How to transfer contacts to the phone Xiaomi Redmi Note: all working ways

Why the transfer of contacts to Xiaomi Redmi Note requires a special approach

Xiaomi Redmi Note smartphones are some of the most popular in Russia, but their MIUI firmware has features that complicate standard contact transfer. For example, unlike “pure” Android, Sync with Mi Account is activated by default, which can duplicate records or create conflicts when importing. In addition, many users face the problem when contacts are transferred without photos or additional fields (for example, dates of birth).

In this article, we will discuss 5 Proven methods of transferring contacts - from classical (through the use of the SIM-map or vCard) to modern (cloud services and specialized applications). 10/11/12, where MIUI 13/14 You'll also find a method comparison table for speed and reliability, and at the end, a section with solutions to common errors (for example, why contacts don't show up after the transfer).

Method 1: Transfer through a Google account (most reliable)

This is a good method if you had a Google account on your old phone, and its main advantage is that it automatically synchronizes not only numbers, but also photos of contacts, notes, email addresses, and even call history (on some firmware), which works more stable on Xiaomi Redmi Note because MIUI is optimized for Google services.

Instructions:

• 📱 On your old phone: Open Settings → Accounts. → Google, select your account and enable Contact Sync.
• ☁️ Wait for the synchronization to be completed (check in Contacts) → Settings → Accounts).
• 🆕 On the new Redmi Note, log in to the same Google account when you first turn on. If your phone is already configured, add your account to Settings → Accounts. → Add an account.
• 🔄 Enable contact synchronization and wait for records to appear (may take up to 10 minutes).

Important: If contacts don’t show up, check if traffic savings are turned off in Settings → Connections → Data Use → Traffic Savings. On MIUI 14, this option is sometimes reset after an update.

Method 2: Export/import via vCard (.vcf)

The vCard (.vcf) format is the universal standard for transferring contacts between any device, including iPhone and Xiaomi. This method is useful if you do not want to use cloud services or do not have access to the Internet. The main advantage is that all contact fields are preserved, including rare ones (for example, "notes" or "post").

Step-by-step:

1. On your old phone, open the Contacts app, click ⋮ (three-point) → Contact management → Exports/imports → Export to.vcf file.
2. Choose where to save the file (e.g., Internal Memory → Download).
3. Transfer the file to the new Redmi Note via Bluetooth, USB-cable or cloud storage (such as Mi Cloud or Google Drive).
4. On the new phone, open contact → ⋮ → Contact management → Import from a.vcf file and select the downloaded file.

A critical nuance for Xiaomi Redmi Note 10/11: If the contacts are not displayed when importing.vcf, check the display settings. → ⋮ → Settings → Display contacts and select All contacts (not just "Phone" or "Phone "SIM").

Method 3: Transfer through SIM-map (for small bases)

This is a good method if you have few contacts (up to 250) and no Internet access: SIM-The card stores only names and phone numbers (without photos, email or other fields). MIUI 14 The path to import/export settings has changed - now it's hidden deeper in the menu.

How to transfer contacts via SIM:

• 📶 On an old phone: Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Exports/imports → Exports to SIM-Select contacts for export.
• 🔄 Replace it. SIM-map to the new Redmi Note.
• 📱 On the new phone: Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Exports/imports → Import with SIM-Choose where to save contacts (for example, in a Google Account or Device).

💡

If SIM-There is little space for the card, delete old messages and calls before exporting) SIM-The card can hold no more than 200 contacts.

⚠️ Attention: On the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ importation SIM-Sometimes there's a "Not enough memory" error, in which case try importing contacts in portions. 50-100 piece.

Method 4: Using Mi Cloud (for Xiaomi owners)

If both phones are from Xiaomi, the best way to use the Mi Cloud is to automatically sync contacts, messages, photos and even notes, the main advantage of which is that the transfer takes less than 5 minutes and does not require manual actions (except logging in), but the method has a disadvantage: if you have not previously used Mi Account, you will have to register and confirm your phone number.

Instructions for transfer:

1. On the old Xiaomi: go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud and enable Contact Sync.
2. Wait for the synchronization to be completed (a notification will appear in the top panel).
3. On the new Redmi Note, log in to the same Mi Account (when you first enable or through Settings → Accounts).
4. Activate sync in Mi Cloud – contacts will appear automatically.

If the contacts are not synchronized, check:

• 🌐 Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 🔄 In the Mi Cloud settings, is Autosynchronization enabled.
• 📱 Both phones have the same version. MIUI (or a difference not greater than 1st version).

💡

Mi Cloud is the fastest way for Xiaomi owners, but requires an account registration. If you have not previously used Mi Account, link a backup email in advance to restore access.

Method 5: Special Applications (for complex cases)

If standard methods don’t work (for example, when you migrate from your iPhone to Xiaomi or damage your contact base), third-party apps will help.

Example of transfers via Copy My Data:

1. Install the app on both phones.
2. On your old phone, select Send Data → Contacts.
3. On the new Redmi Note, select Receive Data and connect to the Wi-Fi network created by the old phone.
4. Confirm the transfer – contacts will appear within 1-2 minutes.

⚠️ Note: When using Samsung Smart Switch on Xiaomi Redmi Note 11, sometimes there is an error "Incompatible device". In this case, before perenosom, disable Mi Optimization in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap).

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To make it easier for you to determine, we have brought all the methods into one table with estimates for key parameters:

Selection recommendations:

• 🔹 If both phones are on Android → Use a Google Account.
• 🔹 iPhone portability →.vcf or Samsung Smart Switch.
• 🔹 Only Xiaomi devices → Mi Cloud.
• 🔹 No Internet. → SIM-Copy My Data (via Wi-Fi).

Problems: Contacts are not delayed or duplicated

Even when you transfer it correctly, you can sometimes make mistakes, and here are the most common ways to correct them:

Problem 1: Contacts are not displayed after the transfer.

• Check if the contact display from the correct account is enabled: Contacts → ⋮ → Settings → Display contacts.
• Restart your phone – sometimes cached data is lost on MIUI.
• If you have used.vcf, try importing the file again (it may be corrupted).

Problem 2: Duplicate contacts.

• Xiaomi has a built-in unification function: Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Combine duplicates.
• If you have duplicates because of synchronization with multiple accounts (Google + Mi Cloud), turn off syncing one of them.

Problem 3: No photos of contacts were transferred.

• When using Google Account, photos are synced automatically, but sometimes with a delay (up to 24 hours).
• If you have been transferred via.vcf, check if photos are included in the export (some phones are a separate option).
• For iPhone→Xiaomi, use My Contacts Backup, which saves a photo in.vcf.

Problem 4: The “lack of memory” error in importation.

• On the Redmi Note 10/11, this is often due to MIUI restrictions. Try importing pins in portions (100-200 pieces each).
• Clear the cache of the application Contacts in Settings → Applications → Application Management → Contacts → Clear the cache.

💡

If contacts are transferred but are not displayed correctly (for example, Cyrillic is replaced with question marks), check the encoding of the.vcf file. Open it in the text editor - the first line should be CHARSET=UTF-8. If not, convert the file through online services (for example, VCF Converter).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions