How to transfer contacts to the new Xiaomi phone: all the ways 2026

Transferring contacts to the new Xiaomi smartphone is a challenge that every user faces when buying a gadget. Even if you carefully saved all the numbers in the phone book, the risk of losing important data when switching to a new device remains. SIM-map, use of branded Mi Cloud tools or third-party applications - there are many options, but not all of them are equally reliable and convenient.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to transfer contacts, including nuances for different Xiaomi models (from Redmi Note 12 to flagship Xiaomi 14), focus on hidden traps: why some contacts may not transfer, how to avoid duplicates and what to do if the synchronization is suspended.

If you move from an iPhone to Xiaomi, the process will be different from migrating between two Android devices, and the same goes for when an old phone is lost or broken, and it will require alternative methods, and we have covered all the scenarios so that you can choose the best option without losing data.

1. Transfer contacts through a Google account (the most reliable way)

Google account sync is a universal method that works on all Android devices, including all Xiaomi models, and its main advantage is that data is stored in the cloud and automatically updated when new numbers are added. However, there is a nuance: if you have never set up sync on an old phone, contacts can only be stored in local memory.

To move your contacts through Google:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Make sure the switch opposite Contact is on, and if not, activate it and wait until the sync is complete (it can take up to 10 minutes).
3. On the new Xiaomi, when you first turn on, log in to the same Google account. If the phone is already configured, add an account through Settings → Accounts and Sync → Add an account.
4. Enable contact synchronization in your account settings.

⚠️ Note: If the old phone only has the contacts saved SIM-In a card or in a device memory (without reference to Google), this method will not work.

To check where your contacts are stored on your old phone:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Click on three dots (menu) → Contact management → Settings → Import/Export.
3. See which sources are displayed (e.g. Google, SIM-map, phone memory).

Check the synchronization on the old phone

Ensure a stable Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network)

Use the same Google account on both devices

Wait for the synchronization to be completed (do not interrupt the process)

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2.Using Mi Cloud (branded Xiaomi cloud)

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s cloud storage that automatically backs up contacts, messages, photos and other data, which is convenient if you switch from one Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco device to another, with the advantage of transferring other data (notes, calendar, call records) in addition to contacts.

Instructions for transfer via Mi Cloud:

1. On an old Xiaomi phone, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Enable synchronization of Contacts (and other data if necessary).
3. On the new Xiaomi, log in to the same Mi Account when you first turn on or through settings.
4. Activate synchronization in Mi Cloud and wait for the data to load.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Mi Cloud for the first time, make sure there is enough space on your account. 5GB is free, but when you transfer a lot of data (for example, along with photos) it may be necessary to clean up or buy additional space.

To check how much space is occupied in the Mi Cloud:

1. Open Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Storage Management
2. Check the Contacts section, where the amount of space occupied will be indicated.

3. Transfer of contacts with SIM-map

If your contacts are saved to SIM-This method is suitable for push-button phones or older smartphones where sync has not been configured with Google or Mi Cloud. SIM-The card usually stores a limited number of contacts (up to 250) and some fields (e.g. profile photos) are not saved.

Step-by-step:

1. Put it in. SIM-card.
2. Open the Contacts → Settings → Import / Export → Export to SIM-card.
3. Select contacts for export (you can note everything) and confirm the action.
4. Extract. SIM-Map and paste it into the new Xiaomi.
5. On the new phone, open contact → Settings → Imports/Exports → Import with SIM-map.
6. Choose where to save your contacts (Google or Phone Memory is recommended).

⚠️ Note: When importing with SIM-Not all contact fields will be saved, for example:

• 📞 Additional telephone numbers (working, home).
• 📧 E-mail addresses.
• 📅 Birthdays and other events.
• 🖼️ Profile photographs.

If you want to keep all the information, it is better to use other methods (for example, through Google or vCard).

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Before exporting to SIM-Xiaomi smartphones today only support nano-SIM. If you have an old micro-SIM or mini-SIM, you need to trim or replace it in the salon.

4.Export and import via vCard file (.vcf)

The.vcf format (or vCard) is a universal standard for storing contacts, and its advantage is that the file can be sent by email, messenger or saved to a flash drive, and then imported to the new Xiaomi. SIM-map or cloud services.

How to export contacts to.vcf:

1. On your old phone, open Contacts → Settings → Import / Export → Export to file.
2. Choose where to save the file (for example, internal memory or SD-map).
3. Mark all contacts or select the ones you need, then click Export.
4. A file with the.vcf extension will appear in the Downloads or Contacts folder.

How to import.vcf to the new Xiaomi

1. Flip the file to a new phone (via Bluetooth, email, Telegram or USB-OTG cable).
2. Open the.vcf file and the system will prompt you to import contacts.
3. Choose where to save your data (Google recommends for automatic sync).

⚠️ Note: If a.vcf file weighs more than 10MB, it may be an error to import, in which case break the contacts into multiple files (for example, 200 pieces each).

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A vCard file (.vcf) is the only way to transfer contacts with full information (including photos, additional fields, and notes) if sync through the cloud is not possible.

5.Moving contacts from iPhone to Xiaomi

Switching from iPhone to Xiaomi requires a separate approach, as iOS and Android use different storage formats, the most reliable way is synchronization via iCloud or export to.vcf.

Method 1: Through iCloud and Google Account

1. On iPhone, open Settings → [Your name] → iCloud and enable Contact Sync.
2. On your computer, go to iCloud.com and log in to your account.
3. Select Contacts, then click on the gear in the lower left corner → Select All → Export vCard.
4. Download the.vcf file to Xiaomi (see previous section).

Method 2: Move to iOS (reverse port)

• 📱 Install the Move to iOS app on Xiaomi (yes, it works backwards too!).
• 🔄 On iPhone, open Settings → Reset → Transferring data to Android.
• 📲 Follow the instructions on the screen to transfer contacts over Wi-Fi Direct.

⚠️ Note: When transferring from your iPhone, contact photos may not be transmitted. To save them, pre-export contacts to.vcf via iCloud, as described in Method 1.

6.Contact transfer if old phone is broken or lost

This is complicated if the old phone doesn't turn on, loses or locks, and the chances of reconnecting depend on whether the contacts are synced to the cloud.

Option 1: Restore through a Google account

• 🔍 Check if your old phone has Google Auto Sign-in enabled. If so, just log in to the same account on the new Xiaomi and your contacts will be automatically downloaded.
• 📧 If you’ve used Gmail, try to find backup emails (sometimes contacts are exported manually).

Option 2: Retrieval of data from SIM-map

• 📱 If the phone is broken, but SIM-Integer card – insert it into another machine and export contacts (see Section 3).
• 🛠️ If SIM-card is damaged, contact the service center - sometimes the data can be restored using special equipment.

Option 3: Use of backup copies

• 💾 If the old phone had Backup enabled (e.g., via Mi Cloud or Google Drive), try recovering data from the archive.
• 🖥️ Check your computer – you may have saved contacts to a.vcf file or synced with Outlook.

Critical information: If your old phone was linked to your Xiaomi account but you don’t remember the login details, you can restore access to the Mi Cloud via email or the linked number. Go to account.xiaomi.com and select “Forgot your password?”

Verification and cleaning of duplicates after transfer

After transferring contacts to the new Xiaomi, duplicates often arise – especially if you’ve used multiple methods (e.g. syncing through Google and importing from the new Xiaomi). SIM-To clear the phone book:

Step 1: Combining duplicates manually

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Click on three dots (menu) → Contact management → Combine and fix.
3. The system will automatically find possible duplicates and offer to combine them.

Step 2: Remove unnecessary contact

• 🧹 Filter contacts by source (e.g, SIM-Card or Phone Memory and Remove Outdated.
• 🔍 Use a search by name or number to find and delete repetitive entries.

Step 3: Configure the display

• 👁️ In contact settings (Settings) → Display contacts) select which sources to show (e.g. Google only).
• 📱 Sort contacts by name or surname for convenience (Settings) → Sorting).

⚠️ Note: If you delete contacts from your Google account, they will disappear from all devices that sync is enabled. To avoid losses, make a backup beforehand (export to.vcf).

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After the contacts are transferred, make sure that all numbers are displayed correctly. Pay special attention to formatting (for example, international numbers should start with +7, not 8).

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts to Xiaomi