How to transfer contacts to Huawei Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: all working ways

Why Huawei and Xiaomi’s Connections Need a Special Approach

The transition from Huawei to Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is not just a change of smartphone, but a transition between two different ecosystems. Unlike devices of the same brand (for example, from Samsung to Samsung), there are no built-in synchronization tools from the manufacturer. Moreover, Huawei uses its own cloud platform Huawei Mobile Services (HMS), and Xiaomi is integrated with Google and Mi Account services. This creates additional complexity: contacts can be stored in different accounts, and direct transmission through cable is often blocked due to differences in protocols.

Another trap is that the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 defaults to synchronizing contacts with Google if the device is purchased in China or stitched with a global version without Google services. This means that even if you export contacts to a Google account on Huawei, they may not appear automatically on your new phone. In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways of transferring them from the classic ones. SIM-map to modern (using specialized applications), and also tell how to avoid data loss when changing the ecosystem.

Before you start, check:

• 📱 Version MIUI Redmi Note 9 (relevant for ways with Google account) can be found in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI.
• 🔄 Backup of contacts on Huawei, even if you don’t plan to use the cloud, local backup will save you from accidental loss.
• 🔌 Battery charge on both devices (minimum 50%) Some methods (e.g. Bluetooth transmission) can take up to 20-30 minutes.

Method 1: Transferring contacts through a Google account (most reliable)

This method is suitable if your Huawei already has a Google account attached (even if you haven’t actively used it), the advantage of which is automatic synchronization with a new device, no need to manually export/import files. However, there is a caveat: on some Huawei models (especially those released after 2019), Google services can be limited or replaced with Huawei Mobile Services.

How to check if your contacts are synced with Google on Huawei:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) top-right → Settings → Contact management.
3. See if there's a tab on Google or an Account, and if there's no tab, go to method 2 or 3.

If your Google account is connected:

• 🔄 Enable Contact Synchronization: Go to Settings → Accounts. → Google → Sync your account and activate the switch opposite Contacts.
• ⏳ Wait for the synchronization to be completed (may take up to 10 minutes).
• 📱 On Xiaomi Redmi Note 9, add the same Google account to Settings → Accounts and enable contact synchronization.

⚠️ Note: On the Redmi Note 9 with Chinese firmware (without Google services), this method will not work. In this case, use Mi Account (method 4) or carrier applications (method 5).

Check the internet connection on both phones

Make sure that Huawei has Google Contact Sync enabled.

Remember the login and password from your Google account

On Xiaomi, add the same account in the settings-->

Method 2: Export/import via VCF file (for advanced users)

VCF (Virtual Contact File) is the universal standard for storing contacts that all modern smartphones support, which is suitable if you do not want to be attached to cloud services or do not have a Google account, the disadvantage of the method is manual file transfer (via email, messenger or cable), which takes longer.

Instructions for Huawei:

1. Open the Contacts app → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to file.
2. Choose the Memory of the Phone or SD-map.
3. Name the file (for example, contacts_backup.vcf) and confirm the export.

Transfer the file to Xiaomi Redmi Note 9:

• 📎 Send the.vcf file to your mail, Telegram or via USB-cable.
• 📲 On Xiaomi, open a file (e.g., from a letter or file manager) and automatically prompt you to import contacts.
• 🔄 If the importation is not started, open contact → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Import from the file and select contacts_backup.vcf.

💡

If a VCF file doesn’t open on Xiaomi, check its integrity: send it back to Huawei and try importing. If contacts are displayed, it’s a problem in Xiaomi (you might need a VCF-enabled file manager, like Files by Google).

Method 3: Transfer through SIM-Card (for small number of contacts)

This method is inherited from the days of button phones, but still works on modern smartphones. SIM-The main disadvantage is that only names and numbers (without email, addresses, photos) are transferred).

How to export contacts to SIM-Huawei map:

1. Put it in. SIM-Huawei card (if it is already in Xiaomi, use the adapter for microSIM).
2. Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Exports to SIM-map.
3. Select contacts for export (or click Select All) and confirm.

Imports to Xiaomi Redmi Note 9:

• 📶 Put it in. SIM-map in Redmi Note 9.
• 📞 Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Import with SIM-map.
• 🔄 Select an account to save (such as a Device or Google) and confirm.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmwares import from SIM-Check before the penos to see if the Redmi Note 9 has any old records - delete them manually or through Settings if necessary. → Contacts → Combine duplicates.

Through a Google account

Export/import of VCF file

Through SIM-map

Special applications (e.g. SHAREit)

Another way.-->

Method 4: Sync with Mi Account (for Xiaomi owners)

If your Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 already has a Mi Account (or you’re ready to create one), this will not only allow you to transfer contacts, but also backups of messages, notes and other data. However, Huawei does not have built-in Mi Account support, so you will need an intermediate step – export contacts to the VCF file (as in method 2) and then import through the Mi Cloud.

Step-by-step:

1. Export your contacts with Huawei to a.vcf file (see Method 2).
2. Upload the file to Mi Cloud: Go to i.mi.com from your computer or phone. log in to your Mi Account. Select Contacts → Import and upload the.vcf file.
3. On Redmi Note 9, enable sync: Go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Contact Sync. Activate the switch and wait until the process is complete.

Important: If you have not used Mi Account before, create it before you transfer contacts. Go to Settings → Accounts → Add Account → Mi Account and follow the instructions on Xiaomi. When registering, specify a real email – it will be needed to restore access.

Method 5: Applications for fast transfer (SHAREit, Xender, Clone Phone)

If the previous methods seem complicated, you can use specialized applications that transmit contacts (and often other data) over Wi-Fi Direct or hotspot, without having to connect to the Internet.

• 📲 SHAREit supports the transfer of contacts, photos, videos and applications. speed up to 20 MB / s.
• 🔄 Xender is similar to SHAREit, but with a simpler interface.
• 📱 Clone Phone (from Huawei) – optimized for data transfer from Huawei devices, but works with other brands.

How to transfer contacts through Shareit:

1. Install the app on both phones (download from Google Play or AppGallery).
2. On Huawei, open Shareit → Send → Contacts.
3. On Xiaomi Redmi Note 9, open Shareit → Get it.

Pros of the method:

• ⚡ Fast – 500 contacts take 1-2 minutes to transfer.
• 📎 Additional data is transferred: photos of contacts, email, addresses.
• 🔌 No cables or cloud accounts required.

Cons:

• 📱 You need to install a third-party application (banner advertising is possible).
• 🔒 Risk of data leakage when using unverified programs.

💡

When using carrier applications, always check the permissions they request. If the application requires access to SMS, geolocation or microphone to transfer contacts, it is suspicious.

Method 6: Transfer over Bluetooth (for emergencies)

If there is no cable, internet or SIM-You can transfer contacts over Bluetooth, it's slow (especially with a lot of recordings), but it works on any device.

Instructions:

1. On Huawei, open Contacts, select the entries you want (or click Select All).
2. Slip on Share (a hand or three dot icon) → Bluetooth.
3. On the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9, turn on Bluetooth in the notification curtain and make the device visible to everyone.
4. On Huawei, select Redmi Note 9 from the list of available devices and confirm the transfer.
5. On Xiaomi, accept the incoming file (contacts will be saved automatically).

Limitations of the method:

• 🐢 Slow speed – 100 contacts can take 5-10 minutes to transfer.
• 📵 Not all contact fields are portable (e.g., additional numbers or email may not be available).
• 🔋 High battery consumption on both devices.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmwares may have a “failed to import” error, in which case, try: Reboot both phones, delete previously paired devices in Bluetooth settings, use an alternative method (e.g., method 2 or 5).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

Another typical situation is that after porting to the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9, contacts are displayed, but not saved after rebooting, because by default they can be stored in the device's memory, rather than in the account, to fix:

• Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Settings → Imports/Exports → Move your contacts.
• Select from the device → Google Account (or Mi Account).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions