How to transfer contacts to Xiaomi phone: all working ways in 2026

Transferring contacts to Xiaomi’s new smartphone is a challenge that every user faces when changing devices. Even if you’re switching from another Android device or iPhone, the process can seem complicated due to differences in interfaces and settings. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of transferring contacts - from classical (through the use of the traditional ones). SIM-Map or Google Account before branded solutions MIUI, which facilitate data migration.

Xiaomi smartphones have built-in tools for quick transfer, such as Mi Mover or App Cloning, which work even without an Internet connection, which distinguishes them from universal methods. However, not all users are aware of these features, preferring manual methods. We will analyze the pros and cons of each option so that you can choose the best one for your situation.

It’s important to keep in mind that some methods (such as iCloud transfer from iPhone) require prior preparation. Others, like syncing through Google Contacts, work automatically, but may not work if you haven’t used Google services before. In this article, you’ll find step-by-step instructions with screenshots, as well as tips for correcting common bugs — such as why contacts don’t show up after transfer or are duplicated.

Preparation for transfer: what to do before the start

Before you move contacts, check their relevance on the old device. Delete duplicates, updated numbers or unnecessary entries - this will save time and avoid chaos on the new smartphone. SIM-A card with limited memory (usually up to 250 contacts).

Also make sure that both devices have enough battery power (at least 50%), the transfer process over Mi Mover or Bluetooth can take 10 to 30 minutes, and interruption due to discharge will lead to data loss. If you move from iPhone, update iOS to the latest version - this will eliminate possible sync errors with iCloud.

• 📱 For Android: Check the Version MIUI The new Xiaomi (current — MIUI 14/15). Update it through Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🍎 For iPhone: Enable iCloud Contact Sync in Settings → [Your name] → iCloud → Contacts.
• 🔄 Universal: Back up contacts on your old phone (e.g., exporting them to a.vcf file).

⚠️ Note: If you are using Dual SIM On Xiaomi, the default contacts are saved to the first card. To avoid confusion, select the main card in advance. SIM In Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Default contact.

2. Method 1: Transfer through Google Account (most reliable)

Google Account sync is a universal method that works on all Android devices, including Xiaomi, and its main advantage is that it automatically updates contacts on all devices where you are logged in, but it will not work if you have not used Google Contacts before.

To move contacts:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync and turn on the switch next to Contacts.
2. Wait until the synchronization is complete (may take a few minutes).
3. On the new Xiaomi, when you first turn on, log in to the same Google Account. If your phone is already set up, add an account to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Add an account.
4. Enable contact synchronization in your account settings.

Contacts will appear in the Contacts app (MIUI automatically combines them with local entries). If some numbers don't show up, check:

• 🔍 Account login (sometimes users confuse email).
• 🔄 Synchronization status in Settings → Accounts. → Google → Contacts.
• 📵 Internet availability (synchronization requires a connection to the network).

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If contacts are duplicated after synchronization, use the built-in merge function in the MIUI: Open your contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Combine duplicates.

Method 2: Transfer through SIM-map (without internet)

SIM-transfer is one of the oldest, but still relevant methods, especially if you don't have access to the Internet or Google Account, but it has limitations:

• 📏 Limited number of contacts (usually up to 250).
• 📇 No additional fields (only name and number are saved).
• ⚠️ Risk of data loss in case of incorrect extraction SIM.

Instructions for transfer:

1. On your old phone, export your contacts to SIM-map: 📱 Android: Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Exports to SIM. 🍎 iPhone: Third-party application is required (e.g, SIM Contacts) because iOS does not support direct recording SIM.

SIM-map

Xiaomi

Xiaomi

Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Import with SIM

⚠️ Note: If you use a nano-SIM and your old phone only supports micro-SIM, you'll need an adapter. SIM It can damage the chip itself!

4. Method 3: Using Mi Mover (branded Xiaomi tool)

Mi Mover is an integrated app on Xiaomi that allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also messages, photos, apps and even system settings. It works on Wi-Fi Direct technology, so it does not require an Internet connection. The main condition is that both phones must be on Android (with an iPhone this method will not work).

