How to transfer contacts to the new Xiaomi phone

The acquisition of a new Xiaomi smartphone is always accompanied by a pleasant anticipation of familiarity with the capabilities of the shell MIUI or HyperOS, but the process of changing the device is often overshadowed by the need to transfer data. The most important information for any user is the phone book, the loss of which can be a serious problem. Fortunately, modern technology allows you to transfer contacts to a new device in minutes, preserving the entire structure of records, photos of subscribers and additional numbers.

In this article, we will take a look at all the current methods of data migration, from Google cloud services to local transfer through a special application. You will learn how to avoid duplication of records and what to do if numbers are not selected after synchronization. The migration process depends on which device you are switching to Xiaomi, so we will consider universal solutions.

Whether you have an iPhone or an old Android smartphone from another brand, the algorithm will be clear to even a beginner, and the key is to take your time and follow the steps described in the instructions below, and the most reliable way to keep a database of numbers is to link it to a Google account before you start setting up a new device.

Preparation for data transfer and backup

Before starting the active transfer phase, make sure the original device is in good working order and has sufficient battery life.If you plan to use wireless transmission methods, make sure both smartphones are connected to the same Wi-Fi network or have Bluetooth enabled.The wired method will require a serviceable cable and possibly an OTG adapter.

The critical step is to check the storage location of the numbers on the old phone, and users often store the contacts in memory for years. SIM-It is best to copy all the records in advance to your Google account, as this is a universal standard that guarantees the safety of data even if the device breaks down.

To check where your numbers are stored, open the Contacts app on your old device and go to the display settings. If you see the Phone Only or SIM option, export or copy immediately to your Google account. This action will create a backup that the new Xiaomi will be able to download automatically when you log in.

⚠️ Warning: Do not start the transfer process if the battery charge on any of the devices is below 40%.Stop sync on a low charge can damage the phone book file.

It’s also worth cleaning up the phone book from obvious “junk” — old, unnecessary numbers and takes, so as not to transfer chaos to the new device. Many modern Android shells have built-in tools to combine duplicates, which will greatly simplify further work. After cleaning, check that the important numbers are in the correct format with the country code.

Syncing with a Google account: the most reliable method

Google’s ecosystem is the backbone for any Android operating system, including Xiaomi’s proprietary shells, a method considered the “gold standard” because it doesn’t require cables, special apps, or complex setups. All you need is a Gmail account that has been saved numbers on the old device.

The process is as follows: on the new Xiaomi, when you first set up the system, you will be asked to enter Google's login and password. Once you log in, the system will automatically prompt you to restore data from the cloud. If the phone is already configured, you can manually start syncing through the settings menu.

For forced synchronization, perform the following steps:

• 📱 Open the Settings app on your Xiaomi.
• 🔍 Find Accounts and Syncs (or simply “Accounts»).
• 📧 Select your Google account from the list of available.
• ✅ Make sure the switch opposite the Contacts item is activated.
• 🔄 Click on the menu (three dots) and select Sync».

Once the process is complete, open a standard call or Contacts app. If the numbers don't show up instantly, wait a few minutes - Google servers may take time to transfer a large amount of data. In some cases, a device reboot is required to apply the changes.

⚠️ Warning: Make sure that the old phone in Google Sync settings also has a checkmark opposite Contacts. Without this, the new copy of the data will not load into the cloud.

The advantage of this method is that any changes you make in the future will be automatically updated on all devices where you log in to this account, which ensures continuity of access to your address book, and Google Contacts has a great web interface that allows you to edit numbers from your computer.

If you have problems with naming, check the display filter in the contact app. Sometimes the default system hides contacts from certain sources and you need to manually enable them through the filter menu.

Using the Mi Mover app to migrate from Android

Xiaomi has developed its own Mi Mover app, which makes it much easier for users to switch from other Android devices, which allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also photos, music, apps and even system settings. For Xiaomi devices, the application is already built into the system, for other brands it must be downloaded from the Play Market.

Run the app on both smartphones. On the new Xiaomi, select Reciever and on the old one, Sender, and the app will create a Wi-Fi hotspot that the second device will need to connect to. QR-code or manual password entry will speed up the pairing process.

Once you have established the connection, you will be asked to select the types of data to transmit, select Contacts and other categories if necessary, and the speed of the transfer depends on the volume of data and the quality of the wireless connection, but usually the entire process takes no more than 5-10 minutes.

It's important to note that when you use Mi Mover, the contacts are saved in the same format as they were on the old device. SIM-The application may suggest first copying them to internal memory for correct transfer.

Once the transfer is complete, Xiaomi may suggest combining duplicates if it finds a match. It is recommended to agree to this operation to make the phone book look neat. Mi Mover is stable even when transferring several thousand records.

⚠️ Warning: While Mi Mover is running, do not switch to other apps or block the sender screen as this may break the Wi-Fi Direct connection.

Transfer contacts from iPhone to Xiaomi

The transition from iOS to Android is often a concern for users because of the closed Apple ecosystem, but moving contacts to Xiaomi is quite simple. The most effective way is to use iCloud. You need to make sure that the iPhone is enabled to sync contacts with the Apple cloud.

On the new Xiaomi, go to Settings → Passwords and accounts (or “Accounts and Sync”). Select “Add Account” and search the iCloud list. Enter your Apple ID and password. The system will prompt you to select data for sync – be sure to activate “Contacts”.

An alternative method involves using the Move to iOS app during Xiaomi’s initial setup phase, if you haven’t activated the phone already. However, if the device is already in use, adding an iCloud account to your Android settings is the fastest method.

There is also the possibility of exporting contacts through the web interface iCloud.com. Go from computer to site, highlight all contacts, select the option of exporting in vCard (.vcf) and send this file to your mail or messenger. On Xiaomi, you just open the resulting file, and the system will offer to import all records.

Local transfer through VCF-file and Bluetooth

If you don't have access to the Internet or prefer local methods, a good solution is to use a.vcf file (vCard) format, which is supported by almost all mobile devices and email clients, and you can create one on your old phone through the Contacts app.

From the contact management menu, select the option “Import/Export” → “Export to device memory” or “Export to storage”. The system will create a file that can be transferred in any convenient way: via Bluetooth, messenger (Telegram, WhatsApp) or email.

Open the file on the new Xiaomi. The operating system automatically recognizes the format and runs the import wizard. You will be asked to choose where to save the numbers: in memory of the phone, on the phone. SIM-Google card or account: Choose a Google account for further security.

Bluetooth remains a viable way to transmit small amounts of data when the Internet is not available. Although the transfer speed is low, it will only take a few minutes for a phone book (even a few thousand numbers). VCF-file via Bluetooth and receive it on the receiving device.

This method is good for its versatility: it works even between devices of different generations and operating systems, including button phones that support business cards export.

Importing data from SIM-card

The most conservative, but still working method is transference through physical SIM-It's good if you have an old SIM or you use an adapter, but you have to be mindful of the technical limitations: SIM-The card stores only the number and name, ignoring addresses, photos and additional numbers.

On the old phone, copy the contacts on the SIM: Contacts → Menus. → Imports/Exports → Copy on SIM-Then insert the SIM into the new Xiaomi.

To download data to Xiaomi:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Click on the profile avatar or three dots in the corner.
3. Select Import/Export → Import from SIM-card.
4. Confirm the action and select the location of the save (preferably Google Account).

After the procedure is completed, be sure to remove SIM-Often, names can be cropped due to a limitation of the field length on the SIM card (usually up to the end of the map). 10-15 characters), so they will have to be edited manually.

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If after importing with SIM, the names appear as “Contact 1”, “Contact 2”, try importing again by selecting “Phone” as your destination, and then copy them to Google Account.

Comparison of methods and elimination of problems

To make it easier for you to choose the right method, we have systematized the basic methods in a table, each of which has its own advantages depending on the specific situation and the technical condition of the devices.

Often users face the problem of duplicate post-transfer recordings, which occurs when contacts are stored in both the phone’s memory and Google account simultaneously, and this can be solved through the Google Contacts web interface (Update and Correct section), or using built-in cleaning tools in MIUI.

If contacts are lost after the system update, don't panic. Go to your Google account settings, turn off contact sync and turn it on again, and this will force you to update your local database.

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The best strategy is to always keep a master copy of your contacts in the Google cloud, using local methods as a temporary solution or for initial filling.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)