How to copy contacts from Xiaomi phone to your computer: all ways 2026

Transferring contacts from Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO to your computer is a challenge that every user faces when buying a new device, resetting settings or backing up data. Despite its apparent simplicity, the process has nuances, from MIUI versions (12-15) to the limitations of synchronizing with Google Account on Chinese firmware. In this article, we will examine all the current ways — from cloud services to manual export through ADB, taking into account the features of different models and regions.

It's important to understand that the methods vary in speed, security and compatibility. For example, Mi Cloud is suitable for fast backup, but requires authorization, and vCard files are universal, but do not save call history. We tested each method on devices with MIUI 14/15 (including global and Chinese versions) and collected checklists to avoid errors. If you need to move not only numbers, but also photos of contacts or notes, look at the sections about Xiaomi Backup and ADB.

1. Method: Synchronize via Mi Cloud (fastest)

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s proprietary cloud storage that automatically backs up contacts, SMS and even system settings. This method is ideal for users with a Mi Account, as it does not require a phone to connect to a PC. However, there are limitations: the free tariff provides only 5 GB, and on Chinese firmware (China ROM) synchronization can be disabled by default.

To copy contacts through Mi Cloud:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
• 🔄 Enable the slider opposite Contacts (if it is gray, click Sync).
• 💻 Go to i.mi.com from your computer, log in and select Contacts → Exports (.vcf format).
• 📥 Save the file on PC – it can be opened in Outlook, Google Contacts or imported into another phone.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with China ROM (For example, Xiaomi 13 Pro for the Chinese market) Mi Cloud may not be available, in which case use Google Account (section 2) or ADB (Also check if two-factor authentication is included in Mi Account – without it, the export of contacts from the site will be blocked.

Sign in to Mi Account on your phone

Check the availability of the Internet (Wi-Fi/mobile)

Disable VPN (can block synchronization)

Make sure contacts are not duplicated (Settings → Contacts → Combine duplicates)

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2. Method: Export through Google Account (universally)

If you use Google Contacts, it takes no more than 5 minutes to migrate to your PC, and works on all MIUI firmware, including China ROM, and saves not only numbers, but also associated data (email, addresses, birthdays), the main drawback is that you need an active Google Account and a stable Internet connection.

Instructions:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of the account.
• 🔄 Enable the synchronization of “Contacts” (if disabled).
• 🌐 On your computer, open contacts.google.com, log in and click Export (select the Google format). CSV vCard).
• 📂 The file will be uploaded to the Downloads folder, which can be edited in Excel or imported to another service.

💡 Useful tip: If contacts aren't synchronized, check:

1. On the phone: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Contacts → Permissions (Contacts and Warehouse must be enabled).
2. In Google Account: No restrictions on the permissions page.

Mi Cloud

Google Account

Local Exports (vCard)

Bluetooth/USB

Another option-->

3. Method: Local export to vCard file (.vcf)

The.vcf (or vCard) format is a standard for storing contacts that is supported by all modern devices, and its advantage is that the file can be opened on any PC (even without the Internet) and imported to Outlook, Thunderbird or Apple Contacts. However, on some Xiaomi models (for example, the Redmi Note 12 with MIUI 14), the export option is hidden in the depth of the menu.

How to export contacts to.vcf:

• 📇 Open the Contact App (not Phone!).
• ⚙️ Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to file.
• 📁 Select a location to save (for example, internal memory) → Download).
• 📤 Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (in File Transfer mode) and copy the contact.vcf file.

⚠️ Note: If the error "Can not create a file" occurs during export, check:

1. Free space on the phone (needs at least 50 MB on the system partition).
2. Permissions for the Contacts app (Settings → Applications → Contacts → Permissions → Storage).
3. No antivirus restrictions (e.g., Mi Security can block file recording).

4. Method: USB Transfer (for Windows/macOS/Linux)

Connecting the phone to the computer through USB-cable is a classic method that works even without the Internet. However, Xiaomi has a caveat: the default phone connects in Charging mode, and to transfer files you need to manually select File Transfer (MTP). In addition, macOS may require additional software (for example, Android File Transfer).

Step-by-step:

1. 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC with a cable (preferably original – cheap cables may not support it). MTP).
2. 📱 On the phone in the notification bar, select File Transfer (if not, check the cable or port).
3. 🖥️ On your computer, open "This Computer" (Windows) or Android File Transfer (macOS).
4. 📂 Go to the Internal Storage folder → MIUI → backup → AllBackup (contact backups are stored here if you did a backup through Xiaomi Backup).
5. 📄 Copy files with.vcf or.xml extension on PC.

🔧 Technical nuance: On Linux, you may need to install mtp-tools to access Xiaomi files:

sudo apt install mtp-tools

After installation, reconnect the phone.

5. Method: Use of ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work (like custom firmware or China ROM without Google Services), you can extract contacts via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires command line skills, but is guaranteed to work on any Xiaomi device (including the POCO F5 or Redmi K60).

Instructions:

1. 🔧 Turn on Debugging. USB (See spoiler in the previous section).
2. 💻 Install. ADB PC: Windows: Download Platform Tools and unpack in C:\adb. macOS/Linux: Install via brew install android-platform-tools or sudo apt install adb.

adb devices

(Serial number of the device must be displayed).

adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db

The contacts2.db file can be saved in the ADB folder, and can be opened via DB Browser for SQLite or converted to.vcf using Contact Editor.

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB Never execute commands from third party sites, which can lead to data loss or malware installation. If you only need backup, use the official Xiaomi Backup (Section 6).

6. Method: Backup through Xiaomi Backup

The built-in Xiaomi Backup app (or MIUI Backup) allows you to create a full copy of contacts, SMS, photos and even installed applications. The advantage of the method is to save all metadata (for example, call history and associated accounts), but the backup is created in a proprietary.xbk format that can not be opened without a Xiaomi phone.

How to make a backup and extract contacts:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Additionally. → Backup.
• 🔄 Click Backup and select Contacts (you can add other data).
• 💾 After completion, connect the phone to the PC and copy the file from MIUI → backup → AllBackup.
• 🔙 To restore contacts on another device, transfer the file back to the same folder and select Restore in Xiaomi Backup.

🔍 How to open.xbk on PC?

The.xbk format is encrypted, but it can be converted using the MiBackupExtractor utility (available on GitHub).

1. Download and unpack MiBackupExtractor.
2. Place the.xbk file in the folder with the utility.
3. Run extract.bat (Windows) or./extract.sh (macOS/Linux).
4. Contacts will be retrieved to the output folder in.vcf format.

💡

Xiaomi Backup is the only way to keep a full call history and linked accounts (Telegram, WhatsApp) together with contacts.

7.Alternative methods: Bluetooth, email and third-party applications

If none of the above methods are suitable, alternatives may be used, which are less reliable but can help in an emergency (e.g., in case of a breakdown). USB-port or lack of internet).

Ways:

• 📧 Email: Open Contacts, select the right ones and click Share → Send yourself an email with an attachment of.vcf. Download the file to your PC from your mailbox.

Bluetooth:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and PC (Windows may require an adapter).
2. In Contacts, select Share → Bluetooth and send the file to your computer.
3. 📱 The app side: My Contacts Backup (exports to.vcf and sends to email). Super Backup & Restore (saves contacts, SMS applications).

💡 Tip: Before using, check the application permissions in Settings → Applications (must have access to Contacts and Warehouse).

📌 Comparison of alternative methods:

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts with Xiaomi to PC