How to transfer contacts with Apple to Xiaomi: the complete guide

Changing the ecosystem from iOS to Android, in particular to Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones, often causes users to fear the loss of important data. The most critical asset for most owners is a phone book containing hundreds and sometimes thousands of numbers. Fortunately, modern technology allows you to transfer contacts with Apple to Xiaomi as quickly and without loss, using both cloud services and local files.

The migration process has become much easier in recent years thanks to standardized storage formats, and whether you’re using an older iPhone or a newer model, the algorithm remains the same. In this guide, we will cover all working methods, from automatic utilities to manual unloading through the SIM-map.

Before starting the procedure, you need to make sure that both the donor and the receiving smartphone have sufficient battery power, and it is also recommended to check the availability of free space in Xiaomi memory so that the system can easily create new entries in the phone book.

Using the Mi Mover application for direct transmission

The most effective and native way for Xiaomi users is to use the official Mi Mover application, which is designed specifically for data migration between devices of different platforms and allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also photos, music and even app placement.

The process begins with installing the app on the iPhone. In the App Store, you need to find and download Mi Mover. On a Xiaomi smartphone, the app is often preinstalled in the Tools folder, but if it is not available, you can download it from Google Play or GetApps. After installing it on both devices, you need to do the following:

• 📱 Open the application on both smartphones and accept the terms of the user agreement.
• 🔗 On Xiaomi, select “I am the recipient” and on iPhone, “I am the sender».
• 📡 Create a Wi-Fi hotspot on Xiaomi and connect your iPhone to it through your wireless network settings.
• ✅ Select the Contacts category and click the Send button to start the process.

The data transfer speeds over Mi Mover are much faster than Bluetooth, because you have direct Wi-Fi connection, so you don't have to shut down the app or lock the device screens until you've done the work, and if you've lost the connection, you can start from the stop.

Synchronization through Google account

One of the most reliable methods to ensure the safety of data in the cloud is synchronization through a Google account. Since the Android operating system installed on Xiaomi is deeply integrated with Google services, this method ensures that the phone book is automatically updated on any new device.

First, export your iCloud contacts in a Google-compatible format. To do this, log into your Apple ID account via your computer browser, go to the contacts section, highlight all entries, and select the vCard export option.

Then open Google Contacts (contacts.google.com) on the same computer. From the menu on the left, find the "Import" button and select the previously saved file. After processing, all the numbers will appear in your Google account.

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
2. Click “Add Account” and select Google.
3. Enter the login and password from the account where the import was made.
4. Make sure the Contacts switch is activated for synchronization.

The advantage of this method is that your numbers will be stored in the cloud, and even if you lose your phone or decide to change it in the future, just logging in to recover the entire phone book will be enough.

Export and import via VCF file

The universal format for sharing contact information is a file with the.vcf (vCard) extension, which does not require a permanent Internet connection at the time of transfer and allows you to create a physical backup on your computer or flash drive.

On your iPhone, open the standard Contacts app. You can select multiple contacts with your finger on the screen, or export the entire book directly through your browser's iCloud settings. After selecting the "Share Contacts" or "Export vCard" option, send the file to yourself by email or save it to the cloud storage available with Xiaomi.

On the Xiaomi side, the import process is also simple. Open the Contacts app, go to the settings menu (usually three dots or a gear), and select “Import from a file.” The system will suggest selecting a source — specify the path to the saved.vcf file. The phone automatically recognizes the format and prompts you to select an account to which the numbers will be saved.

This method is especially convenient if you want to transfer contacts to a device that is not yet configured or has no access to a Wi-Fi network. USB-cable if other methods are not available.

Transfer of contacts through SIM-map

Although this method is considered obsolete due to the limitations on the number of characters in the contact name and the lack of support for additional fields (email, addresses), it remains relevant for basic migration. SIM-The card acts as a physical carrier of information.

On iPhone go to Settings → Contact and select the option “Import with” SIM-maps or "export to" SIM-map" (name may vary depending on iOS version). After copying the data, extract SIM-Map and paste it into a Xiaomi smartphone.

On Xiaomi, open the Contacts app, go to the settings and select Import with SIM-The system will suggest you to choose the place of saving: in memory of the phone or in the Google account.

⚠️ Note: When transferring through SIM-The long names may be cut off and the special characters replaced by question marks. SIM-The numbers have already been recorded.

Once you have completed importing, be sure to check the phone book for errors. If you have used this method as a temporary one, back up to Google immediately to secure your data.

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Before extraction SIM-Make sure the phone is turned off or use a special needle key to open the tray so as not to damage the mechanism.

Solving problems with coding and duplicates

When transferring contacts between different operating systems, such as iOS and MIUI (the shell of Xiaomi), users can face technical problems, the most common of which is the incorrect display of Cyrillic (instead of letters appear “crackers”) and the appearance of duplicate entries.

The encoding problem most often occurs when using older export methods or transferring through third-party, unlicensed applications. To avoid this, only use proven UTF-8 formats, which by default support the vCard standard. If the problem already occurs, try reimporting contacts through a Google account that automatically adjusts the encoding when downloaded.

Duplicates can appear if you have used multiple transfer methods at the same time or if contacts have been stored in both the phone’s memory and the phone’s memory. SIM-map, and in iCloud. Xiaomi has a built-in cleaning tool:

• 🧹 Open the "Contact" app».
• ⚙️ Go to Settings and find the item “Clear Repetitive Contacts».
• 🔄 The system will analyze the database and propose to combine matching records.

Cleaning the phone book regularly not only frees up space, but also speeds up contact locating and dialing, which is especially important for users with a large number of entries.

Comparison of data transfer methods

To make it easier for you to choose the right method, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you evaluate the pros and cons of each method depending on your priorities: speed, data volume or ease of use.

As you can see from the table, for most users, a combination of methods will be the best choice: using Mi Mover for the initial transfer and setting up Google Sync for future backups, which will ensure maximum reliability of your contact information.

Remember that after successfully transferring and verifying all numbers on a new device, it is recommended that you delete the old data from your iPhone before selling it or transferring it to another person, which ensures the confidentiality of your personal information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The most reliable way to keep your contacts forever is to sync regularly with your Google account, which protects your data even if your smartphone is broken or lost.