Transfer contacts from one phone to another via Bluetooth to Xiaomi Redmi

Transferring contacts between smartphones via Bluetooth remains one of the most versatile ways, especially when there is no Internet or cable at hand. Xiaomi Redmi owners often face the need to transfer the phone book to a new device - whether it is Redmi Note 12, Redmi 10C Unlike cloud services like Mi Cloud or Google Contacts, Bluetooth connectivity doesn't require authorization and works even on devices without any authorization. SIM-map.

However, this method has nuances: not all versions of MIUI support direct contact transfer over Bluetooth, and some models (for example, Redmi A1 or Redmi 9A) may limit functionality due to optimized firmware. In this article, we will analyze the step-by-step algorithm for all current Xiaomi Redmi devices, including bug avoidance and alternative solutions, and you will learn how to check the integrity of the transmitted data and what to do if contacts are not displayed on the new phone.

Preparation of telephones for the transfer of contacts

Before starting the transfer, make sure that both devices meet the following key requirements:

• 📱 Version. MIUI: Both phones should be installed firmware not lower MIUI 10.Earlier versions (e.g, MIUI 9 on the Redmi. 5A) Cannot support the transmission of contacts via Bluetooth.
• 🔋 Battery charge: Both devices have a charge level of at least 30%, and the process can take up to 10 minutes, and an interruption due to discharge will lead to data loss.
• 📶 Flight mode: Turn it off on both phones. MIUI Blocks Bluetooth connection when activated.
• 🔒 Permissions: On the new phone, check that the Contacts app is allowed access to Warehouse and Bluetooth (path: Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Contacts → Permits).

Pay special attention to the format of the contacts storage. Xiaomi defaults to save them in your Mi Cloud or Google account. SIM-The card will have to be exported to the phone first:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Press three points (⋮) top-right → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
3. Select Export to your device and confirm saving in.vcf format.

⚠️ Note: If the old phone only stores the contacts on the phone SIM-The number of entries is limited to 250 entries, and when exported to.vcf, the restrictions are removed.

Step-by-step: Transfer of contacts via Bluetooth

The algorithm is the same for most Redmi models, but may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI.

1. Activate Bluetooth on both phones: Swipe down the screen to open the notification bar. Hold the Bluetooth icon to go to settings. Turn on visibility for other devices (all-visible option).
2. Device pairing: On a new phone, click Device Search and select the old Redmi from the list. Confirm the pairing code (usually 0000 or 1234).
3. Contact Transfer: Open Contacts on your old phone → three-point (⋮) → Contact management → Select all contacts (or manually mark them) → press Bluetooth. From the list of devices, select the new Redmi.
4. Receiving on a new phone: The new device will display a notification about the incoming contact.vcf file. Click Accept and select Save to Contacts.

If an error fails to send during the transfer stage, try the following steps:

• 🔄 Reboot both phones and re-pair the pairing.
• 📁 Remove the Bluetooth cache: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Systemic → Bluetooth → Warehouse → Clear the cache
• 📱 Update. MIUI: On some models (e.g. Redmi 6) the error is fixed after the update to the MIUI 12+.

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If contacts don’t show up after importing, check the Downloads folder on a new phone – sometimes the.vcf file is saved there automatically and needs to be opened manually.

Alternative ways to transfer contacts to Xiaomi Redmi

If your Bluetooth connection is down or contacts are not being transmitted, consider alternative methods, and their advantages and disadvantages are shown in the table:

To use Mi Cloud, follow the following steps:

1. On your old phone: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Contact Synchronization (enable the option).
2. On your new phone: log in to the same Xiaomi account and wait for automatic sync.

Important: If the new phone already has contacts, they can be duplicated when synced via Mi Cloud.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even if the instructions are followed correctly, Xiaomi Redmi users face typical problems.

• 🚫 "Device not found: Problem often occurs on Redmi Note 8 Pro or Redmi K20 Solution: Turn off Bluetooth on both phones. Turn on the new device first, then on the old one.

"File is not supported"

The error occurs if the.vcf file is corrupted or created in incompatible encoding.

• Open the file on your old phone through Contacts → Import/Export → View.
• If the data is displayed correctly, repeat the transfer.

"Contacts are duplicated"

Typical of MIUI 12.5+, where the system automatically combines contacts from multiple sources to avoid duplications:

Settings → System and device → Additional → Reset → Resetting of application settings

⚠️ Note: On some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi 7) after transferring via Bluetooth, the contacts are stored in the internal Bluetooth folder, not in the Contacts app. Manually transfer the.vcf file to the Download folder and open it from there.

Transfer contacts from iPhone to Xiaomi Redmi via Bluetooth

iPhone owners who switch to Xiaomi Redmi often have difficulty transferring contacts. Bluetooth is not the most reliable way, but it is possible.

1. On iPhone, open Settings → [Your name] → iCloud and enable Contacts.
2. Go to iCloud.com, log in and export your contacts to.vcf.
3. Send the file to Redmi via messenger (such as Telegram) or email.
4. On Redmi, open the file and import the contacts.

If you want to use Bluetooth,

• 📱 On iPhone, open Contacts, select the right ones and click Share → Bluetooth.
• 🔗 On Redmi, accept the file, but note: iOS sends contacts one by one, not a packet.

Important: Starting with iOS 13, Apple has restricted contact transfer via Bluetooth for devices not certified by MFi. So it's better to use iCloud or Google Contacts for mass transfer.

Data security in Bluetooth transmission

Bluetooth is considered less secure than cloud services, but the risks can be minimized:

• 🔒 Turn off Bluetooth visibility after transfer: Settings → Bluetooth → Visible to all (disable)
• 📱 Remove the pairing after the transfer: Settings → Bluetooth → Press the device. → Delete
• 🛡️ Use it. VPN (for example, Xiaomi VPN), If you transmit data in a public place.

On Xiaomi Redmi devices with MIUI 12.5+, a Secure Transfer feature has been added, which encrypts data when you exchange over Bluetooth.

1. Go to Settings → Special Options → Data Transfer.
2. Enable the option of Secure Exchange.

⚠️ Note: If your Redmi has custom firmware installed (e.g. LineageOS), the Secure Transmission feature may not be available. In this case, use alternative methods (e.g. Google Contacts with two-factor authentication).

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Bluetooth is suitable for a single transfer of a small number of contacts. For regular backups, it is better to use Mi Cloud or Google Contacts.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions