The transition from Xiaomi to iPhone 12 is not only about changing the ecosystem, but also about moving important data, which is where contacts come in first, and many users are faced with the problem of how to save all numbers, addresses and notes without loss. In this article, we will analyze 5 proven ways of migration of contacts, from classical ones (through the use of the Internet). SIM-maps to modern ones (synchronization via Google Account or iCloud).
The iPhone 12 is a closed Apple ecosystem that doesn't always work with Android devices, so standard methods like copying via Bluetooth can work with errors. We tested each method on real devices (Redmi Note 10 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max) and highlighted the pros, cons and pitfalls of each. If you need to migrate not only contacts, but also photos, messages or apps, at the end of the article there are links to individual guides.
Before you start, make sure Xiaomi has enough battery life (at least 50%) and the iPhone 12 has the latest version of iOS installed.This minimizes the risk of crashes during portability. Also prepare a backup of contacts - for example, export them to a.vcf file to your computer.
1. Transfer contacts through Google Account (the most reliable way)
This method works on any Xiaomi (from Redmi 4A to Xiaomi 13 Ultra) and ensures that all contact fields are safe: phones, email, addresses and even profile photos.
Algorithm of action:
- 📱 On Xiaomi, open Settings → Google accounts → Sync, make sure the switch opposite Contact is on, and if not, activate it and wait until the sync is complete.
- 🌐 On your computer, go to Google Contacts and log in under the same account as Xiaomi. Check that all contacts are displayed.
- 🍎 On iPhone 12, go to Settings → Contacts → Accounts. → Add an account → Google. Enter the same account and enable contact sync.
⏳ Transfer time: 2-10 minutes (depending on the number of contacts and Internet speed).
Make sure that Xiaomi has enabled synchronization of contacts with Google
Check all contacts at contacts.google.com
On iPhone 12 add the same Google Account
Enable contact synchronization in the iPhone settings-->
⚠️ Note: If you have used multiple Google accounts (e.g. personal and work) on Xiaomi, your contacts may have been split between them. Before transferring, combine them into one account via contacts.google.com, otherwise they will appear in different groups on your iPhone.
2.Use of SIM-Cards (for small number of contacts)
This method is suitable if you have less than 250 contacts (limitation). SIM-You don't store any additional information like email or addresses, but you don't need the Internet, but you risk losing data if you copy it incorrectly.
Step-by-step:
- 📲 On Xiaomi, open the Contacts app, click ⋮ (three-point) → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Exports to SIM-Select the contacts you want or click "Select all".
- 🔄 Wait for the export to be completed (may take up to 5 minutes) and extract SIM-map.
- 📱 Put it in. SIM-Map in iPhone 12, go to Settings → Contacts → Import SIM-contact.
Important: iPhone 12 only supports nano-SIM, and many Xiaomi use hybrid-slot (SIM + microSD). If you have a micro-SIM, it will have to be trimmed or an adapter will be used.
| Method | Speed. | Data stored | Equipment required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Account | ⚡ Quickly (2-10 minutes) | ✅ All fields (phones, email, addresses, photos) | Internet on both devices |
| SIM-map | 🐢 Slowly (5-15 minutes) | ❌ Numbers and names only (limit 250 contacts) | Adapter for nano-SIM (if necessary) |
| Bluetooth | 🐢 Slowly (10-30 min) | ✅ Main fields (without photos) | Bluetoothing-connection |
💡
Before exporting to SIM-Sort contacts alphabetically on Xiaomi – this will simplify the check of completeness of the transfer on the iPhone.
3. Bluetooth Transfer (if there is no internet)
The method works without a network connection, but has limitations: iPhone and Xiaomi must be close by (within a radius of 10 meters), and the transfer speed leaves much to be desired.
How to move:
- On Xiaomi, turn on Bluetooth in the notification curtain and make the device “Visible to everyone”.
- On iPhone 12, go to Settings → Bluetooth and connect to Xiaomi.
- On Xiaomi, open the Contacts app, select the contacts you want (or all of them) and tap Share → Bluetooth. Select iPhone 12 from the list.
- On your iPhone, confirm the.vcf file and import your contacts.
⚠️ Note: When transmitted via Bluetooth, the iPhone can "split" contacts into multiple files if there are too many. After importing, check if the records are duplicated, and manually combine them through the Contacts app".
4. Move to iOS app (official way from Apple)
Apple has developed a special app Move to iOS that makes it easier to migrate from Android to iPhone, which transfers not only contacts, but also messages, photos, email accounts and even Wi-Fi settings, but it only works during the initial setup of the iPhone (if the device is already configured, you will have to reset).
Instructions:
- 📱 On iPhone 12, when you first turn on, select "Configure manually" → "Data portability from Android".
- 🤖 On Xiaomi, download Move to iOS from Google Play, open it and follow the instructions.
- 🔢 Enter the code on Xiaomi that will appear on the iPhone, and wait for the transfer to be completed.
⚠️ Limitations:
The application does not carry applications (only their data, if supported).
If you already have data on your iPhone, you will have to erase it before using Move to iOS.
Speed depends on the amount of data: 500 contacts and 1 GB of photo can take up to 1 hour.
What to do if Move to iOS doesn’t see the iPhone?
5. Transfer over iCloud (Google's alternative)
If you prefer the Apple ecosystem, you can transfer contacts directly to iCloud and then sync them with the iPhone 12.
Step-by-step process:
- 📤 On Xiaomi, export contacts to file: Settings → System system → Backup → Local backup → Contacts or through the "Contact" app": ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to the vault (save the file as contacts.vcf).
- 💻 Connect Xiaomi to your computer, copy the contacts.vcf file to any folder.
- 🌥️ Go to iCloud.com, log in (or create a new Apple) ID, If you don't have one, open the "Contacts" section, click on ⚙️ → "Import vCard and select the copied file.
- 📱 On iPhone 12, enable sync with iCloud: Settings → [Your name] → iCloud → Contacts (include)
✅ Pros: All contacts will be saved in iCloud and will automatically sync with Mac, iPad and other Apple devices.
❌ Cons: You need a computer, and with a large number of contacts (more than 1000), iCloud can process the file for a long time.
💡
If you plan to use your iPhone for a long time, migrating over iCloud is the best option, as all data will be automatically backed up and synced.
Frequent mistakes and their solutions
Even when following instructions, users face problems. Consider the most common ones:
- 🔄 Contacts are duplicated on iPhone: This happens if you have used multiple transfer methods (e.g., both through Google and through Google). SIM-To correct: Settings → Contacts → Accounts. → Disable duplicate sources (leave only one, such as iCloud).
- 📵 Not all contacts were transferred: Check if they are filtered by group on Xiaomi. For example, contacts from Workers or Skype may not be exported by default. Solution: before transferring, combine all contacts into one group.
- ❌ Google iPhone Sync Error: Delete your Google account on your iPhone and add it again. If the problem persists, check if Google has two-factor authentication enabled (it can block access).
If neither of these methods worked, try alternative programs like My Contacts Backup (available on the App Store and Google Play), which backs up contacts as a file, which can then be sent by email or uploaded to iCloud.