Transfer of contacts with Xiaomi: all ways from the cloud to the cloud SIM-map

Switching to a new smartphone or resetting Xiaomi to factory settings always comes with one headache — how to keep all contacts? Unlike photos or messages, the phonebook contains critical data: coworkers' numbers, customer addresses, tied accounts. A porting error can cost lost deals or lost connections.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to export contacts from Xiaomi devices (including models on the Internet). MIUI 12-14 and old versions. From classic copying to SIM-Map before sync through Google Account and the branded cloud Mi Cloud. special attention will be paid to the nuances: why some contacts may not be transferred, how to avoid duplicates and what to do if the phone does not turn on.

Spoiler: The most reliable method depends on your situation. If you change Xiaomi to another Xiaomi, Mi Cloud is good. To switch to iPhone or Samsung, you better use Google Contacts. If the phone breaks, you can use a backup through ADB (instructions inside).

1. Transfer contacts via Mi Cloud (for Xiaomi owners)

The Mi Cloud is the easiest solution if you stay in the Xiaomi ecosystem, automatically synchronizing contacts, messages and even notes between devices, and the key is that both phones must have the same Mi Account.

How it works:

• 🔄 On an old phone: Settings → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud → Contacts (enable synchronization).
• 📱 On a new phone: log in to the same Mi Account and wait for the automatic download of contacts (can take up to 10 minutes).
• ⚡ If contacts don’t show up, check the internet connection and update the data manually (swipe down the Mi Cloud menu).

⚠️ Warning: Mi Cloud only stores 5GB of data for free. If you have thousands of contacts with photos, they may not fit).

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ No need to connect cables or memory cards.
• ✅ Not only numbers are preserved, but also photos, birthdays, addresses tied to contacts.
• ✅ It works even if the phone is lost or stolen (provided the sync was enabled in advance).

💡

If you are selling an old Xiaomi, untie it from the Mi Account in the settings first, otherwise the new owner will have access to your contacts!

2. synchronize with Google Contacts (universal method)

Google Contacts is a cross-platform solution that can be ported to an iPhone, Samsung or any other smartphone, with the main advantage of storing data in the cloud and accessing it via a browser (contacts.google.com).

Step-by-step:

1. On the old Xiaomi go to Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync.
2. Turn on the switch opposite Contact.
3. Wait for the synchronization to be completed (progress can be seen in the notification curtain).
4. On the new phone, add the same Google Account and enable contact sync.

If contacts are not moved:

• 🔍 Check if synchronization is disabled in the battery settings (Settings) → Battery → Optimization → Google Contacts – Remove Restrictions).
• 📶 Make sure your phone is connected to the internet (preferably via Wi-Fi).
• 🔄 Manually update the data: open the Contacts app → ⋮ → Settings → Contact management → Synchronize.

3. Copying of contacts on SIM-map (old but working method)

This is a good way to do this if you don't have access to the Internet or you're transferring contacts to a button phone, but there are limitations.

• 🚫 SIM-The card stores only numbers and names (without photos, addresses, notes).
• 🚫 Limitation on number: usually 200-250 contacts.
• 🚫 Not all symbols are supported (e.g., emojis in names).

Instructions:

1. Put it in. SIM-map.
2. Open the Contacts app → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Exports to SIM-map.
3. Select contacts for export (you can note everything) and confirm.
4. Move it. SIM-card to a new phone and import contacts via a similar menu.

⚠️ Attention: If yours SIM-Nano-SIM card, and the new phone requires micro-SIM, use an adapter.Pruning the card manually can damage the chip!

When this method is justified:

• ✔️ Transfer to a very old phone (for example, Nokia 3310).
• ✔️ Backup before resetting settings (if there is no cloud).
• ✔️ Transferring contacts to a friend without the internet.

4. Export contacts to.vcf file (for backup)

The.vcf file (vCard) is a universal format for storing contacts, open on any device, mail it or save it to a flash drive, and is suitable if you want to have a backup or transfer contacts to your computer.

How to export:

1. Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to file.
2. Choose where to save the file: internal memory or SD-map.
3. Name the file (for example, contacts_backup.vcf) and confirm.

How to import on a new phone:

• 📁 Copy the.vcf file to your new smartphone (via cable, Bluetooth, or cloud).
• 📱 Open the file – the system will offer to import contacts.
• 🔄 If importation does not start automatically, use the Import/Export menu in the Contacts app.

Important: A.vcf file can weigh a few megabytes if there are many photos in your contacts. Before sending it to the mail, archive it to ZIP.

Check the free space on your phone.|Close all applications|Turn off battery optimization for Contacts"|Make sure the file is saved (check through Files")-->

5. Transfer contacts from broken or broken Xiaomi

If the screen is broken, the phone is not turning on or it's stuck on the MI logo, but you're sure that the contacts are synced to the cloud -- no problem. Just log in to the account on the new device. But what if the sync has been disabled?

Recovery methods:

• 🔌 Connecting to the PC through ADB (if debugging is on USB):
• 🔄 Recovery mode (if the phone is turned on but not booted):
• 🛠️ Contact the service center (if nothing above helps), specialists can wipe out flash memory and extract data.

⚠️ Attention: To work with ADB The phone should be debugged on USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer menu. If it wasn't turned on in advance, this method won't work.

If the phone is turned on but does not respond to touch:

• 🖥️ Connect it to your PC via cable and use a supported mouse OTG (need an adapter USB-C/Micro-USB → USB-A).
• 📡 Turn on Mi Remote on another phone and control the broken device via an IR port (if any).

💡

If the phone is not synced to the cloud and not turning on, the chances of reconnecting are minimal.

6.Moving contacts between Xiaomi and iPhone (or other brands)

Moving from Xiaomi to iPhone (or vice versa) requires a special approach. Apple uses its own ecosystem, so standard methods may not work.

📱 With Xiaomi on iPhone:

1. On Xiaomi, export your contacts to.vcf (Section 4).
2. Send the file to the mail or upload to iCloud (icloude.com).
3. On the iPhone, open the file and add contacts automatically.

🤖 From iPhone to Xiaomi:

1. On iPhone, go to Settings → [Your name] → iCloud and turn on Contacts.
2. Export your contacts via icloud.com (cog icon → Export vCard).
3. Transfer the file to Xiaomi and import through the Contacts app.

🌐 Through Google Account (Universal):

• On iPhone, add Google Account to Settings → Passwords and accounts.
• Turn on contact sync.
• On Xiaomi, log in to the same account – contacts will be automatically pulled up.

Problems with transfer between platforms:

• 📞 International rooms (+7 instead of 8) may not be recognized.
• 👤 Contact photos are often lost (solution: use Mi Cloud for temporary storage).
• 📧 Linked email addresses can be duplicated.

7. Automation of transfer with the help of applications

If standard methods seem complicated, you can use third-party applications that simplify the process but require access to contacts — be careful with permissions!

Top.-3 tested applications:

How to use (in the example of CLONEit):

1. Install the app on both phones.
2. On the old Xiaomi, choose Send, on the new one – Receive.
3. Connect to a single Wi-Fi network or create an access point.
4. Select Contacts and wait for the transfer to be completed.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (e.g. SHAREit) may collect data for targeted advertising. Check reviews and permissions on Google Play before using.

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts with Xiaomi