How to archive contacts on Xiaomi: all working ways in 2026

Losing contacts on a smartphone is one of the most frustrating situations for a user, especially if we are talking about hundreds of important numbers collected over the years. Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI offer several built-in tools for archiving contacts, but not all users know how to use them correctly. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to back up contacts, from standard features to third-party solutions that will save your data even when you reset your phone to factory settings.

It is important to understand that the archiving process on Xiaomi may vary depending on the version. MIUI (for example, MIUI 14 vs HyperOS) and device models, and we'll take these into account and provide current instructions for modern firmware, and you'll learn how to avoid common errors, such as losing contacts when changing. SIM-card or incomplete recovery after transfer to a new phone.

1. Archiving contacts through the built-in MIUI function

The most reliable way is to use Xiaomi’s built-in backup tool, which saves contacts to the cloud or to a.vcf device that’s compatible with most smartphones, and works on all models, from the Redmi Note 10 to the Xiaomi 14 Pro, regardless of the MIUI version.

To create an archive:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a human silhouette).
2. Slip on three dots in the top right corner and select Contact Management → Import/Export Contacts.
3. Click Export in the file and select where to save backup: 📁 Internal memory – the file will be saved in the folder MIUI/backup/AllBackup. ☁️ Mi Cloud – automatically uploads to the cloud (requires authorization in your Mi Account). 💾 SD-Card – if it is installed on the phone.

Confirm the export and wait for the completion (the notification will appear on the screen).

Google syncs disabled (to avoid duplicates)|

Enough free space on the device (file weighs ~1-5 MB) |

Select the correct Mi Account (if you save to the cloud)|

Phone connected to Wi-Fi (for download to Mi Cloud)

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⚠️ Note: If you choose to save to internal memory, the backup file will not be automatically deleted when you reset your phone to factory settings. However, it can be accidentally erased manually.

2. synchronize contacts with Google account

If you use Google services, this method will not only archive contacts, but also automatically sync them between devices, the main advantage of accessing numbers from any gadget after logging in to the same account.

How to set up synchronization:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Choose your account (or add a new one if you don’t have one).
3. Activate the switch next to Contacts.
4. Click More → Sync Now to start the process manually.

All contacts will then be available on Google Contacts to export from there:

1. Open contacts.google.com on your computer.
2. On the left menu, select Export.
3. Enter the format (Google CSV or vCard) and click Export.

Export instructions:

1. Open Contacts → Contact Management → Import/Export.
2. Select Export on Export SIM-map.
3. Mark your contacts for export (or click Select All).
4. Confirm the action and wait until the completion (may take up to 1-2 minutes).

⚠️ Note: When exporting to SIM-Multi-numbered contacts will be broken down into separate records, for example, if a person has two numbers saved (mobile and work), and if they are saved, they will be separated from each other. SIM They will become two different contacts with the same name.

4. Backup through Mi Cloud

Mi Cloud is a cloud storage from Xiaomi that automatically stores contacts, photos, notes and other data, and the advantage of this method is automatic backup on a schedule (daily or weekly), but it requires a Mi Account and a stable Internet connection to work.

How to set up an archive in Mi Cloud:

1. Go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on the switch next to Contacts.
3. Tap on Sync Settings and select the backup frequency (recommended Daily).
4. For manual start, click Sync Now.

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If you have changed your Xiaomi phone, the first time you sign in to your Mi Account, the system will offer to restore contacts from the cloud. Don’t miss this step – it may not happen again!

To download the archive of contacts from Mi Cloud to your computer:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select the Contacts section.
3. Click on the icon of the gear → Export contacts.
4. Download the contacts.vcf file.

⚠️ Note: If you delete contacts from your phone, they will also disappear from the Mi Cloud if you do not have Remote Contact Archive enabled (available in the cloud settings.

5. Use of third-party archiving applications

If the built-in MIUI tools don't suit you, you can use third-party apps that offer additional features, such as an automatic archiving scheduler, data encryption, or exporting to multiple formats.

Top.-3 contact backup applications:

• 📱 Super Backup & Restore - supports export to.vcf,.xml and email.
• ☁️ Contacts Backup – Stores contacts in Google Drive or Dropbox with encryption.
• 🔄 My Contacts Backup – Simple interface, export to.vcf and send to email.

Instructions for Super Backup & Restore:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Start it and give access to the contacts.
3. Select Backup Contacts.
4. Specify the location of the storage (internal memory, SD-map).
5. Press Backup and wait until it is completed.

⚠️ Warning: When using third-party apps, always check the permissions they request. SMS, Calls or locations without obvious reason are a reason to be wary.

6 Manual copying of the contact file to a computer

If you prefer to back up your hard drive, you can manually copy contacts.vcf or contacts.db from phone to PC, a method that is suitable for advanced users, as it requires access to system folders.

How to find and copy a file:

1. Connect your phone to your computer through USB-cable (select File Transfer Mode).
2. Open the phone’s internal memory and go to the folder: MIUI/backup/AllBackup/ This is where backups created through the built-in MIUI tools are stored.
3. Copy the file. contacts_YYYYMMDD.vcf (where YYYYMMDD — date of creation on computer.

Alternative way (for users with root access):

• Use a file manager with superuser rights (e.g., Root Explorer).
• Go to /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/
• Copy the contacts.db file is a complete contact database.

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The contacts.db file contains ALL contact data, including deleted records (unless cleared), and can be opened using programs like DB Browser for SQLite.

⚠️ Note: Do not edit the contacts.db file manually, this can damage the database. Use specialized utilities to restore it or transfer the file back to the phone to the same folder (root rights required).

FAQ: Frequent questions about archiving contacts on Xiaomi