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

The switch to a new smartphone is always exciting, especially when it comes to saving important data. Contacts from Xiaomi’s phone book are often the main headache: losing them can turn into hours of manual recovery. Fortunately, moving contacts from Redmi, POCO or Mi devices to another Android smartphone is a problem, and in several ways.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods of migration of contacts, from standard (via Google-account or through a Google-based account). SIM-map) to advanced (use MI Cloud or third-party apps like ShareMe, focusing on common bugs that may make contacts go wrong, and give you tips on how to optimize the process. S23 Or with Redmi Note 12 on Google Pixel 7 – here you will find the latest solution.

Cloud or physical sync? Which is faster and more reliable? The answer depends on the amount of data and device models. For example, Xiaomi with MIUI 14 is the best way to go, and for older versions of MIUI 12 is the best way to go, and we tested all the methods on current firmware and identified the pros/cons of each.

1. Transfer contacts through a Google account (the most reliable way)

Google Contact Sync is a universal method that works on all Android devices, including Xiaomi, and its main advantage is that data is stored in the cloud and automatically pulled up to a new phone when it is first turned on.

On an old Xiaomi phone, open Settings → Google Accounts → Sync and make sure the switch opposite Contact is active. If sync is disabled, turn it on and wait for the process to complete (can take up to 10 minutes with a large number of records).

On the new Android smartphone, when you first start, the system will prompt you to log into your Google account. Use the same account as on Xiaomi. Contacts will appear automatically in the Contacts app (you may need to reboot).

⚠️ Note: If your contacts are only stored in local memory (not Google), you will have to export them first. ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to file VCF, Then import this file to Google Contacts via browser.

• ✅ Pros: automatic synchronization, access from any device, backup.
• ❌ Cons: requires stable Internet, takes up space in the cloud (up to 15 GB free).
• 🔄 Alternative: If Google is not suitable, use it. MI Cloud (see next section).

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Google sync is the only way to ensure that your contacts are safe even if you lose or reset your phone.

2.Using MI Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

MI Cloud is Xiaomi’s proprietary cloud storage that automatically backs up contacts if the feature is enabled.This method is handy if you stay in the Xiaomi ecosystem (for example, switch from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 13T).

On an old phone:

1. Open Settings → Mi Account → MI Cloud
2. Make sure the Contacts switch is on and the data is synced (check the date of the last update).
3. If the sync is disabled, turn it on and wait for it to be completed.

On the new Xiaomi phone:

1. Log in to the same Mi Account on the first turn on.
2. Go to Settings → Mi Account → MI Cloud → Contacts and enable synchronization.
3. Contacts will appear in the Contacts app within 5-15 minutes.

⚠️ Note: If the new phone is not Xiaomi (like Samsung or Realme), export your contacts from the phone. MI Cloud to.vcf via i.mi.com web version, then import it to your new device.

3. Transfer of contacts through SIM-card (for a small number of records)

This method is suitable if you have less than 200 contacts and do not have access to the Internet. SIM-The card can store a limited number of records (usually up to 250), with only names and numbers being transferred (photos, emails and notes lost).

Instructions for Xiaomi:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Press. ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Exports to SIM-map.
3. Select contacts for export (or click Select All).
4. Wait for completion and retrieve SIM-map.

On the new phone:

1. Put it in. SIM-map.
2. Open Contacts. → Settings → Import with SIM-map.
3. Confirm the import.

• ⚠️ Restrictions: Contact photos, groups and additional fields are not transferred.
• 📌 Tip: Before exporting, check the free space for SIM-map in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Memory. SIM-map.

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If you have a lot of contacts, break them down into 100 records and export them in turn to avoid mistakes.

4. Transfer via Bluetooth or ShareMe (for Xiaomi → Xiaomi)

If both are Xiaomi devices, you can use ShareMe (formerly Mi Drop) to transfer contacts, photos and files without the Internet over Wi-Fi Direct.

Steps for ShareMe:

1. Install ShareMe on both phones (unless installed by default).
2. On your old phone, open the app, select Send → Contacts.
3. On the new phone, click Get and scan. QR-screencode.
4. Confirm transmission on both phones.

For Bluetooth transmission:

1. On an old phone: Contacts → ⋮ → Share. → Bluetooth.
2. Select contacts and send them to a new device.
3. On the new phone, confirm the reception of the.vcf file.

⚠️ Note: When transmitted via Bluetooth, contacts come in the form of a.vcf file that must be manually imported into the phone book.

5.Export/import via VCF file (Universal Method)

The.vcf (vCard) file is the standard format for storing contacts, supported by all Android devices, which is suitable if you want to back up or transfer contacts to your iPhone or computer.

Exports with Xiaomi:

1. Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to file.
2. Select a save location (e.g., Internal Memory → Download).
3. The file will be created with the name contacts.vcf.

Imports to the new phone:

1. Copy the contacts.vcf file to a new device (via USB, email, or cloud).
2. Open the file and the system will prompt you to import contacts.
3. Select an account to save (such as Google or Phone).

• 🔹 Advantage:.vcf file can be edited manually (e.g., delete duplicates).
• 🔹 Disadvantage: with a large number of contacts, the file may not open on some devices (the solution is to break it into pieces).

Check the vacant space on SIM-card (if you use it)|Make sure your Google account is synced|Make a backup of contacts in the file VCF|Turn off the energy saving mode for ShareMe/Bluetooth|Check format compatibility (for example, iPhone does not support some fields) VCF)-->

6. Problem Solving: Why didn't contacts move?

Even if you follow the instructions, contacts may not appear on the new phone.-5 causes and ways of eliminating them:

Problem 1: Contacts are not synced to Google.

• 🔍 Reason: Synchronization or incorrect account is disabled.
• 🛠 Solution: Check the synchronization settings in Settings → Google accounts → Account sync. If contacts don't show up, try manually syncing or restarting your phone.

Problem 2: When importing with SIM-cards missing some numbers.

• 🔍 Reason: limitation SIM-maps by volume or format.
• 🛠 Solution: export contacts in parts or use a.vcf file.

Problem 3: ShareMe doesn't find a second phone.

• 🔍 Reason: Wi-Fi Direct is disabled or application backgrounds are blocked.
• 🛠 Solution: Enable Wi-Fi and geolocation, add ShareMe to power saving mode exceptions.

Problem 4: The.vcf file doesn’t open on the new phone.

• 🔍 Reason: File is corrupted or too large.
• 🛠 Solution: Try opening a file on your computer or breaking it into pieces using services like VCF Splitter.

Issue 5: Contacts are duplicated after importation.

• 🔍 Reason: Contacts are saved in multiple accounts (Google) + SIM + Phone).
• 🛠 Solution: Use the Google Contacts merger function (contacts.google.com) → Duplicate → Unite).

Xiaomi

LineageOS

.vcf

adb backup -f contacts.ab -apk com.android.contacts

Then restore the backup to the new device.

FAQ: Frequent questions about contact transfer