How to Transfer Android Contacts to Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to 2026

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, especially when it comes to saving important data, and contacts accumulated over the years can disappear in an instant if you do not prepare in advance. Many users mistakenly believe that synchronization with a Google account solves all problems, but in practice there are nuances: duplicates, loss of photos of contacts or incorrect display of Chinese characters on the Internet. MIUI. This article will help you avoid typical errors and choose the best way to transfer – from classic export via.vcf-file to advanced methods using Mi Mover.

Xiaomi has integrated its own migration tools, which often work better than standard Android solutions, but not everyone knows that Mi Account can conflict with Google Contacts, creating chaos in the phone book. 5 transfer methods on devices with MIUI 14/15 (including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T) And we found the most reliable method for every scenario, whether it's switching from Samsung, Huawei or budget Realme.

1.Preparation for transfer: what to do before the beginning

Before you start migrating, make sure your contacts are not scattered across multiple sources, a common mistake is when a number is stored in memory. SIM-Some of them are in a Google account and some of them are on the phone, which means that the new Xiaomi only displays 30% of the real list.

Do an audit:

• 🔍 Open the Contacts app on your old phone → press ⋮ (three-point) → Contact management → Sources. Here you'll see all the accounts that are synced to your contacts.
• 📱 Check it out. SIM-Map: Go to Settings → Contacts → Imports/Exports → Import with SIM (If the option is active, then some of the numbers are stored there).
• ☁️ Make sure that automatic sync with Google is enabled: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of contacts.

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If you see Mi Account sources on an old phone (like Huawei or Oppo), it means you’ve already used a Xiaomi device and logged into their ecosystem.

Critical: if the old phone used a manufacturer account (e.g. Huawei) ID Samsung Account, contacts from it are not synchronized with the MIUI. They will have to be exported separately via a.vcf file.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 10C or POCO M4 Pro) when you first turn on, the system offers to transfer data from the old device through Mi Mover. If you missed this step, it will be impossible to use it - the application works only in the first 30 minutes after activating the smartphone.

2. Method 1: Sync through Google account (the easiest)

This method works if all your contacts are already linked to Google Contacts, and the advantage is minimal action: just add an account to a new Xiaomi and the numbers will be automatically pulled up.

• 🔄 If your old phone had contacts stored locally (in the device’s memory), you’ll need to sync them with Google first. → Accounts. → Google → Synchronize contacts and enable the option.
• 📞 Nana MIUI Google contacts can be duplicated with those stored in Mi Account. To avoid chaos, disable sync with Mi Cloud in Settings → Accounts. → Mi Account → Synchronization.
• 🌐 If you use two-factor authentication in Google, you will need to enter a code from the user’s account on Xiaomi. SMS or an authenticator application.

Step-by-step:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Accounts → Google and make sure that your contacts sync is enabled.
2. On the new Xiaomi go to Settings → Accounts. → Add an account → Google and log in to the same account.
3. Enable contact synchronization in your Google account settings.
4. Open the Contacts app on Xiaomi and wait for the list update (it can take up to 10 minutes).

Contacts are displayed in the appendix "Contacts"|Contact photos saved|No duplicates (check through the ⋮ → Unite)|Numbers are displayed in the correct format (without any). +77 instead +7)-->

⚠️ Warning: If you see contacts with empty names or "??" characters after sync, it means that the old phone used an unsupported encoding. MIUI. Solution: export contacts to.vcf and import them manually (see Method 3).

Method 2: Using Mi Mover (official solution from Xiaomi)

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary tool that allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also messages, photos, apps, but it only works if you activate it in the first 30 minutes after you first turn on a new smartphone, and then the application becomes unavailable.

How to use:

1. Enable the new Xiaomi and get to the data port configuration stage.
2. Select the option to Transfer from the old device and follow the instructions on the screen.
3. On an old phone, download the Mi Mover app from Google Play (if it’s not by default).
4. Scan it. QR-code from the new Xiaomi and confirm the connection.
5. Select the data for transfer (be sure to check Contacts) and wait for completion.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Transfers all data, including contact photos and call history.
• 🔒 It works without the Internet (via Wi-Fi Direct).
• 📱 Supports switching from iPhone (via iCloud).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ It doesn’t work after the initial setup of Xiaomi.
• ⚠️ You may not transfer contacts from your manufacturer’s accounts (e.g. Huawei) ID).
• 🐢 Slower than Google sync (up to 20 minutes with a lot of data).

4. Method 3: Export/import through VCF-file (universal method)

This works on any Android device, regardless of manufacturer, and is ideal if:

• 📱 The contact is stored in the phone memory or SIM-map.
• ☁️ You don’t want to sync your data to Google or Mi Cloud.
• 🔄 Only a part of the contacts (e.g. work numbers) must be moved).

