How to transfer contacts to Xiaomi via Bluetooth: 3 working methods

Why Bluetooth is not always the best choice for mobile

Shifting contacts between Xiaomi smartphones over Bluetooth seems like the most obvious solution: you don’t need cables, Internet or third-party applications. However, in practice, this method is often limited. First, MIUI limits the transfer of contacts over Bluetooth, a feature not available on all models and versions of firmware. Second, even if there is an option, the transfer can be interrupted due to unstable connection or a large amount of data.

However, there are workarounds. In this article, we will look at three proven ways: standard Bluetooth transmission (where it is supported), export contacts to a.vcf file and then send, and use of the proprietary Mi Mover app, which works even on devices without root access. Each method is tested on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and POCO X5 Pro running MIUI 14.

Before you start, make sure that on both devices:

• 🔋 Battery charge greater than 30% (to avoid shutdown during transmission)
• 📱 Bluetooth enabled and visibility mode for other devices
• 🔒 Power saving modes are disabled (they can interrupt the connection)

Method 1: Standard Bluetooth contact transfer (if supported)

This only works on some Xiaomi models with MIUI 12 and older. If your phone does not have a "Send Contacts" option on the Bluetooth icon in the notification bar, go to Method 2.

Instructions:

1. Open the Contacts app on the original phone.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner → Contact management → Import/Export.
3. Select Contacts Send Contacts → Bluetooth.
4. Select the contacts you need (or click "Select All") and confirm the shipment.
5. On the target phone, accept the incoming file and save the contacts.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Not working. POCO Some Redmi models after upgrading to MIUI 14.
• ❌ Transmits only basic data (name, number), without photos and additional fields.
• ❌ With a lot of contacts (>500) synchronization errors are possible.

Method 2: Export contacts to.vcf file and transfer via Bluetooth

A one-stop method that works on all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi 10, POCO F4 and older devices, the essence of the method is to export contacts to a.vcf file, send it via Bluetooth, and then import it on a new phone.

Step-by-step:

1. On the source phone, open Contacts → Contact Management → Import / Export → Export to file.
2. Select a save location (e.g., Internal Memory → Download) and confirm export. The file will be called contacts.vcf.
3. Open Files (Mi File Manager app), find the contacts.vcf file and click Share → Bluetooth.
4. Select the target phone from the list of devices and confirm the transfer.
5. On the target phone, accept the file, open it and select Save all contacts.

Important: If contacts are not automatically imported, open the file through the Contacts app" → "File-based import".

Method 3: Using Mi Mover to Transfer Data

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s official tool for migrating data between devices, which not only transfers contacts, but also messages, photos, apps, works over a direct Wi-Fi connection (does not require internet), but uses Bluetooth to initialize communication.

How to transfer contacts via Mi Mover:

1. Install Mi Mover on both phones from the Mi App Store or Google Play.
2. On the source phone, select I send, on the target phone, I receive.
3. Connect your phones via Bluetooth (follow the instructions in the app).
4. Select the data to be transferred (mark only Contacts if you do not need to carry the rest).
5. Wait for the process to be completed (it can take 5-15 minutes depending on the volume).

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Stores all contact fields (photos, email, addresses).
• ✅ It works on all Xiaomi models, including Black Shark.
• ✅ You can choose which contacts to transfer (for example, only with the SIM-map).

💡

If Mi Mover doesn’t see the target phone, check to see if it’s enabled with developer mode and USB debugging (sometimes this helps stabilize the connection).

Table of comparison of methods of transfer of contacts

Common mistakes and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users often face problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

⚠️ Note: If you receive a “failed to send” error when transmitting via Bluetooth, try disabling it. VPN Firewall applications (like NetGuard) can block data exchange.

Problem 1: Contacts have been moved, but no photos.

• 🔍 Solution: Use Mi Mover or export contacts to.vcf via Google Contacts (they save photos).

Problem 2: Bluetooth doesn’t see the second phone.

• 🔍 Solution: Reboot both devices, turn on Visible for All mode and turn off Bluetooth power saving in battery settings.

Problem 3: When importing.vcf, the error "File corrupted" appears.

• 🔍 Solution: Repeat export by selecting a save for SD-card (if any) or send the file via ShareMe instead of Bluetooth.

💡

If neither method works, check to see if the antivirus (such as Avast or 360 Security) blocks access to contacts. Add Contacts and Mi Mover to the exceptions.

Alternative ways to transfer contacts (if Bluetooth does not work)

If Bluetooth refuses to cooperate, consider these options:

• 🌐 Google Contacts: Sync your contacts with your Google account on your old phone, then log in to the same account on your new phone.
• 📁 Local copy on SD-Export.vcf to a memory card, then insert it into a new phone.
• 🔌 Cable OTG: Connect your old phone to your new one OTG-Adapter and copy the contacts.vcf file directly.
• 📲 Manager apps: ShareMe (from Xiaomi) or Xender transmit contacts over Wi-Fi Direct faster than Bluetooth.

For users who change phones frequently, we recommend setting up automatic synchronization of contacts with Mi Cloud or Google, which will eliminate the need for manual transfer in the future.

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud (or Google).
2. Turn on the switch opposite Contact.
3. Press Sync.

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts to Xiaomi