How to Transfer All Contacts from One Xiaomi Phone to Another: The Complete Guide

Moving to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but moving contacts can become a real headache if you don’t know the proven ways. Many users lose valuable numbers due to improper synchronization or forget about backups, and then recover lost data for months. This article will help you avoid typical mistakes and choose the best method depending on your situation.

Here are 5 ways to transfer contacts between Xiaomi devices (including Redmi models, POCO and Mi, compare them in speed, reliability and Internet connection requirements. We will pay special attention to hidden nuances that are not written in the standard instructions, for example, why records can be duplicated when using Mi Cloud or how to circumvent the limit on the number of contacts when exporting through the Internet. VCF-file.

If you are in a hurry, use the quick survey below to determine the method that is most suitable for you. If you have enough time, read a detailed analysis of each option with step-by-step instructions, warnings and life hacks from Xiaomi’s experienced users.

1. Transfer contacts through Google Account (the most reliable way)

Syncing through Google Account is a universal method that works not only on Xiaomi, but also on all Android devices, and its main advantage is automatic backup: even if you lose your phone, contacts will remain in the cloud and recover on a new device after you log in to your account.

To move contacts this way, on your old phone, follow the following steps:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Choose your account (or add a new one if you don’t have one).
3. Activate the switch opposite Contact.
4. Wait for the synchronization to be completed (a cloud icon will appear in the top panel).

On the new phone, just log in to the same Google account, and your contacts will automatically load within 5-10 minutes. If sync doesn't start, check:

• 📶 Internet connection (preferably via Wi-Fi).
• 🔄 Update Google Play Services to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Google Play Services.
• 🕒 Last synchronization time (call in Contacts) → Settings → Contact management → Synchronization).

Important: if the old phone only stored the contacts on the phone SIM-In a card or device memory (not Google), you need to import them into your account first. Open the Contacts app, click on three dots. → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Import with SIM-Maps and select your target Google account.

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If you have more than 10,000 contacts, break them into groups of 5,000 and sync them in turn, which will speed up the process and avoid server errors.

2.Using Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s proprietary cloud storage that automatically backs up contacts, SMS, photos and notes, which is convenient if both phones are from Xiaomi and Google Account is not suitable for some reason (for example, due to restrictions in some regions).

Instructions for transfer via Mi Cloud:

1. On your old phone, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Enable Contact Synchronization (if it is disabled).
3. Press Sync and wait until it is completed.
4. On the new phone, log in to the same Mi Account and enable contact synchronization.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Speed: synchronization takes 1-3 minutes (with good Internet).
• 🔒 Security: Data is encrypted during transmission.
• 📱 Support for all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 13.

But there are pitfalls:

⚠️ Note: If the contacts on the old phone were linked to another Mi Account, they will have to be exported to the file first. VCF, And then import it to a new account, otherwise it won't show up on the new device.

3. Transfer of contacts via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct

If you don’t have access to the Internet or don’t want to use cloud services, you can transfer contacts directly over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct, which is suitable for transferring a small number of records (up to 500-1000 pieces), since with a large volume, data can be transmitted with errors.

Step-by-step:

1. On both phones, turn on Bluetooth (Settings → Connection and Sharing → Bluetooth).
2. Pair devices (click Device Search on your new phone and confirm the connection on your old one).
3. On your old phone, open the Contacts app, click on three points → Contact Management → Import/Export → Send.
4. Select contacts for transfer (you can mark everything) and confirm sending over Bluetooth.
5. On the new phone, accept the incoming file and save the contacts.

The Wi-Fi Direct algorithm is similar, but the transfer speed will be higher.

• Go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Wi-Fi.
• Press three points. → Wi-Fi Direct.
• Select the device to connect.

⚠️ Note: When transmitting via Bluetooth, Cyrillic contact names may be displayed by cracoshybras. To avoid this, export contacts to a file before sending them. VCF and rename it in Latin (for example, contacts_backup.vcf).

Turn on Bluetooth on both phones |

Make sure the battery is charged at more than 30 times%|

Close background applications for stable transmission |

Check the space available on your new phone (minimum 10 MB)-->

4.Export and import via VCF file (for advanced users)

The Virtual Contact File (VCF) format is a universal standard for storing contacts that all modern smartphones support, and it is suitable if you need to selectively transfer some contacts or create a backup on your computer.

How to export contacts to VCF:

1. Open the Contacts app on your old phone.
2. Click on three points → Contact Management → Import / Export → Export to file.
3. Choose where to save the file (internal memory or storage). SD-map).
4. Enter the file name (for example, my_contacts.vcf) and confirm the export.

To import on a new phone:

1. Copy the VCF file to your new phone (via cable, Bluetooth, or cloud).
2. Open the Contacts app → Three Points → Contact Management → Import/Export → Import from File.
3. Select a file and confirm the import.

Advantages of the method:

• 📁 Ability to store backup on PC or flash drive.
• 🔍 Selective transfer (you can edit the file before importing).
• 🔄 Compatible with iPhone and other OS.

⚠️ Attention: If in the file VCF More than 3,000 contacts, break it down into multiple parts with services like VCF Splitter. otherwise, the Contacts app on Xiaomi may freeze when importing.

5. Transfer of contacts through SIM-map (obsolete but working method)

Method SIM-The card is the slowest and most limited, but it helps if other options are not available (for example, the phone broke the module). Wi-Fi/Bluetooth). Keep in mind that SIM-The card only stores names and numbers (no photos, email, or additional fields) and its memory is limited. 250–500 contact.

Instructions:

1. On your old phone, open Contacts → Contact Management → Import / Export → Export to SIM-card.
2. Select contacts for export (or click Select All).
3. Wait until the copy is completed (it can take up to 5 minutes).
4. Replace it. SIM-card.
5. In Contacts, select Import with SIM-maps and confirm.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 No support for contact photos.
• 📏 Limit on the number of characters in a name (usually 15-20).
• ⚠️ Risk of data loss during retrieval SIM-mapping.

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Use it. SIM-This method is inferior to cloud services in reliability and functionality, but can be useful for emergency transfer of the most important numbers.

Comparison of all methods: which one to choose?

To determine the best way, answer three questions:

1. Do you have a stable Internet connection? If you do, go to Google Account or Mi Cloud.
2. If so, the Mi Cloud will be faster and more reliable.
3. Do I need to transfer additional data (photos, emails)? If so, avoid it. SIM-maps and Bluetooth.

Table of method selection:

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For most Xiaomi users, Mi Cloud (if both phones are from Xiaomi) or Google Account (if you need a universal solution) are the best choice.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with proven methods, users face problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to solve them:

1. Contacts are not synced with Google/Mi Cloud

• Check if synchronization is enabled in your account settings.
• Update the Contacts app and Google Play Services.
• Delete the Contacts app cache (Settings → Applications → Application Management → Contacts → Clear the cache).

2.Duplicate contacts after transfer

• Log in to Contacts → Settings → Contact Management → Combine duplicates.
• Use services like Cleanup Duplicate Contacts (available on Google Play).

3. Not all contacts have been moved

• Check if they are only stored on SIM-In your phone’s memory (not in the cloud).
• Export contacts to VCF and import them manually.

4 Contact names are displayed in hieroglyphics

• Before transferring over Bluetooth, rename the file to Latin.
• Use it. VCF-file UTF-8.

⚠️ Warning: If you are selling or transferring an old phone, be sure to delete all accounts (Settings) → Accounts and sync) and reset to factory settings (Settings) → The phone. → Reset your settings otherwise the new owner will be able to restore your contacts!

FAQ: Answers to popular questions