Moving Android contacts to Xiaomi via the cloud: a full guide to 2026

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, especially when it comes to keeping important data safe. Contacts accumulated over the years become a real headache if lost. Fortunately, the Mi Cloud ecosystem offers a reliable way to migrate without loss. But how exactly does this process work? Why do some users face synchronization problems? And what if contacts are duplicated or lost after transfer?

In this article, we will analyze the step-by-step algorithm for transferring contacts through the Xiaomi cloud, consider alternative methods in case of failures and give practical tips for optimizing the process. MIUI, These are rarely mentioned in standard instructions, but can save you hours of your time. And for those who are switching from devices of other brands (Samsung, Huawei, Google Pixel), we have prepared separate recommendations for data preparation.

Despite the apparent simplicity, synchronization through the cloud is fraught with pitfalls, for example, if the old phone only saves the contacts on the phone. SIM-The map, the Mi Cloud won't see them -- you'll need to pre-export to your Google account or local memory, or another nuance: when you first sign in to your Mi Account on the new Xiaomi, the system may offer to restore data from the backup, but this option doesn't always include contacts. We will tell you how to avoid such traps and ensure that you transfer the entire phone book without errors.

1. Preparing an old Android device for portability

Before you start syncing, make sure the contacts on the source phone are stored in the correct format. Many users mistakenly believe that all numbers are automatically saved to the cloud, but in practice they can be tied to:

• 📱 Local phone memory (visible only in the "Contacts" app")
• 📇 SIM-map (limited number of records, no photos)
• ☁️ Google Account (synchronized with Gmail)
• 🔄 Third-party services (Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram)

For successful transfer through Mi Cloud, contacts must be exported to a file. VCF Or synced to a Google account. Here's how to do it:

On most Android devices, open the Contacts app, then go to Settings. → Contact management → Import/Export: Select Export to Device to create contacts.vcf in your phone’s memory. Alternative way: sync your contacts with Google Account through Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of contacts.

⚠️ Note: If the old phone is installed MIUI, But you are moving to the new Xiaomi, you can use the built-in Mi Mover feature (available in Settings). → The phone. → Mi Mover – This tool transfers contacts directly over Wi-Fi, bypassing the cloud, but only works between Xiaomi devices.

2. Registration and setting up Mi Account on both devices

Mi Cloud is an exclusive Xiaomi service that requires authorization through Mi Account. If you do not already have an account, register it in advance on the official account.xiaomi.com website.

• 📧 Confirmed email or phone number
• 🔐 Two-factor authentication (recommended for security)
• 🌍 Account region corresponding to your country (affects the services available)

On an old phone (not Xiaomi):

1. Install the Mi Cloud app from Google Play.
2. Sign in with your Mi Account.
3. Enable contact sync manually: Mi Cloud → Contacts → Synchronize.

On the new Xiaomi:

1. When you first turn on, select Restore from backup and specify Mi Account.
2. If the phone is already configured, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Contact and enable synchronization.

⚠️ Note: If the new Xiaomi previously used another Mi Account, exit it (Settings) → Mi Account → Sign in with the same account as the old phone, otherwise the contacts will not show up.

💡

Before syncing, check the free space in Mi Cloud (free available 5GB).If there are many contacts (with photos), clear the cloud of unnecessary backups in Mi Cloud. → Storage management

3. Transfer contacts Step-by-step through Mi Cloud

Now, to the process itself, it's important to follow the instructions consistently to avoid duplication or loss of data.

Step 1 Exporting contacts on old phone

If the contacts are stored locally:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Press three points (⋮) → Contact management → Exports/imports.
3. Select Export to your device (the.vcf file will be saved in the Download or Contacts folder).

Step 2.Import to Mi Cloud

• 📁 Upload the contacts.vcf file to Mi Cloud via the web version (i.mi.com) or the app.
• 🔄 In the Contacts section, click Import and select the downloaded file.

Step 3: Sync on the new Xiaomi

1. On the new phone, open the settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Activate the Contact slider and wait for the synchronization to be completed.
3. Check the result in the Contacts app (reboot may be required).

