful if you have few contacts (up to 200-250) and no access to the Internet, but it has serious limitations:

• ❌ Contact photos and additional fields (such as addresses or birthdays) are not shared).
• ❌ Symbols in one field (e.g. long notes will be cut).
• ❌ Xiaomi Redmi with a double SIM-The contacts can be duplicated between the slots.

Instructions:

1. Exports to SIM-Map: On your old phone, open Contacts. Select Contact Management. → Imports/Exports → Export on SIM-Specify which contacts to copy (all or selectively).
2. Import to Xiaomi Redmi: Insert SIM-card to a new phone. Open contact → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Import with SIM-Choose where to save contacts (Google account or Phone is recommended).

If the contacts are not displayed after import:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📱 Check if they are hidden in the display settings (in Contacts click on three dots). → Settings → Display contacts and select All contacts).
• 🔧 Make sure that SIM-The card is correctly inserted (on some Redmi slots) SIM2 Not in contact).

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SIM-The card is the most unreliable way to transfer, use it only as a backup or to transmit a minimum number of contacts.

Method 5: Bluetooth Transmission (without the Internet, but slowly)

Bluetooth transmission is suitable if you don’t have access to Wi-Fi or cable, but be prepared for a long wait – transfer speeds are all you need. ~1-2 contacts per second, and some firmware MIUI This method works unstablely.

Step-by-step:

1. On both phones, turn on Bluetooth and make them visible (in Bluetooth settings, select Visibility for All for 2-5 minutes).
2. On your old phone, open Contacts, click on three points → Send (or Share).
3. Select the contacts to transfer (you can mark everything).
4. In the sending method, select Bluetooth and connect to the new Xiaomi Redmi.
5. On the new phone, confirm receipt of the file (usually contacts.vcf).
6. After transfer, open the received file - contacts will be added automatically.

Typical problems and solutions:

• 🚫 Transfer terminates: reduce the number of contacts in one shipment (no more than 100 at a time).
• 🔄 Contacts are not saved: check if there is enough space in the phone’s memory.
• 📱 Bluetooth does not find the device: restart both phones and try again.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 and older) when transmitted via Bluetooth, contacts are saved in.vcf format, but are not imported automatically.

7. Method 6: Use of third-party applications (for advanced users)

If the standard methods don't work, you can use specialized applications, and we tested a few and selected the most reliable ones.

Recommendations for use:

• 🔒 Before installing, check the application permissions (no access to the app should be available). SMS or call for no reason).
• 📱 Remove the app after the transfer – many of them continue to work in the background and consume battery.
• 🔄 If the application asks for root access, refuse - it is not necessary to transfer contacts.

Example of Send Anywhere:

1. Install the app on both phones.
2. On your old phone, select Send → Contacts and confirm.
3. 6-digit code is generated or QR-code.
4. On the new Xiaomi Redmi, enter the code or scan the QR.
5. Confirm receipt of the data.

8. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even when you follow the instructions, you're going to have some common problems.

• 🔄 Contacts are duplicated: Reason: the phone is synced with both Google and Mi Cloud. Solution: go to Settings → Accounts and disable duplicate synchronization.
• 📱 Contact photos didn't move: Reason: Most methods (except Google synchronization) don't support image transfer.Solution: use Mi Mover or export photos separately through Files.
• ❌ Contacts are not displayed in the call list: Reason: They are stored in a hidden group. Solution: In Contacts, click on three dots. → Groups and check the filters.
• 🚫 Mi Mover freezes at 0%: The cause: conflict with the VPN The solution is to turn it off. VPN Antivirus on both phones.

If none of the methods worked, try resetting your contact settings on the new Xiaomi Redmi:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Contacts and select Warehouse → Clear the data.
3. Reboot the phone and repeat the transfer.

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If the contacts never moved, check to see if the transmission is blocked by the power saving mode or the battery optimization for applications in the MIUI settings.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions