How to transfer contacts from Xiaomi to Realme: 5 proven ways

Moving from Xiaomi to Realme is not just about changing your brand, itโ€™s also about moving important data. Contacts are often a major headache: losing them can take hours to recover. Fortunately, there are several reliable ways to migrate, from standard Android tools to specialized apps.

Many users mistakenly believe that to transfer contacts need root rights or complex manipulation of files.vcf. In fact, 90% of tasks are solved through built-in smartphone features or cloud services. Is there any internet access, and are there any contacts SIM-card, or you prefer manual export.

In this article, we will discuss 5 ways to transfer contacts, from the simplest (via Google Account) to backup (using.vcf files). Each method is tested on the current Xiaomi 13/Redmi Note 12 and Realme 11 Pro/GT Neo 5, but is suitable for other devices on Android 10+.

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It's the most reliable and versatile method that works even if you don't have physical access to your old phone, and all contacts are synced to Google's cloud, and can be restored on any Android device in minutes.

On Xiaomi's phone:

  1. Open the Contacts app (or Settings โ†’ Google โ†’ Accounts).
  2. Go to Contact Management โ†’ Import / Export โ†’ Sync with Google.
  3. Select the Google account you want to sync your contacts with and click Sync.

The process can take anywhere from 1 to 10 minutes depending on the number of contacts.

On the Realme phone:

  1. When you first turn on, select โ€œRestore from backupโ€ and log in to the same Google Account.
  2. If the phone is already set up, go to Settings โ†’ Accounts โ†’ Google and enable Contact Sync.
  3. Open the Contacts app and wait for the sync to complete (the cloud icon in the upper right corner should disappear).

Make sure that Xiaomi has mobile internet or Wi-Fi enabled

Make sure there is enough space on your Google Account (contacts are low, but just in case)

Disable battery optimization for the Contacts app (Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Contacts โ†’ Battery โ†’ Without restrictions)

Manually run sync if the automatic one doesnโ€™t work (in Google Account settings)

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โš ๏ธ Note: If you used a Mi Account (Xiaomi) to store contacts, they must first be exported to.vcf or transferred to Google Contacts manually!

Important: If Xiaomi has dual apps enabled, contacts from cloned versions of WhatsApp/Telegram are not synchronized with Google. They need to be exported separately.

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2.Export and import via.vcf file (for manual control)

This is a good way to do it if you want to selectively transfer contacts or donโ€™t trust cloud services..vcf (vCard) is the standard format for storing contact information that all modern smartphones support.

Instructions for Xiaomi:

  1. Open the "Contactยป โ†’ press three points (โ‹ฎ) โ†’ Contact management โ†’ Exports.
  2. Select โ€œTo memory cardโ€ or โ€œIn internal memoryโ€ (it is more convenient to save in the folder Download).
  3. The file will be called contacts.vcf or 00001.vcf (can be renamed for convenience).

Transfer to Realme:

  1. Copy the.vcf file to your new phone (via Bluetooth, Google Drive, or by connecting Xiaomi as a flash drive to Realme via Google Drive). OTG-cable).
  2. Open โ€œContactsโ€ on Realme โ†’ โ‹ฎ โ†’ Contact management โ†’ Imports/Exports โ†’ Import from the device.
  3. Select the copied file and confirm the import.

What if the.vcf file is not imported?
If Realme gives you a file corrupted or incorrect format error, try 1. Open a file on a PC via Outlook or Thunderbird and save it again. 2. Break a large.vcf file into parts (for example, via VCF Splitter service). 3. Check the file encoding - it should be UTF-8.

Problem.Reason.Decision
File won't open.Damage during copyingRe-send the file (for example, via Telegram without compression)
Not all contacts are importedLimitation on the number in the fileBreak the file into parts of 500 contacts
No contact photos.The.vcf format does not always save images.Use Google Contacts or Specialized Applications

โš ๏ธ WARNING: If you edited contacts on WhatsApp or Viber, they need to be exported separately! These messengers store data in their databases and don't include it in the standard.vcf.

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3. Transfer of contacts through SIM-map (for small lists)

This method is useful if you have less than 250 contacts (limitation). SIM-maps) and no Internet access, but it has significant disadvantages:

  • ๐Ÿ“› No photos, notes or additional fields (e.g., dates of birth) are saved).
  • ๐Ÿข Slow process โ€“ copying takes up to 5-10 minute.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ You need to physically reposition. SIM-phone-card.

How to move:

  1. On Xiaomi: Open "Contactsยป โ†’ โ‹ฎ โ†’ Contact management โ†’ Imports/Exports โ†’ Exports to SIM-map.
  2. Select contacts (or click โ€œSecret Allโ€) and confirm the export.
  3. Extract. SIM-Map and paste it into Realme.
  4. On Realme: โ€œContactsยป โ†’ โ‹ฎ โ†’ Contact management โ†’ Imports/Exports โ†’ Import with SIM-map.

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If SIM-Nano-SIM card, and in Realme slot, micro-SIM, use an adapter. Don't cut the card yourself - it can damage the chip!

โš ๏ธ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) export SIM-The Cyrillic symbols are lost. 1-2 contact with Russian names!

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4. Use of third-party applications (for advanced users)

If standard methods don't work, you can use specialized applications, and they offer additional features: combining duplicates, backing up to the cloud, transferring call history.

Top.-3 contact-transfer applications:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Copy My Data (from Media Mushroom) โ€“ transfers contacts, calendars and photos over Wi-Fi.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Cloneit โ€“ cloning all data (including the data) SMS and applications from one Android to another.
  • โ˜๏ธ Super Backup & Restore โ€“ Backs up contacts in.vcf and uploads them to Google Drive.

Instructions for CLONEit (the most universal solution):

  1. Install the app on both phones from Google Play.
  2. On Xiaomi, select โ€œSendโ€ โ†’ โ€œContactsโ€ โ†’ โ€œWi-Fi Directโ€.
  3. On Realme, select Get and connect to the access point created by Xiaomi.
  4. Wait until the transfer is complete (it can take up to 15 minutes for larger bases).

Through Google Account

Using a.vcf file

Through SIM-map

Third-party applications (Cloneyit, etc.)

In other ways.-->

โš ๏ธ Note: Apps like CLONEit require permission to access contacts, SMS Install them only from the official Google Play and disable them after use!

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5.Move over Mi Mover (only for new Realme models)

Mi Mover is Xiaomiโ€™s proprietary data migration app, but it doesnโ€™t work with all Realme devices, such as Realme GT Neo 3 and later, but there may be problems with budget models (Realme C30).

How to use:

  1. Install Mi Mover on both phones (you can download from the official Xiaomi website).
  2. On Xiaomi, select โ€œI sendโ€ and on Realme, โ€œI receive.โ€
  3. Connect your phones to a single Wi-Fi network or use a direct connection via a Wi-Fi network QR-code.
  4. Select Contacts (you can also transfer SMS and photos) and start transferring.

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Mi Mover is the only way to transfer your call history along with your contacts without root rights.

โš ๏ธ Note: If the Realme has custom firmware installed (e.g., ColorOS with modifications), Mi Mover may not recognize the device.

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6. Checking and cleaning of contacts after transfer

After the migration, be sure to check the integrity of the data:

  • ๐Ÿ” Check out the contact list on Realme โ€“ are there any missing or duplicate entries.
  • ๐Ÿ“ž Check if the numbers are kept in an international format (e.g, +79123456789, not 89123456789).
  • ๐Ÿ–ผ๏ธ Make sure that photos of contacts are displayed (if they were tied).

If duplicates are found:

  1. Open โ€œContactsโ€ on Realme โ†’ โ‹ฎ โ†’ Contact management โ†’ Combine the takes.
  2. Use Contacts Optimizer for automatic cleaning.

To avoid problems in the future:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Enable automatic sync with Google Contacts (Settings) โ†’ Accounts. โ†’ Google โ†’ Synchronization of contacts).
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Export backup to.vcf regularly (once in a week) 3-6 months).
  • ๐Ÿšซ Do not keep your contacts only on SIM-card or phone memory!

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FAQ: Frequent questions about contact transfer

Can I transfer contacts from Xiaomi to Realme without the Internet?
Yes, there are three ways: via.vcf file (copy to a flash drive or send via Bluetooth). SIM-A map (suitable for small lists) through applications like CLONEit (they create a local Wi-Fi Direct network).
Why did the photos of the contacts disappear after the transfer?
.vcf does not always save images. To transfer photos: Use Google Contacts (they sync with photos). Use the Super Backup & Restore app (saves photos in backup).
How to transfer your WhatsApp contacts to a new phone?
WhatsApp stores contacts separately from system contacts.To move them: On Xiaomi, open WhatsApp โ†’ โ‹ฎ โ†’ Settings โ†’ chat โ†’ Backup copy. Copy folder. WhatsApp/Databases On Realme (via Google Drive or cable). Install WhatsApp on Realme and restore backup when you first start. โš ๏ธ Contacts from WhatsApp are not transferred as system โ€“ they will be automatically pulled up when you synchronize your account.
Can I transfer contacts from Xiaomi to iPhone?
Yes, but the process is different: Export your contacts with Xiaomi to.vcf (as described above). Send the file to your iPhone via Email or iCloud Drive. On your iPhone, open the file - contacts will be added automatically. Or sync through Google Contacts, and then add your Google account to Settings โ†’ Contacts on iPhone โ†’
What if contacts are transferred but not displayed in the phone app?
The problem may be in the display settings: Open Contacts on Realme โ†’ โ‹ฎ โ†’ Settings โ†’ Contacts to display: Select โ€œAll contactsโ€ or specify the account you want (Google, SIM, Reboot your phone if the changes don't apply.