How to transfer phone numbers from one Xiaomi to another: all the ways

Switching to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always a joyful event, but moving contacts can become a headache if you don’t know all the nuances. Many users lose valuable time trying to manually rewrite hundreds of numbers or encounter synchronization errors. In fact, the process can be automated in a few minutes – the main thing is to choose the right method from the five available.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to transfer contacts between Xiaomi devices, from standard MIUI features to little-known life hacks, how to avoid duplication of records, why some numbers may not move, and what to do if sync is frozen, and also unique tips for restoring lost contacts after a failed transfer.

Unlike the general instructions, here you will find detailed step-by-step guides tailored to the latest versions of MIUI 14/15 and Android 13/14. For example, this article alone reveals a Bluetooth contact transfer bug on Redmi Note 12 and POCO X5 models that causes profile photos to disappear, and we have tested all the methods on real devices, from Xiaomi 14 flagships to the budget Redmi A2, to ensure that each method works.

1.Contact transfer via the built-in MIUI function "Clone Data"

The fastest and most reliable way to do this is to use Xiaomi’s proprietary tool, called Mi Mover, which is pre-installed on all MIUI smartphones and doesn’t require internet access, and the main advantage is that it transfers not only numbers, but also call history, SMS, photos, apps (optional).

The feature works on a point-to-point basis via Wi-Fi Direct, so both devices must be nearby. The new models (Xiaomi 13T, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) even support transferring lock screen settings and data from Mi Fit.

• ✅ Pros: maximum speed (up to 20 Mb / s), the structure of folders and contact tags is preserved.
• ❌ Cons: on old smartphones (up to) MIUI 12) may not transfer linked WhatsApp accounts.
• ⚠️ Limit: If the old phone has less than 20% charge, the system will block the transfer.

Step-by-step:

1.On the new Xiaomi, when you first turn on, select “Data Transfer from another device” (if the phone is already configured, go to Settings → About Phone → Clone Data).

2. On your old phone, open Settings → Additional → Clone data and select "I am the source."

3. Scan it. QR-code from a new device or connect via Wi-Fi Direct (password will appear on the screen).

4. Select "Contacts" (you can additionally note other data) and click "Move".

⚠️ Warning: If the process is stuck in the Preparation phase, check if the power saving mode on the old phone is on. Turn it off in Settings. → Battery → Energy saving regime.

Charging both phones > 50%|Unplugged. VPN both-device|Freely. ≥ 1GB of memory on the new phone|Bluetooth turned off (interfering with Wi-Fi Direct)-->

2. synchronize contacts through a Google account

This method is universal and works on any Android device, but requires stable Internet. All contacts are uploaded to the Google cloud and then automatically pulled up to the new Xiaomi. SIM-card or phone memory.

If you’ve never set up sync, your old phone can store up to 3 copies of the same contacts (local, Google, MI-Before transferring, we recommend clearing duplicates through the Contacts app" → "Contact management" → "Combining and correcting".

• 🔄 How to check if sync is enabled: Open Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Google. Make sure the switch opposite "Contact" is active. Press "Sync" (manually start the process).
• 📱 On the new Xiaomi: when you first turn on, log in to the same Google account – contacts will be downloaded automatically.

⚠️ Note: If your new phone already has contacts, they can be mixed with those downloaded from Google. To avoid chaos, export your current contacts to a.vcf file before syncing (see section 4).

What to do if your contacts are not synchronized:

1. Check if sync is disabled in Google settings (sometimes resets after the MIUI update).

2. Remove the Contacts cache (Settings → Applications → Application Management → Contacts → Memory → Clear the cache).

3. Try adding a Google account again (pre-save backup of contacts!).

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If you have two Google accounts and contacts are scattered between them, use the web version of Google Contacts to combine takes. highlight all contacts → More → Find and merge duplicates.

3. Transfer of contacts through SIM-map (for older models)

The method is suitable for owners of Xiaomi Redmi 4A, Redmi 5 And other low-cost models without high-speed Internet — SIM-The card will store a limited number of numbers (usually 250-500), does not save photos, email or additional fields.

Also note that on new smartphones (MIUI 14+), the export function on SIM may be hidden. To find it, type in the "import/export contacts" search box.

• 📌 How to export contacts to SIM: Open the Contacts app. Press it "⋮" (three-point) → "Contact management" → "Imports/Exports" → "Exports to SIM-Select contacts (or click "Secret All") and confirm export.

How to import to the new Xiaomi:

1. Insert the SIM into the new phone.
2. Go to Contact" → "⋮" → "Contact management" → "Import with SIM-map".
3. Choose where to save the numbers (we recommend a Google Account).

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI export SIM You lose the Cyrillic symbols in your contact names. 1-2 record!

4. Export/import contacts via.vcf file (universal method)

The.vcf file (or vCard) is the standard format for storing contacts that all smartphones support, an advantage of which is that all fields (including photos, birthdays, addresses) are saved, and the file can be edited on a PC before importing.

Where is the file stored after export?

By default, it is saved in the Internal Storage → MIUI → Backup → Contacts folder. We recommend copying it to the cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud) or to a flash drive so you don’t lose it when you reset your phone.

• 📤 Exports on old Xiaomi: Open "Contacts" → "⋮" → "Contact management" → "Import/Export. Select "Export to device" (not to be confused with export to device) SIM!). Specify the folder to save (preferably select "Inner Memory").

Imports to the new Xiaomi:

1. Copy the.vcf file to a new phone (e.g. via Bluetooth or Telegram).
2. Open "Contacts" → "⋮" → "Contact management" → "Import from the device".
3. Select the file and confirm the import (you can select an account to save).

How to edit.vcf on your computer:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and copy the file.

2. Open it in Notepad or specialized programs (Microsoft Outlook, Thunderbird).

3. Each contact starts with BEGIN:VCARD and ends with END:VCARD. You can manually correct errors (e.g. duplicate numbers).

5. Transfer contacts through third-party applications (SHAREit, Xender, Mi Drop)

If the built-in methods don't work (for example, due to a MIUI failure), you can use third-party utilities, the most popular ones are SHAREit, Xender and Xiaomi's proprietary Mi Drop app. They transfer data over Wi-Fi Direct, so they don't require mobile internet.

Comparison of annexes:

| Appendix | Speed | Photo support | Restrictions |

|-------------|-----------|----------------------|----------------------|

| SHAREit | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (up to 20 Mb/s) | ✅ Yes. | Advertising requires permission to access files |

| Xender | ⭐⭐⭐ (up to 10 Mb/s) | ✅ Yes. | Sometimes I don't see the device. MIUI 15 |

| Mi Drop | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (up to 30 Mb/s) | ✅ Yes. | It only works between Xiaomi |

Instructions for Mi Drop (recommended!):

1. Install Mi Drop on both phones (you can download from Mi App Store or Google Play).

2. On the old phone, select "Send" → "Contacts" and mark the numbers you want.

3. On the new phone, click "Accept" and confirm receipt.

4.After transfer, import contacts via notification or manually in the Contacts app.

⚠️ Note: Apps like SHAREit can replace existing contacts with new ones, if you don't turn off the "Combine Doubles" option!

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The Mi Drop app is the fastest and safest way among third-party utilities, as it is optimized for MIUI and does not contain advertising.

6.Restore contacts after unsuccessful transfer

If contacts are lost or misplaced, don't panic! 90 percent of the time, they can be restored. Here are 3 proven methods:

• 🔙 Recoil via Mi Cloud: If the old phone was enabled sync with Mi Cloud, go to the new Xiaomi in Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Mi Cloud → Contacts → Restore.
• 📂 Import from backup: Check the folder MIUI → Backup → AllBackup on an old phone. If there are files with the.bak extension, copy them to a new phone and restore them via Settings. → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge → Local backup.
• 🔍 Cache Search: Install Undeleter Recover Files & Data and scan your internal memory for deleted.vcf files.

Or use the Move to iOS app (it works the other way around).