How to transfer contacts from the old Xiaomi to the new phone without loss: all working methods

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, especially when it comes to saving important data. Contacts are information that can be seriously inconvenient, from losing business connections to being unable to connect with loved ones. Fortunately, the Xiaomi ecosystem offers several reliable ways to transfer contacts, and most of them require no special skills.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, from standard synchronization via Mi Account to manual backup, learn how to avoid typical errors (such as duplicate contacts or loss of profile photos), what settings to check before changing your phone, and what to do if a new device on another platform (such as an iPhone or Samsung), and pay special attention to the nuances for users of Redmi, POCO and the flagship Xiaomi 13/14 series.

If you've never done data porting before, don't worry. We've prepared step-by-step instructions with screenshots (available by clicking on spoilers), self-checklists and answers to frequent questions. And for those who prefer automation, we'll talk about hidden MIUI features that will make it easier.

1. synchronization of contacts through Mi Account: the fastest way

Sync with Mi Account is the only method that guarantees not only numbers, but also contact-linked photos, notes and groups. It works on all Xiaomi devices, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Xiaomi 13 Ultra, and takes no more than 5 minutes.

How to do this:

• 📱 On your old phone: Open Settings → Mi Account → Contacts and turn on the "Contact Sync" slider. Wait for the process to be completed (notification will appear in the top panel).
• 🔄 On a new phone: sign in to the same Mi Account when you first turn on or through Settings → Accounts. Sync will start automatically.
• ⚡ Check: open the Contacts app and make sure all the data is in place. If no contacts are available, update the data manually by pulling the screen down.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Mi Account for the first time, it may take up to 10 minutes to sync your first time after signing up!

Connecting to Wi-Fi or mobile internet

Adequate battery charge (>30%)

No restrictions on background activity for "Contacts" in battery settings

The same Mi Account on both devices-->

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Stores all metadata (photos, groups, social media accounts).
• ✅ It works even if the phone is dead during the transfer (synchronization will resume the next time you connect).
• ✅ Supports cross-platform transfer (for example, from Xiaomi to iPhone through export to the Internet) VCF).

Export contacts to VCF file: universal backup option

The VCF (or vCard) file is the standard contact storage format that all modern smartphones, including iPhones, Samsung and even Huawei, support, and is independent of cloud services, so you can save a file to Google Drive, email yourself, or transfer it over Bluetooth.

Export instructions:

1. Open the Contacts app on the old Xiaomi.
2. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select "Contact Management" → "Imports/Exports" → "Export to file".
3. Choose which contacts to export (e.g. only with the SIM-card).
4. Specify the location of the save (recommended internal memory → Download for easy access).
5. The file with the.vcf extension is ready! Move it to the new phone in any convenient way.

To import contacts on the new device:

• 📲 Nana Xiaomi/Redmi: Open the.vcf file through the Explorer MIUI and select "Import everything".
• 🍎 On iPhone: Send the file to the mail, open the attachment and click "Add all contacts".
• 🤖 On other Android: Use the Google Contacts app (select Import from File").

⚠️ Attention: If you have more 500 Contacts, break up the export into several files (for example, 200-300 Some phones (such as iPhones) may not handle a large.vcf correctly.

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Before exporting, sort contacts into groups (e.g., Work, Family) – so they are easier to import selectively on a new phone.

3. Transfer through Google Account: Reliable and Cross-Platform

If you use Google services (like Gmail or YouTube), moving your contacts through a Google account is one of the most reliable ways, and it works even if you switch from Xiaomi to a phone of another brand (like a Samsung Galaxy or Pixel).

Step-by-step:

1. On your old phone: go to Settings → Accounts → Google → [your email].
2. Turn on sync for Contact (slider should turn blue).
3. Wait until the sync is complete (check the time of the last update in the same menu).
4. On a new phone: Add the same Google account and enable contact sync.

Advantages of the method:

• 🌐 Works on any Android device and iPhone (via iCloud or Google Contacts app").
• 🔄 Automatically updates contacts when you change (for example, if you add a number on one phone, it will appear on another phone).
• 📱 Stores your call and message history if you sync with Google Messages.

Limitations:

• ❌ Does not save profile photos (names and numbers only).
• ❌ Can duplicate contacts if they are already synced through Mi Account.

Synchronization with Mi Account

Export to VCF file

Google account

Another way.

Never put up with it.-->

4. Transfer of contacts with SIM-maps: for minimalists

If you have few contacts (up to 250) and they are all saved on the website. SIM-You can transfer them directly to a new phone, which is a good method for the basic Redmi models. A2 or POCO C50, Where there are no complex cloud services.

How to do this:

1. Put it in. SIM-card in an old Xiaomi phone.
2. Open "Contacts" → press ⋮ → "Contact management" → "Imports/Exports" → "Import with SIM-map".
3. Select contacts for import (or click "Select All") and confirm.
4. Move it. SIM-card to a new phone and repeat the process, but already select "Export to the new phone" SIM-card” (if you need to keep a backup copy).

⚠️ Attention: SIM-The cards only support names and numbers -- photos, emails and other data will be lost! SIM Usually no more than 250 contacts are placed.

Advice for this method:

• 📶 Before transferring, check if yours supports SIM-Contact storage card (for some operators, for example Tele2 or Iota, this function is disabled).
• 🔄 If contacts are SIM duplicate, use the "Contacts Unite" option in the "Contacts" application settings".

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Transfer through SIM-The card is the slowest and most limited way, but it works even without the internet and is suitable for older phones.

5. Use of third-party applications: when standard methods do not work

If you have problems with syncing (for example, Mi Account is blocked or Google does not update contacts), you can use third-party applications.

Recommendations for use:

• 🛡️ Check reviews on Google Play before installing (avoid apps rated below 4.0).
• 📡 To transfer over Wi-Fi Direct, both phones must be connected to the same network.
• 🔐 Do not use applications that request access to SMS Call log if you only need contacts.

Examples of Super Backup & Restore:

1. Install the app on both phones.
2. On the old Xiaomi, select “Backup" → "Contacts and save the file to Google Drive or SD-map.
3. On the new phone, open the backup file through the same app and click "Restore".

6.Moving contacts to iPhone or other brand

If you switch from Xiaomi to an iPhone or a phone from another brand (such as Samsung, OnePlus), standard methods may not work.

From Xiaomi to iPhone:

• 🍎 Use iCloud: Export your contacts to the Internet VCF (as described in Section 2), then import them through iCloud.com (section "Contacts").

From Xiaomi to Samsung:

• 🤖 Use Samsung Smart Switch (available on Google Play).The app will automatically find contacts on Xiaomi and prompt them to move over Wi-Fi or cable.

⚠️ Note: When you transfer your contacts to your iPhone, contact photos may not show up. To fix this, upload the photos manually via iCloud or Google Photos, then link them to your contacts.

7. Checking and cleaning of contacts after transfer

After transferring contacts to the new Xiaomi phone, be sure to check them for errors.

• 👥 Duplicates (one contact is displayed) 2-3 once).
• 📞 No numbers (names only).
• 🖼️ Missing profile photos.

How to fix it:

• 🔍 To search for duplicates: open "Contacts" → ⋮ → "Contact management" → "Connecting contacts".
• 📎 To recover photos: If they were linked to Mi Account or Google, update the data manually (pull the screen down in the contact list).
• 🗑️ To remove unnecessary contacts: use a group filter (e.g., delete all contacts from the Others group").

If the contacts are not displayed correctly:

1. Check if sync sources conflict, for example, if you have sync enabled through both Mi Account and Google, you may experience duplication.
2. Update the Contacts app to the latest version on Google Play.
3. Reset the app settings: Settings → Apps → Contacts → Storage → Clear the data (Warning: This will delete all unsynchronized contacts!).

8. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems, and we have compiled TOP-5 errors and ways to solve them:

If none of the methods worked:

• 🛠️ Contact Xiaomi Service Center – they can extract contacts directly from the phone’s memory (relevant for damaged devices).
• 📧 Write in support of Mi Community (forum c.mi.com) with screenshots of errors.

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Before changing your phone, always back up your contacts in two formats (e.g. Mi Account + VCF) to ensure you don't crash.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions