How to Transfer Contacts to Xiaomi via Bluetooth

Changing a smartphone often requires migration of user data, and the first thing device owners want to do is keep the phone book. When they switch from the Xiaomi (MIUI) ecosystem to Realme (Realme UI), many users mistakenly believe that a standard Bluetooth protocol is the only or easiest way to transfer numbers. However, the process of sharing data between these brands has its own technical features that must be considered to successfully synchronize without losing information.

Modern versions of Android have changed security policies significantly, limiting the ability to transfer data directly through the classic Bluetooth interface. Whereas previously it was possible to simply send a file through Bluetus, now the system can request complex confirmations or even block import attempts for reasons of personal data protection.

In this article, we will discuss in detail not only Bluetooth, but also more relevant and reliable ways of transfer, which offer the device manufacturers themselves, you will learn how to use the built-in utilities Mi Mover and Clone Phone, as well as how to properly configure cloud synchronization to automatically restore numbers on the new gadget.

Limitations and Features of Transmission via Bluetooth

Transferring contacts via Bluetooth is technically possible, but it is done by creating a special business card file (.vcf or.vCard format) that contains the entire structure of the phone book and is transmitted as a regular document. On Xiaomi smartphones, you first need to export contacts to internal memory, since the direct function “Send all contacts over Bluetooth” in modern MIUI shells is often hidden or deleted.

The process is as follows: the user opens the Contacts app, selects the import/export option, and saves the data to the device. After that, in the Files or Explorer menu, you need to find the created file, click on it and select the transfer via Bluetooth. However, here lies the first nuance: the receiving device Realme should be visible in the list of available devices, and pairing should be done in advance.

There is a serious limitation on the amount of data you can transfer through this protocol, and if your phone book has a few thousand numbers with photos and additional fields, the file may be too large for stable transmission over Bluetooth, which is known for its low speed, and interrupting the connection in the middle of the process often causes the file to be corrupted, and then you have to start the procedure again.

⚠️ Note: When you transfer a contact file over Bluetooth, a request may appear on your Realme device to allow access to contacts for the Bluetooth or Data Sharing app. Without this permission, import will not be possible, even if the file is successfully transferred.

Another problem is the compatibility of encoding and fields, and sometimes when transmitted through the standard protocol, names with special characters can go or the binding of numbers to certain characters can be lost. SIM-So while it works, it's considered obsolete for migrating large amounts of data between modern smartphones.

Preparing Xiaomi and Realme devices for migration

Before you start any manipulation of data, you need to properly prepare both devices, not only for Bluetooth, but also for checking the status of accounts and memory. On Xiaomi, make sure that all contacts are stored in your phone’s memory or Google account, not just on your phone. SIM-map, because SIM-Cards have a limit on the number of characters in the contact name.

Both smartphones should be checked for battery power. The data transfer process, especially if not only Bluetooth is used, but also the creation of a Wi-Fi hotspot (as is the case with proprietary utilities), actively consumes energy. It is desirable that the charge level on both devices is at least 50-60%, to avoid a sudden shutdown at a critical moment.

It's also important to update the software to the current version. MIUI or realme UI There may be bugs that interfere with the correct operation of the data protocols. → The phone. → Version. MIUI/Realme UI. In addition, it will ensure that both devices are enabled geolocation (GPS), As modern versions of Android require location access to work Bluetooth Low Energy and find devices nearby.

Don't forget to also make room on the Realme host device. Although the contacts themselves take up a bit of space, if you decide to move them along with photos and media through comprehensive utilities, the free space can run out quickly. Check the status of the storage in the memory settings.

Step-by-step: Export and transfer via Bluetooth

If you are determined to use Bluetooth for transmission, for example, due to lack of Internet or the need to transfer only a part of contacts, follow this instruction. On a Xiaomi smartphone, open the Contacts app. Click on three dots in the corner of the screen or the menu button, then select Import / Export Contacts.

In the menu that opens, select Export to storage. The system will suggest selecting an account if there are more than one and a place to save. Once confirmed, a successful export notification will appear on the screen and you will see the path to the file, usually at the root of internal memory or in the MIUI/Contacts folder.

Then we go to transfer. Open Explorer or Files on Xiaomi. Find a file with the.vcf extension (such as 00001.vcf or contacts.vcf). Click on the file and select Send → Bluetooth. Search your Realme on the list of available devices. If the device is not found, make sure that Realme has all-device visibility on its Bluetooth settings.

The Realme device will request pairing and transfer of the file. Accept it. Once the transfer is complete, the file will be placed in the Downloads pack. To import contacts, just click on this file in the notification or in the Explorer. The system will prompt you to select the opening application (usually Contacts or Google Contacts) and the saving location (phone memory or SIM).

Using the Mi Mover app for cross-platform transition

A much more efficient and modern way, which is officially supported by Xiaomi and Realme engineers, is to use specialized applications-migrators. Mi Mover was originally created for Xiaomi devices, but it works well for data transfer to other brands, if you install it on the receiving side. However, given that Realme has its own counterpart, it makes more sense to consider a bunch of native tools.

The new Realme smartphone already has a Clone Phone app pre-installed, designed specifically for migration from any Android device, so you don't have to search for and install Mi Mover on Realme, just use the built-in solution. On the old Xiaomi you need to download and install the app “Clone Phone” from the Google Play Store or scan QR-code that will appear on the screen of the new phone.

The process of configuring the connection is as follows:

• 📱 Open the Clone Phone app on Realme and select “This is a new device».
• 📲 On Xiaomi, launch the app and select “This is an old device».
• 🔗 Point the Xiaomi camera at QR-code displayed on the Realme screen for quick pairing via Wi-Fi Direct.
• ✅ Select the Contacts category (and other data as desired) and click Start Transfer».

The main advantage of this method over Bluetooth is speed and reliability. It's a direct Wi-Fi channel, which is ten times faster. In addition, Clone Phone correctly processes the structure of the contact database, storing all fields, photos, email addresses and binding to instant messengers, if supported. You don't have to manually search for files and import them.

💡

Using specialized cloner applications (Clone Phone, Mi Mover) guarantees 100% preservation of the contact structure and works 10-20 times faster than Bluetooth.

Syncing with Google Account: The Most Reliable Method

The most technically clean way to eliminate the need for wires, files and third-party apps is to sync through Google’s cloud. Since both smartphones run on Android, your contacts can default to a cloud profile, eliminating the risk of data loss if your phone breaks or loses.

To implement this method on a Xiaomi smartphone, you need to make sure that sync is enabled. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google. Make sure the switch opposite the Contacts item is active. If it is turned off, turn it on and click Sync. You can check the result by opening the contacts.google.com website from your computer - your numbers should be displayed there.

On the new Realme device, the process is even easier. When you first turn on or in settings, add the same Google account. The system automatically prompts you to restore data from the cloud. Even if the phone is already configured, just add an account in the Settings → Users and accounts section, and the phone book will “tighten up” itself in the background for a few minutes.

This is particularly useful because it solves the problem of duplicates. Google Contacts has a built-in tool to combine the same records. If you have had contacts stored on both SIM and phone memory, the cloud will help structure them, and it is the only method that makes it easy to manage contacts from any device with access to the Internet.

💡

Before syncing, go to Google Contacts on your computer (contacts.google.com) and use the “Combine and Fix” feature to remove duplicates before transferring to a new phone.

Solving and eliminating errors during transfer

Despite the simplicity of the methods described, users may encounter technical problems. One of the common mistakes is “Can’t find a device” when trying to transfer over Bluetooth. This is often due to the fact that one of the devices is hidden to the others. In the Bluetooth settings on Xiaomi and Realme, make sure that the phone is visible to all nearby devices.

Another common problem is that post-transfer contacts are displayed as “Unnamed” or with unknown characters, indicating an encoding conflict or the wrong file format when exporting. In this case, try exporting to Xiaomi to choose vCard 3.0 format instead of 2.1 if this option is available in the export menu. 3.0 format better supports Unicode and Russian Cyrillic.

If you're using a Mi Mover or Clone Phone and the process is frozen at 99%, don't rush to interrupt it. Often, at this point, the database is finally indexed on a new device. However, if the freeze lasts longer than 15 minutes, the Wi-Fi Direct connection may be broken. Try turning off the device screens or, conversely, keep them on and bright.

⚠️ Note: If you have your contacts transferred to Realme and you don't save new records, check which account is the default to save. Often the phone tries to save the new number to a crowded one. SIM-card instead of a phone or Google account.

The table below compares the methods reviewed so you can choose the best one for your situation:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)