How to copy contacts with Xiaomi to Xiaomi: all working ways in 2026

Shifting contacts from an old Xiaomi smartphone to a new one is a challenge that every user faces when changing devices. Even if both are from the same manufacturer, the process is not always intuitive: Some require authorization in Mi Account, some require additional synchronization settings, and sometimes even have to use workarounds. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to copy contacts between Xiaomi devices, including nuances for different versions. MIUI (12 to 14) and smartphone models – from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to insert SIM-A card to a new phone -- but it only works if the contacts are initially saved on the map, which is rare today. Others try to use Bluetooth, but face limits on the number of records transferred. We tested each method on real devices and identified its pros, cons and hidden pitfalls, such as syncing through Google may not work if your old phone has disabled access to contacts for your Google account, which is the most common cause of failure.

So you don't have to waste your time experimenting, we've put together step-by-step instructions that illustrate key steps, a method map, and answers to frequent questions, and if you're afraid of losing data, there's a checklist at the end of this article for safe transfer.

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

Synchronization via Mi Account is a proprietary solution from Xiaomi that works on all devices with a mobile phone. MIUI. The main advantage of the method is that contacts are transferred automatically when you first turn on a new phone if you use the same account, but there are nuances: the old device must be synchronized, and the new one must have a stable Internet connection.

How to check if sync is enabled on your old phone:

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account.
2. Select your profile and go to Data Sync.
3. Make sure that the slider opposite the Contact is active (colored).

If the sync is disabled, turn it on and wait until the process is complete (it can take up to 5 minutes).

1. Sign in to the same Mi Account when you first enable or through Settings → Accounts.
2. Go to Contacts and wait for automatic data download.

⚠️ Warning: If the new phone already has contacts, they may be duplicated. To avoid this, export existing contacts to a file before synchronization. VCF (via Contact → Settings → Export) and clear the memory.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔹 Automation: No need to manually copy data.
• 🔹 Speed: Contacts appear on a new device in 1-2 minutes.
• 🔹 Lossless: all fields (phones, email, addresses, notes) are transferred).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ A stable Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network) is required).
• ❌ If the account has not been used for a long time, access may need to be restored.

2. copying contacts through Google (universal method)

If you use Google services (Gmail, YouTube, Play Market), your contacts are likely already synced with the cloud, a method that is suitable for transferring data not only between Xiaomi smartphones, but also to devices of other brands (Samsung, Huawei, etc.).

Step instructions:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Select your account and make sure that your contacts sync is enabled (the Contact Slider must be active).
3. Click Sync Now and wait until it is completed.
4. Add the same Google account on your new phone via Settings → Accounts.
5. Open the Contacts app and wait for the data to load (it can take up to 10 minutes).

If no contacts appear, check:

• 📌 Internet connection (synchronization does not work without a network).
• 📌 Google Account Settings: Sometimes contacts are hidden in the Google Account Management section → Data and personalization → Contacts.
• 📌 Contacts version (update it through Play Market if required).

⚠️ Note: If your old phone has contacts stored in the device’s memory, rather than in Google, you need to move them first. → Settings → Imports/Exports → Export to file, select Google Account and confirm the action.

Comparison with Mi Account:

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If you use two Google accounts (for example, personal and work), check before penos which of them are saved contacts. To do this, open contacts.google.com on your computer and see where the desired entries are displayed.

3. Transfer of contacts through SIM-card (for a small number of records)

way SIM-The card is the oldest, but still relevant for users with few contacts (up to 250 records), it does not require Internet and works even on devices without a Mi or Google account:

• ❌ Only names and phone numbers are saved (without email, addresses, notes).
• ❌ SIM-The card must support the storage of contacts (some modern nano-SIMs do not have this function).
• ❌ The process is manual and takes a lot of time with a lot of records.

How to copy contacts to SIM-map:

1. Put it in. SIM-card.
2. Open the Contacts app.
3. Press three dots (menu) → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Exports to SIM-map.
4. Select contacts for export (you can note everything) and confirm.
5. Wait until the end (notification will appear on the screen).
6. Move it. SIM-card.
7. In Contacts of the new device select Import with SIM-map.

If the contacts are not imported:

• 🔄 Check if yours is supported. SIM-Contact storage card (on some operators, for example Tele2, this function is disabled).
• 🔄 Try using a micro-SIM adapter if you have a nano-SIM.
• 🔄 Make sure there is enough memory on the card (usually 250 pins limit).

Check the support of the operator's contact storage function|Clean up old records with SIM-cards (if any)|Use a Nano-SIM adapter if necessary|Export only the necessary contacts (save space)

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4. Contacts over Bluetooth (without the Internet)

Bluetooth is another way to transfer without using cloud services, and it is suitable if you do not have access to Wi-Fi or a mobile network, but there are limitations:

• 📵 Contacts are transmitted in one or small groups (mass shipments often fail).
• 📵 On some Xiaomi models, for example, POCO X3) function hidden in the depth of the menu.
• 📵 Transmission speed is low (about 5-10 contacts per minute).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on both phones (Settings → Connections → Bluetooth).
2. On the old phone, open Contacts, select the desired entry and click Share. → Bluetooth.
3. Select a new phone from the list of devices and confirm pairing.
4. On the new phone, accept the incoming file (usually a file with the.vcf extension).
5. After transfer, open the received file - the contact will be automatically added to the phone book.

To speed things up, you can use apps like SuperBeam or Send Anywhere that packets contacts, but they require installation on both devices.

Mistakes and solutions:

• 🚫 Not visible in Bluetooth list: reboot both phones and re-pair.
• 🚫 File won’t open: check that the new phone has a standard Contacts app installed (not third-party).
• 🚫 Transmission ends: reduce the distance between devices (maximum 1-2 meters).

5. Local backup and recovery (for power users)

If you prefer full control of data, you can create a local backup of contacts into a.vcf file and transfer it to a new phone, which is reliable because the file can be saved to a computer or a USB drive, but requires more action.

Instructions for creating a backup:

1. On your old phone, open your contacts. → Settings (three points) → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to file.
2. Choose where to save the file (internal memory or storage). SD-map).
3. Name the file (for example, contacts_backup.vcf) and confirm.
4. Copy the file to a new phone (via cable, cloud or messenger).
5. On the new phone, open the.vcf file and add contacts automatically.

Advantages of the method:

• 💾 Reliability: File can be stored for years and restored on any device.
• 💾 Flexibility: You can edit contacts in the file before restoring (e.g., delete unnecessary ones).
• 💾 Without the Internet: transfer is possible offline.

For advanced users: you can open a.vcf file in a text editor (e.g. Notepad)++) And you can manually edit the data, and it's useful if you want to clear out duplicates or fix room errors.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using MIUI 14 and older, when you export contacts to a file, you may be asked to access the storage, or you won't create a backup.

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Local backup is the only way to transfer contacts, which works even if the phone has reset or deleted its account..vcf file can be restored at any time, unlike cloud services, where data can be deleted in prolonged inactivity.

6. Transfer of contacts through third-party applications

If standard methods don't work (for example, because of a synchronization failure), you can use third-party applications, and we tested three of the most reliable options:

1. My Contacts Backup (Android)

• 📥 Free, no advertising.
• 📥 Exports contacts to.vcf file and sends them to email.
• 📥 Supports mass transfer.

Instructions:

1. Install the app on your old phone.
2. Click Backup and select sending to email.
3. Open the letter on your new phone and download the attachment.
4. Click on the.vcf file to import.

2. Google Contacts (web version)

• 🌐 Works through a browser on any device.
• 🌐 Allows you to edit contacts before the penos.
• 🌐 Synchronizes with Android devices.

How to use:

1. On your old phone, export your contacts to Google Contacts (via Settings) → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization).
2. Open contacts.google.com on your computer.
3. Select the necessary contacts and click Export → Google CSV.
4. On a new phone, import the file through the same service.

3. CLONEit

• 📱 Not only does it carry contacts, but it also SMS, photos, applications.
• 📱 It works via Wi-Fi Direct (without the Internet).
• 📱 Supports Xiaomi, Samsung, Huawei, etc.

Nuances:

• It requires installation on both devices.
• Nana MIUI 13/14 may request permission to access the contact and SMS.

Warning: Avoid little-known data porting apps - they may collect personal information. Check reviews and ratings in the Play Market before installing.

Comparison of all methods: which one to choose?

To make it easier for you to determine, we have compiled a table with the pros and cons of each method:

Selection recommendations:

• 🔹 If both Xiaomi phones are the Internet → Use your Mi Account.
• 🔹 We need to move the contacts to not-Xiaomi backup → Choose Google.
• 🔹 No internet, no contact. → SIM-map.
• 🔹 Reliability and control are important → backup.
• 🔹 Standard methods don't work. → Application side (e.g. CLONEit).

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, you can get errors, and we've collected some of the most common problems and ways to fix them:

1. Contacts are not synced through Mi Account

• 🔧 Check if sync is enabled on your old phone (Settings) → Mi Account → Synchronization of data).
• 🔧 Reboot both devices.
• 🔧 Delete your account on your new phone and add it again.
• 🔧 Update. MIUI up to the latest version (some firmware has synchronization bugs).

2. Contacts are duplicated

• 🔧 In Contacts, press three points. → Contact management → Combine the takes.
• 🔧 Use the Duplicate Contacts app to clean automatically.
• 🔧 Before the penos, export contacts to a file and delete all entries on the new phone.

3. Exports are not operating SIM-map

• 🔧 Check if yours is supported. SIM-Contact storage card (ask the operator).
• 🔧 Try using another one. SIM-map (e.g. old model).
• 🔧 Update the Contacts app through Play Market.

4 Bluetooth does not find the device

• 🔧 Make sure both phones are on visibility mode (Settings) → Bluetooth → Visibility).
• 🔧 Reboot the Bluetooth module: turn it off and turn it on again.
• 🔧 Check if the transmission is blocked by antivirus or energy saving mode.

5.Vcf file does not open on new phone

• 🔧 Install the standard Contacts app (remove third-party ones if any).
• 🔧 Try opening a file through Google Contacts in your browser.
• 🔧 Check if the file is damaged (send it again).

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If none of the methods worked, try resetting the Contacts app settings on the new phone: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Contacts → Warehouse → Clear the data. Repeat the transfer after that.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions