How to copy contacts to Xiaomi’s new phone: the full guide 2026

Transferring contacts to the new Xiaomi smartphone is a challenge that every user faces when changing devices. Even if you carefully saved all the numbers in the phone book of the old device, the risk of losing important data when switching to the new model remains. This is especially true for Redmi owners, POCO or flagship Xiaomi 14, where the synchronization process may differ from the usual Samsung or iPhone.

In this article we will analyze all the current ways of copying contacts - from classic export through the SIM-You will learn which method is the fastest, which is the most reliable for backup, and how to avoid common errors (for example, duplicate records or loss of photos of contacts). SIM With limited memory, we will show you how to transfer them without loss.

Important: instructions are relevant to all modern Xiaomi devices on the MIUI 14/15 HyperOS, including Redmi Note models 13, POCO F6, Xiaomi 13T If your phone runs on an older version of the firmware, some menu items may be slightly different — but the general logic will remain the same.

1.Preparation for the transfer of contacts: what to do before copying

Before you start the transfer, follow a few critical steps to avoid data loss, duplicate records, or synchronization problems.

First, check the current contact store on your old phone.

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Press three points (⋮) top-right → Contact management.
3. Choose Import/Export → See where your contacts are stored (Device, SIM-Map, Google or Mi Cloud).

If the contacts are kept only on SIM-map, consider its limitations:

• 📱 Capacity: most SIM no more 250-500 contact.
• 📇 Format: only names and numbers are saved (no email, addresses or photos).
• ⚠️ Encoding: Russian letters can be displayed as "???" on some models.

⚠️ Note: If you use a dual-SIM adapter (e.g. for the Redmi Note 12 with a hybrid slot), remove it before transferring.Some Xiaomi models don't recognize contacts on the second SIM, if it is installed through an adapter.

Step two, clear the new phone's memory of unnecessary duplicates. Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Contacts → Memory and cache removal, which will prevent import conflicts.

2. Method 1: Sync through Google Account (the most reliable method)

Using a Google Account is the only way to ensure that contacts are safe even when you reset your phone to factory settings: All data is stored in the cloud and automatically synced with the new device.

Instructions for old phone (export):

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Choose your account (or add a new one if you don’t have one).
3. Activate the Contact Switch.
4. Press Sync (Wi-Fi connection may be required).

Instructions for the new Xiaomi (import):

1. When you first turn on your phone, select Restore from backup and specify your Google Account.
2. If the phone is already configured: go to Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Google, select an account and enable contact sync.
3. Open the Contacts app and wait until the download is complete (it can take up to 10 minutes).

Advantages of the method:

• ☁️ Cloud Storage: Contacts are available on any device with your Google Account.
• 🔄 Auto Update: Changes to one phone will affect another.
• 📸 Full data: not only numbers are saved, but also email, addresses, photos of contacts.

⚠️ Note: If your old phone has your contacts stored in your device memory (not Google), export them to your account before syncing. → Imports/Exports → Export to a file (.vcf format), then import this file to Google Contacts via browser.

Check your internet connection (Wi-Fi is recommended)|Make sure that your old phone has contact sync enabled.|Remember the password from Google Account|On the new Xiaomi, log in to the same account.-->

Method 3: Transfer over Mi Cloud (for Xiaomi owners)

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s proprietary cloud storage that automatically backs up contacts, messages and other data, a method that is handy if both of your phones are from Xiaomi (or Xiaomi). Redmi/POCO).

How to turn on backup on your old phone:

1. Go to Settings. → Mi Account (top of the screen).
2. Select Mi Cloud → Backup of the device.
3. Activate the Contacts switch and press Start Backup.
4. Wait until the end (time depends on the number of contacts).

How to Restore Contacts on the New Xiaomi:

1. When you first turn on, select Restore from a Mi Cloud backup.
2. If the phone is already configured: Settings → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud → Restore from backup copy.
3. Select the latest copy and confirm the recovery.

Features of Mi Cloud:

• 🔐 Security: Data is encrypted and stored on Xiaomi servers.
• 📱 Cross-platform: only works between devices Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO.
• 📅 Automation: You can set up daily backups.

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If you do not have a Mi Account, register it in advance on your old phone: Settings → Mi Account. → Create an account. Use a valid email, because it will receive a confirmation email.

Method 3: Copying through SIM-Card (for old phones)

This method is suitable if you do not have access to the Internet or contacts are stored only on the Internet. SIM-But take note: SIM-The card only stores names and numbers – all additional information (email, addresses, photos) will be lost.

Export of contacts to SIM-card (old telephone):

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Press. ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Exports to SIM-map.
3. Select contacts for export (or click Select All).
4. Confirm the export. The process can take a few minutes.

Import of contacts with SIM-maps (new Xiaomi):

1. Put it in. SIM-card.
2. Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Import with SIM-map.
3. Choose where to save contacts (Device or Device) Google/Mi Account).
4. Confirm the import.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 No photos: contact avatars are not carried.
• 📏 Symbols: Names longer than 20 characters can be cut off.
• 🔤 Coding problems: Cyrillic can be displayed as "???" (solved by changing the encoding in the settings) SIM).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 10C) importation SIM This may not work if the nano-SIM card is installed via an adapter, in which case use the Micro-SIM without an adapter or choose another port method.

5. Method 4: Transmission over Bluetooth (without the Internet)

If you don't have Wi-Fi or mobile internet, you can move your contacts over Bluetooth, which works between any phone, but only works for a small number of records (up to a few). 100-200 contact).

Instructions:

1. On both phones, turn on Bluetooth (Settings → Connections → Bluetooth).
2. Pair devices (click Device Search on the new Xiaomi and select an old phone).
3. On your old phone, open your contacts. → ⋮ → Management → Imports/Exports → Send.
4. Select contacts to transfer and confirm sending via Bluetooth.
5. On the new Xiaomi, accept the incoming file (.vcf) and save the contacts.

Tips for successful transfer:

• 📶 Distance: Keep your phones no more than 10 meters away.
• 🔋 Battery Charge: Make sure both devices have enough charge (the process may take time) 15-30 minute).
• 📱 File format: If the phone offers to choose the format, choose vCard 3.0 (supports Cyrillic).

Disadvantages of the method:

Slow transmission speed (especially with a large number of contacts)

- Errors may occur when transmitting Cyrillic symbols (resolved by choosing the correct encoding).

- Not all Xiaomi models support Bluetooth contact transfer (for example, some models). POCO this function is off).

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Bluetooth is suitable for emergency transfer of a small number of contacts, but is not recommended as the main method due to low speed and the risk of data loss.

Method 5: Use of SD-card USB-OTG (bulky)

If you have a lot of contacts with photos and additional information, export to a.vcf file (or.csv) and then import to a new phone is the best option. SD-card USB-OTG adapter.

Export of contacts to SD-map:

1. Put it in. SD-card.
2. Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Management → Imports/Exports → Exports to memory card.
3. Select the vCard format (.vcf) and confirm the export.
4. The file will be saved in the Contacts or Download folder on the SD-map.

Imports to the new Xiaomi:

1. Move it. SD-card to a new phone or connect it via an adapter.
2. Open the files. → SD-map and find the contact file (usually contacts.vcf).
3. Click on the file and select Import (the Contacts app will open).
4. Specify where to save contacts (Device, Google or Mi Account).

Advantages of the method:

• 💾 Full transfer: All data, including photos and notes, are stored.
• 🔌 Without Internet: no connection to the network is required.
• 📁 Backup:.vcf file can be saved to your computer.

If you don't. SD-maps, use them USB-OTG adapter:

1. Connect the flash drive to the old phone via OTG.

2. Export contacts to the.vcf file to the flash drive.

3. Connect the flash drive to the new Xiaomi and import the file.

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The.vcf file can be opened on your computer via Google Contacts or Outlook, which is convenient for editing large lists before importing to your phone.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

1. Contacts are not synced with Google/Mi Cloud

• 🔍 Check your internet connection (synchronization only works via Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 🔄 Update the Contacts app on Google Play.
• ⚙️ Reset the synchronization settings: Settings → Accounts. → Google/Mi Account. → Delete your account, then add it again.

2.Duplicate contacts after transfer

• 🧹 Clear the cache of the Contacts app (Settings) → Annexes → Contacts → Memory. → Clear the cache).
• 🔗 Combine doubles manually: open the contact → ⋮ → Unite.
• 🤖 Use third-party apps like Contacts Optimizer (available on Google Play).

3. Contact photos are not displayed

• 📸 Check the export format: photos are saved only in.vcf or when synchronized through the Google/Mi Cloud.
• ☁️ Upload photos to the cloud: in Google Contacts on your computer, add a photo to each contact, then sync.
• 📱 Use Mi Cloud: It’s better at saving avatars than Google.

4. Contacts to SIM-map-out

• 🔧 Check the format SIM: Some phones don't support SIM old-style (Mini-SIM).
• 📱 Update the firmware: on Xiaomi with MIUI 12 and below may be reading bugs SIM.
• 🔄 Reboot the phone after insertion SIM-map.

If none of these methods work, try alternative methods:

• 📧 Send contacts by email: export to.vcf and send yourself to the mail, then open the letter on the new phone.
• 🌐 Use the web version of Google Contacts: import the file through the browser, then sync.
• 📱 Portability apps like Copy My Data (available on Google Play).

8. FAQ: Answers to popular questions