Transferring contacts with Xiaomi to Xiaomi via Bluetooth: a complete guide for Redmi

Transferring contacts between Xiaomi smartphones via Bluetooth seems like a simple task, but in practice users face typical problems: devices can not see each other, transmission is interrupted or contacts are duplicated. In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to transfer a phone book between Redmi, POCO and other Xiaomi models based on MIUI 12-14, including bypassing typical errors.

The main advantage of Bluetooth porting is that it doesn’t need the Internet, cables or third-party applications, but it has limitations: for example, on some Xiaomi firmware, Bluetooth contact transfer is disabled by default for security purposes (this applies to models with MIUI 14 Global and later), and we will show you how to enable this feature and successfully complete the process.

Important: If you have custom firmware installed (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS), the algorithm may be different, in which case we recommend using alternative methods - synchronization through Google Account or export to.vcf file.

Preparation of devices for the transmission of contacts

Before you start the transfer, make sure that both smartphones meet the key requirements:

• 📱 Both devices - models Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO (except for Redmi A1/A1+, where Bluetooth is limited).
• 🔄 Version. MIUI — at least 12.0.3 (older firmware may not have contact transmission option).
• 🔋 Battery charge – at least 30% (at low charge, the system can interrupt the process).
• 📶 Flight mode – disabled (affects the stability of Bluetooth connection).

If one of the devices is running Android 13+ with MIUI 14, check for updates: some builds have hidden contact function. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update.

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If one of the smartphones displays an error "The device does not support the transfer of contacts", try temporarily disable the function "Dual applications" (Settings) → Annexes → This often solves the problem on the Redmi Note. 11/12.

Method 1: Standard transmission via Bluetooth menu

This is the main method that works on most Xiaomi devices without any additional settings.

1. On the source phone (from which we copy contacts), open Contacts → click on the three dots in the upper right corner → select Import / Export → Send contacts.
2. In the options list, select Bluetooth. The system will prompt you to turn Bluetooth on if it's turned off.
3. On the target phone (where we port) turn on Bluetooth and make it Visible to everyone (in Bluetooth settings).
4. On the original phone, select the target device from the list and confirm the transmission. The target phone will receive a request for file acceptance - (Agree).
5. After the transfer, the target phone will open a window with a suggestion to save contacts. Select Save everything.

If the transmission has been suspended or interrupted in step 4, check:

• 🔌 Distance between devices - no more than 1 meter (walls and interference worsen the signal).
• 📵 Power saving mode - turn it off in Settings → Battery.
• 🔄 Reboot – sometimes helps to restart Bluetooth on both phones.

Bluetooth enabled on both devices |

Devices are paired (in the list "My devices") |

There is enough memory on the target phone (contacts take ~1-5 MB)|

VPN is disabled (can block data exchange)

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Method 2: Transfer via file.vcf (if Bluetooth is not working)

If the standard method didn't work, export the contacts to a.vcf file and send it over Bluetooth, which is universal and works even on custom firmware devices.

Instructions for the original telephone:

1. Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Imports/Exports → Export to file.
2. Select the Memory of the Phone (not the Memory) SD-map!) and confirm export. The file will be saved as contacts.vcf.
3. Open Files (Mi File Manager) → find the file in the Internal Storage → MIUI → Backup → AllBackup folder.
4. Click on file → Share → Bluetooth → Select the target device.

Instructions for the target phone:

1. Receive the contacts.vcf file via Bluetooth.
2. Open the file → select Contacts in the list of applications to open.
3. Confirm the import (the system will offer to combine duplicates).

Table: Method compatibility for different Xiaomi models

If your model isn't in the table, try both methods alternately. MIUI for Russia (e.g. Redmi) 9A) Sometimes it helps to reset Bluetooth settings: Settings → Connections → Bluetooth → ⋮ → Reset the settings.

Typical errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, users face problems.

⚠️ Note: If you send a message that says "Can't be sent due to security restrictions" during contact transfer, it means that the target phone has enabled the Privacy Protection function. → Confidentiality → Special permits → Protection of personal data.

Mistake 1: Devices can't see each other

• 🔍 Check that both phones have visibility enabled (in Bluetooth settings) →"Visibility for all").
• 🔄 Reboot both devices - it resets the Bluetooth cache.
• 📱 Remove old paired devices in the Bluetooth list and perform repairing.

Error 2: Transmission is 0% or 100% down

• 📶 Turn off Wi-Fi and mobile data on both phones (they may interfere with the device).
• 🔋 Connect both devices to charging – at low charge, the system limits background processes.
• 📁 Try to transfer contacts in small batches (on the 50-100 piece).

Error 3: Contacts are duplicated after importation

• 🔄 Before importing, back up current contacts on the target phone.
• 🗑️ In the import menu, select the option "Replace all contacts" (unless duplicates are critical).
• 🧹 Use Contacts Optimizer to clean duplicates (available on Google Play).

Through Bluetooth|

Through file.vcf|

Through Google Account|

Through SIM-map|

Another way.

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Alternative methods of contact transfer

If Bluetooth portability fails, consider alternatives:

1. Synchronization through Google Account

• 🔄 On the original phone: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of contacts (enable).
• 📱 On your target phone: add the same Google Account and enable sync.
• ⏳ Contacts will appear during the 5-10 Minutes (Internet required).

2. Transfer through SIM-map

• 📶 Suitable for a small number of contacts (SIM Stores up to 250 records).
• 🔄 On the original phone: Contacts → ⋮ → Imports/Exports → Exports to SIM.
• 📱 Move it. SIM In the target phone and import contacts.

3. Use of third-party applications

• 📲 Mi Mover (official application from Xiaomi for data transfer).
• 🌐 Send Anywhere (Cloneit or Send Anywhere).
• 🔗 Contacts Backup & Restore (Creating Backups).

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Bluetooth is the fastest way, but not the most reliable. For important contacts, we recommend backing up your Google Account or.vcf file.

Security of contact transfer

Transferring contacts via Bluetooth is considered safe, but there are nuances:

• 🔒 Encryption: Xiaomi uses Bluetooth 5.0+ coded AES-128, But for maximum protection, turn off Bluetooth visibility after transmission.
• 📵 Public networks: Do not transmit in places with a large crowd (airports, cafes) – theoretically possible to intercept data.
• 🗑️ Delete temporary files: After importing, delete the contacts.vcf file from both devices (stores unencrypted data).

⚠️ Note: If you are transmitting contacts between your work and personal phone, make sure that they do not contain sensitive information (such as password notes). MIUI Contacts may contain linked data from Mi Account.

For additional protection, enable two-step authentication in your Mi Account:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Security.
2. Select two-step verification and follow the instructions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about contact transfer