How to quickly transfer numbers from one Xiaomi to another: all the ways of 2026

Introduction: Why Transferring Contacts to Xiaomi Needs a Special Approach

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always a joyful event, but many users face an unexpected challenge: how to transfer stored phone numbers without losing important data. Unlike the iPhone, where syncing through iCloud works automatically, the Xiaomi ecosystem offers several alternative solutions – and not all of them are equally reliable.

The main difficulty lies in the variety of models (Redmi Note). 12, POCO X5 Pro, Mi 13 Ultra) and firmware versions MIUI. For example, in older versions (up to the previous version). MIUI 12) There was no built-in data transfer wizard, and in new ones it works unstable when switching between different series (from Redmi to the new series). POCO). In addition, many users forget that contacts can be stored in different places: SIM-card, in the memory of the phone or in the account Google/Mi Account.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to transfer contacts between Xiaomi smartphones in 2026, including hidden nuances that are not mentioned in the official instructions, you will learn which method is the fastest, which is the most reliable, and how to avoid typical errors (for example, duplicate numbers or loss of attachment to instant messenger accounts).

Method 1: Transfer over Mi Cloud – the official method from Xiaomi

Mi Cloud is a cloud storage from Xiaomi that automatically syncs contacts, notes, photos and other data between devices on MIUI. This method is suitable if both phones are tied to the same Mi Account (or you are ready to log in to a new device).

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 Automatic synchronization – contacts are updated in real time.
• 📱 It works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO (including older versions MIUI 9-14).
• 🔒 Data is encrypted and stored on Xiaomi servers (but don’t forget backups!).

Step-by-step:

1. On your old smartphone, open Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Make sure the switch opposite Contact is on (green). If not, turn on and wait for the sync to complete (the cloud icon in the status bar should disappear).
3. Sign in to the same Mi Account on your new phone (or create a new one if you switch from a different brand).
4. Go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud and activate contact sync.
5. Open the Contacts app – numbers should appear within 1-2 minutes.

⚠️ Note: If the old phone only had the contacts stored on it SIM-card, they must first be exported to the device memory: → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Exports with SIM. Otherwise, they won't get into the Mi Cloud!

Make sure both phones have the same MIUI version (or no more than 1 version)

Check the stability of the Internet connection (better use Wi-Fi)

Turn off battery saving mode for the "Contact" application

Backup your contacts to your computer (in case of a failure)-->

Method 2: Use of the SIM-The cards are classic, but not always reliable.

SIM-transfer is the oldest method that works even on push-button phones, but it has serious limitations:

• 📵 SIM-The card stores only the name and number (without photos, email, addresses).
• 📏 Limit on the number of contacts: usually 200-250 numbers (depending on the operator).
• ⚡ It takes a lot of time if you have a lot of contacts.

How to transfer contacts via SIM:

1. On your old phone, open your contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Exports to SIM.
2. Select contacts for export (you can note everything) and confirm the action.
3. Extract. SIM-Map and paste it into a new smartphone.
4. On the new device, go to Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Import with SIM.
5. Choose where to save your contacts (in your phone memory or Google/Mi Account).

⚠️ Note: If you use a nano-SIM with an adapter, make sure that the adapter contacts are not oxidized - this can cause a data readout failure. SIM Permanently: If you lose your card, you will lose all the numbers!

Through the Mi Cloud

Through SIM-map

Through Google Account

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi Direct

Another way.-->

Method 3: Sync through Google Account – a universal solution

If you use Google services (Gmail, YouTube, Play Market), then transferring contacts through Google Account is one of the most reliable ways, and it works not only between Xiaomi smartphones, but also when you switch to Samsung, iPhone or other brands.

Advantages of the method:

• ☁️ Contacts are stored in the cloud and available from any device.
• 🔄 Automatic synchronization (with the Internet).
• 📎 All data is stored: numbers, email, addresses, birthdays.

Instructions for transfer:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Select your account and make sure the Contact Switch is on.
3. Wait for the sync to complete (check in Settings → Accounts → Google → Sync).
4. On the new smartphone, add the same Google account and enable contact sync.
5. Open the Contacts app – numbers should appear automatically.

If the contacts are not displayed:

• Check what is in the contact settings (Contacts) → ⋮ → Settings → Accounts) Your Google Account is displayed.
• Make sure that the new phone has the option to Show Contacts from: All accounts.
• Update the Google Contacts app in the Play Market.

💡

If you are switching from an iPhone to Xiaomi, export your iCloud contacts in vCard format first, and then import them to Google Account via the web version of [contacts.google.com](https://contacts.google.com).

Method 4: Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct Transfers – without Internet

If you don’t have internet access or don’t want to use cloud services, you can transfer contacts directly via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct, a method that is suitable for transfer between two Xiaomi smartphones, but requires manual adjustment.

How to transfer contacts via Bluetooth:

1. On your old phone, open your contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Send.
2. Select contacts to transfer (you can mark everything) and press Bluetooth.
3. Turn on Bluetooth on your new phone and make it visible to other devices.
4. On your old phone, select a new device from the list and confirm the transfer.
5. On a new phone, accept the incoming file (usually a.vcf file) and import contacts.

Advantages and disadvantages of the method:

• ✅ It works without the internet.
• ✅ No registration with cloud services required.
• ❌ Slow transmission (especially if there are many contacts).
• ❌ Call history and additional fields may not be transmitted (e.g. contact photos).

Method 5: Using the Google File Transfer App

Files by Google (formerly Transfer Files) allows you to quickly transfer contacts, photos and other data between smartphones over Wi-Fi Direct without an Internet connection. Transfer speeds are several times faster than Bluetooth, and the process is as simple as possible.

Instructions:

1. Install Files by Google on both phones (available in the Play Market).
2. On your old phone, open the app and select Transfer Files → Send.
3. Select Contacts (or export them to.vcf file in advance).
4. On the new phone, select Get and Scan QR-screencode.
5. Confirm transmission on both phones.

Why this method is better than Bluetooth:

• 🚀 Transfer speeds up to 10 MB/s (vs. 1-2 MB/s for Bluetooth).
• 🔗 Supports the transfer of not only contacts, but also photos, videos, applications.
• 🛡️ Data is transmitted over an encrypted channel (unlike an open Bluetooth connection).

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g, POCO F4) Files by Google may conflict with the built-in file manager MIUI. In this case, before transfer, disable auto-optimization in the battery settings for the Files application.

Method 6: Manual export/import via VCF file

The.vcf file extension (vCard) is a universal contact storage format that all modern smartphones support, and can be used to back up or transfer numbers between devices, including Xiaomi.

How to export contacts to VCF:

1. On your old phone, open your contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to file.
2. Choose where to save the file (internal memory or storage). SD-map).
3. Transfer the.vcf file to your new phone (via cable, Bluetooth, email or cloud).
4. On a new phone, open the.vcf file (usually automatically offered to import) or import it manually through Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → File-based import.

Advantages of the method:

• 📄 All contact data (including photos, notes, additional fields) is stored).
• 🔄 The file can be edited manually (e.g., delete unnecessary numbers before importing).
• 💾 Suitable for creating a backup copy on the computer.

💡

The VCF file is the only way to transfer contacts that works even if one of the phones is not turned on (for example, when the screen is damaged).

Comparison of all methods: which one to choose?

Recommendations for the choice of method:

• 🏆 Best option for most: Mi Cloud or Google Account (if you already use these services).
• 🚀 Fastest: Files by Google (Wi-Fi Direct).
• 🔒 The most reliable for backup: export to.vcf.
• 📵 If there is no internet, Bluetooth or SIM-map (but with limitations).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions