How to transfer phone numbers from one Xiaomi Redmi to another Android: 5 proven ways

Transferring contacts between Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is a challenge that every user faces when buying a new device or changing a gadget. SIM-The process can be performed in 5-15 minutes without loss of data, the main thing is to choose the appropriate method depending on the model of the phone, version of the phone. MIUI and available tools.

In this article, we will explore all the current ways to transfer contacts, including official Xiaomi services (MI Cloud), universal solutions from Google, as well as alternative methods for devices without access to the Internet. Particular attention is paid to the nuances faced by owners of Redmi Note 12/13, Redmi 10/11 and other popular models. You will learn how to avoid duplication of contacts, why some numbers may not be transferred, and what to do if the sync is suspended.

1.Move over MI Cloud: The Official Way from Xiaomi

MI Cloud is Xiaomi’s own cloud storage that automatically synchronizes contacts, notes, photos and other data between devices on MIUI. This method is the most reliable for Redmi owners, since it does not require third-party services and works even on devices without Google Mobile Services (GMS) (for example, on Chinese firmware).

To move numbers through MI Cloud, follow the following steps:

• 📱 On your old phone: Open Settings → Xiaomi account → MI Cloud, log in to your account (or create a new one) and enable contact sync. Wait until the process is complete (the cloud icon turns green).
• 🔄 On a new phone: log in to the same Xiaomi account and enable contact sync in Settings → Xiaomi account → MI Cloud. Contacts will appear automatically within 1-5 minutes.
• ⚡ Check: open the Contacts app and make sure all numbers are in place.If no contacts, update the data manually by pulling the screen down.

The advantage of this method is that it automatically updates contacts when you add new numbers to any of the synchronized devices, but there's a limitation to MI Cloud: there's only 5GB of storage available for free, and if you sync photos, there's not enough space.

⚠️ Note: If the old phone used another Xiaomi account, contacts will not be transferred. Before you start, check that you are logged into the desired profile in Settings → Xiaomi account.

2. Sync through Google Account: a universal method

If you use Google services (Gmail, YouTube, Play Market), your contacts are most likely already saved in Google Account, which is suitable for transferring numbers not only between Xiaomi Redmi phones, but also to devices of other brands (Samsung, Honor, Realme, etc.).

Instructions for transfer:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Google Accounts → [your email] → Sync your account and switch on the switch opposite Contact. Wait until sync is complete.
2. On the new Redmi, add the same Google account to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Add an account.
3. Enable contact sync for this account. Numbers will appear in the Contacts app within minutes.

Important: if the contacts on the old phone are saved only on the SIM-In a card or in a device memory, you first need to export them to your Google Account:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Press three points (⋮) → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to file (select.vcf format).
3. Save the file to Internal Memory or Google Drive, then import it to Google Contacts via the web version of contacts.google.com.

⚠️ Note: If the new phone already has contacts associated with another Google Account, they may be duplicated. Before transferring, it is recommended to clear the contact list on the new device or use the merge function in Settings. → Contacts → Combine duplicates.

Connections over Bluetooth: No Internet or Cloud

If you don’t have access to Wi-Fi or mobile internet, contacts can be transferred over Bluetooth, which works on all Xiaomi Redmi models, including older ones (like the Redmi 4X or Redmi 5A), but has a limitation: you can send only one contact or a packet of multiple numbers at a time.

Step-by-step:

Turn on Bluetooth on both phones|Connect the devices (enter the same one) PIN-code)|Open Contacts on your old phone|Select the numbers you need (or click "Send All")|Choose Bluetooth as a transfer method|Confirm reception on the new phone-->

On new Redmi models (like the Note 12 Pro+), the Bluetooth contact function can be hidden to find it:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Press three points (⋮) → Contact management → Exports/imports → Send contacts.
3. Choose Bluetooth and follow the hints.

Cons of the method:

• ⏳ Slow transmission (especially if contacts are more than 200).
• 📵 Packet size restriction (on some firmwares you can not send all contacts at once).
• 🔋 Battery consumption (Bluetooth actively consumes charge).

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If Bluetooth doesn’t find the device, try restarting both phones and turning on Visible for All mode in Bluetooth settings.

4. Copying of contacts on SIM-Map: Old but working method

Retention of numbers on SIM-The card is the oldest way, but it still works on all Xiaomi Redmis, and the main advantage is that you don't need the Internet, Bluetooth or the cloud:

• 📱 SIM-The card stores only the name and number (without email, addresses, photos).
• 🔢 Limitation on the number of contacts (usually 200-250 per one) SIM).
• 📇 Numbers are saved in format +7XXXXXXXXXX, This can cause problems with operator identification.

How to transfer contacts via SIM:

1. On your old phone, open Contacts → Contact Management → Import / Export → Export to SIM-card.
2. Select contacts for export (or click Allocate).
3. Wait for the copy to be completed and insert the SIM into the new phone.
4. On the new Redmi, go to Contacts. → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Import with SIM-map.

⚠️ Attention: If SIM-The map already has contacts, new numbers can overwrite old ones. Before exporting, check the free space: open Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Contacts SIM.

5. Local backup via.vcf file: reliable and fast

The.vcf file extension (vCard) is a universal contact storage format that all modern smartphones support, and it is suitable if you want to back up numbers or transfer them to a device of another brand (for example, from Redmi to iPhone).

Instructions for export and import:

1. Exports on old phone: Open Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to file. Select the.vcf format and specify the location of the save (e.g., Internal Memory). → Download. The file can be sent to a new phone via Bluetooth, email or instant messenger.

Import on the new phone:

• Download the.vcf file to the new device.
• Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → File-based import.
• Select the downloaded file and confirm the import.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 All contact data (name, number, email, address, photo) are stored).
• 📎 The file can be edited on PC via Excel or Google Contacts.
• 📱 Suitable for porting to any device, including iOS.

If the.vcf file doesn’t open on the new phone, try the following:

• 📂 Check the file extension (it should be.vcf, not.txt).
• 🔄 Restore the file via Google Contacts (export) → import).
• 📱 Use third-party apps like Contacts Backup & Restore.

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The.vcf file is the most reliable way to transfer contacts, as it does not depend on cloud services and works even on phones without the Internet.

6. Problems in the transfer of contacts and their solutions

Even with official methods, Xiaomi Redmi users sometimes encounter errors, and let’s look at the most common problems and ways to fix them.

6.1 Contacts are not synced via MI Cloud

If the numbers do not appear on the new phone after synchronization is enabled:

• 🔄 Check that both devices use the same Xiaomi account.
• 📶 Make sure your phone is connected to the internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 🔄 Restart both devices and update the data in MI Cloud manually (pull the screen down in the Contacts section).
• 📱 Update the firmware MIUI Up to the latest version (sometimes synchronization bugs are fixed in new builds).

6.2.Duplicate contacts after transfer

If the new phone has a repeating number:

• 🧹 Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Combine duplicates.
• 🔍 Manually check contacts with the same names and combine them.
• 📱 Use the Duplicate Contacts app to automatically search for duplicates.

Not all contacts have been moved

If part of the numbers is missing:

• 🔍 Check if the contacts have been saved. SIM-In the memory of an old phone (not in the cloud).
• 📁 Export contacts to a.vcf file and import it manually.
• 📱 Make sure the old phone didn’t have a group filter (for example, only “Favorites” were displayed»).

If none of the methods worked, try using third-party apps:

• 📱 My Contacts Backup – Creates a backup as a.vcf file and sends it to email.
• 📱 Super Backup & Restore – Keeps Contacts, SMS call logs.
• 📱 Copy My Data – Transfers contacts over Wi-Fi without clouds.

7 How to transfer contacts from iPhone to Xiaomi Redmi

If you're switching from an iPhone to a Xiaomi Redmi, the process of moving contacts is a little different. The main challenge is different ecosystems (iCloud vs MIUI/Google).

7.1. via iCloud and Google Account

1. On iPhone, open Settings → [your name] → iCloud and enable Contact Sync.
2. Go to iCloud.com, log in to your account and export your contacts to.vcf.
3. Import this file to Google Contacts via contacts.google.com.
4. On Xiaomi Redmi, add this Google Account and enable contact sync.

7.2. Through the Move to iOS app (reverse port)

While Move to iOS is designed to transfer data from Android to iPhone, you can use the reverse trick:

1. On your iPhone, install the My Contacts Backup app and save your contacts to a.vcf file.
2. Send this file to email or messenger.
3. On Xiaomi Redmi, download the file and import it through Contacts → Import from the file.

⚠️ Note: When transferring from iPhone to Android, some special characters in contact names (such as emoticons or characters) may not show correctly.

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts to Xiaomi Redmi