Changing your smartphone, especially to the new Xiaomi Redmi Note line, is always a thrill, but often overshadowed by the need to transfer data. The most valuable asset for any user is not photos or apps, but a phone book, the loss of which can be a real disaster. Fortunately, the Android ecosystem and the branded MIUI shell offer many ways to migrate, from simple cloud synchronization to classic copying via Bluetooth.
The choice of method depends on the original device, whether it is an old Android smartphone, iPhone or button phone. In most cases, the process takes no more than 10-15 minutes and does not require a connection to a computer or special technical skills.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at all the current methods available to Xiaomi owners, and choose the most reliable option for your situation.We will look at the nuances of working with a Google account, the capabilities of Mi Cloud, as well as time-tested ways of transferring through the Internet. VCF-file.
Using Google Accounts to Sync
The most versatile and reliable way that works on any Android device is to sync through Google Contacts. If your old phone has already signed in to a Google account, chances are your numbers are already saved in the cloud. You don't have to do anything on your old device other than check your sync settings.
On the new Xiaomi Redmi Note, you need to log in to the same account during the initial setup, and when you log in, the system will prompt you to choose which data to restore. Make sure the switch opposite the Contacts item is activated. The phone will then automatically upload all the records from the Google cloud to the local phone book.
If sync doesn't happen automatically, you can force it to start. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync. Select your Google account from the list and click Sync. The system will contact the server and download the current version of your phone book.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure your contacts are stored in your Google account instead of in memory SIM-maps or locally in the device's memory. Local records are not automatically synchronized.
The advantage of this method is that your contacts will be accessible not only on your phone, but also on your tablet or computer via your browser, creating a reliable backup that is almost impossible to lose even if your smartphone physically breaks down.
Transfers via Mi Mover and Mi Cloud
Xiaomi has developed its own utility Mi Mover, which is ideal for migrating data between Xiaomi phones and other Android devices. This application is pre-installed on all smartphones of the brand and allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also photos, messages and settings of the system.
To get started, open the Mi Mover app on both devices. On the new Redmi Note, select Receiver, and on the old phone, Sender. Devices will create a temporary Wi-Fi network for fast data transfer. You only have to scan. QR-code and select the data type to transfer.
The alternative is the Mi Cloud cloud service, and if you use a Mi Account, you can upload contacts to the cloud on your old device and just download them on your new device. On your old phone, go to Settings → Mi Account → Sync and turn on the Contacts switch.
- 📱 Speed: Wi-Fi Direct is much faster than Bluetooth.
- 🔄 Universality: Supports portability from iOS and other versions of Android.
- 🛡️ Security: Data is transmitted over a secure local channel without access to the Internet.
Xiaomi’s ecosystem tools are often more effective, as the app can handle specific contact fields that can be lost with standard copying.
Copying contacts with SIM-map
The classic method that is still relevant today, especially if you are transitioning from a button-phone or device without cloud-based technology support. SIM-The card can store basic information, such as name and phone number, but it has limitations on the length of the name and the number of characters in the number.
To copy the data, insert SIM-card from the old phone to the new Xiaomi Redmi Note. Once the device is turned on, open the Contacts app. Click on the three dots in the corner of the screen or the menu button and select Import/Export Contacts".
In the menu that opens, select the option "Import with" SIM-The system will suggest you choose your destination: you should choose "Google Account" or "Phone" to keep the full information, and once confirmed, the copying process will begin, which will take a few seconds or minutes depending on the number of records.
| Parameter | SIM-map | Google Account | VCF File |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo preservation | No. | Yes. | Yes. |
| Length of name | Limited. | No restrictions. | No restrictions. |
| Several rooms. | No (usually 1) | Yes. | Yes. |
| Network dependency | Not required | Required. | Not required |
⚠️ Attention: SIM-The card does not support the storage of additional fields, such as email, address, company or second phone number.
This method is good as a temporary solution or for backing up on physical media, but it is better to use digital accounts for permanent storage.
Transmission via Bluetooth and VCF-file
If cloud services are unavailable or the Internet is unstable, Bluetooth technology and file sharing come to the rescue, the essence of the method is to create a business card file (.vcf format), which contains the entire phone book, and transfer it to a new device.
On an old smartphone, open the Contacts app, click on the menu and select Import/Export. Click Export to Storage or Export to File.vcf. The phone will create a file, usually in the root folder or in the Contacts directory.
Then turn on Bluetooth on both devices and pair. Find the file you created through the file manager, select Share and send it via Bluetooth. On the new Redmi Note, accept the file and open it, and the system will automatically prompt you to import the contacts you found.
☑️ Pre-transfer checks
This method is especially convenient for transferring data between phones of different operating systems, for example, from iPhone to Android, since the.vcf format is a universal industry standard.
Specificity of transferring from iPhone to Xiaomi
Owners of iOS devices when switching to Xiaomi should use the application Move to iOS (although it is from Apple) or proprietary Mi Mover, which has a version for iOS.
When using Mi Mover on iPhone, you need to allow access to contacts. QR-It is important not to lock the iPhone screen during the process, as iOS can interrupt the background data transmission to save energy.
You can also use iCloud. Go from your computer to iCloud.com, export your contacts in vCard format, and then upload this file to your Google Account through contacts.google.com. After that, just turn on sync on Xiaomi.
What to do if the contacts are displayed in hieroglyphics?
Addressing problems and duplicates
After transferring data, users often face the problem of duplicate records, which occurs when contacts are stored simultaneously in the phone memory, in the Google account and on the Internet. SIM-Xiaomi has a built-in tool to solve this problem.
Open the Contacts app, go to the settings, and find the "Combine Duplicates" option, and the system will analyze the list and suggest combining the records with the same names or numbers, which will clear the phone book and make it neat.
It’s also worth checking which account is the default to save new numbers. To avoid chaos in the future, go to your contacts settings and set your Google or Mi Cloud account as your priority.
💡
Before combining duplicates, make sure that the different entries do not include important unique numbers (e.g., work and mobile) that the system may mistakenly consider the same.
Regular cleaning and proper configuration of contact display sources will help keep the phone book in order for years to come.
💡
The most reliable way to avoid data loss is to store contacts in a cloud account (Google or Mi Cloud), rather than in device memory or on a device. SIM-map.