How to transfer contacts to the memory of the Xiaomi phone: all the ways of 2026

Transferring contacts to the memory of the Xiaomi smartphone is a task that users face when changing SIM-You can reset your contacts, or you can switch to a new phone, unlike the old push-button machines, where the contacts were only stored on the phone. SIM, modern-day Redmi, POCO Mi and Mi offer multiple storage options: in-memory, Google account, or Mi Cloud, but not everyone knows how to manage this data properly, especially if contacts are automatically synced to the cloud or duplicated.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to transfer contacts to Xiaomi local memory, including manual copying with SIM, export/import via.vcf files, synchronization settings and even hidden MIUI functions. Particular attention will be paid to the nuances for different versions of firmware (from MIUI 12 to MIUI 15) and models - from budget Redmi Note to flagship Xiaomi 14.

Why are your contacts not stored in your phone’s memory?

By default, Xiaomi smartphones set up the storage of contacts in one of three places:

• 📱 Device Memory – Local Storage available only on this phone.
• ☁️ Google account – sync through Google services (contacts are available on all devices with this account).
• 🔵 Mi Cloud – Xiaomi Cloud (requires authorization in Mi-account).

The manufacturer is specifically focusing on cloud services to ensure that users don't lose data when they drop or break their phone, but this creates problems:

• 🔄 Duplicate contacts (e.g., the same number appears in both Google and Mi Cloud).
• 📵 Inability to edit contacts without the internet if they are linked to the cloud.
• 🔒 Export restrictions (e.g. Mi Cloud does not allow you to upload contacts to a file without additional action).

In addition, some mobile operators (for example, MTS or Beeline) by default save new contacts on the Internet. SIM-a card that limits the number of entries (maximum 250-300) and does not allow you to add photos or additional fields.

Method 1: Transfer of contacts with SIM-Xiaomi cards

The easiest way is to copy the contacts directly from the SIM-This feature is available on all Xiaomi smartphones, including old models on the local memory. MIUI 9/10. Instructions:

1. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Contact Management.
3. Go to the section Import / Export contacts → Import from SIM-card.
4. Select the contacts you need (or click Select All) and confirm the import.
5. In the Where to Import list, select Phone Memory (or Local Storage in newer versions of MIUI).

After the procedure, the contacts will appear in the All Contacts section marked Phone. Please note: if you have a two-sim Xiaomi (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+), the system will prompt you to choose which SIM to copy the data from.

⚠️ Note: If you delete the contact with SIM Before transferring to the memory of the phone, it will be impossible to restore them. → Phone.

Method 2: Export and import via.vcf file

The.vcf (vCard) format is a universal standard for storing contacts.

• 📲 Transfer contacts from another phone (not Xiaomi).
• 🔄 Make a backup before resetting settings.
• 📂 Save contacts on a computer or flash drive.

Instructions for MIUI 14/15:

1. Launch Contacts → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
2. Select Export to the file and specify where to export (SIM, Google or Mi Cloud).
3. Save the file to your phone’s memory (for example, in the Download folder).
4. Now import this file back, but in the Import from the file section, select Phone Memory as the target.

If you are transferring contacts from an iPhone or other Android device, export them to.vcf on an old phone first, then transfer the file to Xiaomi via Bluetooth, email, or cloud storage (like Google Drive).

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If the.vcf file is not imported, check its encoding. Open the file in a text editor (like Notepad++) and make sure it is saved in UTF-8 format.

Method 3: Disable sync with Google and Mi Cloud

If your contacts are automatically synced to Google or Mi Cloud, you can't transfer them to local memory, and the system will keep returning them to the cloud.

For the Google account:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
2. Select your Google account.
3. Turn off the switch opposite Contact.
4. Confirm the action (the system will warn you about the termination of synchronization).

For Mi Cloud:

1. Go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Click on Contact Sync and turn it off.
3. Remove existing contacts from the cloud (if duplicated) by Delete data from the cloud.

Once sync is disabled, all new contacts will be stored in the phone’s memory by default. Old contacts from the cloud will remain in place, but they can be manually copied (see Method 1).

⚠️ Warning: If you delete contacts from Google Contacts or Mi Cloud after you turn off sync, they will disappear from all devices where this account was enabled. Always back up before mass changes.

Method 4: Using Google’s Contact App

If Xiaomi’s standard Contacts app doesn’t suit (for example, due to limited import features), you can use the official Google Contacts app, which allows you to manage storage flexibly and supports bulk operations.

Steps:

1. Install Google Contacts from the Play Market.
2. Open it and tap on the profile icon in the upper right corner.
3. Select Settings → Import and specify the source (SIM or.vcf file).
4. When importing in the Account section, select the Device (this is the phone’s memory).

Advantages of this method:

• 🔍 More convenient contact search and filtering.
• 📊 Ability to combine duplicates automatically.
• 🔄 Synchronize with other devices (if you turn it back on).

However, keep in mind that Google Contacts may conflict with the standard Xiaomi app. To avoid duplication, disable autosynchronization in your account settings (see Method 3).

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Google Contacts allows you to transfer contacts between accounts without exporting to a file. For example, you can directly move contacts from Mi Cloud to your phone’s memory via the Contact Management menu → Move.

Method 5: Manually changing the storage for new contacts

If you don’t want to carry old contacts, but you need to keep new ones immediately in your phone’s memory, change your default settings:

1. Open Contacts → Contact Management → Settings.
2. Find Save New Contacts in (or Default Store).
3. Select Phone Memory (or Local Storage).

On some models (e.g. POCO X5 Pro), this parameter is hidden to find it:

• 🔍 Use search in the settings for "Contact Storage».
• 📌 V MIUI 15 Ways May Look Like This: Settings → Annexes → Contacts → Default storage.

Once you change your settings, all new numbers added manually or via WhatsApp/Telegram will be saved locally, but this will not affect contacts imported from Google or Mi Cloud – they must be moved separately.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When transferring contacts, Xiaomi users often encounter common mistakes.

If after all the manipulations contacts still do not appear in the memory of the phone, try:

• 🔄 Reboot your phone (sometimes) MIUI Do not update your contact list immediately).
• 📲 Update the Contacts app through Play Market.
• 🛠️ Reset the application settings: Settings → Annexes → Contacts → Warehouse → Clear the data.

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If you move contacts between devices frequently, use Google Contacts in your browser, where you can edit, export and restore records en masse, and then sync them with Xiaomi as needed.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions