How to transfer phone numbers from one Xiaomi to another: all the working ways

Transferring contacts between Xiaomi smartphones seems like a simple task – until you encounter lost numbers, duplicates or synchronization that is “hung” halfway. Unlike the iPhone, where everything is tied to iCloud, the Xiaomi ecosystem offers multiple ways to migrate data, each with its own nuances. MIUI, and even whether the contacts are stored in the device memory or on the SIM-map.

This article provides a complete overview of all the current ways to transfer numbers between Xiaomi phones, including rare cases (for example, when the new phone is not activated or the old smartphone is not turned on), we tested each method on devices with MIUI 12-14 and took into account typical user errors. If you need to move not only numbers, but also the history of calls or messages, individual sections of the article cover these tasks.

1. Transfer via Mi Account (the most reliable way)

Syncing through a Xiaomi account is the best option if both phones are working and connected to the Internet, and this method stores not only numbers, but also associated data: email, birthdays, contact notes, the main condition is that the old phone must be backed up in the Mi Cloud.

How to check if synchronization is enabled:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
• 🔄 Make sure the switch next to Contacts is active (green).
• ⏳ If sync is disabled, turn it on and wait until the process is complete (it can take up to 10 minutes).

Instructions for transfer:

1. On your old phone: Settings → Mi Account → Sync → Contacts (enable) Wait for the message “Sync is complete”.
2. On your new phone: Settings → Mi Account → Sign in (use the same data) After logging in, go to Mi Cloud → Contacts → Sync.
3. Open the Contacts app and update the list (pull the screen down).

⚠️ Warning: If the new phone already has contacts, they will merge with those downloaded from the cloud. → Management → Combining and correcting.

Sign in to one Xiaomi account on both phones |

Check for stable Wi-Fi connection |

Enable contact synchronization in Mi Cloud|

Update the Contacts app to the latest version|

Check the free space in the cloud (free – 5 GB)-->

2.Export/import via VCF file (for advanced users)

VCF (vCard) is a universal way of transferring contacts that works even without the Internet, suitable if you want to save a backup on your computer or transfer numbers to a phone of another brand, minus the method: manually working with files and the risk of losing data if you import incorrectly.

Step-by-step:

• 📤 Exports on old phone: Contacts → ☰ (menu) → Contact management → Exports/imports → Export to file Select "Inner Memory" or «SD-name the file (for example, the file, contacts_backup.vcf) and keep.
• 📥 Transfer the file to a new phone: 🔗 Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct (if phones are nearby). 📎 Through a wired connection to the PC (copy the file to the Download folder). ☁️ Using cloud storage (Google Drive, Mi Cloud).
• 📊 Import on a new phone: Contacts → ☰ → Management → Imports/exports → Import from the device Select the.vcf file and confirm the import.

💡

If the VCF file is too large (over 1,000 contacts), break it down using the VCF Splitter service before importing.

3. Transfer through SIM-map (for older models)

The method is relevant for Xiaomi Redmi 4A, Redmi Note 3 and other models with support SIM-Modern smartphones (starting with the MIUI 11) frequently ignore contact with SIM, But the method still works for backup.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Only numbers and names are saved (without email, addresses, photos).
• 📏 Limitation on the number of contacts (depending on the number of contacts) SIM: usually 200-500).
• ⚠️ When transferring to a new phone, contacts can be displayed in a separate group («SIM-contact»).

Instructions:

1. On an old phone: Contacts → ☰ → Management → Imports/exports → Exports to SIM Select contacts for export (or click “Select all»).
2. Move it. SIM-card.
3. On the new phone: Contacts → ☰ → Management → Imports/exports → Import with SIM Select a save location (e.g., “Device” or “Google»).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Poco) X3) do not support imports from SIM into MIUI 13+. In this case, use Bluetooth or VCF-file.

Mi Account|

File VCF|

SIM-map|

Bluetooth|

Other-->

4. Sync through Google (for Android users)

If you use a Google account to back up, it takes only 2-3 minutes to move your contacts, a method that works even when you change your phone brand (e.g., Xiaomi to Samsung).

Advantages:

• ☁️ Automatic backup (if enabled).
• 🔄 Synchronization in real time.
• 📱 Access contacts from any device via contacts.google.com.

How to move:

1. On Old Phone: Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync → Contacts (enable)
2. On a new phone: Settings → Accounts → Add an account → Google Enter the same data as on the old phone.
3. Open Contact and wait for sync (it can take up to 5 minutes).

5. Bluetooth Transfer (without internet)

The method is suitable if you do not have access to Wi-Fi or mobile network, but both phones are working, the disadvantages of slow transmission (especially with a large number of contacts) and the risk of connection breakdown.

How to move:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on both phones: Settings → Connections → Bluetooth
2. On the old phone, open “Contacts” and click ☰ → Imports/exports → Send.
3. Select contacts to transfer (or click “Secret All”) and confirm the sending via Bluetooth.
4. On the new phone, accept the file and save the contacts in the device’s memory.

Tips for speeding up the process:

• 📶 Place your phones close by (within 1 meter).
• 🔋 Make sure your battery is above 30% (Bluetooth uses energy).
• 📂 If there are many contacts (500)+), Break them into 100 to 200 pieces.

💡

Bluetooth transmission is suitable for emergencies, but is not recommended for regular use due to low speed and the risk of data loss.

6.Move from a broken Xiaomi phone

If your old phone doesn’t turn on, crash or lock, there are three ways to save your contacts:

1. Extraction SIM-Cards: If the contacts are saved SIM, Transfer it to a new phone and import the data (see section on the data). SIM-map).
2. PC Connection: If your phone is recognized by your computer when you connect via USB (even without a screen), copy the contacts.vcf file from the /storage/emulated/0/ or /sdcard/ folder.
3. Recovery via Mi Cloud: If the phone has backup enabled in Mi Account, log in to the same account on the new device and sync the data.

For phones with a broken screen but a working sensor:

• 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
• 🖱️ Use the mouse (through the mouse) OTG-adapter.
• 📤 Export contacts to the file VCF (see section on VCF).

⚠️ Note: If the phone is locked with a pattern lock, you can only unlock it without data loss via Mi Account (provided the device was linked to a Xiaomi account). Otherwise, you will need to reset to factory settings (all data will be deleted).

7. Transfer of Call and Message History (Bonus)

Phone numbers are just a part of the data, and if you need to save your call history and SMS, use these methods:

To transfer the call history:

1. Install the Mi Mover app on both phones (available on Google Play).
2. On the old phone, select “I am the sender” and on the new one, “I am the receiver.”
3. Connect your phones to a single Wi-Fi network and follow the instructions on the screen.
4. Select “Call Log” in the data list for transfer.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even when you follow instructions, users have problems. TOP-5 errors and ways of correcting them:

• 🔴 Contacts are not synced with Mi Cloud: Check if Settings are enabled → Mi Account → Synchronization → Contacts. If yes, try logging out and logging in again.
• 🔴 File. VCF not imported: Make sure the file is not corrupted (open it to PC via Notepad - there must be readable text) If the file is broken, export the contacts again.
• 🔴 Duplicate contacts: Use the unification function in the Contacts app: Contacts → ☰ → Management → Combining and correcting
• 🔴 Bluetooth Cuts Connection: Turn off Power Saving Mode on Both Phones (Settings) → Battery → Energy saving regime).
• 🔴 I don’t see contacts after import: Check which account they are saved to (open contact) → «Edit» → The account field. They may have been saved in SIM Google, not in your phone memory.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions