How to copy contacts to a Xiaomi device: all ways 2026

Transfer contacts to the new smartphone Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO — The challenge that every user faces when changing a device or resetting settings. Even if you don't plan to change your phone, backing up contacts will protect you from accidentally losing them in a break, theft or software failure. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to copy contacts to Xiaomi devices, including synchronization with the cloud, export through files and manual transfer of contacts to the device. SIM-map.

Feature of Xiaomi smartphones – its own ecosystem MIUI, It offers unique tools like MI However, many users prefer universal methods such as syncing with Google Account or exporting to.vcf. We will analyze the pros and cons of each option so that you can choose the best way to suit your situation.

If you are switching from an iPhone or other Android device, some methods will require additional steps, such as moving contacts to iOS may require intermediate exports via iCloud or Gmail.

It is important to note that on Xiaomi devices with MIUI 14 and newer function of exporting contacts to file VCF It's hidden in the back of the menu and requires activation through "Special Features." We'll detail how to find it to avoid confusion.

1. synchronize contacts with Google Account

The most reliable and versatile way is to link contacts to a Google Account, which works on all Android devices, including Xiaomi, and allows you to automatically restore contacts when you change your phone or reset your settings.

Benefits of syncing with Google:

• 🔄 Automatic contact updates on all devices
• 📱 Access to contacts via Gmail on your computer
• 🔒 Protection against data loss in case of phone breakdown
• 🌍 Cross-platform (works with iOS via Gmail)

To enable synchronization, follow the following steps:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
2. Select your Google Account (if not, add it through Add Account).
3. Activate the slider opposite Contact.
4. Press Sync (or wait for automatic sync).

If no contacts appear, check:

• 📶 Stable Internet connection (synchronization requires networking)
• 🔄 Settings menu → Annexes → Contacts → Memory selected by Google Account as default source
• 🔍 In Gmail on your computer (Contact tab) whether saved numbers are displayed

⚠️ Note: If you previously synced contacts with another account (such as Mi Account), duplicates of them may appear in the phone book.To avoid this, export your current contacts to a.vcf file before enabling sync with Google and clear the memory.

2. Transfer of contacts 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 use multiple Xiaomi devices (such as a smartphone and a Pad tablet) or reset your settings often.

How to enable backup in MI Cloud:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Mi Account (or Xiaomi Account on new models).
• 🔗 Sign in or create an account if you don’t have one.
• ☁️ Choose. MI Cloud → Backup of the device.
• 📋 Activate the slider opposite Contacts and press Sync.

To restore contacts on the new device:

1. Log in to the same Mi Account on your new smartphone.
2. Move to the MI Cloud → Restore.
3. Select the latest backup with contacts.
4. Confirm the recovery and wait for the process to be completed.

⚠️ Note: If you delete your contacts from your phone, they will also disappear from your phone. MI Cloud at the next sync. To avoid loss, export the backup to.vcf before mass deletion.

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If you are using a Google Account, and MI Cloud, in contact settings (Settings) → Annexes → Contacts → Select a priority source to avoid duplicates.

3. Copying of contacts on SIM-map

Transfer of contacts to SIM-This is an outdated, but still working, method that comes in handy if you don't have access to the Internet or the cloud. SIM-The cards have a limit on the number of contacts saved (usually 200-250) and do not support additional fields such as email or addresses.

How to copy contacts to SIM-map:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Contact Management.
3. Go to Import/Export → Export to SIM-card.
4. Select contacts to copy (or click Allocate).
5. Confirm the export and wait until it is completed.

To move the contacts with SIM-card:

• 📱 Put it in. SIM-map to the new Xiaomi smartphone.
• 🔍 Open Contacts. → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Import with SIM-map.
• 📋 Select contacts for import and confirm the action.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 No support for contact photos
• 📛 Only name and number are saved (without additional fields)
• 📵 Slow process with a lot of contacts
• 🔢 Limitation of quantity (depending on the SIM-map)

Make sure SIM-The card maintains contact|

Check the vacant space on SIM-map (via ##4636##)|

Remove old contacts with SIM, if they don't need them|

Save a backup of contacts in the file VCF (fail-safe)-->

4.Export and import of contacts via VCF file

The.vcf (vCard) format is a universal standard for storing contacts that all modern smartphones support, a method that is suitable for one-time transfer of contacts between devices or creating a backup.

How to export contacts to.vcf file on Xiaomi:

1. Open Contacts. → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
2. Select Export to File (on the MIUI 14+ This item may be hidden - see the instructions below).
3. Specify the location of the storage (internal memory or SD-map).
4. Confirm the export. The file will be saved as contacts.vcf.

If the item Export in the file is not:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Developer functions.
• 🔍 Enable Developer Mode (if not enabled).
• 📱 Get back in touch. → Management → Imports/Exports – Export Point to be added.

How to import contacts from.vcf:

• 📁 Copy the contacts.vcf file to your new smartphone (via Bluetooth, email or cloud).
• 🔍 Open the file through Files or Contacts → Imports/Exports → File-based import.
• 📋 Select an account to save (such as Google or local memory).

⚠️ Note: Duplicates are possible when importing from.vcf if contacts already exist in the phone book. Before importing, it is recommended to clear the contact memory or use the option to Combine duplicates in the Contacts app settings.

5.Moving contacts from iPhone to Xiaomi

Moving from iPhone to Xiaomi requires additional steps, as iOS uses a closed ecosystem, and we’ll look at two reliable ways: through iCloud and through Google Account.

Method 1: Using iCloud and VCF file

1. 🍎 On iPhone go to Settings → [Your name] → iCloud and Enable Contacts.
2. 🌐 On your computer, open iCloud.com, log in and select Contacts.
3. ⚙️ Click on the gear in the lower left corner and select Export vCard.
4. 📥 Save the.vcf file to your computer, then transfer it to Xiaomi (e.g., via Google Drive or cable).
5. 📱 On Xiaomi, import the file through Contacts → Imports/Exports.

Method 2: Through Google Account

1. 📱 On iPhone, add Google Account to Settings → Passwords and accounts → Add an account.
2. 🔄 Enable synchronization of contacts with Google.
3. ☁️ Wait for the sync to be completed (check via Gmail) → Computer contact).
4. 📱 On Xiaomi, add the same Google Account and enable contact sync.

If contacts are not transferred:

• 🔄 Check what is on the iPhone in Settings → Contacts → Accounts are selected by Google by default.
• 📶 Make sure that both devices have internet access.
• 🔍 In Google Contacts on your computer, check if contacts appear after syncing with your iPhone.

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When migrating from iPhone to Xiaomi, avoid using apps like Move to iOS – they are designed to switch back (from Android to iOS) and may not work properly.

Manual input and third-party applications

If you don't have many contacts (up to 20-30), the easiest way is to manually type. Open the Contacts app on Xiaomi, click on + And you can enter it manually. This is a reliable method, but it's laborious at a lot of volume.

Third-party applications can be used to automate the process:

• 📱 Copy My Data – Transferring contacts to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
• ☁️ My Contacts Backup – Exporting contacts to file and sending them by email.
• 🔄 Samsung Smart Switch (works with Xiaomi) – transferring data from other Android devices.

Warnings when using third-party applications:

• 🛡️ Check the permissions of the application (some request access to the app). SMS or call).
• 📡 Avoid sending contacts over unsecured Wi-Fi networks.
• 📦 After the transfer, delete intermediate files with contacts (for example, backups in the phone memory).

If you choose a third-party app, give preference to programs that are highly rated and positive reviews. For example, Copy My Data has a rating of 4.5.+ Google Play does not require registration.

7. Problems in copying contacts and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions, users can encounter errors, and let's look at the typical problems and the ways to solve them.

If the contacts are missing after resetting:

1. 🔄 Check if syncing with Google is enabled or MI Cloud.
2. 📥 Try to restore contacts from backup (in the MI Cloud or Google Contacts).
3. 📧 If sync is disabled, check the Download folder for contacts.vcf (you may have backed up previously).

⚠️ Note: If you used the Truecaller app or similar services to manage your contacts, they may have created their own database, in which case the contacts may not sync with Google or the Google contact. MI To avoid loss, export your contacts directly from the app (if supported).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)