How to transfer contacts from one Xiaomi phone to another: 5 proven ways

Why moving contacts to Xiaomi requires a special approach

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always an exciting moment, especially when it comes to keeping the phone book safe. Unlike the iPhone, where syncing via iCloud works almost automatically, on Android devices (including Redmi, POCO and Mi), the process depends on the chosen method, the version of MIUI and even the phone model. For example, on Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 14, the algorithm is different from that used on Redmi Note 10 with MIUI 12.5.

The main problem is data fragmentation. Contacts can be stored in:

• 📱 Local phone memory (risk of loss when resetting)
• ☁️ Mi Account (Xiaomi Cloud)
• 🔗 Google Account (if previously synced)
• 📇 SIM-map (limitation on the number of records)

If you don’t take these nuances into account, you can detect duplicates, missing numbers or empty fields after the transfer, then we will discuss the only method that guarantees that all data is saved without loss – combined transfer via Mi Account + Google, as well as alternative options for different scenarios.

Method 1: Sync with Mi Account (recommended for Xiaomi)

This is the most reliable method for Xiaomi devices, as it uses the brand’s native cloud, and the advantage is that not only numbers are saved, but also attached photos of contacts, notes and even call history (if the option is enabled), but there is a limitation: only 5 GB of cloud storage is available on the free tariff.

Step-by-step:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Accounts → Mi Account.
2. Make sure that the contacts synchronization is enabled (the slider must be active).
3. Click Sync and wait until the process is complete (may take up to 5 minutes).
4. On the new phone, log in to the same Mi Account when you first turn on or through Settings → Accounts.
5. Enable contact synchronization in the Mi Account menu → Synchronization.

⚠️ Note: If the new phone already has contacts, they can be overwritten with cloud data. To avoid this, export local contacts to.vcf via the Contacts app before synchronizing. → Settings → Imports/Exports.

Check Wi-Fi connection on both phones

Make sure there is enough space on your Mi Account (at least 100MB free)

Turn off battery optimization for the Contacts app (Settings → Applications → Contacts → Battery)

Remember the password from Mi Account (in handy for recovery)

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Method 2: Transfer through a Google account (Universal for Android)

This is a good method if you’ve used Google services on your old phone, and the main advantage is cross-platform: contacts will be available not only on Xiaomi, but on any other Android device, or even through the web version of Google Contacts.

How to move:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Accounts → Google → [your email].
2. Activate the synchronization of contacts (if it is turned off).
3. Press Sync now.
4. On the new Xiaomi, add the same Google account to Settings → Accounts.
5. Turn on the contacts sync and wait until the finish (may take up to 10 minutes).

🔍 Problem: If contacts have not previously synced with Google, they will not appear in the cloud.In this case, export them to the.vcf file first (see the section on exports), and then import them to Google Contacts via the web version.

Method 3: Transfer through SIM-Card (for a small number of contacts)

This method is useful if you have less than 250 contacts (limitation). SIM-It does not save photos, email addresses and additional fields, only names and numbers.

Instructions:

1. On your old phone, open the Contacts app.
2. Go to Settings → Import / Export → Export to SIM-card.
3. Select contacts for export (or click Select All).
4. Confirm the export and wait until it is completed.
5. Move it. SIM-card.
6. On the new device, open Contacts. → Settings → Imports/Exports → Import with SIM-map.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g, POCO X3 Pro) export option on SIM In this case, use an alternative path: Settings. → Additionally. → Import/Export of contacts.

Method 4: Local transfer via VCF file (for power users)

If you prefer full control of data, exporting to.vcf (vCard) is the perfect solution, a format supported by all modern smartphones and allows you to edit contacts before transferring.

How to export and import:

1. On your old phone, open Contacts → Settings → Import / Export → Export to file.
2. Select a save location (e.g., internal memory → downloads).
3. Transfer the contacts.vcf file to your new phone (via Bluetooth, USB-cable).
4. On the new device, open the file through the Contacts or Files app.
5. Confirm the import and select your account to save (Mi Account or Google).

💡 Tip: Before importing, open the.vcf file on your computer via Excel or Notepad++, To remove duplicates or unnecessary contacts, this will save time to clean up later.

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If the VCF file is too large (more than 10 MB), break it down using VCF Splitter, which will speed up import and reduce the risk of errors.

Method 5: Rapid transfer through QR-code (MIUI 12 and newer)

Xiaomi's proprietary feature available on devices with MIUI 12+. Allows you to transfer contacts without cables and the Internet - just scan QR-code.

Algorithm of action:

1. On your old phone, open Contacts → Settings → Send Contacts.
2. Choose. QR-code and confirm generation.
3. On your new phone, open Contacts → Settings → Get Contacts → QR Scanner.
4. Scan the code from the old device.
5. Confirm receipt of data (contacts will appear within 1-2 minutes).

⚠️ Note: This method only works between Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12 or later. Older versions of firmware may not have an option. Also make sure both phones are Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct enabled.

💡

QR-The code is the fastest way to transfer between two Xiaomi phones, but it doesn't back up. Once the contacts are overwritten on the new device, it won't be possible to restore the old data.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following instructions, users face problems, and here are the most common ones:

• 🔄 Duplicate contacts: Occur when synchronized through multiple accounts (Mi) + Solution: before transferring, turn off sync on one of the services.
• ❌ Missed contacts: Often due to the fact that part of the numbers are saved on the SIM-Solution: Check all storage sources (see section on data fragmentation).
• 🚫 Synchronization error: This may be due to an outdated version MIUI. Solution: Update the firmware through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📵 Contact photos don't work: No photos are saved when you move through Google Solution: use Mi Account or export to.vcf.

If the contacts are displayed incorrectly after the transfer (for example, Cyrillic is replaced with question marks), the problem is encoding the.vcf file.

1. Open the file in a text editor (e.g. Notepad++).
2. Make sure the encoding is UTF-8.
3. Save the file and repeat the import.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions