How to Transfer Contacts to Xiaomi on iPhone: A Complete Guide to 2026

Why is it difficult to transfer contacts from Android to iOS?

The transition from Xiaomi to iPhone is not just a smartphone change, but a transition between two fundamentally different ecosystems: Android and iOS. The main problem is that these systems use different formats of contact storage and are not directly compatible. If Xiaomi (be it Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or flagship series) contacts are stored by default in Google account or locally in the device’s memory, the iPhone is focused on iCloud and its own.vcf format.

Many users are faced with common mistakes:

• 📱 Contacts are duplicated after the transfer
• 🔄 Some numbers lose formatting (for example, signs disappear "+" internationally)
• ☁️ Cloud synchronization is unstable due to regional constraints
• 🔌 When using the cable, the data is not fully transferred

In this article, we’ll cover 5 working ways to transfer contacts, from the simplest (via Google Account) to the most advanced (using iTunes and third-party apps), and learn how to avoid data loss and what to do if contacts are not displayed on the iPhone after the transfer.

Method 1: Transfer through Google Account (most reliable)

This method is suitable for 90% of users, as it does not require additional programs and works even on older Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi 5 or Mi A2).

How to check if your contacts are synced with Google:

1. Open the Contacts app on Xiaomi.
2. Press three points (⋮) → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
3. If there is a Google item on the list, then the contacts are already synchronized.

If the synchronization is not configured, follow the following steps:

Now, let’s move the contacts to the iPhone:

1. On iPhone, go to Settings → Contacts → Accounts.
2. Click Add Account and select Google.
3. Enter the same account as Xiaomi.
4. Turn on the Contact switch and wait for the synchronization.

⚠️ Note: If your iPhone already has contacts, they may be duplicated. To avoid this, export your existing contacts to a.vcf file before syncing (via Settings). → [Your name] → iCloud → Contacts → Exports).

Method 2: Use the Move app to iOS

Apple's official app, Move to iOS, is designed specifically to transfer data from Android to iOS, and it allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also messages, photos, emails and even some settings.

• 📲 It only works when you initially set up your iPhone (if the device is already configured, you will have to reset it).
• 🔌 Requires stable Wi-Fi connection (not working via mobile internet).
• ⏳ The process can take up to 30 minutes depending on the amount of data.

Step-by-step:

1. On Xiaomi, download Move to iOS from Google Play.
2. On iPhone, when setting up, select Data Transfer from Android.
3. On Xiaomi, open the app, accept the terms and enter a 6-digit code that will appear on the iPhone.
4. Select Contacts and other data to transfer.
5. Wait until the process is complete (don’t interrupt the connection!).

After transferring, check the contacts in the Phone app on your iPhone. If some numbers are not displayed correctly (for example, without names), try manually editing them or use Method 3 (export to.vcf).

Method 3: Export contacts to VCF file and import to iPhone

The.vcf (vCard) format is a universal standard for storing contacts that all modern smartphones support.

• 📁 You want to have a backup of your contacts on your computer.
• 🔄 You only need to move a portion of your contacts (for example, only work numbers).
• ☁️ You don’t trust cloud services and prefer manual control.

Instructions for Xiaomi:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Press three points (⋮) → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to file.
3. Choose where to save the file (for example, internal memory or SD-map).
4. The file will be saved as contacts.vcf.

Now, we're going to move the file to the iPhone.

The easiest way is to send.vcf to your email, open an email on your iPhone and click on the attachment. The system automatically prompts you to add contacts. If the file is large (more than 1000 contacts), use iTunes:

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes.
2. Select your device → Information → Sync contacts with → Windows Contacts (pre-copying there.vcf file).
3. Press Apply.

💡

If after importing some contacts are displayed with characters instead of names, check the encoding of the.vcf file. Open it in a text editor (for example, Notepad++) and save it in UTF-8 format.

Method 4: Sync with iCloud (an alternative to Google)

If you prefer the Apple ecosystem and don’t want to use Google Account, you can transfer contacts directly to iCloud, which requires a computer (Windows or Mac) and a browser.

Step 1: Export your contacts to.vcf (as in Method 3).

Step 2: Import to iCloud:

1. Go to iCloud.com and log in.
2. Select Contacts.
3. Push the gear (⚙️) bottom-left → Import vCard.
4. Select the previously saved contact.vcf file.

Step 3: Sync with iPhone:

1. On iPhone, go to Settings → [Your name] → iCloud.
2. Make sure the contact switch is active.
3. Wait until the synchronization is complete (may take a few minutes).

⚠️ Note: If your iPhone already has contacts, they will be replaced with those imported from.vcf. To avoid losses, pre-export your existing contacts from iCloud. → Export vCard).

Method 5: Applications for fast transfer (SHAREit, Send Anywhere)

If you need to move contacts without a computer or without clouds, you can use specialized applications that transfer data directly over Wi-Fi Direct or through the creation of a temporary LAN.

• 📲 SHAREit – supports the transfer of contacts, photos, videos and applications.
• 🔄 Send Anywhere – allows you to send files without size restrictions.
• 📱 Xender is a simple interface, but sometimes blocked by antiviruses.

Instructions for Send Anywhere:

1. Install the app on both phones (Xiaomi and iPhone).
2. On Xiaomi, select Send → Contacts → tick the numbers you need.
3. Click Send and select the transfer method (e.g. Connect to the device).
4. On iPhone, select Get and enter 6-digit code with Xiaomi.
5. Confirm receipt of the file and import contacts.

Advantages of this method:

• ⚡ Speed – the transfer takes a few seconds.
• 🔒 Security – data does not pass through servers (direct transmission).
• 📶 It works without the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile hotspot is enough).

Disadvantages:

• 📱 Requires the installation of third-party applications.
• 🔄 Sometimes contacts are transferred without photos or additional fields (for example, dates of birth).

💡

Data portability applications are convenient but do not guarantee 100% formatting safety. For critical contacts (e.g. workers), it is better to use Method 1 or 3.

What if contacts are not transferred or displayed incorrectly?

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, you can have problems, and let's look at the typical mistakes and their solutions.

If none of these methods worked, try resetting your network settings on your iPhone:

1. Go to Settings → Main → Reset or Reset iPhone → Reset.
2. Select Reset Network Settings.
3. After restarting, repeat the transfer of contacts.

⚠️ Warning: Network reset will delete all saved Wi-Fi passwords and settings VPN. Write down important data in advance.

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts with Xiaomi to iPhone