How to transfer contacts from Xiaomi Redmi phone to another phone: all working ways

The switch to a new smartphone is always exciting, especially when it comes to keeping important data safe. Contacts from the phone book are often the main headache: losing them can mean breaking ties with colleagues, friends or loved ones. Owners of Xiaomi Redmi have a unique advantage – ecoistema MIUI offers several built-in tools for safe transfer, but not all users are aware of their nuances.

In this article, we will discuss 5 Proven ways to transfer contacts from Redmi to another phone – from standard solutions (MI Cloud, Google Account before alternative methods (via Google Account) SIM-map or third-party apps like ShareMe, and we'll focus on the hidden constraints. MIUI When exporting contacts to other brands (Samsung, iPhone), and how to avoid duplicate recordings or loss of profile photos. 12/13 Pro, POCO X5, Redmi K60 and earlier versions of MIUI 14/13.

1.Contact Transfer via MI Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

Synchronizing with MI Cloud is the most reliable way for Xiaomi owners, as it stores not only numbers, but also attached photos, contact notes and call history. However, the method has a critical limitation: the Xiaomi cloud does not support export to devices of other brands (for example, iPhone or Samsung Galaxy).

To move contacts through MI Cloud:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Xiaomi account → MI Cloud on the old Redmi.
• ☁️ Make sure the switch opposite Contact is active (green). If not, turn on sync.
• 🔄 Wait for the process to be completed (the top panel will display a notification "Synchronization completed").
• 📲 On the new Xiaomi phone, log in to the same account MI and enable contact synchronization.

Stable connection to Wi-Fi or mobile Internet

Free space in the cloud (minimum 5 MB)

The same Xiaomi account on both devices

Battery saving mode for the "Contacts" application is disabled

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⚠️ Note: If you transfer contacts to another brand’s phone, MI Cloud won't work. In this case, use the method with Google Account or export to the file. VCF. Also note that when changing the phone number associated with the account MI, Access to the cloud may be temporarily blocked (confirmation is required via the cloud) SMS).

2. Synchronization through Google Account (universal method)

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Google Contacts is the only way to transfer other brands to iPhones or Android without losing data.

Google Account is a universal solution for transferring contacts between any smartphone, including the transition from Xiaomi Redmi to iPhone or Samsung. MI Cloud, there is no link to the brand, and synchronization works even when changing SIM-But there's a caveat: photos of contacts may not be transferred if they were added through the app. MIUI, Not through Google Contacts.

Instructions for the perenos:

1. On the old Redmi, go to Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync.
2. Activate the slider opposite the Contacts and wait for the synchronization to complete (check in Settings → About Phone → Status → Accounts).
3. On the new phone, add the same Google Account and enable contact sync.
4. Open the Contacts app and update the list (pull the screen down).

⚠️ Note: If the new phone already has contacts, syncing with Google can create duplicates. To avoid this, export your current contacts to a file before transferring. VCF (See section 4 and clear the phone book. also check that the old Redmi in the contact settings (Contacts) → ⋮ → Settings → Contact management) Google chose the primary account to save, not Mi Account.

3. Bluetooth Transfer (without internet)

The method is suitable for quickly transferring contacts to another Xiaomi or Android phone if there is no Wi-Fi at hand. The main advantage is that there is no Internet connection, but there are significant disadvantages: the transfer is one contact, and profile photos are not portable. 10-20 record.

How to transfer contacts via Bluetooth:

• 🔵 Turn on Bluetooth on both phones and pair them (enter the same one) PIN-code, if required).
• 📋 On old Redmi, open the Contacts app, select the contact you want and click Share. → Bluetooth.
• 📲 On the new phone, confirm the file reception (.vcf format).
• 🔄 Repeat for each contact or highlight several notes (holding your finger on the first contact and noting the rest).

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To speed up the process, use Multiple Choice mode in the Contacts app: hold your finger on the first contact, then tick the rest. Maximum for one send - 30 contacts.

⚠️ Note: When transmitting telephone numbers via Bluetooth in international format (+7 XXX XXX-XX-XX) You may not see it correctly on some Samsung or Huawei models. Check the number format in your contact settings before transferring (Settings) → Number format) and change to E.164 (standard).

4. Export contacts to the VCF file (for backup)

VCF (vCard) is the standard format for storing contacts that all modern smartphones support, and is ideal for backing up or transferring to devices where cloud sync is not possible (for example, to restricted corporate phones), the file can be sent by email, saved to Google Drive or copied via USB.

Step-by-step:

1. On Redmi, open "Contacts" → press ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to file.
2. Select an export account (Mi Account, Google or Local Contacts).
3. Specify a save path (e.g., Internal Memory → Download) and confirm the export.
4. Transfer the contacts.vcf file to your new phone (via USB, Telegram or email).
5. On the new device, import the file: Contacts → ⋮ → Imports/Exports → Import from the file.

⚠️ Note: When exporting to VCF from MIUI Contact groups (e.g., Family, Work) don't save, you'll have to recreate them. Also check the file size: if it's more than 10MB, break up the export into multiple parts, otherwise the import may end with an error.

5. Transfer of contacts through SIM-map (obsolete but working method)

It is suitable for basic phones or in situations where other methods are not available (for example, there is no Internet and Bluetooth does not work).

• 📵 Only numbers and names are saved (without email, addresses, photos).
• 🔢 Number limit: one SIM-map usually placed 200-250 contact.
• 📱 Not all smartphones support import from the SIM (For example, the iPhone requires additional applications).

How to transfer contacts via SIM-card:

1. On Redmi, open "Contacts" → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Exports to SIM.
2. Select contacts for export (or click "Select all").
3. Wait for the copy to be completed and extract SIM-map.
4. Put it in. SIM To a new phone and import contacts through Contacts → ⋮ → Import with SIM.

⚠️ Note: When exporting to SIM-The number card is stored in a carrier-dependent format, for example, if you use an MTS, the numbers can be written as 89XXXXX instead +79XXXXX. Before transfer, check the format in the settings SIM-maps (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Number format) and change to International if necessary.

6. Use of third-party applications (ShareMe, Xender, CLONEit)

The side of the app is convenient for mass transfer of not only contacts, but also SMS, photos, applications.

• 📲 ShareMe (from Xiaomi) – optimized for MIUI, Supports Wi-Fi Direct transmission.
• ⚡ Xender – cross-platform solution (works even between Android and iOS).
• 👥 CLONEit – Moves contacts along with call history and messages.

Instructions on the example of ShareMe:

1. Install ShareMe on both phones (available from Play Market or App Gallery).
2. On the old Redmi, select "Send" and on the new one, "Get".
3. Scan it. QR-Connection code (make sure both phones are connected to the same Wi-Fi network).
4. Select "Contacts" in the data list for transfer and confirm the sending.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party apps, disable battery optimization for them in settings MIUI (Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → Select applications; otherwise, the transfer may be interrupted halfway through the process; and avoid applications like Super Backup, which often save contacts in proprietary formats that other programs don’t read.

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts with Xiaomi Redmi