Step-by-step:

1. On the new Xiaomi, select Data Transfer when you first turn on. If the phone is already configured, install the Mi Mover from Google Play on the old device.
2. On the old phone, open Mi Mover and select I am the sender, on the new phone, I am the receiver.
3. Scan it. QR-code from a new phone on an old phone (or connect via Wi-Fi Direct).
4. Select Contacts in the data list for transfer and confirm the transfer.

Mi Mover automatically combines duplicate contacts and stores them in the phone’s memory, not on the phone. SIM-This is convenient if you plan to use a few SIM-However, the application has a limitation: it does not transfer contacts from some third-party applications (for example, WhatsApp or Viber).

Install Mi Mover on your old device|Charge both phones to at least 50%|Connect to a single Wi-Fi network (not necessarily)|Free up space on the new Xiaomi (minimum 1GB)-->

5. Method 4: Transfer from iPhone to Xiaomi (via iCloud or third-party apps)

Moving from iPhone to Xiaomi requires additional steps, as Apple uses a closed ecosystem, and the most reliable way is to sync through iCloud, but it only works if contacts have previously been saved to the cloud, with apps like Move to iOS (from Apple) or Copy My Data being the alternative.

Instructions for iCloud:

1. On iPhone, make sure your contacts are synced to iCloud (Settings → [Your name] → iCloud → Contacts).
2. On your computer, open iCloud.com, log in to your account and export your contacts to the.vcf file.
3. Transfer the file to Xiaomi (e.g., via Google Drive or USB).
4. On Xiaomi, import the file: Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Import.vcf file.

If iCloud wasn’t used, set up Google Contacts on your iPhone and sync the data with your Google Account. Then follow the steps from Method 1.

⚠️ Note: When transferring from iPhone via Move to iOS, contacts may be duplicated if Xiaomi has already saved numbers.

6. Method 5: Transfer over Bluetooth or third-party applications

Transferring contacts over Bluetooth is a slow but working method if other methods are not available, it is suitable for transferring a small number of contacts (up to 50-100), since each number is sent separately, and for mass transfer it is better to use specialized applications such as Send Anywhere or CLONEit.

How to transfer via Bluetooth:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on both phones and pair them.
2. On your old phone, open Contacts, select the numbers you want and tap Share → Bluetooth.
3. Accept the file on Xiaomi and save your contacts.

To speed up the process, use Send Anywhere:

• 📲 Install the app on both phones.
• 🔗 On the old device, select Send → Contact and generate 6-digit code.
• 📥 On Xiaomi, enter this code in the field Get.

Send Anywhere has no contact limits and high speed (up to 10MB/s), and it also supports photo, video and document transfer.

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Use customized applications (CLONEit, Send Anywhere) to transfer more than 100 contacts. Bluetooth is only suitable for single recordings due to its low speed.

Typical problems and their solutions

Even with the right contacts transfer, users often encounter errors.

• 🔄 Contacts are not synced with Google: Check your internet connection. make sure sync is enabled in Settings → Accounts. → Google → Contacts. Restart your phone and re-start sync.
• 📵 Contacts are not displayed after importation from SIM: Check if the correct one is selected. SIM-map in settings (Settings) → SIM-map → Default contacts: Import contacts again, sometimes when the first transfer is made, it fails.
• 👥 Duplicate contacts: Use the merge function in MIUI: Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Combine duplicates. Remove unnecessary accounts from Settings → Accounts if contacts are synchronized from multiple sources.

If contacts are displayed but no photos, check if sync media files are enabled in Google Contacts. On Xiaomi, contact photos are stored separately and may not be transferred over SIM or Bluetooth.

8.How to Keep Contacts in the Future: Backup Tips

To avoid losing contacts the next time you change your phone, set up automatic backups. On Xiaomi, you can do this in a number of ways:

• ☁️ Google Contacts: Enable automatic sync in your account settings. Data will be stored in the cloud and available on any device.
• 📱 Local Export: Export contacts to.vcf file regularly through Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Export and save it to Google Drive or Flash Drive.
• 🔗 Sync with Mi Account: Xiaomi offers its own cloud storage.Include it in Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Mi Account. → Synchronization of contacts.

For added reliability, use a combination of methods, such as synchronizing contacts with both Google and MI Accounts, and creating local backups once a month, which will protect your data even if one of the services is temporarily unavailable.

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Set up backup notifications in Google Contacts: open contacts.google.com, go to Settings → Notifications, and turn on the “Remind you to backup” option.

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts to Xiaomi