How to copy contacts with Xiaomi Mi 9: all ways with instructions and nuances

Xiaomi Mi 9 is still a popular smartphone, but sooner or later, you need to move contacts to a new device. Whether it is a transition to the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or even iPhone, losing the phone book can be a serious problem. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to copy contacts, taking into account the features of the MIUI firmware and the hardware limitations of the model.

The main difficulty when working with Mi 9 is the lack of a slot for the second SIM-Most of the cards are available (except for the Mi 9 version). SE). This narrows the export options, but it doesn't make it impossible. We tested each method on the latest versions. MIUI 12–14 and highlighted key nuances: from transfer speed to compatibility with other brands.

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

Sync with Google Contacts is a universal method that works on any Android device (including Samsung, Realme and even iPhone via iCloud). On the Xiaomi Mi 9, this method takes no more than 5 minutes, but requires a stable Internet connection.

Algorithm of action:

• 📱 Open the Contacts app on Mi 9.
• ⚙️ Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → Contact management → Import/Export of contacts.
• ☁️ Select Export to Google (if the account is not connected, the system will prompt you to log in).
• 🔄 Wait for synchronization to be completed (progress is displayed in the notification curtain).

Important: If contacts were previously only stored in your phone memory (not in Google), you will first have to transfer them manually to your account. To do this, select Copy Contacts → specify the source (Device) and purpose (Google) in the same menu.

2.Move over Mi Cloud (for Xiaomi owners)

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s proprietary cloud storage that automatically syncs contacts when activated, ideal for switching to another Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO smartphone, but has limitations when exporting to other brands.

How to turn on synchronization:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Activate the slider opposite Contact.
3. Click Sync and wait until it is completed (can take up to 10 minutes with a large number of records).

To transfer to the new Xiaomi device, you just need to log into the same Mi Account - contacts will be downloaded automatically.

• 🖥️ Go to i.mi.com from your computer.
• 📁 Select the Contact section → Exports (available formats.vcf and.csv).

⚠️ Note: Mi Cloud only stores contacts for 30 days after deleting the device from your account. If you sell the Mi 9, export the data first!

3. Export of contacts to SIM-Card (for old phones)

Xiaomi Mi 9 as standard does not support two SIM-cards, but if you have a hybrid slot modification (e.g. Mi 9) SE), It's a method that can be used, and it's suitable for transferring to push-button phones or devices without access to the Internet.

Method limitations:

• 📵 SIM-The card stores only the name and number (without email, addresses, photos).
• 🔢 Maximum number of contacts – 250-500 (depending on the operator).
• 📱 The new phone will have to manually import data from the SIM.

Instructions:

1. Put it in. SIM-Mi 9 card (remove second nano-SIM or memory card if necessary).
2. Open Contacts → Contact Management → Import / Export → Export to SIM-card.
3. Select the contacts to copy (you can mark everything) and confirm.

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If the new phone doesn’t import SIM contacts, try restarting the device or using a micro-SIM adapter (if the slot is not compatible).

4. Transfer of contacts via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct

If you don't have internet access, but you have a second phone nearby (not even Xiaomi), you can use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct, which is slower than the cloud, but doesn't require cables or any other type of phone. SIM-map.

Step-by-step instructions for Bluetooth:

1. Activate Bluetooth on both devices and pair them.
2. On Mi 9, open Contacts → select the entries you want (or tap All).
3. Slip on the Share icon (three dots or arrow icon) → Bluetooth.
4. Select the target device and confirm the transmission on it.

Nuances:

• ⚡ Transmission speed: ~5-10 contacts per minute (depending on the Bluetooth version).
• 📱 On some phones (such as iPhones), contacts come in the form of a.vcf file that must be opened manually.
• 🔋 Make sure there is enough charge on both devices – interrupted transmission may result in loss of some data.

5. Backup via computer (for full control)

For users who prefer to store data locally, exporting contacts to a.vcf (vCard) or.csv file and then penosoming them to another phone or the cloud is a good way to do this, but it's a very flexible way to do this.

Export options:

• 🖥️ Through MIUI: Contacts → Management → Export to file (save to internal memory).
• 🌐 Through Google Contacts: Go to contacts.google.com → Exports.
• 📁 Through Mi Cloud: Export a file from i.mi.com (as described in Section 2).

How to import a file to a new phone:

1. Copy the.vcf file to a new device (via cable, email, or cloud).
2. Open the file and the system will prompt you to import contacts.
3. On your iPhone, send the file to the mail and open it through the Contacts app.

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The.vcf file is supported by all modern smartphones, but when importing on the iPhone, the "Birthday" or "Notes" fields may disappear.

Specific cases: broken screen, lack of access to phone

If the Xiaomi Mi 9 doesn’t turn on or the screen is broken but the phone is determined by a computer, you can try extracting contacts via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a technique that requires technical skills but sometimes becomes the only solution.

Instructions for ADB:

1. Install Platform Tools on your computer.
2. Connect the Mi 9 to USB and activate Debugging over USB (if the screen is running).
3. In the command line, run: Adb devices to make sure the device is detected.
4. Copy the contacts with the command: adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db (the file will be saved in the folder with Platform Tools).
5. Use DB Browser for SQLite to open contacts2.db and export data.

⚠️ Attention: Method C ADB It only works if the phone has previously been debugged. USB. If the function is disabled, you will have to contact the service center to retrieve data through EDL-Mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account).

Alternative solutions:

• 🔧 Service Center: Xiaomi Official Centers Can Retrieve Data When Showing a Check or Proof of Ownership.
• 📱 Restore from backup: If you previously enabled sync with Google or Mi Cloud, contacts can be restored on a new phone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts with Xiaomi Mi 9