How to throw all contacts from Xiaomi phone to your computer: a detailed guide

Transferring contacts from Xiaomi to your computer is a challenge that every user faces when buying a new device, resetting settings or backup data. Unlike media files, contacts are stored in system databases and their export requires special tools. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways, including cloud services, wired connection and third-party applications, taking into account the features of MIUI 14/15.

It is important to understand that the methods differ in speed, security and compatibility. For example, exporting through the Mi Cloud is suitable for regular backup, but requires stable Internet, and direct transfer over USB works without a network, but may require additional drivers. We will also consider the nuances for Redmi models, POCO and flagship Xiaomi 13/14 series, where synchronization settings may differ.

If you've tried to move contacts before and have encountered errors like "can't export vCard" or "device is not recognized by PC," in this article you'll find solutions. All instructions are tested on current versions of MIUI and Windows 10/11, as well as macOS.

Export contacts via Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

The most reliable way to do this is if you have a Mi Account, which allows you not only to transfer contacts to your PC, but also to restore them to a new device, and the main advantage is automatic synchronization, which works in the background.

To take advantage of this method:

• 📱 Open on your phone Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud.
• 🔄 Make sure the switch opposite Contact is active (green). If not, turn on sync.
• 💻 Go to the PC at i.mi.com and log in under the same account.
• 📋 In the Contacts section, click Export and select the.vcf (vCard) or.csv format for Excel.

The file will be saved in your computer’s downloads, open in Outlook, Google Contacts, or import to another phone. Please note that if contacts are duplicated, clear them before exporting via Contact Management → Combine duplicates in Mi Cloud.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using POCO F5 or Redmi Note 12 with MIUI 14, check that your account settings have enabled the option "Wi-Fi Sync." Without it, contacts may not be updated in the cloud.

2. Transfer of contacts over USB (wired connection)

If you don’t have internet access or prefer local porting, USB connectivity is the best option, but Xiaomi hides system contacts by default, so you’ll need to adjust more.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via the original cable (preferably from the kit).
2. On the phone in the notification curtain, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. Open Windows Explorer (or Finder on macOS) and go to the phone folder.
4. Follow the path: Internal Memory → MIUI → backup → AllBackup. This is where you store backups of contacts in.ab format.
5. Copy the file to your computer. To convert to.vcf, use Mi PC Suite (the official software from Xiaomi).

An alternative way is to export contacts directly to the.vcf file via the Contacts app on your phone:

• 📱 Open Contacts. → ⋮ (menu) → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to file.
• 📄 Select "Export to Device" and confirm saving.
• 💾 Contacts.vcf will appear in the Download folder. Copy it on your PC.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra) may have different backup paths: MIUI → backup → If the folder is not available, update it. MIUI last-minute.

3. Sync with Google Account

If you use Google Contacts, it takes no more than 5 minutes to migrate your contacts to your PC, and it works on any device, including iPhones or tablets.

How to set up:

• 📱 On Xiaomi phone go to Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of the account.
• 🔄 Activate the "Contact" switch".
• 💻 On your computer, open contacts.google.com and log in under the same account.
• 📤 Press Export. → Select the format (Google) CSV vCard) → Export.

The advantage of this method is automatic backup, which protects your contacts even when you lose your phone, and Google allows you to edit contacts directly in the browser and sync them with other devices.

If your contacts are not displayed on Google, check:

• 🔍 There are no synchronization limits in the phone settings (Accounts section) → Google → Delete the account → Synchronize now).
• 📶 The phone is connected to the Internet (synchronization works only online).
• 📱 In the "Contacts" application, the option "Show only contacts with" is not selected. SIM".

4. Use of third-party applications

If standard methods don't work (for example, because of synchronization errors), you can use specialized programs. We tested 3 of the most reliable ones:

Examples of My Contacts Backup:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Run it and press Backup.
3. Select Email and send the.vcf file to your email.
4. On PC, download the attachment and import it to Outlook or Google Contacts.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party apps, turn off battery optimization for them (Settings) → Annexes → Permits → Auto-run, otherwise the backup may be interrupted.

5. Transfer of contacts over Bluetooth

The method is suitable for carrying a small number of contacts (up to 100) without using cables or the Internet, but it is slower than others and may not work on some Xiaomi models due to MIUI limitations.

Step-by-step:

• 📱 On the phone, open Contacts, select the required entries (or click). ⋮ → Highlight everything).
• 📤 Press Share. → Bluetooth.
• 💻 On PC, turn on Bluetooth (in Windows) 10/11 This is done through the parameters. → Devices → Bluetooth).
• 🔗 Confirm device pairing and accept the.vcf file.

The process is similar on macOS, but additional software may be required to receive files, such as Bluetooth File Exchange, the main drawback of the method is the limitation on the size of the transmitted file (usually up to 1-2 MB).

If Bluetooth doesn't find the PC:

• 🔄 Reboot both devices.
• 📱 On your phone, turn on “Visible for All” mode in Bluetooth settings.
• 💻 On PC, update Bluetooth drivers through Device Manager.

💡

If you want to transfer contacts to another Xiaomi phone, use the “Cloning Device” function in Settings → Additional → Data Transfer. It works without a PC and saves not only contacts, but also SMS, photos, settings.

6.Manual export via ADB (for advanced users)

This is a good way to do it if the standard methods don't work and the developer mode is unlocked on the phone, and it allows you to extract the contact database directly from the system files.

What will be required:

• 💻 Computer with installed ADB-Drivers (download from Android site).
• 📱 Phone with debugging enabled USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line (or Terminal on macOS).
2. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices must appear serial number of the device.
3. Copy the contact database on your PC: adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db
4. The contacts2.db file will be saved in the folder where the command was launched. Use DB Browser for SQLite to open it.

⚠️ Note: This method requires root rights on some versions MIUI. Without them, you will get a Permission Denied error, and don’t edit the database directly, which can lead to data loss.

💡

ADB-method is the only way to extract contacts from a phone that doesn’t turn on (for example, after a fall), but is determined by a PC in fastboot mode.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To determine the best way, evaluate your priorities:

For most users, Mi Cloud or Google Contacts is the best solution, because they're easy to set up and reliable. If you want one-time copying without linking to accounts, choose your own. USB-method. ADB Bluetooth should only be considered in extreme cases.

FAQ: Frequent questions