How to transfer contacts to Xiaomi on your computer USB: 3 proven methods

Transferring contacts with Xiaomi to your computer via USB-cable is a challenge that users face when buying a new phone, resetting settings, or having to back up. Despite its apparent simplicity, the process has nuances, from synchronization settings to a new phone. MIUI In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, from standard export through Contacts.vcf to the use of hidden functions. MIUI and third-party utilities.

Many people mistakenly believe that it is enough to connect the phone to the PC and copy the folder with contacts. In fact, Xiaomi (unlike Samsung or Google Pixel) by default does not display system files with contacts in Windows Explorer. MIUI 12, Xiaomi tightened its internal memory access policy, making it harder for manual exports, but it can -- and we'll show you how -- get around these restrictions.

If you are using the Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 or the flagship Xiaomi 13 series, the instruction is suitable for all models based on the MIUI 12-14 The key is to properly prepare the phone and computer to avoid errors like "device not recognized" or "no access to the folder".

Preparing Xiaomi phone for the transfer of contacts

You need to configure your smartphone before you connect to your PC, otherwise Windows won't see the contacts files. Start by unlocking the developer's settings, which will enable debugging. USB, This is often required to work properly with the file system.

Open the Settings. → About the phone and 5-7 times click on the item Version MIUI, until the notice "You're a developer" appears, go back to the main settings menu, find a new Developer section, and activate it:

• 🔧 Debugging by USB (necessarily!)
• 🔄 Allow installation from unknown sources (if you plan to use third-party utilities)
• 📁 Display hidden files (in the file manager)

Check the connection settings on USB. By default, Xiaomi sets up a "Charge Only" mode that doesn't allow files to be transferred:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via the original cable (cheap analogues may not transmit data!).
2. In the curtain of notifications tap on the alert "Charging through" USB".
3. Select File Transfer (MTP).

⚠️ If the computer can’t see the phone after connecting, try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 3.0 blue) or reinstall Xiaomi drivers via the official website.On Windows 11 laptops, it sometimes helps to turn off fast charging in the home. BIOS.

Method 1: Export contacts to a VCF file via standard settings

The most reliable method, which does not require additional programs, Xiaomi allows you to export contacts to the universal format.vcf (vCard), which opens on any PC or phone.

Instructions:

1. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
2. Slip on three dots in the top right corner → Contact management → Import/Export contacts.
3. Select Export to Device (not to be confused with Export to Device) SIM-map"!).
4. Tick the necessary contacts (or click "Secret all") and confirm the export.

The Contacts.vcf file will be stored in internal memory along the way:

/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/backup/AllBackup/

Now connect the phone to the PC in mode MTP And you can copy this file to your computer to open it on your PC:

• 🖥️ In Windows: double-click on the file – contacts will open in the People app).
• 📱 To import to another phone: transfer Contacts.vcf to a new device and select "Import" in the contact settings.

Connection checked in mode MTP|Debugging is permitted. USB|Free 100.+ MB on the phone|Installed drivers Xiaomi on PC|Power saving mode on the phone is turned off-->

⚠️ Note: If the error "Can not create a file" appears during export, clear the cache of the "Contacts" application (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Contacts → Clear the cache. On some models (POCO F3, Redmi 9T) Helps reboot your phone before exporting.

Method 2: Copying a database of contacts manually (for advanced ones)

This method is suitable if the standard export does not work or you need to transfer all contact data, including call history and associated accounts. contacts2.db, But it's not accessible without root rights. ADB.

You'll need:

• 💻 Windows computer 10/11 macOS.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and unpack the platform-tools (folder with adb.exe).
2. Connect the phone to the PC, allow debugging by USB (a request will appear on the smartphone screen).
3. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and go to the folder with ADB: cd C:\platform-tools\
4. Execute the command to copy the contact database: adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db C:\Xiaomi_Contacts\ (substitute C:\Xiaomi_Contacts\ way)

File. contacts2.db can be opened:

• 📊 DB Browser for SQLite (free).
• 🔍 Online services like SQLite Viewer.

Method 3: Sync with Mi Cloud and download to PC

If USB-Connectivity is down or you prefer cloud solutions, use Mi Cloud, Xiaomi's proprietary cloud, which is convenient because contacts are automatically backed up and accessible from any device.

How to transfer contacts through Mi Cloud:

1. On the phone, open Settings. → Accounts and synchronization → Mi Cloud.
2. Sign in to your Xiaomi account (or create a new one).
3. Activate the Contacts slider for synchronization.
4. Wait until the process is complete (the cloud icon will turn green).

Now go to PC:

1. Open your browser and log in to i.mi.com.
2. Sign up with the same Xiaomi account.
3. Go to the "Contacts" section.
4. Press "Export" → select the format VCF or CSV.

Advantages of the method:

• ☁️ Don't need it. USB-cable - works via the Internet.
• 🔄 Automatic backup (Sync frequency is configured).
• 📱 Contacts are available on any device with a Mi Cloud login.

⚠️ Note: If you use a Google account as your primary contact, sync with Mi Cloud may duplicate your records. Before exporting, check which contacts are linked to which account in your phone settings (Settings) → Accounts and synchronization → Contact management).

1. Disable and enable synchronization again in the account settings.

2. Clear the cache of the "Mi Cloud" application (Settings) → Annexes → Mi Cloud → Clear the cache).

3. restart the phone and wait for a stable Internet connection (Wi-Fi is preferable to mobile data).-->

Solving Common Mistakes When Transferring Contacts

Even when following instructions, users face problems, and let's look at common mistakes and how to fix them.

Problem 1: The computer can’t see the phone in MTP mode.

• 🔌 Try another one. USB-port USB 3.0).
• 🔄 Reinstall drivers via Mi PC Suite.
• 📱 On the phone, select mode. PTP (Then switch to the camera again. MTP.

Problem 2: Contacts.vcf file is empty or corrupted.

• 🔍 Check if filtering of contacts is included (in the "Contacts" app, tap on the magnifying glass). → "All contacts").
• 📝 Export contacts in small batches (100-200 pieces each).
• 🗑️ Delete the old Contacts.vcf file before new export.

Problem 3: ADB copyless contacts2.db.

• 🔐 Make sure that the phone is allowed access to /data/ (Some of the scalings require a temporary root).
• 🛠️ Use an alternative command: adb backup -f C:\Xiaomi_Contacts\contacts.ab -app com.android.providers.contacts (will create a backup copy that can be converted to a VCF Android Backup Extractor).

1. Use apps like My Contacts Backup to back up directly on your phone.

2. sync your contacts with your Google account, then export through Google Contacts.

3. For older models (Redmi) 4X, Mi A1) Connect your phone to your PC via Mass Storage Mode (if available).-->

Alternative methods of contact transfer

If USB-Connection is not available for some reason, consider these options:

1. Through Bluetooth.

Suitable for transfer to another phone or PC with Bluetooth module:

• 📱 On Xiaomi, open "Contacts" → highlight → "Share" → "Bluetooth".
• 💻 On PC, turn on Bluetooth by accepting the Contacts.vcf file.

Disadvantages: slow transmission (especially at 100)+ contact) and file size limitation.

2. By e-mail

Export contacts to VCF, Then send the file to your post office:

1. In the "Contacts" app, select "Export to the device".
2. Open the file manager and find Contacts.vcf.
3. Press "Share" → Choose the mail application.

3. Use of third-party applications

Applications like Super Backup & Restore or My Contacts Backup allow you to back up your contacts in one click and send them to your PC via the cloud or directly over Wi-Fi.

💡

For Mac owners: use Android File Transfer to access Xiaomi files. MTP You can copy Contacts.vcf without any additional settings.

Data Security: How to Protect Contacts When Transferring

Moving contacts to a PC is not only a convenience, but also a risk of leaking personal information.

• 🔒 Store the Contacts.vcf file or contacts2.db in an encrypted archive (use) 7-Zip password-wise).
• 🗑️ After transferring, delete temporary files from your phone (especially if you are not on the phone). contacts2.db, It contains a complete base).
• ☁️ Don’t upload contacts to unreliable cloud services – only use Mi Cloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox with two-factor authentication.

If you are transferring contacts to another phone, make sure that:

1. There are no viruses on the target device (check out Google Play Protect).
2. File. VCF Has not been modified by third-party programs (compare checksums) MD5 before and after).
3. After importation, the contacts are not duplicated (in the MIUI There is a function of merging duplicates in the contact settings).

⚠️ Attention: On phones with MIUI 14 and newer when exporting contacts through USB If you forget your Xiaomi account password, restore it in advance through the official website, otherwise the export will be blocked.

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts with Xiaomi