How to transfer contacts on Xiaomi phone: all ways with detailed instructions

Transferring contacts to Xiaomi’s new smartphone is a challenge that every user faces when changing a device or resetting settings. Even if you’ve never synchronized data before, the process will not be difficult: The manufacturer has built in several tools to back up and restore the phone book, and the main thing is to choose the right method depending on your needs: whether you need to save contacts in the cloud, transfer them to the cloud. SIM-card or simply export to the file for further import.

In this article, we will analyze 5 proven ways to copy contacts on Xiaomi, Redmi and other phones. POCO steerable MIUI 12-15 Each method is illustrated with step-by-step instructions, taking into account the nuances of different versions of the firmware, you will learn how to avoid data loss when changing your device, which file formats are supported for export, and why synchronization with Google Account remains the most reliable option. If you are afraid of making a mistake, there is a link at the end of the article. FAQ-Block with answers to the most frequent questions.

Modern Xiaomi smartphones store contacts not only in local memory, but also in cloud services. This makes it easier to transfer them, but requires pre-configuration. For example, if you have never set up sync with Google or Mi Cloud, contacts can only be stored on the device - and if you reset it, you risk losing the entire phone book. So the first step before copying is to check where exactly your contacts are stored.

To do this, open the Contacts app, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Contact Management. → Contact sources. Here you will see all the accounts that sync data with: Google, Mi Account, Device (local storage) and SIM-If the contacts are only displayed in the Device section, they must be copied to the cloud or to the SIM-pre-phone map.

1. copying contacts through Google Account (the most reliable way)

Google sync is a universal method that works on all Android devices, including Xiaomi. Its main advantage is that contacts are automatically backed up in the cloud and available on any phone after logging in to the same account.

To copy your contacts to your Google Account, follow the following steps:

• 📱 Open the Settings app on your Xiaomi.
• 👤 Go to Accounts and Synchronization → Google.
• ☁️ Select your Google Account (or add it if you are not already connected).
• 🔄 Turn on the switch opposite the Contact point.
• 🔄 Click Sync Now (or More) → Synchronize in new versions MIUI).

Once synced, all contacts will be copied to the Google cloud. To check this, go to contacts.google.com, where all your numbers should be displayed. If contacts do not show up, make sure you select the correct account and enable sync for the Contacts app.

⚠️ Note: If you use multiple Google Accounts, contacts may be shared between them. Before copying, check which account is selected by default in the Contact settings. → Contact management → Default account.

Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data)

There is enough free space in your Google Account (contacts take up little space, but it’s better to make sure)

The correct account is selected by default in the contact settings

Synchronization is enabled for the "Contact" app-->

2. Transfer of contacts to SIM-map (for older models)

Copying contacts on SIM-The card is an outdated, but still relevant method for owners of older Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi). 4A or Mi A1) Or those who plan to temporarily use another phone without access to the Internet: SIM-The card only stores names and numbers (no photos, emails, or other fields) and its memory is usually limited to 250-500 contacts.

Instructions for copying SIM-map:

• 📇 Open the Contacts app.
• ⚙️ Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Contact Management → Import/Export of contacts.
• 📤 Select Export on Export SIM-map.
• 🔘 Tag the contacts you want to copy (or click Select All).
• 💾 Confirm the export and wait for the process to be completed.

To move the contacts with SIM-cards to the new phone, paste it into the device and select in the same menu Import with SIM-Note that if you are SIM There are already contacts, they can be duplicated when importing. In this case, use the function "Connect" in the application settings.

⚠️ Not all modern Xiaomi supports export SIM-map MIUI. If the menu does not include Export to SIM, Use alternative methods from this article.

3. Sync through Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s proprietary cloud storage that automatically backs up contacts, messages, photos and other data, a method that is convenient if you plan to upgrade to another Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone, as recovery takes place in one click the first time you turn on the device.

To copy contacts to Mi Cloud:

• ☁️ Open the Settings. → Mi Account (or Accounts and Synchronization) → Mi Cloud in new versions).
• 🔑 Sign in to your Xiaomi account (or create one if you don’t already have one).
• 🔄 Turn on the switch opposite Contact.
• 🔄 Click Sync and wait for the process to be completed.

To restore contacts on a new device, you just need to log into the same Mi Account and enable synchronization. All data will be downloaded automatically, and the advantage of this method is the ability to back up not only contacts, but also SMS, notes, browser bookmarks and even system settings.

Important: If you reset your phone to factory settings without detaching your Mi Account, the device may lock (anti-theft function). To avoid this, go to Settings → Mi Account → Xiaomi Cloud → Unlock the device before resetting.

Synchronization with Google

Exports to SIM-map

Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

Manual export to VCF file

Another way.-->

4. Export contacts to the VCF file (for backup)

The.vcf format (or.vcard) is the standard way to export contacts that all modern smartphones support, and this method is suitable if you want to back up your computer or transfer contacts to a device of another brand (for example, from Xiaomi to iPhone). VCF You can send an email, save it to the cloud or copy it to a flash drive.

Export instructions:

• 📱 Open the Contacts app.
• ⚙️ Press three points. → Contact management → Import/Export of contacts.
• 📤 Select Export to File (or Export to Storage in New Versions) MIUI).
• 🔘 Tag the right contacts (or click Select All).
• 💾 Specify a folder to save (for example, Downloads) and confirm export.

A file with the.vcf extension will appear in the selected folder. To import it to another phone, move the file to a new device and select the Import from the file menu. If contacts are not imported, check that the file is not corrupted (you can open it in the text editor - there should be a readable data structure).

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If you export contacts to port to your iPhone, use iCloud.com: upload the VCF file to Contacts and they are automatically synced to your Apple device.

5. Contacts over Bluetooth (without the Internet)

Bluetooth Connection Transfer is an easy way to exchange data between two phones without an internet connection. It's suitable if you don't have Wi-Fi or a mobile network, but you have a second phone (not necessarily Xiaomi), and the main drawback of the method is that it's one-to-one, which takes a long time with a large phone book.

How to copy contacts over Bluetooth:

• 📱 Open Contacts on the Original Xiaomi Phone.
• 🔍 Find the contact you want to communicate and open it.
• 📤 Press three points. → Send. → Bluetooth.
• 🔵 Select the target device from the list and confirm the transfer.
• 📱 On the second phone, accept the incoming file and keep the contact.

To speed up the process, you can use group-based contact transfer applications like Send Anywhere or Xender, which allow you to send the entire phone book at a time, but require you to install additional software on both devices.

⚠️ Note: When transmitted over Bluetooth, some special characters in contact names (such as emojis or Cyrillic) may not be displayed correctly. Before mass transfer, check for one or two contacts.

6. Additional tips and frequent mistakes

Even when following instructions, users sometimes have problems copying contacts, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to avoid them:

• 🚫 Contacts are not synced with Google: check if sync is enabled in your account settings and if you have access to the Internet.
• 🚫 No export options are visible SIM-map: in new versions MIUI This feature may be hidden. Try updating the Contacts app via Google Play.
• 🚫 Duplicate contacts after import: Use the Connect Contacts function in the management menu or install the Contacts Optimizer app for automatic cleaning.
• 🚫 File. VCF It is not imported: make sure the file is not corrupted (you can open it in a notebook - there should be a readable structure.

If you plan to reset your Xiaomi phone to factory settings, make sure to back up your contacts in advance. Once reset, all local data (including contacts stored on the device) will be deleted without recovery, and check if important contacts are linked to specific accounts (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) – they will have to be stored separately.

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Before resetting your phone, be sure to untie your Mi Account in the cloud settings, otherwise the device may lock after rebooting.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions