Switching from iPhone to Xiaomi smartphone is a crucial step that requires transferring all important data, and synchronizing contacts is a major challenge, as losing a phone book can be a serious inconvenience. Fortunately, there are several proven ways to move the contacts between these platforms – from classic export to traditional export. SIM-Map to modern cloud services.
In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of synchronization, their pros and cons, as well as give recommendations on choosing the best option depending on your situation. If you have just purchased the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ Xiaomi 14 Ultra and don’t know how to save all phone numbers – this guide is for you.
1.Preparation for the transfer of contacts: what to do in advance
Before you start syncing, it’s important to make sure your iPhone contacts are up-to-date and do not contain duplicates, which will save time and prevent portability issues.
- 📱 Update iOS to the latest version (relevant to iPhone models) 15/14/13): This ensures compatibility with cloud services.
- 🔍 Check duplicates in the Contacts app: use the Merge function in Settings → Contacts → Accounts → Delete duplicates.
- 🔒 Backup via iTunes or Finder (for macOS Catalina and later) to avoid data loss.
Pay special attention to the way contacts are stored on the iPhone, and by default they can be tied to:
- 📱 Local storage (only on the device)
- ☁️ iCloud (Apple Cloud)
- 📧 Google Account (if previously synchronized)
If the contacts are stored locally, they must be exported to one of the cloud services or to the Internet. SIM-If you don't, you risk losing data when you reset your iPhone or reinstall your system.
2. Method 1: Synchronize with iCloud (the most reliable method)
Using iCloud is one of the most versatile and secure ways to transfer contacts, which is suitable even if you do not have a Google Account or prefer the Apple ecosystem, the main condition is an active iCloud account and a stable Internet connection.
Algorithm of action:
- On iPhone go to Settings → [Your name] → iCloud and make sure the switch opposite the "Contacts" is on.
- Open your browser on a PC or Xiaomi and go to iCloud.com. log in with the same Apple ID.
- Select the Contacts section, then click on the gear in the lower left corner and click "Select All." Then click on the same gear and select "Export vCard...." The.vcf file will be saved to your computer.
- Send this file to Xiaomi via Telegram, email or any other convenient way.
- On Xiaomi, open the resulting.vcf file – the system will automatically prompt you to import contacts into the phone book.
Advantages of this method:
- 🔒 Security: Data is transmitted via a secure Apple connection.
- 📱 Structure preservation: not only numbers are transferred, but also photos of contacts, attached notes.
- 🌐 Cross-platform: Works on any device, including Xiaomi, Samsung or even Huawei.
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If you have two-factor authentication in iCloud, make sure you have access to a trusted device to confirm your sign-in before exporting contacts.
⚠️ Note: If you are using iCloud for the first time, it may take up to 5 minutes to fully upload data to the server after activating contact sync.
Method 2: Transfer through Google Account (Universal)
Google Account Sync is the most popular method among Android users, allowing not only to transfer data from the iPhone to Xiaomi, but also to automatically sync it in the future, which is ideal if you plan to use Google services (eg, Gmail or Google Contacts).
Step-by-step:
- On iPhone, open Settings → Contacts → Accounts → Add an account → Google.
- Enter your Google Account (or create a new one) and turn on the Contacts switch.
- On Xiaomi go to Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Google and add the same account.
- Turn on the contact sync. In a few minutes, all the numbers will appear in the phone book.
If your contacts don’t show up on Xiaomi, check out:
- 🔄 Automatic synchronization in Google Account settings on both devices.
- 📶 Internet connection: without a network synchronization does not work.
- 📱 Contact settings on Xiaomi: make sure that Google is chosen as the main contact account (Contacts) → Settings → Default account).
| Parameter | iCloud | Google Account |
|---|---|---|
| Synchronization speed | Quickly (1-2 minute) | Average (up to 5 minutes) |
| Saving photos of contacts | Yes. | Yes. |
| The need for a PC | No (can be from the phone) | No. |
| Automatic update | Only for manual export | Yes, in real time. |
| Suitable for large phone books | Yes (up to 25,000 contacts) | Yes (no restrictions) |
Make sure your iPhone is syncing with Google|Check the space available in Google Contacts (limit – 25,000 contacts)|Disable battery optimization for the Contacts app on Xiaomi|Check that Xiaomi has the latest version of Google Contacts installed-->
Method 3: Use of SIM-Cards (for small number of contacts)
Transfer of contacts through SIM-The map is a classic method that works even without the Internet, but it has serious limitations. SIM The card usually contains no more than 250 contacts, and there are no fields for additional information (email, address, photos), which is suitable if you need to transfer only the main phone numbers.
How to do this:
- On your iPhone, open the Contacts app and click Groups in the top left corner. Make sure the All Contacts group is selected.
- Return to the contact list, click “Select” and select the ones you want to move (or select “Select All”).
- Press "Share" → "Export on SIM-Confirm the action.
- Extract. SIM-Map from iPhone and paste into Xiaomi.
- On Xiaomi, open "Contacts" → "Settings" → "Imports/Exports" → "Import with SIM-map".
Important nuances:
- 📱 Number format: SIM-The card retains the numbers in an international format (for example, +If your contacts are recorded without a country code, they may not be transferred correctly.
- 🔧 Limitations SIM: certain operators (e.g, Tele2 or Iota) block the recording of contacts on SIM. In this case, the method will not work.
- ⚠️ Data loss: Before exporting, make sure that SIM-The old contacts will be deleted if you select the option "Replace all".
What to do if Xiaomi does not see the contacts on the SIM-map?
5. Method 4: Data portability applications (Move to iOS and alternatives)
You can use specialized applications to automatically transfer data, including contacts, the most famous of which is Apple’s Move to iOS, but it only works in one direction (from Android to iPhone).
The best apps to transfer from iPhone to Xiaomi:
- 📱 Copy My Data (free, cross-platform): transfers contacts, calendars and photos over Wi-Fi. Supports iOS 12+ Android 8+.
- 🔄 SHAREit (advertising): transmits.vcf contacts with no number restrictions, requires both devices to connect to the same Wi-Fi network.
- ☁️ Send Anywhere (premium version without restrictions): generates a temporary link or QR-It's a code for data transfer, it's good for big phone books.
Instructions for Copy My Data:
- Install the app on both devices from the App Store and Google Play.
- On iPhone, select "Transfer From This Device" → "To Android".
- Select “Transfer to This Device” on Xiaomi" → "From iOS".
- Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network and follow the instructions on the screen.
- Select "Contacts" and wait for the transfer to be completed.
Important: When using third-party applications, never transmit data over public Wi-Fi networks (such as cafes or airports).
⚠️ Note: Some apps (e.g. SHAREit) request access to contacts, photos and location. Check reviews on Google Play before installing and set permissions manually to restrict access to only the data you need.
Method 5: Transfer over a computer (for advanced users)
If you have access to a Mac or Windows PC, you can transfer contacts through intermediate export to a.vcf or.csv file. This method requires more action, but guarantees 100% control over the process and allows you to edit the data before importing.
The algorithm for Windows:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes (or Finder on macOS).
- Back up your iPhone by selecting “This Computer” as your save location.
- Use iMazing or iExplorer to retrieve contacts from a backup to a.vcf file.
- Copy the file on Xiaomi and import it through the Contacts app.
For Mac, the process is simplified:
1. Open the Contacts app on Mac.
2.Select all contacts (Cmd + A) and export them through "File → Export → Export vCard...".
3. Transfer the.vcf file to Xiaomi via AirDrop, email, or cloud storage.Advantages of this method:
- 🖥️ Full control: You can edit contacts in Excel or Google Sheets before importing.
- 🔄 Massive changes: convenient for cleaning duplicates or adding tags.
- 📂 Backup: A.vcf file can be saved to your hard drive for future use.
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Transferring over a computer is the only way you can edit contacts before importing to Xiaomi, which is especially useful if your phone book has a lot of outdated or duplicate entries.
7. Problems in synchronization and their solution
Even if you follow the instructions, you can have difficulties, and let's look at the most common problems and how to fix them.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Contacts are not transferred through Google Account | Sync is disabled on iPhone or Xiaomi | Check your account settings on both devices and enable contact synchronization |
| Contact photos are not displayed | When exported to.vcf, photos are not saved | Use iCloud or specialized applications (e.g. Copy My Data) |
| Duplicate contacts on Xiaomi | The device already had contacts associated with another account. | Use the merge function in the Contact Settings on Xiaomi |
| Not all contacts were transferred through the SIM- card. | Limitation SIM-Cards by number of contacts (usually 250) | Divide contacts into groups and transfer parts or use another method |
| Authentication Error in iCloud | Two-factor authorization or blocking of Apple | Check trusted devices in Apple's settings ID Or temporarily disable two-factor authentication. |
If none of these methods worked, try the following steps:
- 🔄 Reboot both devices: Sometimes it helps to reset temporary sync errors.
- 📱 Update: Make sure that the latest firmware versions are installed on iPhone and Xiaomi.
- 🛠️ Reset your network settings on Xiaomi: go to Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting Wi-Fi, Mobile Network and Bluetooth.
8 How to avoid future data loss
After successfully migrating contacts, it is important to set up the system to avoid losing them when changing devices or resetting settings.
- ☁️ Automatic sync with Google: enable this feature in your Xiaomi account settings. Now all changes will be saved in the cloud.
- 📱 Local Backup: Export contacts to a.vcf file regularly and save them to a memory card or PC.
- 🔄 Use it. MI Cloud: Xiaomi has its own cloud storage. Activate it in Settings → Accounts and synchronization → MI Cloud.
- 📧 Exporting to email: Send your contact archives to the mail every six months, and this will save your data even if you lose access to your accounts.
For additional protection, you can use backup applications such as:
- 🔒 Super Backup & Restore (Saves Contacts, SMS, call-in)
- 📁 Swift Backup (supports backup encryption)
- ☁️ Dropsync (Sync for Dropbox or Google Drive)
Remember, backup contacts are just as important as backup photos, and statistics show that 30 percent of users lose part of their phone book when they switch to a new device because they don't have a backup.
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Set up automatic synchronization of contacts with Google or MI Cloud immediately after buying Xiaomi.This will save you problems with future system reinstallations or smartphone change.