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

Why is it that moving contacts between Xiaomi is a problem?

Moving to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always a joy, but only until the question arises: how to move all contacts from the old device? Many users are faced with the fact that contacts are either duplicated or disappear altogether, and some synchronization methods work unstable, this problem is especially relevant for those who use multiple Google or MIUI accounts at the same time.

In 2026, Xiaomi offers several official methods of transferring contacts, but not all of them are equally convenient. For example, synchronization via Mi Account can take up to 10 minutes if the contacts are more than 500, and Bluetooth transmission often stops on large amounts of data. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to transfer contacts between Xiaomi smartphones, including hidden MIUI 14/15 functions and workarounds for older models.

It is important to understand that the choice of method depends on the version of MIUI, the phone model and even the firmware region. For example, on the Redmi Note 12 with global firmware, the option of exporting contacts in.vcf format, which is available on Xiaomi 13 Ultra with Chinese MIUI, may not be available.

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

If both Xiaomi phones are linked to the same MIUI account, the transfer of contacts will take no more than 2-3 minutes, which works even on devices with different versions of MIUI (for example, from the old Redmi 9 to the new Xiaomi 14), the main condition is a stable Internet connection.

How to do this:

• 📱 On your old phone: Open Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Contacts and sync. Wait until the process is complete (the top right corner will see a tick).
• 🔄 On a new phone: log in to the same account MIUI and enable contact sync in Mi Cloud. Contacts will appear automatically in 1-5 minutes.
• ⚡ If no contacts appear, go to Contacts. → Settings → Accounts and update data manually.

⚠️ Warning: If your old phone is disabled Mi Cloud, turn it on early, otherwise contacts will not have time to boot to the server before you switch to the new device. Also check if there is enough space in the cloud (free 5 GB available).

Sign in to one MIUI account on both phones

Enable Wi-Fi or mobile internet

Check the space available in Mi Cloud (minimum 100 MB)

Disable traffic savings in network settings

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Advantages of this method:

• ✅ Automatically update contacts when adding new contacts.
• ✅ There is no limit on the number of contacts (unlike Bluetooth).
• ✅ It works even if the phones are in different countries.

Method 2: Export and import via VCF file (for advanced users)

If you don't trust cloud services or want to back up your contacts on your computer, this is the method for you..vcf (vCard) is a universal format that all smartphones, including Xiaomi, support. It can be sent by email, via messenger or even written to a USB drive.

Step-by-step:

1. On your old phone, open the Contacts app → Settings (three dots at the top) → Import/Export contacts → Export to a file.
2. Choose which contacts to export (all or only with) SIM-map/Google). The file will be saved in the Download folder or MIUI.
3. Transfer the.vcf file to a new phone (e.g. via Bluetooth, Telegram, or MIUI Explorer).
4. On the new phone, open the file and confirm the import. Contacts will appear in the Local Contacts section.

Warnings:

• 🚨 If your contacts are linked to Google, export them separately – they won’t be in your local.vcf file.
• 🚨 On the new versions MIUI 15.vcf file may not open through Explorer. Use the Contacts for Import app.

💡

If the.vcf file is too large (more than 10 MB), break it down using VCF Splitter, which will speed up the transfer and reduce the risk of errors.

Method 3: Transfer through Google Account (universally but with nuances)

Google sync is good if you use Google services on both phones, which is reliable but requires a mandatory Internet connection and can take up to 15 minutes with a lot of contacts.

How to transfer contacts:

• 🔗 On an old phone: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Account sync. Enable contact sync.
• 📲 On the new phone: add the same Google account and enable sync. Contacts will appear in the Contacts app in the Google section.
• 🔄 If no contacts appear, update the data manually: open Contacts → Settings → Accounts → Google → Synchronize.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi phones with Chinese firmware (China) ROM) Google is not the default service, and to use this method, you will have to install Google Play Services manually or reflash the device to the global version. MIUI.

Pros and cons of the method:

Mi Account (Xiaomi)|Google Account|Local file. VCF|Bluetooth/SIM-map|I'm not synchronizing.-->

Method 4: Transfer contacts over Bluetooth (for small lists)

If you don't have many contacts (up to 200) and don't want to mess with clouds or files, Bluetooth can be an easy solution, but it's not a good method for large phone books -- transmissions can be interrupted and contacts can be duplicated.

Instructions:

1. On both phones, turn on Bluetooth and make them visible to other devices.
2. On your old phone, open Contacts, select the contacts you want (or tap Allow).
3. Click Share → Bluetooth and select a new phone from the list.
4. Confirm the file on the new device and keep the contacts in the Imported section.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 It does not work for contacts linked to Google or Mi Account.
• 🚫 Maximum transmission size — ~500 contacts (in practice, often fails after 200).
• 🚫 Contact photos not shared.

💡

Bluetooth is only suitable for a single transfer of a small number of contacts. Use Mi Account or Google for constant synchronization.

Method 5: Copying contacts with SIM-Cards (outdated but working)

This method is relevant for owners of older Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi). 4X or Mi A1), It has a very limited ability to access cloud services. SIM-The card is placed no more than 250 contacts, and the fields for additional information (email, address) are cut off.

How to transfer contacts:

• 📇 On an old phone: Contacts → Settings → Imports/Exports → Export on SIM-map.
• 🔄 Move it. SIM-card.
• 📱 On the new phone: Contacts → Settings → Imports/Exports → Import with SIM-map.

Important nuances:

• 🔋 Before exporting, check if there is enough space for SIM-map (on some Xiaomi limit - 200 contacts).
• 📞 Numbers are saved without formatting (e.g, +7 (999) 123-45-67 will 79991234567).
• 🖼️ Contact photos and additional fields (such as birthday) are not transferred.

⚠️ Attention: On phones with two SIM-cards (Dual) SIM) Export/import of contacts may be unstable. SIM-slot-card SIM 1.

Problem Solving: What to Do When Contacts Are Not Moved

Even if the instructions are followed correctly, contacts may not appear on the new phone, including errors and ways to fix them.

Problem 1: Contacts are duplicated after synchronization.

• 🔍 Reason: The phone is synced through Mi Account and Google.
• ⚙️ Solution: Open Contacts → Settings → Accounts and disable the duplicate source (e.g. leave only Mi Account). Then combine duplicates manually: Contacts → Settings → Connecting contacts.

Problem 2: Contacts are not synced through the Mi Cloud.

• 🔍 Reasons: No Internet connection. Xiaomi servers are running maintenance (check status at status.mi.com). Phone has disabled AutoRun for Mi Cloud.
• ⚙️ Solution: Check the Internet connection (better use Wi-Fi). Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Mi Cloud → Permissions and enable all permissions. Update the Mi Cloud app through the Play Market or App Store.

Problem 3: The.vcf file doesn’t open on the new phone.

• 🔍 Reason: Outdated version of the Contacts app or corrupted file.
• ⚙️ Solution: Try opening a file through Google Contacts (install the app if it isn't available). Check the file on your computer using Outlook or an online service. VCF Viewer: If the file is corrupt, export the contacts again.