How to Upload Contacts to Xiaomi: All Working Ways (2026)

Transferring contacts to the new Xiaomi smartphone is a challenge that every user faces when buying a device or after resetting. Even if you have long used the brand’s technology, the import process can cause difficulties: MIUI It updates the interface regularly, and synchronization methods depend on the firmware version, the phone model, and the source of contacts. In this article, we will analyze all current methods from classical import to the Internet. SIM-Maps before automated migration from iPhone or via cloud services.

We will pay special attention to typical errors: why contacts are not displayed after import, how to avoid duplicates when synchronizing with Google Account, and what to do if Xiaomi does not see.vcf files. SIM-Cards (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ or POCO F5), where standard methods may not work.

1.Preparation for import of contacts: what to check

Before you start the transfer, make sure your Xiaomi is ready to receive data, and skipping these steps often leads to synchronization failures or loss of some contacts.

First, check the version of MIUI: in firmware older than MIUI 12, the import/export menu of contacts can be in another section. You can find out the version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. Second, free up space in memory - a large list of contacts (500+ entries) will require at least 50-100 MB of free space.

• 📱 Update the firmware: go to Settings → The phone. → Update the system and install the latest patches.
• 🔄 Turn off battery optimization for Contacts and Google Contacts apps (in Settings) → Battery → Battery optimization? Otherwise, background synchronization may be interrupted.
• 📡 Connect to Wi-Fi: Mobile Internet may be too slow to import via cloud or Google Account.
• 🔒 Backup your current contacts (if any) through Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Exports.

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If you are migrating contacts from your iPhone, pre-disable iCloud on your old device (in Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → Contacts) this will prevent conflicts when syncing.

If you are using a hybrid slot (for example, in Redmi). 10C or POCO M5), where the second slot can work as a SIM, and under microSD, make sure that the memory card does not block access to the SIM. Put it in. SIM-card with contacts in the first slot - it always supports the work with the phone book.

2. Import of contacts from SIM-card: step-by-step instructions

The easiest way is to transfer contacts directly from SIM-It's good if you have the numbers on the old one. SIM, but with limitations: SIM-The card only stores names and phones (no email, addresses or photos), and the maximum number of records is usually 250-300.

To import contacts:

1. Put it in. SIM-card with contacts in the Xiaomi smartphone (in the first slot, if you have a hybrid connector).
2. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
3. Press on. ⋮ (three points) in upper right corner → Select Contact Management.
4. Go to Import/Export Contacts → Import from SIM-card.
5. Select the right contacts (or click Allocate) and confirm the import.

Make sure all contacts are displayed|Check for no duplicates|Compare the number of imported records with the original|Delete empty or incorrect records-->

If the contacts are not displayed after import:

• 🔍 Check if they are hidden in the display settings: Contacts → ⋮ → Settings → Display contacts → Select All Contacts.
• 📱 Restart your phone - sometimes MIUI Does not update your contact list in real time.
• 🛠️ If the import is interrupted, try repeating the process by pre-clearing the Contacts app cache (in Settings). → Annexes → Application management → Contacts → Clear the cache).

3. synchronize contacts through Google Account

This method is suitable if your contacts are already saved in Google Contacts (for example, when using an Android smartphone before) or if you want to automatically back them up in the cloud.

For synchronization:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
2. Click Add an account → Google and log in to your profile (or create a new one).
3. Return to Accounts and Sync, select your Google Account and enable the slider opposite Contact.
4. Wait until the synchronization is complete (it can take up to 10 minutes depending on the number of records).

If the contacts are not synchronized:

• 🔄 Make sure that your Google Account settings on your old phone enable contact sync.
• 📶 Check your internet connection – synchronization only works when you have an active connection.
• 🔧 Update Google Contacts in Play Market (sometimes outdated versions conflict with the Google App). MIUI).

Sync with Google|Save to SIM-card |Export to VCF|Use third-party applications |Do not reserve-->

4.Moving contacts from iPhone to Xiaomi

The transition from iPhone to Xiaomi is often accompanied by data migration issues. Apple uses a closed format for storing contacts, so standard methods (for example, through iCloud) may not work.

Method 1: Through iCloud and Google Account

This is a good option if you have access to iCloud:

1. On iPhone, open Settings → [Your name] → iCloud and enable Contacts.
2. Go to iCloud.com from your computer, log in to your account and export your contacts to the.vcf file (the gear icon at the bottom of the window).
3. Import a file to Xiaomi via Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → File-based import.

Method 2: Using the Move to iOS app (reverse port)

While Move to iOS is designed to transfer data from Android to iPhone, you can use a workaround:

• 📱 Install Google Contacts on iPhone and sync your contacts with your Google Account.
• 🔄 On Xiaomi, add the same Google Account and enable contact sync (see Section 3).
• ⚡ If contacts are not transferred, export them from your iPhone to.vcf via Settings → Contacts → Export (required iOS 16)+).

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When transferring from your iPhone, avoid using iTunes or Finder – these methods often result in data loss or duplicated records.

5. Import contacts from a VCF or CSV file

.vcf (vCard) and.csv are universal formats for storing contacts. These can be obtained when exported from Outlook, Yandex.Mail, Excel or other sources. Xiaomi supports importing.vcf directly, and.csv requires conversion.

Instructions for.vcf:

1. Copy the.vcf file to your phone (via Bluetooth, email, Telegram or File Manager).
2. Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → File-based import.
3. Select the.vcf file and confirm the import.

For.csv:

• 📄 Convert the file to.vcf using online services (e.g, CSV to vCard).
• 🔧 Make sure that the columns in the file are correctly filled in: Name, Phone, Email, etc. (otherwise, the data is not imported).
• 📱 Import the resulting.vcf as described above.

⚠️ Note: If you import contacts from.csv created in Excel, remove empty rows and columns. MIUI Imports may be interrupted if incorrect data is found.

6. Transfer contacts from another Android smartphone

If you’re switching from another Android device (like Samsung, Huawei, or the old Xiaomi), you have a few options:

Method 1: Through Bluetooth

Suitable for a small number of contacts (up to 100-200 entries):

1. On your old phone, open your contacts. → ⋮ → Exports/imports → Send contacts.
2. Select Bluetooth and send your contacts to Xiaomi.
3. On Xiaomi, accept the file and confirm the import.

Method 2: Through Mi Mover (Official Xiaomi App)

Mi Mover allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also messages, photos and applications. Note that the application only works between Xiaomi devices or devices. Redmi/POCO:

1. Install Mi Mover on both phones from the Play Market or App Store.
2. On the old phone, select Send, on the new phone, Receive.
3. Connect to a single Wi-Fi network and follow the instructions on the screen.
4. Select Contacts in the data list for transfer.

If Mi Mover does not find the device:

• 🔌 Make sure both phones are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (do not use mobile internet).
• 📱 Turn it off. VPN Firewalls (they can block the connection).
• 🔄 Restart the application on both devices.

7. Backup and restoration of contacts

To avoid losing contacts in the future, set up automatic backups. Xiaomi offers two options: through Google Account or locally.

Google reservations

The most reliable way is to sync with Google Contacts:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Turn on sync for Contacts.
3. Check periodically that backups are being created: go to contacts.google.com and make sure all contacts are in place.

Local backups

If you don’t want to use the cloud, export your contacts to the file:

1. Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Exports.
2. Select the.vcf format and save the file to the internal memory or to the SD-map.
3. Copy the file to a computer or other secure storage.

⚠️ Attention: Local backups are not protected from loss when you reset your phone to factory settings. Store the.vcf file on multiple media (e.g., Google Drive and computer).

8. Elimination of errors in import of contacts

Even if you follow instructions, you can get into trouble, and we'll look at the most common problems and their solutions.

If none of the methods worked, try resetting the Contacts app settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Contacts.
2. Click Warehouse → Clear your data (this will delete all local contacts!).
3. Restart the phone and repeat the import.

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts to Xiaomi