4. Alternative methods of transfer (if Mi Cloud does not work)

Sometimes sync through Mi Cloud fails: contacts are not displayed, authorization errors occur or the server is temporarily unavailable.

Method 1. Through a Google account

• 🔄 On your old phone, sync your contacts with your Google Account (Settings) → Accounts. → Google → Synchronize contacts).
• ☁️ On the new Xiaomi, add the same Google Account and enable sync.
• ⚡ Contacts will appear within 5-10 minutes.

Method 2: Direct Wi-Fi (Mi Mover)

If both devices are Xiaomi:

1. On the new phone, open the settings. → The phone. → Mi Mover.
2. Select a new user and follow the instructions.
3. On your old phone, select I'm an old user and scan. QR-code.
4. Select Contacts in the data list for transfer.

Method 3: Through a computer (for advanced users)

If cloud services are not available:

1. Connect your old phone to your PC and copy the contacts.vcf file.
2. Connect the new Xiaomi and move the file to the Download folder.
3. On the phone, open the file through the Contacts app and import.

5. Solving common problems

Even when following the instructions, users encounter common errors, and here's how to fix them:

Problem 1: Contacts are not synced with Mi Cloud

• 🔌 Check your internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 🔄 Update the Mi Cloud app to the latest version.
• 📱 Reboot both phones.
• 🔧 In Mi Account settings, turn off and enable contact synchronization again.

Problem 2: Duplicate contacts

This happens if the contacts are synced with Google and Mi Cloud at the same time.

1. Open Contacts → Settings → Contact Management → Combine duplicates.
2. Turn off sync with an unnecessary account (Settings) → Accounts).

Problem 3: Not all contacts are transferred

Some of the contacts were probably saved. SIM-- I'll check it out:

• 📱 Local contacts: Contacts → Settings → Show contacts with: Device.
• 💬 Contacts from WhatsApp/Viber: export them separately through the messenger settings.

⚠️ Note: If contact photos are missing after transfer, check if Sync is enabled in Mi Cloud. Sometimes it is disabled by default to save traffic.

6. Optimization of contacts after transfer

Transferring is only half the battle, and to make your phone book convenient, take a few extra steps:

Combination of duplicates

MIUI It automatically looks for repeat contacts, but sometimes it misses them:

1. Open Contacts. → Settings → Contact management → Combining and correcting.
2. Click Combine Duplicates and confirm the changes.

2. Display setting

Xiaomi defaults to the contacts from all accounts, and to organize the list:

• Go to Contacts. → Settings → Show contacts with.
• Choose only the right sources (e.g. Mi Account and Google).

3. Backup

Create a local copy of your contacts on your new phone:

1. Open Contacts → Settings → Import / Export → Export to the device.
2. Save the file. contacts_backup.vcf to a safe location (for example, a memory card).

💡

Regularly (every 1-2 months) update your contact backup in Mi Cloud, which will protect you from data loss when you drop your phone or change your device.

7.Moving contacts from specific brands (Samsung, Huawei, Google Pixel)

Devices from different manufacturers have their own nuances when exporting contacts.

From Samsung to Xiaomi

• 📱 Use Samsung Cloud or Google Account to Export.
• 🚫 Avoid Smart Switch – It’s not compatible with Xiaomi.
• 🔄 After exporting to.vcf, import the file via Mi Cloud or directly on your phone.

From Huawei to Xiaomi

• ☁️ At Huawei, contacts are synced by default to Huawei Cloud. Export them to.vcf via Contacts → Settings → Imports/Exports.
• 🔐 If you use Huawei ID, log in to your PC via cloud.huawei.com and export your contacts manually.

With Google Pixel on Xiaomi

• ☁️ On Pixel, the default contacts are synced with Google Account. Just add this account to Xiaomi.
• 📎 If you need contact groups, export them separately through contacts.google.com (web version).

FAQ: Frequent questions about contact transfer