Changing your smartphone or having to back up data are standard situations that every Android device owner faces. If you're a user of the Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO ecosystem, you have some effective tools for carrying your phone book. Saving numbers in the cloud or on your PC's hard drive will protect you from losing information when your gadget breaks.
In this article, we will cover all the current synchronization methods, from built-in system functions to third-party software, and learn how to quickly unload a database of numbers in a format compatible with any operating system, which will allow you to always have an up-to-date version of the call list at hand.
Before you start, you should decide on the purpose of the transfer. If you just need to save data in case of losing your phone, cloud storage is the best option. For those who plan to edit the call list on the big screen or transfer data to the iPhone, the optimal would be to create an archive file.
Regardless of the method chosen, the process will take no more than 10-15 minutes. Modern MIUI and HyperOS interfaces make it as easy as possible to interact with the file system, the main thing is to prepare the device and, if necessary, an account.
Preparation of the device and choice of method of preservation
Before you start exporting, make sure your device is stable. It is recommended to check the battery power, as the synchronization process can take time, especially if the contacts are several thousand.
There are three main ways to do this: using Google's cloud services, branded Mi Cloud, or manually exporting to a file. Each method has its own advantages, such as the clouds provide automatic synchronization, and the file gives you complete control over the data.
Important: Make sure your device is debugging enabled USB, If you're planning on using specialized software for a PC, standard methods are good enough. USB-cable.
- π± Check the stability of the Internet connection (Wi-Fi is preferable to mobile traffic).
- π Charge your smartphone to a minimum 40-50% before the beginning of the procedure.
- π Make sure there is free space on the PC to save backup.
- π Remember passwords from Google or Mi Accounts.
The way you choose depends on your habits, and if you're constantly changing phones, cloud sync is the most convenient solution, and if you're doing one-off operations or archiving data from years past, file creation is better.
β οΈ Attention: Do not try to extract SIM-card during the data export process, if you use methods associated with reading the card memory, this can damage the contact file.
Exporting contacts via Google Contacts (the most reliable way)
The most versatile method is to use Google services. Since Android is deeply integrated with the search engine ecosystem, your numbers are likely already stored there. To start, open your smartphone settings and go to Accounts and Sync.
Make sure the switch next to Contacts is active, and if you sync successfully, all your records are already in the cloud, and you don't need your phone to access them, because any browser on your computer is enough.
Open contacts.google.com on your PC and log in under the same account as your phone. Here you will see a full list of your numbers. To upload, click on the settings icon (cogs) or the control menu in the left panel.
Select Export. The system will suggest you choose the file format. For maximum compatibility with other phones and programs, choose Google CSV or vCard (for iOS contacts). CSV format is ideal for opening in Excel and editing, and vCard is better for importing into other smartphones.
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Use vCard (.vcf) if you plan to import contacts into your iPhone or other Android smartphone in the future, a universal standard that saves photos and additional fields.
Once you click the Export button, the browser downloads the file to your computer, and now you have a full copy of the phone book that you can store for years, and the good thing about this is that it doesn't require a cable connection, and it works even if the phone is broken, but it turns on.
Using Mi Cloud for Backup
Xiaomi device owners have access to their own Mi Cloud storage service, which allows you to create full backups of the system, including settings, messages and phone book, and require a Mi Account account to work.
Go to your device's Settings, click on the top plaque with the account name and select Mi Cloud. Search for Contacts in the service list and make sure sync is enabled. If the data hasn't been updated in a while, click Sync.
To upload data to your computer, go to i.mi.com from your PC. log in using QR-code from your phone or enter your username and password. In the cloud interface, select "Contacts".
Here you can manage records: delete duplicates, merge contacts or restore deleted numbers from the basket (stored for 30 days). To transfer data to the hard drive, select all contacts (or the desired group) and click Export.
| Parameter | Google Contacts | Mi Cloud | Local exports |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed of operation | Tall. | Medium | Instant. |
| Network dependency | Required. | Required. | Not required |
| File format | CSV, vCard | vCard | vCard |
| Photo preservation | Yes. | Yes. | Yes. |
The advantage of Mi Cloud is that it can restore not only numbers, but folder structure if you sort them, but for users who are not part of the Xiaomi ecosystem on a permanent basis, this method may seem less convenient due to the need for separate authorization.
Manual export to VCF file via Contacts app
If you don't want to use cloud services or you don't have Internet, you can use the classic method of exporting files directly through the Contacts app, which allows you to back up in seconds.
Open the standard Contacts app on your Xiaomi. In the upper right corner, click on the three dots (menu) and select "Import/Export Contacts". Next, select "Export to Storage" or "Export to File.vcf".
The system will prompt you to select a source (usually a "All Contacts" or a specific account) and a place to save, and by default, the file is stored in the root directory of internal memory with the name contacts.vcf or similar.
βοΈ Checklist of manual exports
After creating the file, connect the phone to the computer through USB-In the connection notification, select "File Transfer" mode" (MTP). On your computer, open the disk that appears, find the created file and copy it to a safe place.
β οΈ Note: A manually created file.vcf is not automatically updated. If you add a new number after you create a copy, it won't be there.
This method is particularly useful when transferring data to push-button phones or devices from other manufacturers that do not support direct synchronization with Google accounts. VCF Readable by almost any device that has a phone book.
Transfer via Mi PC Suite and third-party software
For users who prefer to work with PCs via cable, there is an official Mi PC Suite tool, but it is worth noting that support for this program for global firmware versions is limited, and it works more often with Chinese versions of smartphones.
If the official utility does not see your phone, you can use universal managers such as MyPhoneExplorer or MOBILedit!. These programs allow you not only to copy contacts, but also to manage SMS, files and applications.
To connect through MyPhoneExplorer, install the client part on your PC and the application on your phone. Connect devices over Wi-Fi or USB. Under "Miscellaneous" -> "Create backup", select only contacts and start the process.
Why can't the computer see the phone?
Using third-party software provides advanced features, such as converting formats on the fly or editing contact fields directly from the computer keyboard, which is convenient for mass editing names or adding the same notes to all numbers.
Tip: When working with third-party programs, always make the primary copy with the standard means of the phone. This will protect you from possible software errors or data transmission failures.
Solving and restoring data
Users may encounter various difficulties in migrating. Often the problem is file encoding: when you open a CSV in Excel, you may see "crackers" instead of letters. To fix this, when you open a file in Excel, select "Data" -> "From Text" and specify the UTF-8 encoding.
Another common problem is duplicate contacts after import, if you download numbers from multiple sources (SIM, phone, Google), they can be duplicated. In the web version of Google Contacts, there is a βCombine and Correctβ feature that will automatically find and merge duplicate entries.
If your phone is no longer visible to your computer, try another one. USB-port, preferably located on the back of the system unit (direct to the motherboard.
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The main problem with importing is encoding and duplicates. Always check the file after export and use the duals merging function in the receiving application.
If you lose all your phone data, don't panic. If you've synced with Google or Mi Cloud at least once, it'll take a couple of minutes to recover, just log in to your account on a new device or after you reset, and the phone book will pull up automatically.