How to sync contacts from your phone to Xiaomi Redmi 12: all working ways

Transferring contacts to the new Xiaomi Redmi 12 is a challenge that every user faces when changing their smartphone, even if you are switching from another Xiaomi, Redmi or smartphone device. POCO, Automatic synchronization doesn’t always work correctly. In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven methods of transferring contacts, from standard (via Google account and Mi Cloud) to alternative (via Bluetooth, SIM-map or file).

The Redmi 12 (23127RN86G, 23127RN86Y, etc.) feature is MIUI 14/15 over Android 13/14, which affects the location of the sync menu. We took all the nuances of the firmware and collected relevant screenshots. If you go from the iPhone, we will consider separately bypassing the iCloud restrictions without losing data.

We warn you beforehand that not all methods are equally reliable, such as transferring through the SIM-The map is limited to 250 contacts, and Bluetooth may not transmit profile photos:

1. Sync through Google account (the most reliable way)

This method works if your old phone already has contacts tied to a Google account, benefits: automatic updates, backups and access from any device. On Redmi 12, sync is enabled in two clicks, but there are nuances with MIUI settings.

If you are switching from an iPhone, first export your contacts to Google Contacts via iCloud (instructions in the iOS section).

1. On your old phone: Open Settings → Accounts → Google, select your account and make sure the Contacts switch is active. If not, turn on sync and wait until it is completed (may take up to 10 minutes).
2. On Redmi 12: Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Add an account → Google. Enter the same account details as on your old phone.
3. Forced Sync: After adding an account, open Contacts → ⋮ (menu) → Contact management → Sync and click Sync Now.

If no contact appears, check:

• 🔄 Version MIUI: Redmi 12s. MIUI 14 and below, the path to sync may be different. Update the firmware through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📵 Internet connection: Sync only works via Wi-Fi or mobile network. Turn off Flight Mode and VPN.
• 🔒 Permissions: C Settings → Annexes → Application management → Contacts verify that permission for Contacts and Warehouse is enabled.

⚠️ Note: If your old phone only stores contacts in memory (not Google), you must export them first. → ⋮ → Exports/imports → Export to.vcf file, then transfer the file to Redmi 12 and import.

2.Move over Mi Cloud (for Xiaomi devices)

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s proprietary cloud that automatically backs up contacts if sync is enabled, which is convenient when switching from one Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO device to another, but requires:

• 📱 The same Mi Account on both phones.
• 🔋 Battery charge >20% (synchronization consumes energy).
• 🌐 Wi-Fi connection (mobile internet can block downloading of large amounts of data).

Instructions:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Mi Cloud (or Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Cloud). Turn on the Contacts switch and wait for the backup to complete.
2. On Redmi 12, sign in to the same Mi Account via Settings → Accounts and Sync → Add an account → Xiaomi.
3. Go back to Mi Cloud and enable contact sync. If the data doesn't show up, click Sync Now.

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If Mi Cloud does not find your account, check the region in your phone settings. Some cloud features are not available if you select a country other than Russia/Europe in Settings → Additional → Region.

3. Contacts Transfer via Bluetooth (without the Internet)

This method is suitable if you do not have access to Wi-Fi or mobile Internet, but there are limitations:

• 📞 Only numbers and names are transferred (without photos, notes, birthdays).
• 🐢 Transmission speed is low (about 10 contacts per minute).
• 🔋 Battery consumption is higher than with other methods.

Step-by-step:

1. On both phones, turn on Bluetooth via the notification panel or Settings → Connections → Bluetooth.
2. On the old phone, open Contacts, press ⋮ → Exports/imports → Send contacts → Bluetooth.
3. Select the contacts for the transfer (you can mark everything) and confirm the sending.
4. On Redmi 12, accept the incoming file and save the contacts to your phone's Memory or SIM-map.

Important: Some MIUI firmwares have hidden the "Send over Bluetooth" option. To see it, pre-export the contacts to the.vcf file (Export/Import section), then send the file via Bluetooth.

⚠️ Note: If Redmi 12 is power-saving, Bluetooth can be turned off automatically. Deactivate it in Settings before transfer → Battery.

4. Copying contacts through SIM-card (for push-button phones)

This is the case if you are transferring contacts from a button phone or an old feature phone (for example, Nokia 105 or Samsung Guru).

• 📇 SIM-The card only stores numbers and names (maximum 250 contacts).
• 🔢 Numbers longer than 20 characters can be cut.
• 📱 Redmi 12 supports nano-SIM and micro-SIM (via adapter).

How to move:

1. Put it in. SIM-card to an old phone and export contacts to its memory (the option is usually called Copy on the phone). SIM or save on the map).
2. Move the SIM to Redmi 12 (use an adapter if you need a nano-SIM).
3. Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Import with SIM-map.
4. Choose where to save contacts: Google Account, Mi Cloud or Memory phone.

5.Moving contacts from iPhone to Xiaomi Redmi 12

The transition from iPhone to Android is complicated by the closedness of the Apple ecosystem.

• 🍎 iCloud is not synced directly to MIUI.
• 🔒 iCloud Contacts are Protected by Two-Factor Authentication.
• 📱 Contact profile photos may not be transferred.

The most reliable way is to export through Google Contacts:

1. On iPhone, open Settings → [Your name] → iCloud and turn on Contacts (if turned off).
2. Go to iCloud.com, log in to your account and select Contacts.
3. Press. ⚙️ → Export vCard (.vcf file saved to your computer).
4. Send the file to Redmi 12 (by mail, Telegram or USB cable).
5. On Redmi 12, open a.vcf file and import contacts to Google or Phone Memory.

Alternatively, use the Move to iOS app (but it only works when you first set up Redmi 12).If your phone is already set up, use third-party utilities like Copy My Data (available on the App Store and Google Play).

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When transferring from your iPhone, never use the “Erase and Sync” option in iCloud – this will remove contacts from Apple servers irrevocably.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, you can have a problem, and let's look at the typical problems and how to fix them:

If none of the methods worked, try resetting your network settings to Redmi 12:

1. Go to Settings → Connections → Mobile Network → Reset Network settings.
2. Confirm the reset and restart the phone.
3. Repeat sync via Google or Mi Cloud.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions