The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always an exciting moment, especially when it comes to storing important data. Contacts accumulated over the years can be a headache if you do not know how to transfer them correctly. Unlike the iPhone, where syncing through iCloud works almost automatically, Android devices (including Redmi, POCO and Mi) offer several alternative paths, from cloud services to manual export.
In this article, we’ll look at 5 current ways to transfer contacts between Xiaomi smartphones, including nuances for different versions of MIUI (12 to 14). You’ll learn which method is the fastest, which is the most reliable, and how to avoid typical errors, such as duplicate recordings or loss of photos of contacts. And if you move from iOS or another brand, at the end of the article there is a bonus section with instructions for such cases.
1. Transfer contacts via Mi Account (the easiest way)
Syncing through Xiaomi account is a standard method that works on all devices of the brand, starting with MIUI 8. Its main advantage: contacts are transferred along with call history, notes and even some system settings, if full sync is enabled, but there is a caveat: if you have not previously used Mi Account, data will have to be uploaded to the cloud first.
To move contacts:
- 📱 On an old smartphone: open Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Sync and switch the switch opposite Contacts. Wait for the download to complete (check the progress indicator).
- 🔄 On a new smartphone: log in to the same Mi Account when you first turn on or through Settings → Accounts. Enable contact synchronization.
- ⏳ Wait 5-10 minutes – contacts will appear automatically. If this does not happen, check your Internet connection or update data manually (swipe down the contact list).
⚠️ Note: If your old phone is disabled syncing to Mi Cloud, contacts can only be stored locally, in which case export them to a.vcf file first (see section 4).
| Advantages | Deficiencies |
|---|---|
| Automatic synchronization | It requires a stable internet. |
| Keeps the call history. | Volume limit (5 GB in free tariff) |
| It works on all Xiaomi devices | You may not be able to take photos of your contacts. |
2. Use of Google Account (universal method)
If you prefer the Google ecosystem, it works perfectly, not only between Xiaomi smartphones, but also when you move to devices from other brands (such as Samsung or Pixel). On an old phone, contacts should be linked to a Google Account, not saved only on the phone. SIM-card or memory.
Instructions:
- On the old Xiaomi, open Settings → Accounts → Google and make sure that the contacts sync is enabled. If not, turn on and wait until it is completed.
- On the new phone, add the same Google Account through Settings → Accounts → Add an account.
- Turn on the contacts sync. They will appear in the Contacts app in a few minutes.
If contacts are not synchronized before, export them manually:
- 📤 Open the Contacts app, click on three dots (⋮) → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to file.
- 📥 Select the.vcf format and save the file to Downloads or Google Drive.
- 📲 On a new phone, import the file through the same menu.
💡
Before exporting, check how many contacts you have on Google: go to contacts.google.com from your computer. If the list is empty, the sync didn't work.
3. Transfer via Bluetooth or SIM-map (without internet)
If you don’t have access to Wi-Fi or mobile internet, you can use Bluetooth or SIM-These methods are suitable for carrying a small number of contacts (up to 250 records) because they have limitations in volume and speed.
Method 1: Through Bluetooth
- 🔵 On both phones, turn on Bluetooth and pair the devices (enter the same one). PIN-code, if required).
- 📤 On the old Xiaomi, open Contacts, select the entries you want (or click “Share All”), then click “Share» → Bluetooth.
- 📥 On your new phone, confirm the.vcf file and import it.
Method 2: Through SIM-map
⚠️ Attention: SIM-The cards only store names and phone numbers — photos, mail and additional fields will be lost. ~200 contacts.
- 📱 On an old phone: Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Exports to SIM-map.
- 🔄 Move it. SIM-map.
- 📲 On the new phone: Contacts → ⋮ → Import with SIM-map.
What to do if contacts are not imported from SIM-map?
4. Local backup and recovery (for advanced users)
This method is suitable if you want to transfer not only contacts, but also other data (SMS, call log, applications). Xiaomi offers a built-in backup function that creates a.mbk file with a full copy of the system. However, you will not be able to restore contacts separately - you will have to download the entire backup.
How to make a backup:
- On your old phone, go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
- Select Contacts (and other data if necessary) and click Create Backup.
- The file will be stored in the internal memory in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder.
How to restore:
- 📁 Transfer the.mbk file to your new phone (via cable, Google Drive, or Mi Cloud).
- 🔄 On the new Xiaomi, open Settings → The phone. → Backup and reset → Local backups → Restore.
- 🔍 Select the file you want and confirm the recovery. Attention: this will overwrite the existing data!
Free space on the phone (minimum 1 GB)
Battery charge > 50%
MIUI optimizations are disabled (in the developer settings)
File integrity checked after copying
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5.Moving from iPhone or other Android to Xiaomi
If you are switching from an iPhone or a smartphone from another brand (such as Samsung or Huawei), standard MIUI techniques may not work.
From the iPhone:
- 🍎 On iPhone, export contacts to iCloud (set up sync in Settings) → [Your name] → iCloud → Contacts).
- 🌐 On your computer, go to iCloud.com, select Contacts and export them to.vcf.
- 📲 Transfer the file to Xiaomi (e.g., via email or Google Drive) and import it.
From another Android:
- 🤖 Use Google Account (see section 2) or Mi Mover app (pre-installed on new Xiaomi).
- 🔗 Mi Mover allows you to transfer contacts, photos and even applications over a direct Wi-Fi link: