How to unload contacts from Xiaomi phone: all working methods

Switching to a new smartphone or having to keep a backup of contacts are typical situations that every Xiaomi user faces. Unlike the iPhone, where syncing with iCloud is automatic, on Android devices (including Redmi, POCO and Mi), the process of unloading contacts requires manual actions.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to export contacts with Xiaomi to different media: from the classic SIM-maps to cloud services and computers, each method tested on the latest versions MIUI 14/15 It is suitable for models from Redmi Note. 12 before the flagship Xiaomi 14 We will pay special attention to the nuances that the manufacturer does not always voice - for example, why when transferring to the market, the manufacturer will not always give a voice. SIM Lose contact photos or how to avoid duplicate records when syncing with Google.

1. Export of contacts to SIM-map: pros and pitfalls

The method, familiar since the days of button phones, is still relevant — especially if you need to quickly transfer numbers to another device without access to the Internet.

• 📱 Only phone numbers and names are supported (addresses, email, notes and contact photos will not be saved).
• 🔢 Limit on number of contacts: 200 to 500 depending on the model SIM (standard GSM 11.11: Stores up to 250 records).
• ⚠️ When importing a new phone, there may be coding errors (Cyrillic names will be displayed as "?????").

To upload contacts to SIM:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette).
2. Slip on three dots in the top right corner → Contact management → Import/Export contacts.
3. Select Export on Export SIM-map → Check the contacts you need (or click Select All).
4. Confirm the action and wait for notification of successful export.

⚠️ Attention: If yours SIM-Nano-SIM card, but gives an error "Insufficient memory", try using an adapter for micro-SIM - some Xiaomi models correctly work only with old-style cards.

Make sure the SIM is inserted into slot 1 (main)

Check the free space (Settings menu) → SIM-map)

Shut down. PIN-request code (if enabled)

Keep a copy of your contacts elsewhere (in case of a failure)-->

2.Sync with Google account: automatic backup

The most reliable way to back up is to link your contacts to a Google account.

• ☁️ Automatic updates when adding/editing contacts.
• 🔄 Access from any device including a computer via contacts.google.com).
• 📸 All fields are saved: photos, addresses, birthdays, notes.

How to turn on synchronization:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Choose your account (or add a new one if not tied).
3. Activate the switch opposite Contact.
4. For forced synchronization, tap three dots in the corner → Sync now.

To make sure that your contacts are saved in the cloud:

1. Open Google Contacts in your browser.
2. Check that the number of records matches your phone.
3. If there are no contacts, check if synchronization is disabled in Xiaomi settings (Settings → Battery and Performance → Background Activity Management).

Once a week.

Just before changing the phone.

Never used it.

I don't know how it works.-->

3 Export to VCF (vCard) file to phone or computer

The.vcf (virtual contact file) format is a universal standard for exchanging contacts.

• 📱 Pass it on. Bluetooth/Wi-Fi Direct to another phone.
• 💻 Save to a computer or flash drive.
• ⚙️ Import to Outlook, Yahoo Mail or CRM-system.

Instructions for Xiaomi:

1. Launch the Contacts app.
2. Click on three points → Contact Management → Import/Export.
3. Select Export to File → Specify the location of the storage (internal memory or SD-map).
4. The file will be created in the Download folder or MIUI typename contacts_20260515.vcf.

For transmission to the computer:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode).
2. Copy the.vcf file into any folder on your computer.
3. To open: Double-click on the file – contacts will open in a standard application (for example, Windows Contacts or Apple Contacts).

⚠️ Note: If you select All contacts during export, duplicates from different accounts will get into the file (SIM, Google, phone.We recommend combining repeated records manually before export: Contacts → Three points. → Combining and correcting.

4.Contact Transfer via Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s proprietary cloud storage that offers 5GB for free, and unlike Google, it’s not just synced contacts, but also synced:

• 📅 Notes (Mi Notes).
• 📷 Photo and video (if option is enabled).
• 🔧 System settings (themes, wallpapers).

How to upload contacts to Mi Cloud:

1. Register for a Mi Account (if not already): Settings → Mi Account.
2. Turn on sync: Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Contacts (move the slider to the right).
3. For a forced backup, press Sync.

To restore contacts on the new device:

1. Sign in with the same Mi Account.
2. Go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
3. Turn on the synchronization of contacts and wait for completion.

💡

If you use both Google and Mi Cloud, turn off the sync of contacts on one of the services to avoid duplicate conflicts, and Google has a more reliable recovery system.

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

A quick way to transfer contacts to another Xiaomi phone (or Android device) without cables.

• 📲 You need to transfer contacts to your phone without access to the Internet.
• 🔌 No. USB-cable or computer at hand.
• 🚫 I don’t want to register my cloud accounts.

Step-by-step:

1. On both phones, turn on Bluetooth (Settings → Connection and Sharing → Bluetooth).
2. On the source phone (Xiaomi) open Contacts → select the entries you want (or click Select All).
3. Slip on Share (arrow icon) → select Bluetooth.
4. Select the target device from the list and confirm the transfer on both phones.

For Wi-Fi Direct (faster than Bluetooth):

1. Enable Wi-Fi Direct on both devices: Settings → Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi Direct.
2. On the source phone, select contacts → Share → Wi-Fi Direct.
3. Confirm the connection on the second phone.

⚠️ Note: When transferring over Bluetooth, contacts are sent in.vcf format, but some Xiaomi models (for example, some models, POCO X3) They may not be able to receive files correctly. 100 KB: If the transmission is interrupted, break the contacts into parts by 50-100 record.

6. backup through computer (MIUI Backup)

If you need to save a full copy of your contacts along with other data (SMS, call logs, settings), use the built-in Backup function in MIUI. This method creates an encrypted archive that can only be restored on Xiaomi devices.

How to make a backup:

1. Connect your phone to your computer via USB (select File Transfer mode).
2. On your phone, open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
3. Select Contacts (you can add other data) → click Backup.
4. The file will be saved in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder on internal memory.

For recovery:

1. Copy the backup file (for example, backup_20260515) The same folder on the new phone.
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
3. Select the file → click Restore.

MIUI backup files cannot be opened on a computer or other brands' phones - they are encrypted and compatible only with Xiaomi firmware. If you need a universal copy, use export to.vcf (section 3).

💡

Local backup MIUI is the best choice if you plan to recover data on another Xiaomi phone. For universal use, only export to VCF or sync with Google will be suitable.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions, Xiaomi users face typical problems, and we'll look at the most common ones.

• 🔴 Error "Cannot export contacts" Reason: Not enough space for the SIM-Solution: Free up space (delete old messages/photos) or export contacts in parts.
• 🔴 Contacts are not synced with Google Reason: Background activity is disabled for the Contacts app.Solution: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Contacts → Battery → No restrictions.
• 🔴 After importation, photos of contacts disappeared: SIM-The map and.vcf format do not support images.Solution: Use sync with Google or Mi Cloud.
• 🔴 Duplicate contacts when recovering Reason: Contacts are stored simultaneously in the phone's memory, SIM Solution: Before restoring, delete all contacts on the target device or use the Unify and Fix function.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions