How to Move Contacts from Xiaomi to iPhone 11: A Complete Guide to 5 Working Ways

Moving from Xiaomi to iPhone 11 is not only about changing the ecosystem, but also about moving important data, which is where contacts come in first. Many users are faced with the problem of how to save all numbers, email addresses and additional information without loss? In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to transfer contacts, including cloud services, local copying and specialized applications.

The feature of the iPhone 11 is the closed iOS system, which does not support direct synchronization with the device. MIUI (But that doesn't mean it's going to be difficult, but it's about choosing the method that's right for you: for example, if you don't have Internet access, it's better to export locally through the Internet. SIM-card or vCard, and if there are many contacts (500)+), The best solution is synchronization through Google Account or iCloud.

It is important to consider the version of iOS on the iPhone 11: in the old versions (up to 15.0) may not have some import features, and in the new (16.0+) added convenient tools for migration from Android.

1. Transfer contacts through Google Account (the most reliable way)

This method is suitable for 90% of users, as it requires no additional programs and works even with slow Internet, the main condition is the presence of a Google Account on Xiaomi (usually it is already tied by default).

Algorithm of action:

• 📱 On Xiaomi, open Settings → Google accounts → Sync and make sure the switch opposite Contact is on. If not, activate it and wait until sync is complete (may take up to 5 minutes).
• 🌐 On iPhone 11, go to Settings → Contacts → Accounts. → Add an account → Google and log in with the same login as Xiaomi.
• ☑️ Turn on contact sync and wait until the process is complete. Contacts will appear in the standard Contacts app (you may need to restart your phone).

⚠️ Note: If your iPhone already has contacts, they can be duplicated with those downloaded from Google. To avoid this, export your existing contacts to vCard before syncing (via Settings). → Contacts → Exports) and remove them and then import back with new ones.

A stable Wi-Fi connection on both devices

Enough free space in Google Account (1 contact ≈ 1-3 KB)

No synchronization restrictions in Xiaomi settings (Battery → Optimization)

Shutdown VPN (It can block access to Google servers)-->

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 Automatically update contacts when added/edited on any device.
• 📲 It works even if Xiaomi has already been sold or dropped (just remember the account details).
• 🛡️ Data is stored in encrypted form on Google servers.

2.Use of SIM-Cards (for small number of contacts)

If you have less than 250 contacts and no internet access, you can use the Internet. SIM-This method is suitable for older Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi). 4A or Mi A1), where there is no cloud sync, or if you don’t trust cloud services.

Step-by-step:

1. On Xiaomi, open the Contacts app, click on three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Import/Export → Exports to SIM-map.
2. Select the contacts you need (or click "Select All") and confirm the export. Expect to be completed - the process can take up to 10 minutes.
3. Extract. SIM-Xiaomi card and paste it into iPhone 11.
4. On iPhone go to Settings → Contacts → Imports SIM-Contacts and wait until the end.

⚠️ Attention: SIM-The card has a memory limit (typically up to 250 contacts), if you have more, break the export into parts or use another method, and not all contact fields will be saved, for example, photos, additional numbers or notes may be lost.

Comparison with other methods:

3. sync through iCloud (an alternative to Google)

If you plan to actively use the Apple ecosystem, moving contacts over iCloud will be the best solution, this method requires a computer (Windows or Mac) and installed iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina and later).

Instructions:

• 🖥️ Export your contacts with Xiaomi to vCard (.vcf): Open Contacts on Xiaomi. ⋮ → Imports/Exports → Export to file. Select a save location (e.g., "Downloads") and confirm.

iPhone 11

USB-cable

iTunes

Finder

"Information"

"Synchronize contacts with"

Google Contacts.

Windows Contacts.

.vcf

.vcf

iCloud.com

"Contacts"

iPhone

⚠️ Note: When synced via iTunes, all existing contacts on your iPhone can be replaced with data from the file. To avoid loss, pre-create a backup through Settings → [Your name] → iCloud → Backup copy.

1. Is Contact Sync enabled in Settings → [Your name] → iCloud.

2. whether the application "Contacts" in the App Store has been updated.

3. Are there any restrictions on background activity in Settings → Mainstream → Content updates.-->

4. Transfer applications (Move to iOS, Copy My Data)

For those who don't want to mess with manual settings, there are specialized applications.

• 📲 Move to iOS (official from Apple) – transfers contacts, messages, photos and even some settings. Works only when you initially set up your iPhone (after resetting).
• 🔄 Copy My Data (cross-platform) – allows you to transfer data between devices over Wi-Fi without a computer.
• 📧 My Contacts Backup – Exports contacts to a file and sends them via email or cloud.

For advanced users, you can open a.vcf file in a text editor and manually edit the format, for example, change the encoding from UTF-8 to Windows-1251 if you have problems with Cyrillic:

BEGIN:VCARD


VERSION:3.0




FN: Ivan Ivanov




TEL;TYPE=CELL:+79991234567




END:VCARD

💡

The vCard file (.vcf) is a universal format for storing contacts, supported by all modern smartphones, and can be opened even on a computer without special programs, making it reliable for backup.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have problems.

1. Contacts are not synced through Google Account

• 🔍 Check if sync is enabled in Xiaomi settings (Settings) → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of contacts).
• 🔄 Reboot both devices and try again.
• 📵 Make sure there is enough memory space on your iPhone (synchronization can be interrupted if there is a lack of space).

2. Upon importation through SIM-The map is missing contact photos

It's normal behavior — SIM-The cards don't support the storage of images:

• 📸 Use Google Contacts (they save photos).
• 🖼️ Manually copy photos of contacts from the folder DCIM/.thumbnails Xiaomi and re-assign them to iPhone.

3. Move to iOS freezes during the connection stage

• 📶 Switch both devices to the same Wi-Fi network (do not use mobile internet).
• 🔋 Make sure Xiaomi has enough battery power (the app can close when it’s low charge).
• 🔄 Reinstall Move to iOS on Xiaomi and try again.