How to transfer contacts from one Xiaomi phone to another: all the ways of 2026

Introduction: Why Transferring Contacts to Xiaomi Needs a Special Approach

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always an exciting event, but many users face an unexpected challenge: how to transfer contacts from an old device without losing a single number. Unlike the iPhone, where syncing through iCloud works almost automatically, the MIUI ecosystem offers several alternative ways - and not all of them are equally reliable.

The main difficulty lies in the variety of models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T) and firmware versions (MIUI 14, HyperOS). What worked on Redmi 9 in 2020 may not work on Xiaomi 14 in 2026. For example, the function of Cloning applications in new versions of MIUI does not carry all data, and Mi Account sometimes synchronizes contacts with delay. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to transfer contacts between Xiaomi phones, including hidden chips that are not written in the official instructions.

Method 1: Synchronize with Mi Account (the fastest method)

If both phones are linked to the same Mi Account, the transfer of contacts will take no more than 5 minutes. POCO,Released after 2018, but there are nuances: contacts should be saved in a Xiaomi account, not in the memory of the phone or in the memory of the user. SIM-map.

Instructions:

• 📱 On your old phone: Open Contacts → Settings (⚙️) → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to Mi Account. Wait for sync to complete (the cloud icon in the upper right corner should turn green).
• 🔄 On a new phone: Sign in to the same Mi Account (if not already logged in), then go to Contacts → Settings → Synchronize contacts and enable the option.
• ⏳ Wait 2-10 minutes (depending on the number of contacts) If no contacts appear, reboot your new phone.

Both phones have Wi-Fi or mobile internet enabled.|

Mi Accounts on both devices are the same |

On the old phone, the contacts are saved in the Xiaomi Account (not on the phone). SIM or Google)|

In the privacy settings allowed to synchronize contacts-->

⚠️ Note: If you used Google Contacts before and are now trying to sync through Mi Account, there may be a duplicate conflict, in which case, before transferring, disable sync with Google in your account settings.

Method 2: Export/import via VCF (Universal Method)

The.vcf (vCard) format is the standard contact-sharing method that all smartphones, including Xiaomi, support, and the advantage is that the file can be saved to Google Drive, sent via Telegram, or even transferred via AirDroid.

Step-by-step:

1. On an old phone: 📤 Open Contacts. → Settings → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to device. 📄 Select all contacts (or select the ones you want) and click Export. the contacts.vcf file will be saved in the Download or MIUI.
2. 📲 Transfer the file to a new phone: 🔗 Bluetooth (slowly but without internet). ☁️ Google Drive or Mi Cloud (Fast, but you need Internet). 💻 Through USB-cable (reliable if the phones are connected to the PC).

new phone

• 📥 Open Contacts. → Settings → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Import from the device.
• 🔍 Select the contacts.vcf file and confirm the import.
• 📱 On your new phone: Log in to the same Google Account. Enable contact sync in your account settings. Open Contacts → Settings → Display contacts and select Google.

💡

If contacts are duplicated after syncing with Google, use the built-in merge function: open Contacts → Settings → Contact Management → Combine duplicates.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 with) MIUI 13) Google contacts may not appear in the standard Contacts app, in which case install the official Google Contacts app from Play Market.

Method 4: Use SIM-maps (obsolete but working method)

SIM-transferring contacts is a “grandfather” method that works even on the oldest Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi 4X or Mi A1).

• 🚫 SIM-The card stores only the name and number (without email, addresses, photos).
• 📏 Limit on the number of contacts: usually 250-500 (depending on the operator).
• ⏳ Slow recording/reading (up to 5 minutes per 200 contacts).

If these restrictions do not scare you, follow the instructions:

1. 📶 On your old phone: Open your contacts → Settings → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Exports to SIM-map. Select contacts for export (or click Select All). Confirm export. Wait for notification of successful completion.

new phone

new phone

• Open Contacts. → Settings → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Import with SIM-map.
• Choose where to save contacts (Device, Mi Account or Google).

Method 5: Transfer over Bluetooth (without the Internet)

If you don't have access to the Internet or don't want to use cloud services, Bluetooth is a lifeline, which works on all Xiaomi models, but has limitations:

• 🐢 Slow speed (about 10 contacts per minute).
• 🔋 Battery consumption (Bluetooth actively consumes charge).
• 📶 Both phones should be close to each other (maximum 10 meters).

How to transfer contacts over Bluetooth:

1. 🔵 On both phones, turn on Bluetooth and make them visible: Go to Settings → Connections and sharing → Bluetooth. Activate the slider and click Device Search.

🤝 Connect your phones (confirm the password on both devices).

ol' phone

• Open Contacts, press. ⋮ (three-point) → Send.
• Choose your contacts (or choose all of them).
• In the sending method, select Bluetooth and specify a new phone.
• 📥 On the new phone, confirm the file. Contacts will be saved automatically.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even when following the instructions, Xiaomi users sometimes encounter errors, and we've collected the most common problems and ways to solve them.

Problem 1: Contacts are not synced through Mi Account.

• 🔄 Check if synchronization is enabled: Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Mi Account → Synchronization of contacts.
• 📶 Make sure your phone has internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 🔄 Restart your phone and try again.
• 📲 If it doesn’t work, delete your Mi Account and add it again.

Problem 2: When importing.vcf, the error "File corrupted" appears.

• 📄 Try opening a file on a PC using People App (Windows) or Contacts (Mac).If the file opens, the phone is the problem.
• 🔄 Export contacts in small portions (200-300 pieces each).
• 📱 Try importing a file through another application, such as Samsung Contacts.

Problem 3: Contacts are duplicated after synchronization.

• 🔍 In Contacts, click Settings. → Contact management → Combine duplicates.
• 📱 If duplicates are left, disable sync with unnecessary accounts (such as Facebook or WhatsApp).
• ☁️ Check the settings in Google Contacts (Duplicate section).