How to copy contacts to Xiaomi phone: all ways of 2026

Transferring contacts to Xiaomi’s new smartphone is a challenge that every user faces when buying a device or resetting settings, POCO Or Black Shark, the contact copying process can raise questions about where the backup is stored, how to avoid duplicates, and why some numbers don't show up after import. In this article, we'll look at all the current ways to transfer contacts, from classic import to import from the Internet. SIM-maps before synchronization through MIUI Cloud and Google Account, and how to solve typical problems.

Xiaomi Smartphones Feature: Close Integration with Ecosystem MIUI, It offers unique backup tools, but many users still prefer to keep contacts on the Internet. SIM-We will analyze the pros and cons of each method so that you can choose the best option depending on your phone model (for example, Xiaomi 14 Ultra or Redmi Note 13 Pro).+) Situations – whether it’s buying a new device or recovering data after a reset.

1. Transfer of contacts with SIM-maps on Xiaomi

The easiest but limited way is to copy the contacts directly from the SIM-This method is suitable if you have few numbers (usually). SIM It stores no more than 250 contacts, or you temporarily switch to another phone. SIM-The card only saves names and numbers – photos, email and additional fields will be lost.

Instructions for MIUI 14/15:

1. Put it in. SIM-Xiaomi slot card (Nano-SIM and eSIM are supported on new models).
2. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
3. Slip on three dots in the top right corner → Contact management → Import/Export contacts.
4. Select Import with SIM-Maps and indicate where to save contacts: on your phone or in Google Account.
5. Mark the contacts you need (or click Select All) and confirm the import.

Turn off the limit on the number of contacts in the settings SIM|Check that SIM-card not blocked PIN-code|Make sure that the contacts are on SIM duplicationless|Keep a backup of old contacts on your phone-->

Limitations of the method:

• 📵 Fields are not supported except name and number (no email, addresses, birthdays).
• 🔄 When importing to the phone, contacts are not synchronized with the cloud - the risk of loss when resetting.
• ⚠️ In some models (for example, POCO F5) importation SIM It may not work when you are active.SIM.

⚠️ Note: If you are importing contacts with SIM You can use your Xiaomi phone and then sync them with your Google Account, you can see duplicates. Before syncing, delete the repetitive entries manually or use the Google Contacts app to combine them.

2. synchronize contacts through Google Account

The most reliable way for users who regularly change phones or reset settings, sync through Google allows you to automatically transfer contacts to any Android smartphone, including Xiaomi, Samsung or Pixel, the main condition is an active Internet connection and a Google Account.

How to turn on synchronization:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync (or Google depending on the version of MIUI).
2. Select your Google Account (if not, add it through Add Account).
3. Activate the slider opposite Contact.
4. Wait until the synchronization is complete (time depends on the number of contacts).

Advantages of the method:

• ☁️ Automatic backup to the cloud.
• 🔄 Sync between all devices with this Google Account.
• 📊 All contact fields are saved (photos, emails, addresses, notes).

Through Google Account|S SIM-map|Through file. VCF|Use it. MIUI Cloud|Another way.-->

If the contacts are not synchronized:

• Check your internet connection (synchronization only works via Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• Update the Google Contacts app in the Play Market.
• Remove the app cache Contacts in settings (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Contacts → Warehouse → Clear the cache).

⚠️ Note: On smartphones Xiaomi with MIUI For China (global firmware) there may be no support for Google services. MIUI Cloud (section 4) or export to.vcf (section 3).

3. Import contacts from the VCF file (vCard)

The.vcf (or vCard) format is the universal standard for storing contacts, supported by all modern smartphones, including Xiaomi, iPhones and even computers.

• 📱 Switch from iPhone to Xiaomi (export via iCloud).
• 💻 Keep a backup of contacts on PC.
• 📧 Get email contacts in the form of attachment.vcf.

Import instructions:

1. Download the.vcf file to your phone (for example, via Telegram, email or Mi File Manager).
2. Open the file – the system will prompt you to import contacts to the Contacts app.
3. Select your target account to save (phone or Google Account).
4. Confirm imports and wait until completion (on Xiaomi) 13T 500+ Contacts will take 1-2 minutes).

Tips for working with VCF:

• 🔍 Before importing, open the.vcf file in the text editor (for example, Notepad).++), to check the correctness of the data.
• 📂 If a file weighs more than 10MB, break it down (some versions) MIUI Do not import large files).
• 🔄 After importing, check duplicates in Contacts → Contact management → Combining and correcting.

4. Transfer of contacts through MIUI Cloud

MIUI Cloud is Xiaomi’s own cloud storage that allows you to synchronize contacts, notes, photos and even the same. SMS between devices MIUI. This is ideal if you use several Xiaomi gadgets (for example, a Redmi smartphone). K70 Xiaomi Pad 6 tablet or you want to avoid Google addiction.

How to turn on synchronization:

1. Open the Settings. → Xiaomi Account (or Accounts and Sync) → Mi Account).
2. Sign in to your Mi Account (if not, register).
3. Move to the MIUI Cloud and activate the Contact Slider.
4. Click Sync and wait for the process to be completed.

Features MIUI Cloud:

If synchronization is through MIUI The cloud is not working:

• 🔌 Check your internet connection (synchronization requires an active connection).
• 🔄 Update the firmware MIUI Up to the latest version (older versions had cloud bugs).
• 📱 Make sure your phone has enabled the option of Autosynchronization of data in your account settings.

💡

If you use and MIUI Cloud and Google Account, disable contact sync in one of the services to avoid conflicts and duplicates.

5.Moving contacts from iPhone to Xiaomi

Switching from iPhone to Xiaomi is often accompanied by data portability issues, especially if you’ve been using iCloud for years. Fortunately, there are a few proven ways to do this:

Method 1: Through iCloud and VCF-file

1. On iPhone, export contacts to.vcf (spoiler instructions above).
2. Send the file to Xiaomi via email, AirDrop (if supported) or instant messenger.
3. Import.vcf to Xiaomi as described in Section 3.

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

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

1. Install Copy My Data app on Xiaomi (available in Play Market).
2. On your iPhone, turn on Airplane Mode and connect to the Wi-Fi network created by Xiaomi.
3. In Copy My Data, select Send Data and follow the instructions.

Method 3: Through a Google Account

• 📱 On iPhone, add Google Account to Settings → Passwords and accounts.
• ☁️ Enable synchronization of contacts with Google.
• 🔄 Sign in to the same account on Xiaomi – contacts will be automatically connected.

⚠️ Note: When transferring contacts from iPhone to Xiaomi through Google Account, Cyrillic names may be lost (for example, "Ivanov Ivan" can appear as "???????"). To avoid this, change the encoding of contacts on iPhone in iCloud settings to "???" UTF-8.

6. Backup and restoration of contacts through MIUI Backup

MIUI Offers a built-in tool for full backup, including contacts, SMS, This is a useful way to reset your phone to factory settings or update your firmware.

How to create a backup copy:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Click Backup and select Contacts (you can also add) SMS, call-logs.).
3. Specify the path of preservation (internal memory or SD-map) and confirm.
4. Wait for completion (on Xiaomi 14 with 1000)+ Contacts will take it. ~5 minutes).

How to restore contacts from backup:

1. In the same menu (Local Backup), select the backup file.
2. Mark Contacts and click Restore.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (the phone will restart).

Important nuances:

• 📁 Backup copies MIUI not compatible with other brands (e.g., cannot be restored to Samsung).
• 🔐 Backup files are encrypted – without a password (if installed) it is impossible to restore data.
• 📱 New models (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Redmi Note 13 Pro)+) backup copies can be saved in MIUI Cloud.

💡

Local backup through MIUI Backup is the only way to save all contact data (including call history and linked social media accounts) that is out of sync with Google or Google. MIUI Cloud.

7. Solving typical problems when transferring contacts

Even when following the instructions, Xiaomi users encounter errors when transferring contacts, and consider the most common ones and ways to solve them:

Problem 1: Contacts are not displayed after importation

• 🔍 Check which account you have saved your contacts: open your contacts → Three points. → Settings → Display contacts and select the appropriate account.
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes contacts are uploaded after a reboot.
• 📱 Update the Contacts app in Play Market (on some models) POCO It may not work properly).

Problem 2: Duplicate contacts

• 🧹 In the Contacts app, go to Contact Management → Combining and correcting.
• 🔍 Select Find duplicates and combine them manually or automatically.
• 📌 Turn off synchronization of contacts in one of the accounts (Google or Google) MIUI Cloud, if you use both.

Problem 3: Importing contacts with the SIM-map

• 📶 Make sure that SIM-The card is recognized by the phone (check in Settings). → SIM-maps and mobile networks).
• 🔌 Try inserting. SIM In another slot (if the phone supports two cards).
• 📱 Update the firmware MIUI — In the old versions there were reading bugs. SIM.

Problem 4: Contacts are not synced with Google

• ☁️ Check if synchronization is included in Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Google → Contacts.
• 🔌 Make sure your phone has mobile data or Wi-Fi enabled.
• 📱 Delete and re-add Google Account in Settings.

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If the contacts are missing after the update MIUI, Try rolling back the firmware via Fastboot or recovering data from backup MIUI Instructions for rollback can be found in the official support section of Xiaomi.

8. Additional Contact Management Tips on Xiaomi

To avoid contact problems in the future, follow these guidelines:

1. Regular backups

• ☁️ Set up automatic sync with your Google Account or MIUI Cloud.
• 📅 Once a month, create a local backup copy through the MIUI Backup.
• 📧 Export contacts to.vcf and send the file to email or cloud (Google Drive, Yandex Drive).

2. Optimization of the storage of contacts

• 📱 Keep your contacts in your Google Account if you change your phone frequently.
• 🔄 Use it. MIUI Cloud if you have multiple Xiaomi devices.
• 📵 Avoid storing contacts only on the SIM-map is unreliable.

3. Data security

• 🔒 Enable two-factor authentication for Google Account and Mi Account.
• 📱 Do not save contacts in the memory of the phone – when reset, they will be lost.
• 🔍 Periodically check the permissions of applications that have access to contacts (Settings) → Confidentiality → Application authorizations → Contacts).

4.Moving contacts to the new Xiaomi

If you are buying a new Xiaomi smartphone (such as the Xiaomi 14 Pro), use the Quick Setup feature:

1. When you first turn on a new phone, select Data Transfer.
2. Bring the old Xiaomi to the new one – the Mi Share transmission (analogue of AirDrop) is activated.
3. Select Contacts and wait for the transfer to be completed.

💡

Quick setup only works between Xiaomi devices MIUI 12 and later. To transfer from other brands, use Google Account or.vcf file.

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts to Xiaomi