How to copy contacts with Xiaomi on Xiaomi Redmi: all working ways

Why Standard Contact Copying Methods Don’t Always Work

Shifting contacts between smartphones in the same ecosystem should be easy, the manufacturers say, but in practice, Xiaomi and Redmi users face typical problems: Synchronization via Mi Account is interrupted, Bluetooth does not transfer all fields (for example, misses birthdays), and exports to the Internet are not available. SIM-The card cuts off long numbers, and it gets complicated if one of the phones runs on an outdated version. MIUI or has an unofficial firmware.

This article covers all the current ways to transfer contacts between devices. Xiaomi/Redmi into 2026 We tested each method on pairs of devices: Xiaomi 13 Pro (MIUI 15) → Redmi Note 12 (MIUI 14) and POCO X5 (MIUI 14.0.3) → Redmi 10C (MIUI 13.0.8). All instructions are adapted to the latest software versions and take into account the limitations of Chinese / global firmware.

If you only need to migrate contacts, select the method from the first three sections. If you want full data migration (including SMS, photos, and app settings), go to the Mi Mover section.

Method 1: Synchronize with Mi Account (the fastest method)

The official way from Xiaomi, which works on all devices with MIUI 10+, the main advantage is automatic update of contacts on all associated devices, but there is a nuance: if you have not previously used Mi Account, you will have to create a backup first.

Step-by-step:

  • 📱 Xiaomi: Open Contacts with the Original Xiaomi → Settings (⚙️) → Imports/Exports → Backup contacts. Select Mi Account and confirm your retention.
  • 🔄 On Target Redmi: Log in to the same Mi Account (if not login), then go to Contacts → Settings → Re-establish contacts.
  • ⏳ Wait until synchronization is complete (it can take up to 5 minutes with a large number of contacts).

Source phone connected to Wi-Fi| On both devices, one version of MIUI (or a difference of no more than 2 versions) | Mi Account has enough backup space (check Settings → Mi Account → Cloud Storage) | Target Redmi has disabled synchronization of contacts with Google (to avoid duplicates)

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⚠️ Note: If contacts do not appear on Redmi, check out:

1. On the original Xiaomi in Settings → Accounts → Mi Account, Contact Sync is enabled. 2. On the target Redmi in Contacts → Settings → Accounts are selected for display. 3. There are no region restrictions: Chinese firmware can block sync outside of China.

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If Mi Account does not offer contact backup, update the Contacts app via Google Play or APKMirror. In older versions, the feature is hidden in the Additional menu.

Method 2: Export/import via VCF (Universal Method)

VCF (vCard) is a standard for contact exchange supported by all smartphones, and this method is suitable if:

  • 🚫 You do not have an Mi Account or it is blocked;
  • 📱 You need to transfer contacts to a device with another firmware (for example, from Xiaomi.eu to the global one). MIUI);
  • 🔄 Selective transfer (not all contacts).

How to export contacts to VCF:

  1. Open the Contacts app on the original Xiaomi.
  2. Press. ⋮ (three-point) → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to file.
  3. Select Device Memory and confirm the creation of the contacts.vcf file (usually saved in the Download folder).

How to import on Redmi:

  1. Transfer the contacts.vcf file to the target phone (via Bluetooth, Telegram or wired connection).
  2. Open the file from the File Manager and the system will prompt you to import contacts.
  3. Select an account to save (such as Local Contacts or Google).
What to do if VCF-file won't open?
If nothing happens when you click on contacts.vcf: 1. Install a third-party contact app (such as Simple Contacts). 2. Check the file extension - it should be.vcf, not.vcf.txt. 3. Try opening the file via Gmail: send it to your email and import from there.

⚠️ Note: When importing large VCF-file (>500 contacts) Redmi can "hang." In this case:

Break the file into pieces using VCF Splitter (free, unenrolled) or import contacts in 200 pieces via Google Contacts.

Method 3: Transferring your Google Account (Reliable but Slow)

If you use Google Contacts as your primary storage, this is the most reliable method, and it works even when you change your firmware or reset your phone to factory settings, and it can take up to 15 minutes to sync with a lot of data.

Instructions:

  1. On the original Xiaomi: Open Settings → Accounts → Google. Enable sync for Contacts (if disabled). Wait for sync to complete (check in Contacts → Settings → Accounts).

target

  • Log in to the same Google Account.
  • Enable contact synchronization in Settings → Accounts → Google.
  • Open Contacts and wait for the records to appear (reboot may be required).
  • On the target Redmi, confirm the file acceptance and import contacts.

⚠️ Note: If the contact is not automatically imported:

1. Check that Redmi has a standard Contacts app installed (non-third-party). 2. Go to Settings → Apps → Contacts → Permissions and enable access to Warehouse and Contacts. 3. If Bluetooth is transmitting contacts as text, copy the data manually or use Method 2 (VCF).

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Bluetooth is only suitable for a single transfer of a small number of contacts. For a full migration, use Mi Account, Google or the Internet. VCF-file.

Method 5: Copying through SIM-map (outdated but working)

This method is relevant for older Xiaomi models (before Redmi 5) or if other methods are not available.

  • 📵 SIM-The card only keeps the name. + main number (without additional fields);
  • 🔢 Limitation on the number of contacts (usually) 250-500, depends on the operator);
  • 📱 It does not work on eSIM devices.

Instructions:

  1. Xiaomi: Open Contacts with the Original Xiaomi → Settings → Imports/Exports → Exports to SIM-Select your export contacts (or All) and confirm.

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Contacts → Settings → Import / Export → Import from SIM-card

⚠️ Attention: If contact is SIM-mapless:

1. Check that SIM-The card is inserted into slot 1 (some Xiaomi models don't read the contacts from the second slot). 2. Reboot the phone. 3. SIM-Tele2 or Yota card, try using another carrier card (some providers block contact recording).

Method 6: Mi Mover – Complete data migration (including contacts)

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s official app for transferring all data from one device to another, copying not only contacts, but also SMS, photos, apps and even system settings, minus requiring an OTG or Wi-Fi Direct cable (not working over regular Wi-Fi).

How to use Mi Mover:

  1. Install Mi Mover on both phones from the App Store (if not preinstalled).
  2. On the target Redmi, select I am a new user.
  3. On the original Xiaomi, select I am an old user.
  4. Connect your phones via OTG or Wi-Fi Direct cable (follow the on-screen instructions).
  5. Select the data for transfer (be sure to check Contacts) and wait for completion.
Can I transfer contacts from Xiaomi to Redmi without the Internet?
There are three ways to do without the internet: VCF-File: export contacts to the original Xiaomi, transfer the file to Redmi via Bluetooth or cable USB, then import. SIM-Map: Copy the contacts to SIM, Insert it in Redmi and import. Mi Mover: use Wi-Fi Direct or cable OTG The most reliable offline method — VCF, It retains all contact fields.
Why did the photos of the contacts disappear after the transfer?
Contact photos are stored separately from the main data and are not always automatically transferred.To restore them: On the original Xiaomi, open Contacts → Settings → Imports/Exports → Export to the file and select the format VCF If photos are linked to a Google Account, they are synced separately, check Google Contacts. For manual transfer, copy the folder. /DCIM/.thumbnails from the source phone to the target phone (root rights or file manager with access to system folders are required).
How to transfer contacts from Xiaomi to Redmi if the original phone is broken?
If the screen is not working but the phone is turning on: Connect to the computer: use Mi PC Suite for exporting contacts VCF. Use it. OTG-cable: connect your mouse to a broken Xiaomi, unlock it, and export your contacts to a flash drive. Restore from a backup: If sync with Mi Account or Google was previously enabled, just log in to your Redmi account. If the phone is not turned on, contact the service center to extract data from the memory chip (cost) ~1500-3000₽).
Can I transfer contacts from Xiaomi to iPhone?
Use the intermediate stage: Export contacts with Xiaomi to the VCF-File (see Method 2). Send the file to your email (e.g. Gmail). On your iPhone, open the email, click on the attached contacts.vcf and select Add All Contacts. Alternative: sync your contacts to Google Account on Xiaomi, then add that account to your iPhone in Settings → Passwords and accounts.
How to avoid duplication of contacts during transfer?
Duplications occur when contacts are synchronized from multiple sources (e.g. Mi Account). + Google + SIM-To avoid this: Before transferring, turn off sync on target Redmi: Settings → Accounts. → Mi Account → Contact Synchronization (Switch Off) Settings → Accounts. → Google → Contact synchronization (off) Move contacts in one method (e.g., only through VCF). After the transfer, turn on sync back and combine duplicates manually or through Google Contacts.