How to Flip Contacts with Xiaomi on iPhone: A Detailed 2026 Guide

Moving from Xiaomi to iPhone is not just about changing the ecosystem, it’s also about moving important data. Contacts built up over the years with Redmi, POCO or Mi are often the main headache of the transition. Unlike photos or music that can be simply copied to a computer, contacts require a different approach: their structure, storage formats and synchronization between Android and iOS are fundamentally different.

In this article, we will analyze 5 working methods of transferring contacts - from classical (through the use of the Internet). SIM-The card or Google Account is up to date (using iCloud and specialized apps), and each method has its own nuances: somewhere you will need a stable Internet connection, and somewhere you will need physical access to both devices. We will also tell you how to avoid data loss when synchronizing (for example, when contacts are duplicated or lost linked photos) and what to do if the transfer was incorrect.

Preparation for transfer: what to do before the start

Before you start porting, make sure your contacts on Xiaomi are up to date. Often users face a problem where some numbers are stored only in the phone's memory and another in Google Account or Mi Cloud.

Here are the mandatory preparation steps:

• 📱 Check the source of the contact storage: go to Contacts → Settings → Contact management on Xiaomi. Here you will see where your numbers are stored: in the device memory, Google or Mi Account.
• 🔄 Sync all contacts: If they are spread across different accounts, export them to one source (better to Google Contacts).
• 📡 Make sure you have a stable internet connection: Most transfer methods will require a Wi-Fi or mobile network connection.
• 🔋 Charge both devices: the process can take up to 30 minutes, especially if there are many contacts (1000)+).

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If you have Duplicate Contacts enabled on Xiaomi (Settings → System → Additional → App Cloning), disable it in advance. It can create copies of contacts in different accounts, which will make it difficult to transfer.

Pay special attention to contact with attached photos. Not all methods of transfer retain images, for example, when exported through the Internet. SIM-If it is critical, use methods with iCloud or Google Account.

2. Method 1: Transfer through Google Account (most reliable)

This method is suitable for 99% of users, as it does not require additional applications and works even on older Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi 4X or Mi A1).

Step-by-step:

1. Export contacts to Xiaomi: Open the Contacts app. Click on three dots (⋮) → Contact management → Import/Export contacts. select Export in file → Mark all contacts → Click Export. The file will be saved in.vcf (business card) in the Download folder.

Imports on iPhone

• Send the.vcf file to your iPhone (by mail, via AirDrop or Telegram).
• Open the file on your iPhone – the system will automatically prompt you to add contacts.
• Select Add All Contacts.

Make sure all contacts are displayed in the Contacts app | Check that the.vcf file is not empty (open it through any text editor) | Remove duplicate contacts in advance (can be done via Settings → Google → Contact Management → Combine and Fix) |Sync Google Contacts before export (Settings → Accounts → Google → Contact Sync)

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⚠️ Note: If you already have contacts on your iPhone, they may be duplicated after import. To avoid this, go to Settings before importing. → Contacts → Accounts and disable sync with iCloud (temporarily). After importing, turn it back on and select Unite when a request appears.

Method 2: Sync through iCloud (for advanced users)

This is a method that works for those who are already using iCloud or who are planning to fully migrate to the Apple ecosystem, and it allows you to transfer not only numbers, but also photos of contacts, notes and even calendars, but it will require a computer (Mac or Windows).

Algorithm of action:

1. Export your contacts to.vcf (as in Method 1).
2. Import to iCloud via browser: Go to iCloud.com and log in. → press the gear (⚙️) → Import vCard. Download the.vcf file exported from Xiaomi.

Synchronization with iPhone

• On iPhone, go to Settings → [Your name] → iCloud.
• Make sure the contact switch is on.
• Wait until the synchronization is complete (it can take up to 10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If you have previously used iCloud on another device, new contacts may be mixed with old contacts. To avoid chaos, export your current contacts from iCloud to a backup before importing. → Export vCard).

The advantage of this method is to retain all of the contacts, including photos, birthdays and additional fields, but it requires more time and technical training.

Method 3: Transfer through SIM-Card (for small number of contacts)

This method is suitable if you have less than 250 contacts (limitation). SIM-It's the simplest, but it has a number of disadvantages: it doesn't save photos, it only supports the main fields (name). + number), and on new iPhones (starting with iPhone) XS) It may not work properly.

How to move:

1. Exports to SIM-Map on Xiaomi: Open Contacts → Contact management → Import/Export. Select Export to SIM-map → mark the necessary contacts → Exports.

Imports on iPhone

• Put it in. SIM-iPhone-card.
• Go to Settings → Contacts → Import SIM contacts.
• Confirm the import.

⚠️ Attention: On an iPhone with two SIM-card (iPhone) XS Max, iPhone 11 and later) import may not work. SIM-map or other means of transfer.

5. Method 4: Move to iOS app (official solution from Apple)

Move to iOS is a free app from Apple designed to transfer data from Android to iOS, and it allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also messages, photos, emails and even some settings.

• 📱 It only works when you initially set up your iPhone (if the device is already configured, you will have to reset it).
• 🔌 Requires direct Wi-Fi connection between devices (without router).
• ⏳ It can take up to 1 hour with a lot of data.

Instructions:

1. On iPhone, start the initial setup to the App screen and data → select Move data from Android.
2. On Xiaomi, install Move to iOS from Google Play and follow the instructions.
3. Connect to the temporary Wi-Fi network created by the iPhone.
4. Select the data for transfer (be sure to check Contacts) and wait for completion.

⚠️ Note: If the transfer is interrupted, you can’t start again without resetting your iPhone to factory settings, and Move to iOS doesn’t transfer contacts from Mi Account — only from Google or device memory.

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The Move to iOS app is Apple's only official way to migrate data from Android, but because of limitations, it's not for everyone. If your iPhone is already set up, use other methods.

Method 5: Third-party applications (for complex cases)

If standard methods don’t work (for example, you have an outdated Xiaomi model or a damaged contact base), you can use third-party applications.

• 📲 Copy My Data – Transfers Contacts, Calendars and Photos over Wi-Fi.
• 📲 My Contacts Backup – Exports contacts to file and sends them to email.
• 📲 Samsung Smart Switch (Yes, it works with Xiaomi) – suitable for transferring large amounts of data.

How to use (for example, My Contacts Backup):

1. Install the app on Xiaomi from Google Play.
2. Click Backup → Select the vCard format → send the file to your email.
3. Open the email on your iPhone and import your contacts.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (e.g. SHAREit) may contain ads or collect data. Check reviews and permissions on Google Play before using.

7.Transfer problems and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, you can get errors, and let's look at the most common problems and ways to solve them:

If none of these methods worked, try exporting your contacts to CSV (via Google Contacts → Export → Google CSV) and then converting them to.vcf using online services (like VCF Converter).

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)