How to copy contacts with Xiaomi on Xiaomi: all ways with explanations

Transferring contacts between Xiaomi smartphones seems like a simple task, but in practice users face nuances: from lack of synchronization to data loss when wrong actions. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of copying contacts - from standard (via Mi Account and Google) to alternative (via Mi Account and Google) SIM-A map or local.vcf file will be used to address common errors that cause duplicate or loss of records.

Important: the instructions are adapted to the latest version of the MIUI 15 shell (relevant to the models of Redmi Note 12/13, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13/14, etc.), but are suitable for older devices on MIUI 12/13/14. If you have outdated firmware (below MIUI 10), some menu items may differ - check their location in the settings.

1. Transfer contacts via Mi Account (the fastest way)

Synchronization through Xiaomi account is the best option if both devices are tied to the same Mi Account. This method saves not only numbers, but also photos of contacts, notes to them, groups (for example, "Work", "Family").

How to check and enable synchronization:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud.
• 🔄 Make sure the switch opposite the Contact is active (green).
• 📤 Click Sync Now if the data hasn’t been updated for a long time.
• 📱 On the second phone, log in to the same Mi Account and wait for the automatic download of contacts (can take up to 5 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If the second device already has contacts, they can merge with new ones, creating duplicates. To avoid this, export existing contacts to a.vcf file before syncing (instruction in section 4).

2. Copy contacts through Google Account

If you don’t use Mi Cloud but you have a Google Account, this will be a universal solution, with the advantage that contacts will be available not only on Xiaomi, but also on other devices (e.g., Pixel or iPhone via Gmail).

Step-by-step:

1. On an old phone: 📱 Go to Settings. → Accounts. → Google → Select your account. 🔄 Enable the synchronization of "Contacts" (if disabled). 📤 Click Sync and wait until it is completed.
2. On a new phone: 📱 Log in to the same Google Account in Settings → Accounts. 🔄 Turn on contact synchronization. 📥 Open the Contacts app – the data will be automatically downloaded.

⚠️ Note: If the new phone already has contacts linked to another Google Account, they will not be merged; you will have to manually export them (section 4) and import them into the desired account.

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Before syncing through Google, check if it is enabled on both devices at the same time as the Mi Cloud.

3. Transfer of contacts over Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a classic way of transmitting a small number of contacts (up to 500 records) because it is manual and takes a long time.

How to transfer contacts over Bluetooth:

• 📱 On your old phone, open the Contacts app".
• 🔍 Select the necessary contacts (or click Allocate all).
• 📤 Press Share. → Bluetooth.
• 📱 On your new phone, turn on Bluetooth and confirm the reception of the.vcf file.
• 📥 Open the file after downloading – contacts will be added automatically.

4. Export and import contacts via.vcf file

The.vcf file (vCard) is a universal format for storing contacts, which is suitable if you want to back up or transfer contacts to a device of another brand (for example, from Xiaomi to iPhone).

How to export contacts:

• 📱 Open "Contacts" → ⋮ (three-point) → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to file.
• 📁 Choose where to save the file (for example, internal memory). → Download).
• 📤 Click Export – Contacts.vcf will be created.

How to import contacts to a new phone:

• 📱 Move the.vcf file to your new smartphone (via Bluetooth, USB cloud).
• 📥 Open the file – the system will offer to add contacts to the “Contact phone” or Google Account.
• 🔄 Select your target account and confirm your import.

⚠️ Note: If a.vcf file weighs more than 10MB, break it down (for example, through the Contacts app).+" Large files may not be imported or cause crashes.

Check the space available on your phone (a.vcf file can weigh up to 50MB)

Turn off battery optimization for the Contacts app (Settings → Applications → Contacts → Battery → Without restrictions)

Make sure contacts are not duplicated (use the "Combine Doubles" option in the management menu)

Backup your current contacts on your new phone (if you have them)-->

5. Transfer of contacts through SIM-map

way SIM-The card is inferior in convenience to other methods, but remains relevant for devices without the Internet or when resetting the phone:

• 📵 Nana SIM a limited number of contacts (usually 200-250).
• 📞 Only name and number are saved (without photos, email, addresses).
• 📱 Does not work with eSIM (physical cards only).

How to copy contacts to SIM:

1. 📱 Open "Contacts" → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Exports to SIM-map.
2. 📋 Select contacts for export (or click Allocate).
3. 📤 Confirm the export – the contacts are copied to the SIM.
4. 🔄 Move it. SIM-card.
5. 📥 On a new device: Contacts → ⋮ → Management → Import with SIM-map.

⚠️ Note: When importing with SIM Contacts will be added to Contacts, not Google or Mi Account, and to avoid data loss, sync them to the cloud after import (section 1 or 2).

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SIM-The card is the most reliable way to deal with emergencies (e.g. if the phone is broken and not turned on), but is not suitable for regular use due to limitations.

6. Alternative methods: applications and PC

If standard methods do not work, use third-party tools:

1.Mi Mover app (official from Xiaomi)

It is designed to transfer data between Xiaomi devices, including contacts, messages and photos, and works over Wi-Fi Direct (without the Internet).

• 📱 Install “Mi Mover” from Google Play on both phones.
• 🔄 On the old phone, select "I am the sender" and on the new one, "I am the receiver".
• 📤 Scan it. QR-code and select "Contacts" to transfer.

2. Computer Transfer (for advanced users)

If you need to edit the contacts before the penosom:

• 🖥️ Export contacts to.vcf (Section 4) and copy the file to PC.
• 📝 Open the file in Notepad or Excel (pre-convert to.csv via online converter).
• 🔄 Edit data (e.g., delete duplicates or add missing fields).
• 📤 Save the file and import back to the new phone.

3. Cloud services (Yandex, Mail.ru)

If you use email accounts of these services, you can synchronize contacts through them:

• 📧 Add your Yandex or Mail.ru account to Settings → Accounts.
• 🔄 Turn on contact synchronization.
• 📥 On the new phone, log in to the same account and wait for the data to load.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even when following the instructions, users face problems, and consider typical scenarios and ways to fix them:

1. Contacts are not synced through Mi Account

• 🔌 Check your internet connection (synchronization requires stable Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).
• 📧 Go to Mi Account: Settings → Xiaomi account → Get out, then come back in.
• 📵 If nothing helps, reset your Mi Cloud settings: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → ⋮ → Resetting synchronization.

2.Duplicate contacts after importation

• 🧹 In the "Contacts" app, click ⋮ → Contact management → Combine the takes.
• 📊 Use third-party apps like "Cleanup: Duplicate Contacts" (available on Google Play).
• 🔄 Before importing, export your existing contacts to.vcf, then delete them and import the shared file.

3..vcf file is not imported

• 📁 Make sure the file is not corrupted (try opening it on your PC).
• 📱 Check the file extension – it should be.vcf, not.vcf.txt.
• 📵 If the file is big (>10 MB), break it down through the Contact Optimizer app".

4. Contacts to SIM-map-out

• 📶 Try another one. SIM-Card (possibly damaged current card).
• 📱 Reboot your phone – sometimes the module SIM Not initialized immediately.
• 🔧 In the settings SIM-maps (Settings) → SIM-Maps and mobile networks) enable the option "Import contacts" (if available).

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If contacts are lost after resetting your phone, check the MIUI/Backup/AllBackup folder in your internal memory, which can be used to store backups.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions