Switching to a new smartphone or simply changing a device often raises questions, especially when it comes to the safety of personal data. For users of the Android ecosystem, and in particular Xiaomi devices, the main store of the phone book is traditionally a Google account. However, the structure of the MIUI shell or HyperOS has its own features that can confuse a beginner when trying to quickly find the right number.
Xiaomi owners often face a situation where contacts do not automatically appear after logging in or are displayed incorrectly, such as without names or with duplicates, because the MIUI contact management system can by default hide data from cloud sources, requiring manual synchronization activation. Understanding this mechanism is the key to quickly and seamlessly integrating your phone book.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the current ways to transfer records, from standard cloud sync to manually importing files and using specialized utilities, and learn how to avoid data loss, fix common display errors, and configure the system so that new numbers are automatically saved in the right place.
Preparation for data transfer and account verification
Before you start moving actively, you need to make sure that the original data in your Google account is intact and safe. Often users do not suspect that some of the numbers may have been stored in memory. SIM-A card or locally in the memory of an old device, bypassing cloud storage, and checking the data source is a fundamental step, the neglect of which can lead to partial loss of the phone book.
To start, make sure your Xiaomi device has a stable Internet connection.Sync with Google servers requires a constant communication channel, and any interruptions can lead to download errors or “broken” records. It is recommended to use a Wi-Fi network to speed up the process, especially if the contacts have high-resolution photos.
⚠️ Note: If you are using two-factor authentication in a Google account, make sure you have access to a backup number or authentication application, as the system may request sign-in confirmation when synced to a new device.
It’s also worth checking in advance if Google’s cloud storage is crowded.If the 15GB limit is exhausted by photos or emails, the synchronization of contacts can be suspended by the system.
It's important to understand the difference between on-premises storage and cloud storage. When you make a contact, the system suggests you choose a storage location: SIM-For a reliable transfer to Xiaomi, it is critical that the source data is located in the account, and not be “sewn” in the memory of the old device.
Automatic synchronization through system settings
The easiest and preferred way to migrate contacts to a Xiaomi smartphone is to use the built-in Android sync mechanism.This method does not require manual backups and ensures that any changes in the future will automatically reflect on all devices associated with your profile.
The first step is to add your Google account to the system if you didn’t do so when you first set up your phone. Go to Settings, look for Accounts and Sync (or just Accounts depending on the version of MIUI) and click Add Account and select the Google logo from the list of services offered.
Once you have entered your login and password, the system will tell you what data to sync, so it's not just about clicking "Accept All," it's about making sure that the switch opposite Contact is activated. In some versions of the HyperOS shell, this can be called "Google Contact Sync."
- 🔄 Open the "Contacts" app on the desktop.
- ⚙️ Click on the three dots or menu button in the corner of the screen.
- 👁️ Select "Show contacts" or "Display settings".
- ✅ Make sure you check the box in front of your Google account.
If the numbers don't appear instantly after you turn on the sync, try clearing the Contacts cache. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Contacts → Storage and click Clear Cache. Don't confuse this with clearing data, although in case of sync with the cloud, even cleaning the data is often safe, as the information will be reloaded.
Manual import via vCard file (VCF)
In situations where automatic synchronization is not working, or you need to transfer contacts from another device where there is no Internet access, the manual method of importing through a.vcf (vCard) file comes to the rescue. This universal format is supported by all modern smartphones and allows you to transfer not only numbers, but also additional fields such as addresses, emails and ringtones.
To implement this method, you first need to export contacts from the source. If you have access to a computer, the easiest way to go to Google Contacts (contacts.google.com), select all the necessary entries through the menu on the left and click Export by selecting vCard format (for iOS Contacts). The resulting file must be transferred to the Xiaomi phone in any convenient way: USB-cable, Bluetooth or messenger.
Once the file is in the phone’s memory, the algorithm is as follows:
- Open the standard Contacts app on your Xiaomi.
- Go to the settings menu (three dots or gear).
- Select the Import/Export Contacts item.
- Click Import from the device memory (or “Import from storage”).
- The system will suggest selecting a.vcf file. Specify the path to the downloaded file.
- The important thing is that the system will ask where to save the imported data, and choose a Google account instead of a phone account to keep it safe in the cloud.
⚠️ Note: When importing a large number of contacts (more than 500), the process can take several minutes.
This method is especially useful when switching from iPhones or push-button phones, where a vCard file is first created and then uploaded to the Android ecosystem.It also makes it easy to combine phone books from different devices, simply by consistently importing files.
☑️ Pre-import checks
Using the Mi Mover app for migration
Xiaomi has developed its own utility called Mi Mover, which is pre-installed on most of their devices, a powerful tool designed not only to transfer contacts, but also to completely migrate data from an old smartphone to a new Xiaomi.
Run Mi Mover on both devices. On the new Xiaomi phone, select Receiver and on the old one, Sender. QR-When you code and establish a connection, you'll be offered a list of data types to migrate. Make sure you select the Contact category. The advantage of this method is that the application automatically recognizes the type of old operating system (Android or iOS) and adapts the data conversion process.
Unlike cloud sync, Mi Mover allows you to transfer contacts directly to local memory or immediately to your account, depending on your settings. However, it is worth remembering that when you transfer from an iPhone, some specific fields (such as social profiles or custom tags) can be cropped due to differences in the structure of iOS and Android databases.
The transmission process usually takes 1 to 5 minutes depending on the amount of data, and after completion, a report of the number of successfully transferred records will appear on the screen. If you see a significant difference between the number of contacts on an old and new device, check if some numbers have been saved to the device. SIM-Old phone card as Mi Mover sometimes ignores SIM-Default card for security.
What if Mi Mover interrupts the connection?
Comparison of methods of transfer of contacts
The best way to transfer depends on your specific situation: the amount of data, the type of old device and the availability of the Internet. Below is a comparative table that will help determine the method.
| Method | Speed. | Internet is required | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synchronization of Google | Tall. | Yes (required) | Minimum |
| File vCard (VCF) | Medium | No (locally) | Low. |
| Mi Mover | Very high. | No (local Wi-Fi) | Low. |
| SIM-map | Low. | No. | Tall (names cut off) |
As you can see from the table, synchronization through a Google account is the most reliable and modern method, it provides not just transferring, but constantly updating data. The vCard method is good as a backup or for a one-time archive transfer. SIM-Today, cards are considered an outdated method, since the format of storage on the sim is limited. 8-10 symbols for the name and often leads to Krakozabra or circumcised surnames.
For users who frequently change devices or use multiple phones at once, a hybrid approach may be the best solution: the main database is maintained in the cloud, and critical numbers are duplicated into a backup file on a computer or external drive.
Addressing problems and duplicates
Once contacts are transferred, users often face the problem of duplication of records, which occurs when the same number is stored in both the phone's memory and Google account, or when the import was incorrect, and there is a built-in tool in the MIUI shell to solve this problem.
Open the Contacts app, click on the menu and select Tools (or Contact Management). Find the Unite Duplicates function. The system will automatically analyze the list, find the recurring numbers, and suggest combining them into one card, summarizing all the available information (photos, addresses, additional numbers).
⚠️ Note: Before mass combining duplicates, make sure that the synchronization is complete. If you start combining while downloading data from the cloud, you can accidentally delete current records, considering them duplicates.
Another common problem is that contacts are displayed, but without names, only numbers. This is a classic sign that the phone sees numbers on the phone. SIM-map, but can't match them with names from the cloud, or the display settings have hidden contacts from your Google account. Check the display filter in the contact menu and make sure that you select All contacts".
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Export contacts to.vcf regularly and save them to your computer or cloud storage (not Google Drive) to have an independent backup in case you block your account.
Configure the saving of new contacts by default
Once the transfer is successful, it is important to set up the system so that all new numbers you add in the future will automatically land in the Google cloud, rather than being lost in your phone’s memory, ensuring that your data is protected continuously.
Go to the Contacts app settings and find Settings → Account for new contacts (or similar). Select your primary Google account. Now, when you add a number from a call log or create a new record, the system will default to suggest saving it there.
It’s also a good idea to enable Autoboot and Sync for multimedia contact content if you want your interlocutors’ avatars to also be saved in the cloud, which will take up a little more space, but make your phone book complete and recognizable even when you completely replace your device.
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Properly configuring the default save location will save you the need to manually transfer contacts in the future and ensure that they are safe when resetting your phone settings.