Instructions:

1. On your old phone, open your contacts. → ⋮ (three-point) → Contact management → Exports/imports → Exports to the vault.
2. Choose where to save the file (Internal Memory or Google Drive is recommended).
3. The file will be saved in.vcf format (for example, contacts_20260515.vcf).
4. Transfer the file to the new Xiaomi via: 📎 Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct; ☁️ Cloud storage (Google Drive, Mi Cloud); 💻 Cable USB-OTG (If the old phone supports Mass Storage modes, or MTP).

Xiaomi

Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Imports from storage

Critical detail: if you see a file corrupted error when you import, it means that.vcf was saved in the wrong encoding. Solution: open the file on your PC via Notepad++ And save it in encoding. UTF-8.

5. Method 4: Transfer through SIM-Card (for old phones)

This method is relevant if:

• 📞 Your old phone doesn’t support export to.vcf (like Nokia on Symbian or Samsung on Bada).
• 🔋 You do not have access to the Internet or PC.
• 📶 Contacts are only kept on SIM-map.

Limitations:

• ❌ SIM-The card stores only numbers and names (without photos, email and additional fields).
• ⚠️ Maximum number of contacts – 250 (depending on operator).
• 📵 Numbers can be displayed without formatting (e.g, 79123456789 instead +7 (912) 345-67-89).

How to move:

1. On your old phone, go to Contacts. → Settings → Imports/Exports → Exports to SIM.
2. Select contacts for export (or click Select All).
3. Extract. SIM-Map and paste it into the new Xiaomi.
4. On Xiaomi, open contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Import with SIM.
5. Choose where to save your contacts (Google Account or Phone is recommended).

Synchronization through Google|Mi Mover|Exports to VCF-file|Transfer through SIM-map|Another way.-->

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) A2 or POCO C50) importation option SIM It can be hidden. To find it, search for it by settings "SIM contact".

Method 5: Transfer through third-party applications (for advanced users)

If the standard methods don't work, you can use specialized utilities, and we tested 3 applications that do better than others:

Recommendations for use:

• 🛡️ Check reviews before installing – some applications may contain advertising software.
• 🔌 To work CLONEit on both phones must be enabled Debugging USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode).
• ☁️ Super Backup allows you to save contacts in Google Drive or Dropbox, which is convenient for long-term storage.

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The app side is convenient, but risky. Always check the permissions they're asking for. SMS or call logs should not be required to transfer contacts.

7 Problem Solving: What to Do If Contacts Are Not Moved

Even if the instructions are followed correctly, there may be failures, and let's look at the typical errors and how to fix them:

Problem 1: Contacts are duplicated

This happens if Xiaomi has synced with both Google and Mi Account.

1. Go to Settings. → Accounts and disable contact sync for one of the accounts.
2. Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Combine and manually combine duplicates.

Problem 2: No contact photos

Photos are not transferred when exported via.vcf or SIM-To keep the map:

• Use Mi Mover or Google Contacts (photos synced with contacts).
• If the photos were stored locally, copy the folder. /DCIM/.thumbnails From old phone to new phone (requires a conductor with access to hidden files, such as Solid Explorer).

Problem 3: Numbers are displayed in the wrong format

For example, instead of +7 (999) 123-45-67 You see. 89991234567 or +779991234567. It can be fixed:

• Google Contacts: All Contacts are Selected → More. → Correct numbers.
• On Xiaomi: Open Contacts → ⋮ → Settings → Number format and select International.

Issue 4: Contacts are not displayed in the Phone app

This happens if the contacts are stored in a hidden account (e.g., in a Mi Account that is not active on the device).

1. Go to Contacts. → ⋮ → Display contacts and enable display for all accounts.
2. If your contacts are linked to a non-existent account, export them to.vcf and import them again.

8 Additional tips: how to keep contacts in order

Moving contacts is only half the battle, and to avoid future chaos, follow these guidelines:

• 🔄 Sync your contacts with Google Contacts or Mi Cloud regularly. Set up automatic sync in Settings → Accounts.
• 📂 Use groups to organize contacts (e.g., “Work”, “Family”). Google Contacts does this through the web version: contacts.google.com.
• 🔍 Check the duplicates once a month. MIUI There is a built-in tool: Contacts → ⋮ → Unite.
• ☁️ Back up your contacts in the cloud. In Mi Cloud, this is done automatically if sync is enabled.

Xiaomi users are particularly interested in the “Contact Duplicates” feature in the Mi Cloud, which allows:

• 🔎 Find and combine repeated records.
• 📊 See contact statistics (for example, how many numbers don’t have names).
• 🔄 Restore Remote Contacts within 30 Days.

To access these functions:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in to your Mi Account.
2. Select the Contacts section.
3. Press Control. → Duplicates or basket.

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If you change smartphones frequently, link your contacts to a Google account, not a manufacturer account.It’s a one-stop solution that works on any Android device, including Xiaomi.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions