Why is it difficult to transfer contacts to Xiaomi iPhone?
The transition from iPhone to Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 is not just a change of gadget, but a transition between two fundamentally different ecosystems: iOS and Android. The main problem is that Apple and Xiaomi use different formats for storing contacts, different cloud services and even different synchronization protocols. If the iPhone contacts are by default tied to iCloud, then on Redmi Note 10 they automatically sync with Google Account or Mi Account.
Many users are faced with the fact that a simple insert SIM-The contacts are either not displayed or are partially transferred (for example, without photos or additional fields like date of birth). SIM-The card only stores basic data โ name and number โ while the iPhone saves contacts in the extended format vCard 3.0 with multimedia support.
In this article, weโll look at 5 proven ways to move contacts, including cloud services, local copying, and even manual methods for those who donโt trust automated systems, each suitable for different scenarios, from full synchronization with call history to express transmission of only the main numbers.
Method 1: Transfer contacts via iCloud and Google Account (most reliable)
This method is suitable for those who already use iCloud to back up on iPhones, and its main advantage is to save all contact fields, including photos, email addresses and notes. The process consists of two stages: export from iCloud and import to Google an account on Redmi Note 10.
Step 1. Export your contacts from iCloud:
- On your computer, open your browser and go to iCloud.com.
- Sign in under your Apple ID.
- Select the Contacts section.
- Click on the gear in the lower left corner and select Export vCard.
- The contact.vcf file will be saved to your computer.
Step 2: Import your contacts to Google:
- Go to Google Contacts.
- On the left menu, click Import.
- Download the contacts.vcf file and confirm the import.
- On Redmi Note 10, add the same Google Account in the settings (Settings โ Accounts โ Add Account).
- Enable contact synchronization in your account settings.
The downloaded.vcf file is not empty (open it in the text editor)
Google Account Added to Xiaomi with Sync Rights
iPhone has disabled synchronization of contacts with iCloud (to avoid duplicates)
Google Contacts doesnโt have any duplicate records-->
Important: If you have two-factor authentication in Apple ID, you will need to enter a confirmation code from a trusted device (such as the same iPhone) to log into iCloud on your computer. Don't ignore this requirement - without confirmation, export of contacts will be blocked.
โ ๏ธ Note: When importing profile photos to Google Contacts, you may not immediately display them. For them to appear on the Redmi Note 10, wait for full sync (may take up to 24 hours) or manually update contacts through the Google Contacts app.
Method 2: Direct transmission over Bluetooth (without the Internet)
If you don't have access to a computer or a stable Internet connection, you can transfer contacts directly over Bluetooth, a method that is suitable for transferring up to 500 contacts at a time, but has a limitation: only names and phone numbers are transmitted (photos, emails and other fields are lost).
Instructions:
- ๐ฑ On iPhone: Open Settings โ Bluetooth and turn on visibility.
- ๐ค On Redmi Note 10: Go to Settings โ Connections โ Bluetooth and start searching for devices.
- ๐ Connect both devices (confirm pairing on iPhone).
- ๐ On iPhone, open the Contacts app, select the contacts you want (or tap All), then Share โ AirDrop. Since AirDrop doesn't work with Android, select Other Options โ Message.
- ๐ฒ In the sending message window, select Bluetooth and send contacts to Redmi Note 10.
- ๐พ On Xiaomi, accept the file (usually contacts.vcf) and import it through the Contacts app.
Why can Bluetooth not work?
The advantage of this method is that it does not depend on the Internet and cloud services, but there are also disadvantages:
| Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|
| It does not require a computer or Wi-Fi | Only names and numbers are transmitted |
| It works even with outdated models. | Slow transmission speed (about 10 contacts per minute) |
| Secure โ Data does not pass through third party servers | It may take several attempts for large lists to be made. |
โ ๏ธ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (For example, the global version for Redmi Note 10 when imported VCF-Before importing, check if the phone has old records with the same numbers - delete them or combine them.
Method 3: Use SIM-maps (express method)
Transfer of contacts through SIM-The card is the oldest, but still relevant, especially if you have fewer than 250 contacts โ SIM-The card only stores names and numbers (maximum 2 numbers per contact), so the method is not suitable for transferring full information.
How to move:
- On iPhone: Open Settings โ Contacts โ Imports SIM-Contacts (if not available, use the Contacts app: select the necessary contacts) โ Share. โ Copy on SIM).
- Wait until the copy is completed (it can take up to 5 minutes for 200+ contacts).
- Extract. SIM-Map from iPhone and paste in Redmi Note 10.
- On Xiaomi: Open Contacts โ Settings โ Imports/Exports โ Import with SIM-map.
- Choose where to save contacts (Google Account or Device is recommended).
Important nuances:
- ๐ SIM-The card must be nano-SIM (as in Redmi Note 10) or use an adapter.
- ๐ข On some iPhones (for example, models without a tray for the SIM) Copying to the card can be blocked by the operator.
- ๐ซ Don't take it out. SIM-card during copying โ this can lead to loss of some data.
๐ก
If you SIM-The map already has contacts, before copying from the iPhone, delete them or make a backup. When importing to Xiaomi, old and new contacts can mix, creating duplicates.
Method 4: Migration apps (Move to iOS and alternatives)
Appleโs official Move to iOS app is designed to transfer data from Android to iPhone, but not vice versa. However, there are alternative solutions that do this better, such as SHAREit, Xender or specialized tools like Copy My Data.
Letโs look at the example of Shareit:
- Install SHAREit on both devices (available from the App Store and Google Play).
- On iPhone: Open the app, select Send โ Contacts.
- On Redmi Note 10: Select Get and Scan QR-iPhone-screen code.
- Confirm the transmission on both devices.
- Once completed, import the resulting.vcf file to Xiaomi contacts.
Comparison of popular applications:
| Annex | Speed. | Keeps photos of contacts | Requires Wi-Fi. |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHAREit | High (up to 20 Mb/s) | Yes. | No (works on Wi-Fi Direct) |
| Xender | Medium (up to 10 Mb/s) | Yes. | No. |
| Copy My Data | Low (up to 1 Mb/s) | No. | Yes. |
| Send Anywhere | Tall. | Yes. | No. |
โ ๏ธ Note: When using third-party apps, turn off the optimization function on Redmi Note 10 MIUI In the battery settings for the transmitter application, otherwise the background data transmission may be interrupted and the contacts will not be fully transferred.
Method 5: Manual export/import via email (for small lists)
If you have fewer than 50 contacts, the easiest way to do this is to email yourself, which requires no additional software and works even on devices with limited features.
Step-by-step:
- On iPhone: Open the Contacts app, highlight the required entries (or tap All).
- Click Share and select Mail.
- Enter your email (preferably one that is linked to the Redmi Note 10).
- Send an email and open it to Xiaomi.
- Download the attached contacts.vcf file and import it through the Contacts app.
Advantages of the method:
- ๐ Complete confidentiality โ data does not pass through third-party servers.
- ๐ All contact fields are saved, including photos and notes.
- ๐ It works on any device, even without access to cloud services.
๐ก
This is ideal for transferring only the most important contacts (family, work), and for a complete migration, it is better to use iCloud + Google or specialized applications.
What to do if the contacts are incorrectly transferred
Sometimes, after the transfer, the contacts are displayed differently than expected: duplicated, lost photos or broken into several records.
Problem 1: Duplications of contacts
- ๐งน Use the built-in merger function in Google Contacts (contacts.google.com) โ Duplicate โ Unite).
- ๐ฑ On Redmi Note 10, open the Contacts app, click โฎ โ Settings โ Combine the takes.
Problem 2: No profile photos
- ๐ผ๏ธ Check if photo sync is enabled in Google Contacts (settings) โ Other settings).
- ๐ Forced to update contacts: Settings โ Accounts. โ Google โ Synchronize now.
Problem 3: Contacts are only displayed on the SIM-map
- ๐ฑ Transfer them to your phone memory: Contacts โ โฎ โ Settings โ Imports/Exports โ Copy with SIM device.
- โ๏ธ Link to Google Account for Backup.