How to transfer numbers to the new Xiaomi phone: 5 proven ways

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always an exciting moment: a fresh model, improved specs, but also the inevitable question: “How do you move all contacts so you don’t lose important numbers?” Even if you carefully saved every phone in your notebook, the risk of data loss when you change your device remains, especially if you are talking about hundreds of contacts accumulated over the years using the old device.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to transfer numbers to new Xiaomi smartphones (including models). 2023–2026 base MIUI 14/15). From classical copying with SIM-You will learn which method is the fastest, which is the most reliable, and how to avoid the typical mistakes that can “disappear” after moving.

Important: The transfer procedure depends on where your contacts were stored before. SIM-We'll look at each scenario separately, with step-by-step screenshots and explanations. If you've never synced your contacts to the cloud, don't worry: even then, there are simple solutions.

1.Preparation for the transfer: what to do before the transition to the new Xiaomi

Before you move numbers, take a few critical steps that will save you hours of nerves if something goes wrong.

Step 1. Check where your contacts are stored. Open the Contacts app on your old phone, click three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Settings → Contact management. Here you will see how many numbers are saved in the: • SIM-Map, • Phone Memory, • Google Account, • Mi Account.

Step 2. Back up. Even if you plan to sync through the cloud, create a local backup. On Xiaomi, it's like: Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.

Select Contacts and start the process. The file will be saved in the phone's internal memory (MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder).

Step 3: Update MIUI on both phones. If the old or new Xiaomi has an outdated firmware version, some portability features may not work properly. Check for updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update.

⚠️ Note: If your old phone is not Xiaomi, but a device of another brand (such as Samsung or iPhone), skip this section and go straight to the method with Google Account or SIM-The card, the branded instruments. MIUI Not compatible with other brands.

Method 1: Transfer of contacts through SIM-Card (for a small number of numbers)

It's the most "old-fashioned" method, but it's still relevant -- especially if you have fewer than 200 contacts and no Internet access -- for any phone, including a button phone.

How to move:

1. On the old phone, open Contacts, press ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Exports to SIM-map.
2. Select the contacts for export (you can mark everything) and confirm the action. The numbers will be saved on SIM.
3. Put it in. SIM-Map to the new Xiaomi, open Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Import with SIM-map.
4. Choose where to import numbers: in Memory phone or Google Account (we recommend the second option for automatic synchronization).

Pros of the method:

• 🔹 It works without the Internet and cloud services.
• 🔹 It is suitable for any phone, not even Android.
• 🔹 Stores basic information: name, number, sometimes email.

Cons:

• ❌ SIM-The card stores a limited number of contacts (usually up to 250).
• ❌ No photos, notes, additional fields (for example, birthday).
• ❌ Manual process – with a large number of numbers will take a long time.

⚠️ Attention: If yours SIM-Nano-SIM card, and the old phone only supports micro-SIM, use an adapter. Don't try to crop the card yourself - it can damage the chip!

3. Method 2: Sync through Google Account (the most reliable method)

If your contacts are already linked to a Google Account, it takes less than 5 minutes to migrate to the new Xiaomi, which works even when switching from an iPhone or other Android brands.

Instructions for old phone (if contacts are not already in Google):

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Choose your account (or add a new one if you don’t have one).
3. Activate the Contact Slider for Synchronization.
4. Wait until the process is completed (may take a few minutes).

Instructions for the new Xiaomi:

1. When you first turn on your phone, the system will prompt you to log in to Google Account – use the same one as on your old device.
2. If your phone is already set up, go to Settings → Accounts → Google, select your account and enable contact sync.
3. Open the Contacts app – all numbers should appear automatically.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔹 Automatic contact updates on all devices.
• 🔹 All fields are saved: photos, email, addresses, birthdays.
• 🔹 It works even when resetting the phone to factory settings.

💡

If you are switching from an iPhone, export your contacts to iCloud, then upload them to Google Contacts via the web version in vCard (VCF).

4. Method 3: Transfer over Mi Cloud (branded Xiaomi cloud)

Mi Cloud is a cloud storage from Xiaomi that automatically backs up contacts, messages, photos and other data.If your old phone is also Xiaomi, this method will be the fastest.

How to transfer contacts through Mi Cloud:

1. On the old Xiaomi, go to Settings → Mi Account and log in (or create an account if there is none).
2. Enable contact synchronization: Mi Cloud → Synchronization → Contacts (slider to the right).
3. On the new Xiaomi, log in to the same Mi Account when you first turn on or through Settings → Mi Account.
4. Activate contact sync in Mi Cloud, and the data will start to load automatically.

Features of the method:

• 🔹 It only works between Xiaomi devices (or Redmi/Poco).
• 🔹 It not only stores numbers, but also the history of calls, SMS, note-book.
• 🔹 Free 5 GB of cloud storage is provided.

⚠️ Note: If you used Mi Account on an old phone but don’t remember the password, restore it before you switch to a new device!

Sign in to Mi Account on old Xiaomi

Enable contact synchronization in Mi Cloud

Remember/Save Password from Mi Account

Sign in to the same account on a new phone

Check Wi-Fi connection (for quick synchronization)-->

5. Method 4: Transfer via VCF file (for advanced users)

The.vcf (vCard) format is a universal standard for exporting/importing contacts, and this method is suitable if you want to back up your computer or transfer numbers from a device that does not support Google/Mi Cloud.

Export of contacts to VCF:

1. On your old phone, open your contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to file.
2. Choose where to save the file (internal memory or storage). SD-map).
3. Move the contacts.vcf file to the new Xiaomi via Bluetooth, email or USB-cable.

Import VCF to the new Xiaomi:

1. Open the contacts.vcf file on a new phone (for example, through Files or Explorer).
2. The system will suggest importing contacts – select Google Account or Phone Memory.
3. Wait for the import to be completed and check the contacts in the Contacts app.

The VCF file can be edited manually via a text editor (e.g. Notepad++) if you need to remove duplicates or correct errors before importing.

💡

VCF format is supported by all modern smartphones, including iPhones and Windows Phone devices, and is a universal way to transfer contacts between different platforms.

Method 5: Use of third-party applications (for complex cases)

If standard methods don’t work (for example, when switching from iOS or feature-phone), you can use specialized applications.

• 📱 Copy My Data (for transferring between Android and iOS over Wi-Fi).
• 📱 My Contacts Backup (exporting contacts to file and sending by email).
• 📱 Samsung Smart Switch (if switching from Samsung – supports Xiaomi as a target device).

How to transfer contacts via Copy My Data:

1. Install the app on both phones from Google Play.
2. On the old phone, select Send Contacts, on the new phone, select Receive Contacts.
3. Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network and follow the instructions on the screen.

⚠️ Warning: Avoid little-known contact transfer apps - they may collect your personal data. Use only high-ranking programs (4.5)+ Google Play and a lot of reviews.

7. Frequent problems with the transfer of numbers and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users encounter common errors, and we've compiled some of the most common ones and how to fix them.

If none of these methods worked, try manually entering critical numbers.

1. Export your contacts to Excel via Google Contacts (web version).
2. Sort the numbers by importance.
3. Enter them manually on your new phone, starting with the most essentials.

8. FAQ: Answers to frequent questions