Why moving contacts to Xiaomi Redmi requires a special approach
Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are some of the most popular Android devices in Russia, but their MIUI firmware has features that complicate standard ways of transferring contacts. For example, unlike “pure” Android, sync with Google Contacts is disabled by default, and the Mi Cloud’s own cloud works unstable on some models (especially in the budget Redmi A and POCO M series).
If you were trying to simply copy your contacts via Bluetooth or export them to a VCF file, you might have problems with missing numbers, distorted names, or complete transmission failure. In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods adapted specifically for MIUI firmware, including bypassing typical errors like “insufficient memory” or “unsupported file format”.
Important: instructions are relevant for all modern models – from Redmi Note 12 Pro+ to POCO X5, as well as for older devices on MIUI 12-14. If you have a phone with HyperOS (the new firmware Xiaomi), pay attention to the individual notes in the methods.
Method 1: Sync through Google Account (most reliable)
This method works on 99% of Xiaomi devices, but requires pre-setting, and the main advantage is that contacts automatically update on both phones if you add or change a number.
How to move:
- 📱 On your old phone: Open the settings → Google accounts → Sync your account and switch on the switch opposite "Contact." If you don't have one, add your Google account to Settings. → PapaSSWORD & SECURITY → Accounts.
- ⚙️ Wait until the synchronization is complete (it can take up to 10 minutes if the contacts are more than 500). → ⋮ (menu) → Settings → Contact management.
- 📱 On your new phone: Sign in to the same Google account and enable contact sync, which will appear automatically within 5-15 minutes.
☑️ What to do if your contacts are not synchronized
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⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) 10A) The synchronization can be blocked by the energy saving mode. → Battery → Energy saving mode during transfer.
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If contacts are duplicated after synchronization, use the built-in merger function in the Contacts app: click ⋮ → "Contact management" → "Combine duplicates".
Method 2: Export/import via VCF file (for offline transfer)
This method is suitable if you do not have access to the Internet or do not want to use cloud services. the VCF file contains all contacts in a universal format that all Android phones support.
Instructions:
- On the old Xiaomi Redmi, open the Contacts app, click ⋮ → Contact management → Import/Export of contacts → Export to file.
- Choose which contacts to export (e.g. only with the SIM-The file will be saved in the Internal Storage folder. → MIUI → Backup → AllBackup.
- Transfer the.vcf file to your new phone via USB-cable, Bluetooth or messenger (for example, Telegram).
- Open the file on the new phone and the system will automatically prompt you to import contacts.
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The VCF file won't open. | Damage during transmission | Transfer the file again using the original USB-cable |
| Contacts were imported without photos | Limitation of the VCF format | Use the method with a Google Account or Mi Cloud |
| Lack of memory for export | Too many contacts (>2000) | Break up exports into parts of 500 contacts |
⚠️ Note: On HyperOS phones, the path to the exported file may be different: Internal Storage → Download → Contacts_backup.vcf. If you don’t have a file, check the folder through the file manager (e.g. Files by Google).
Method 3: Transfer through SIM-map (for basic models)
This method is convenient for owners of Redmi A1, Redmi 9A and other budget models, where there is little memory for backups.
- 🔢 SIM-The card only keeps the name. + Number (without photos, addresses, mail).
- 📏 Maximum ~250 contacts per person SIM (depends on the operator).
- ⚠️ Risk of data loss when retrieving a card.
How to move:
- On an old phone: Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Exports to SIM-map.
- Choose contacts for export (it is recommended to mark 50-100 at a time).
- Extract. SIM-card and insert it into a new phone.
- On the new phone: Contacts → ⋮ → Import with SIM-map.
What to do if your phone doesn’t see your contacts SIM-map?
1. Check that SIM-card inserted SIM1 (on some Redmi slots SIM2 Does not support reading contacts).
2. Reboot the phone with the SIM inserted.
3. Try another one. SIM-card – some operators (for example, Tele2) block the recording of contacts on the card.
4. If nothing helps, use the method with a VCF file or Mi Cloud.
Method 4: Xiaomi Cloud (Mi Cloud) – fast, but with nuances
Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s proprietary cloud that automatically backs up contacts if synchronization is enabled, but the service has drawbacks:
- 🌍 Works unstablely in Russia (may slow down or issue an error "Server is not available").
- 🔒 Requires a link to a Xiaomi account (if not, register at account.xiaomi.com).
- 📱 Not all models. POCO Supports Mi Cloud (for example, POCO F4 GT may not display the option).
Step-by-step:
- On your old phone: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Contact Synchronization (turn on the switch).
- Wait for the synchronization to be completed (notification will appear in the curtain).
- On the new phone, log in under the same Xiaomi account and enable contact synchronization in Mi Cloud.
- Contacts will appear within 5-30 minutes (depending on the speed of the Internet).
⚠️ Note: If you use Redmi with HyperOS, the path to Mi Cloud settings has changed: → PapaSSWORD & SECURITY → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud. Also in the new firmware may require confirmation SMS first-entry into the cloud.
Method 5: Transmission over Bluetooth (for individual contacts)
Bluetooth is convenient if you only need to transfer a few contacts (for example, only work numbers). MIUI:
- 🚫 You can only send 1 contact at a time.
- 📶 On some models (Redmi Note 11) Bluetooth trims long names (more than 20 characters).
- 🔋 Quickly drains the battery during transmission >10 contacts.
How to move:
- Turn on Bluetooth on both phones and pair them.
- On your old phone, open Contacts, select the contact you want. → ⋮ → Send. → Bluetooth.
- Take the file on your new phone and keep in touch.
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Bluetooth is only suitable for transferring 1-2 contacts. Use a Google Account or VCF file for mass transfer.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even when following the instructions, Xiaomi Redmi users face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:
1. Contacts are not synced with Google
- 🔄 Check that your Google account settings enable synchronization of your contacts (not just your email or calendar).
- 📵 Make sure your phone has internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
- 🔧 Reinstall updates for the Contact app in Google Play.
2.VCF file is not imported to new phone
- 📁 Check that the file is not corrupted (open it to PC via Excel or Notepad)++).
- 📱 Try importing through another app, such as Contacts.+.
- 🔄 Restore the file in format VCF 3.0 (if exported to 2.1).
3.Mi Cloud gives an error "Unsynced"
- 🌐 Try connecting to another network (e.g., from mobile internet to Wi-Fi).
- ⏳ Wait 1-2 hours – sometimes Xiaomi servers are temporarily unavailable.
- 🔄 Log out of your Xiaomi account and log in again.
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If neither method works, try using third-party apps like My Contacts Backup (available on Google Play), which backs up contacts as a file that can be sent by email or messenger.