Transferring phone numbers from a Xiaomi smartphone is a task that every user faces when buying a new device, resetting settings or switching to another. SIM-Unlike the iPhone, where contacts are synced automatically via iCloud, on Redmi, POCO The Mi process may depend on the version. MIUI, And in this article, we're going to look at all the current ways, from standard functions. MIUI Up to workarounds for devices with damaged screen or without access to Mi Account.
It's important to understand that not all methods are universal, such as exporting through the SIM-The map is limited to the number of memory cells (usually 250 contacts), and synchronization with Google requires an active Internet connection. MIUI 14 and MIUI 15 (including Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 Pro and Xiaomi 13T), So you can choose the best option for your situation.
If you are in a hurry, use the following quick navigation:
1. Export contacts via MIUI (the easiest way)
The standard method, which works on all Xiaomi devices without any additional apps, is suitable for transferring contacts to another phone of the same brand or to an Android device.
To copy the numbers:
- π± Open the Contacts app (an icon with a personβs silhouette).
- π Click on three dots in the upper right corner β Select Contact Management.
- π€ Tap Import/Export Contacts β Export to device.
- π Select the.vcf format (business card) and confirm your saving.
The contact file will appear in the Internal Storage β MIUI β backup β Contacts folder.
- π Send via Telegram, WhatsApp or email.
- π Connect your phone to your PC and copy manually.
- βοΈ Download to Google Drive or Mi Cloud.
β οΈ Note: If you have a double SIM-map, check which account the contacts are exported from (Google or Mi). From the Contact Management menu, select the desired source.
Contacts saved in phone memory (not only on SIM)| The correct account (Mi/Google)| Enough space on the device for the.vcf | File will not overwrite on top of the old copy-->
2. sync with Google Account (to switch to another Android)
This is ideal if you plan to use contacts on a phone of another brand (such as Samsung or Pixel) or after resetting, the main condition is the presence of a Google account and a stable Internet.
Instructions:
- Open Settings β Accounts and Synchronization.
- Select your Google account (if not, add it).
- Activate the slider opposite Contact.
- Wait until the synchronization is complete (it can take up to 5 minutes).
To check if the contacts are uploaded to the cloud:
- π Go to contacts.google.com from any device.
- π Make sure all numbers are displayed in the web version.
| Advantages | Deficiencies |
|---|---|
| Automatic update of contacts | Requires an Internet connection |
| Access from any device | Duplicate contacts with multiple accounts |
| Free and without limit on quantity | When changing Google password, sync may get lost |
If sync is not working, check: 1) if mobile Internet/Wi-Fi is turned on; 2) does not block sync application to save battery (for example, Safety β Charge Saving); 3) is not set limits for Google Play Services in the data resolution settings.
3. Transfer of contacts to SIM-map (for older models)
This method is suitable for devices without Internet access or, if necessary, transfer contacts to a button phone. SIM-The card stores only names and numbers β photos, email and other data will be lost.
How to copy:
- Launch Contacts β Contact management β Imports/Exports.
- Select Export on Export SIM-map.
- Mark the contacts you want (or click Select All).
- Confirm the export and wait until it is completed.
β οΈ Note: On modern Xiaomi (for example, Redmi Note 13 Pro)+) export option SIM It may not be available due to operator limitations, in which case use the.vcf method.
Limitations of the method:
- β Maximum of 250-500 contacts (depending on the number of contacts) SIM-map).
- β There is no support for Cyrillic on some old SIM.
- β Numbers are saved without formatting (e.g, "+7 can turn into 8").
Through Google Account|Export to.vcf file|Synchronization with Mi Cloud|Transfer to SIM-map|Another option-->
4.Use of Mi Cloud (for Xiaomi account holders)
Mi Cloud is Xiaomi's cloud storage that automatically backs up contacts if synchronization is enabled. Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO.
How to turn on synchronization:
- Go to Settings β Accounts and Sync β Mi Account.
- Turn on the Contact Slider.
- Press Sync and wait until it is completed.
To restore contacts on the new device:
- π± Sign in with the same Mi Account.
- π Enable contact synchronization in settings.
- π₯ Wait for the data to load (it can take up to 10 minutes).
If the contacts are not synchronized:
- π§ Check if the synchronization is disabled in Settings β Battery β Energy saving regime.
- πΆ Make sure your phone is connected to Wi-Fi or mobile network.
- π Try to log out of your Mi Account and log in again.
What if the Mi Cloud canβt see the contacts?
5. Transfer contacts from damaged Xiaomi (if the screen is not working)
If the smartphone screen crashes or doesn't respond to touch, but the phone turns on, you can copy contacts without access to the interface. USB-cable.
Method 1: Through ADB (for power users)
Instructions:
- Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
- Connect Xiaomi to your computer and enable USB Debugging (if it hasnβt been activated before, this method wonβt work).
- Open the command line in the adb folder and type in: adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db
- The contacts2.db file is copied to a PC, and can be opened using applications like DB Browser for SQLite.
Method 2: Through MIUI backup
If USB debugging is not enabled, try:
- π Connect your phone to your PC and wait for identification as a removable disk.
- π Go to the folder. MIUI β backup β AllBackup.
- π Find the latest backup file (usually with the.bak extension).
- πΎ Copy it to your computer and extract contacts with Mi. PC Suite.
β οΈ Note: If the phone has enabled data encryption (in the security settings), it will be impossible to extract contacts without unlocking the screen. In this case, contact the Xiaomi service center with confirmation of ownership of the device.
6. Alternative methods: applications and services
If the standard methods don't work, you can use third-party tools, and we've tested some of the popular solutions.
| Annex/Service | How it works | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| My Contacts Backup | Exports contacts to.vcf file and sends them to email | Simple interface, free of charge | Advertising, limiting the number of contacts in the free version |
| Super Backup & Restore | Creates backup copies of contacts, SMS and applications | Supports cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox) | Requires root rights for full backup |
| Samsung Smart Switch | Transfers data from Xiaomi to Samsung over cable or Wi-Fi | Samsung's official solution, reliable | It only works when switching to Samsung. |
For the use of third-party applications:
- Download the program from Google Play.
- Start and follow the export instructions.
- Save the contact file to a convenient location (cloud, email, PC).
π‘
If you're migrating contacts to your iPhone, use Apple's Move to iOS app, which automatically converts the format of contacts and transfers them over Wi-Fi.
FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts with Xiaomi
Can I transfer contacts from Xiaomi to iPhone without a computer?
Why, when exporting to SIM-map missing some numbers?
How to transfer contacts from Xiaomi to Xiaomi without loss?
What if after resetting the contacts disappeared?
Can I transfer my contacts from Xiaomi to my computer?
π‘
For maximum reliability, use dual backup: sync contacts with both Google and Mi Cloud, which will protect data even if you lose access to one of your accounts.