How to download contacts with Xiaomi on the computer: all the ways of 2026

Transferring contacts from Xiaomi’s smartphone to your computer can be a challenge in a variety of situations, from simple backups to migrating to a new phone or recovering data after a reset. Despite the seemingly simple task, users often face challenges — especially when it comes to models with closed MIUI firmware or outdated versions of Android. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to export contacts, including little-known nuances for specific models of Redmi, POCO and Mi.

Many people mistakenly believe that it is enough to simply connect the phone to the PC. USB — But in practice, it doesn't always work. MIUI By default, it blocks access to system folders with contacts through MTP-Connectivity, and standard Windows drivers don’t always recognize Xiaomi devices correctly, so we’ll focus on reliable methods that are guaranteed to work even on low-end models like Redmi. 9A or POCO M3.

To avoid data loss, make sure before starting the procedure that:

• 📱 The phone has enough charge (minimum 30%) – a sudden shutdown during export can damage the contact file.
• 🔄 Google Account Sync is disabled (if you plan to export local contacts).
• 🔌 Used by the original USB-cable – cheap analogues often don’t transmit data.

Export of contacts via MIUI (built-in function)

The easiest and safest way to do this is to use the built-in export function in.vcf (vCard) format, which works on all Xiaomi smartphones regardless of the MIUI version, but has a limitation: only contacts stored in the phone’s memory (not Google) are exported.

Instructions:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette).
2. Slip on three dots in the top right corner → select Contact Management.
3. Go to Import/Export Contacts → Export to Device.
4. Select the necessary contacts (or click Allocate) and confirm the export.
5. The contacts.vcf file will be saved in the Download or MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder.

Now you have to transfer this file to your computer, and you can do this.

• 📁 Through Windows Explorer (plug your phone over) USB, Select the File Transfer Mode).
• ☁️ Uploading the file to the cloud (Mi Cloud, Google Drive, Yandex.Disk) and downloading it to your PC.
• 📧 Sending it to your post office as an investment.

⚠️ Note: If the contact list shows duplicates (such as from WhatsApp or Telegram), filter them before exporting. → Just a phone.

Make sure your contacts are stored in your phone’s memory (not in Google)

Disable sync with Mi Cloud (if not required)

Check the free space on the phone (minimum 10 MB)

Use the original USB-cable-->

2. sync with Google Account (for cloud access)

If your contacts are linked to a Google Account, they can be easily exported through the Google Contacts web interface, a method suitable for Xiaomi owners who use Google services (e.g., on global firmware models).

Step-by-step:

1. On your phone, open Settings → Accounts and Sync → select your Google Account.
2. Make sure the Contact switch is on (if not, turn on and wait for synchronization).
3. On your computer, go to contacts.google.com and log in.
4. In the left menu, click Export → select the format (Google CSV or vCard) and click Export.

Advantages of this method:

• 🔄 Automatic update of contacts when changing on the phone.
• ☁️ Access to contacts from any device.
• 🔍 The ability to edit contacts directly in the browser.

⚠️ Note: If you previously synced contacts with Mi Cloud, they may be duplicated in Google. Before exporting, check the list for duplicate entries (Google Contacts has a tool to combine duplicates).

💡

If some contacts are not displayed in Google when synchronizing, try manually running sync: open the Contacts app → three points → Sync.

3. Transfer through USB-cable (for direct transmission)

If you prefer a physical connection, you can transfer contacts directly over USB, but there are nuances: Xiaomi by default hides system files with contacts, so you will have to use workarounds.

Method 1: Copy the contacts.vcf file (if already exported):

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. In Windows Explorer, go to the Internal Memory → Download (or MIUI/backup) folder.
3. Copy the contacts.vcf file to your computer.

Method 2: Use ADB (for advanced users):

If the contacts are not exported, but are stored in the phone memory, they can be extracted through ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db

This method requires an unlocked bootloader and root rights, so it's not for everyone. contacts2.db You can open it with programs like this. DB Browser for SQLite.

• ⚡ Pros: Works even if the phone is not turned on (provided access to the phone is available) ADB).
• ⚠️ Cons: Difficult for beginners, the risk of damaging data with incorrect actions.

4. Bluetooth transmission (for a small number of contacts)

Bluetooth is not the fastest way to do this, but it will help if you don’t have a cable or Internet connection at hand, and it is suitable for transferring individual contacts (not all at once).

How to move:

1. On the phone, open Contacts, select the desired contact.
2. Tap it on three points. → Send. → Bluetooth.
3. Turn on Bluetooth on your computer (if you don’t have one, use an adapter).
4. Confirm the file reception on the PC – the contact will be saved in.vcf format.

Limitations of the method:

• 🐢 Slow transmission (one contact).
• 📵 Not all PCs support Bluetooth file reception (especially stationary ones without a module).
• 🔋 High battery consumption on the phone.

⚠️ Note: When transmitting via Bluetooth, Cyrillic names may be displayed in Krakozabra. To avoid this, rename the contact to Latin before sending (for example, instead of "Ivanov" specify "Ivanov").

💡

Bluetooth is convenient for transferring 1-2 contacts, but not for full backup. For mass export, use other methods.

5. Use of third-party applications (alternative solutions)

If standard methods don’t work, Google Play apps will come to the rescue, offering additional features like exporting to Excel or cloud services.

Top.-3 contact-export applications:

• 📊 Contacts Backup & Restore – Export to.vcf and.xml, support for cloud services.
• 🔄 My Contacts Backup – send backup to email.
• 📧 Super Backup & Restore – Mass Exports with Encryption.

Examples of Contacts Backup & Restore:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Run it and press Backup.
3. Select the format (vCard or XML) and confirm.
4. The backup file will be saved in the phone’s memory – transfer it to the PC.

Warning: Some apps request access to SMS and call logs, and refuse such permissions if they are not needed to export contacts.

6.Export via Mi Cloud (for Xiaomi account holders)

If you use a Mi Account, your contacts are automatically synced to Mi Cloud and can be downloaded to your computer as an archive.

Instructions:

1. On the phone, open Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Make sure that the contact sync is enabled.
3. On your computer, go to i.mi.com and log in.
4. Select Contacts → Export → Export Everything.
5. The contacts.vcf file is downloaded to PC.

Features of Mi Cloud:

• 🔒 Data is encrypted during transmission.
• 📅 Change history persists up to 30 days.
• 🌍 Available only for users with Mi Account (not working on models without Xiaomi services).

⚠️ Note: If you have previously used Mi Cloud on another phone, contacts may merge with existing ones. Before exporting, check the list for duplicates in Contact Management. → Combining and correcting.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

The choice of method depends on your tasks and technical capabilities, and below is a comparative table for quick orientation.

Selection recommendations:

• 🔹 Need a one-time backup? Use Export through MIUI or USB-cable.
• 🔹 Is it important to keep sync? Set up a Google Account or Mi Cloud.
• 🔹 You need to send some contacts? Bluetooth is fine.
• 🔹 Need advanced features (Excel, clouds)? Install a third-party app.

FAQ: Frequent Questions and Problems