Changing a smartphone is always stressful, not so much with getting used to a new interface as with the fear of losing important data. Huawei device owners moving to the Xiaomi ecosystem often face the question of how to safely and quickly migrate a phone book, a process that is especially relevant for the Redmi 9 model, which, despite the affordable price, has powerful tools for data migration.
Modern Android operating systems allow you to synchronize with several methods, each of which has its own advantages. You can use Google cloud services, a specialized application from Xiaomi or the good old-fashioned method of copying on the Internet. SIM-The choice of the particular method depends on the size of your phone book and the availability of a stable Internet connection.
In this article, we will take a look at all the algorithms available so you can choose the most convenient one for yourself. Regardless of how many numbers you have saved — a hundred or five thousand — the right approach ensures that all information is safe. Let's look at the technical details of each method to avoid typical errors in transfer.
⚠️ Warning: Before starting any data transfer operations, make sure that both devices are at least 50% charged.A sudden power outage during synchronization may damage the contact database files.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before you start copying directly, you need to do a series of preparatory steps, which will take no more than five minutes, but will save you a lot of time and nerves in the future. First of all, check the availability of space on the new Redmi 9, as the contact database can take up more space than it seems, especially if photos are attached to the numbers.
Make sure that both smartphones have Bluetooth enabled and Wi-Fi available. Some data transfer methods, such as working through the Mi Mover app, require creating a local network between devices. It’s also worth checking that on an old Huawei phone, contacts are not hidden and are fully displayed in the standard Contacts app.
It is recommended to back up your data in case of unforeseen circumstances, this can be done through the phone settings menu or manually exporting the file. If you have third-party launchers or call apps installed on Huawei, switch temporarily to a standard caller to make sure that you see the system database, not the cache of third-party software.
- 📱 Charge both smartphones to a level of at least 60-70%.
- 📶 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network to speed up the process.
- 🔍 Check the contact list on Huawei for duplicates.
- 🆔 Remember the password from your Google account, it will be necessary for authorization.
☑️ Preparation for transfer
Method 1: Sync through Google Account
The most versatile and reliable method is to use Google cloud storage. Since both Huawei and Xiaomi are running on Android (even with the limitations of Google Services on new Huawei models, basic synchronization is often saved or customized), this method is considered the “gold standard.” You do not need cables or additional programs, only the Internet.
On an older Huawei device, go to settings, look for Accounts or Users and Accounts. Select your Google account and make sure the slider opposite Contacts is activated. Once sync is enabled, the phone will automatically upload all numbers to the cloud. On the new Redmi 9, just type the same login and password when you first set up, and the numbers will appear automatically.
If you have Huawei without Google services, this method may not work directly through the system settings, in which case you can log into the web version of Google Contacts via a browser on your computer, import a file with contacts there, and then sync Redmi 9. This will take longer, but guarantees the transfer even from older models.
What to do if the synchronization is suspended?
The main advantage of this method is automatic updating, if you lose a new phone, contacts will remain in the cloud, and Google often combines duplicates to help clean up the phone book, but large amounts of data (thousands of numbers) require a stable and fast Internet connection.
Method 2: Use the Mi Mover application
Xiaomi has developed its own Mi Mover app, which is pre-installed on all their smartphones, including Redmi 9. It is a specialized migration tool that can transfer not only contacts, but also photos, applications and system settings. For Huawei, the app will need to be downloaded from the AppGallery store or through the app. QR-code.
The process begins with the launch of the app on the new Redmi 9 phone, select the role "I am the recipient" (Receiver). QR-Now take Huawei, install and launch Mi Mover, select Sender, and scan the code with your camera, and the devices will connect over a direct Wi-Fi channel without wasting your mobile traffic.
In the data selection menu, tick "Contacts." You can select specific groups or individual numbers if you don't want to move everything at once. Once confirmed, the transfer will start. The speed depends on the number of records, but usually the process takes 1 to 5 minutes. Once completed, the data will be automatically distributed to the appropriate fields in the phone book.
| Parameter | Google Synchronization | Mi Mover | VCF File |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed. | Depends on the Internet. | High (locally) | Instant. |
| We need the Internet. | Yeah (both devices) | No (for download only) | No. |
| Supplementary annexes | No. | Yeah (on Huawei) | No. |
| Photo preservation | Yes. | Yes. | Partially. |
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Mi Mover is the best choice for full cloning of a smartphone, as it transfers not only contacts, but also folder structure and call settings.
Method 3: Transfer via VCF file (Bluetooth)
The classic method that works on even the oldest phones without internet access is to export all contacts into a single.vcf (vCard) file, a structured text document that any modern smartphone understands.
On Huawei, open the Contacts app, click on the menu (three dots or settings buttons) and select Import/Export. Then select Export to Device Memory or Export to Storage. The system will create a file, commonly called contacts.vcf or, in the root folder or Downloads folder.
Once you create a file, find it through the file manager. Click on the file and select the transfer method, Bluetooth. In the list of available devices, find your Redmi 9 and confirm the pairing. The new phone will have a request to accept the file, and after downloading it will offer to import contacts. You agree, and the system will suggest choosing an account where to save the numbers (it is recommended to save your Google Account, not in the phone memory).
⚠️ Note: When importing VCF-In rare cases, contact names can turn into unreadable characters if the device encodings don't match. If that happens, try changing the language on your old phone before exporting.
The good thing about this is that it's completely autonomous. You can transfer a file over Bluetooth and then just copy it to a computer or a flash drive for archiving. A.vcf file weighs very little, even if it has thousands of numbers, so it doesn't usually have any problems transferring. However, if you have heavy photos attached to your contacts, the Bluetooth transfer process can take a lot of time.
Method 4: Copying on SIM-map
The easiest but least functional way to do this is if you don’t have access to Wi-Fi or a computer. SIM-The card has built-in memory to store the subscriber's basic dataset, but this method has serious limitations on the amount and type of information stored.
On Huawei, log in, select the management menu, and click "Copy Contacts." Select "Phone" as your source, and as your source, choose "Phone —"SIM-The system will warn that some data (e.g. multiple numbers per contact or email) may be lost. Confirm the action and wait until the copying is finished.
Then insert it. SIM-card in Redmi 9. After downloading the phone, go to the contact settings and select "Import with" SIM-All numbers will appear in the memory of the new device, which is ideal for emergencies, but is not recommended as the main one because of the risk of losing some data.
- 📉 Memory limit SIM-cards are usually 250-500 contact.
- ✂️ Long names can be cut to the end. 10-15 symbolism.
- 📷 Photos of contacts with this method are never saved.
- 🔢 Only one primary number is saved per contact.
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If you have chosen the method of SIM-Before extracting the card, make sure the phone is completely off to avoid damage to the card chip by static electricity or a power surge.
Addressing problems and duplicates
After transferring data, users often face the problem of duplication of records, which occurs when contacts are stored simultaneously in the memory of the phone, on the phone, on the phone. SIM-Map and Google account. Redmi 9 has a built-in cleaning tool, which is located in the "Contact" app".
Open the app, click on the profile or settings menu, and find "Combine duplicates" or "Contact organization." The system will automatically find the repeating entries and combine them into one card, which will avoid the situation when you call you offer three identical names.
You can also have contacts that don't show up immediately, so check the configuration in the Contacts app, make sure you check the "All Contacts" box, or you pick the right account to display, and sometimes you need to manually start sync by pulling the contact list down.
⚠️ Warning: Don't be in a hurry to delete contacts from your old Huawei phone immediately after transfer.Let the new Redmi 9 device work for a couple of days to make sure all data is properly synchronized and displayed across different apps (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram).
If you use third-party apps to make calls, they may have their own databases, so you need to migrate inside the settings of the app itself using its export/import function. Standard Android methods may not affect proprietary databases of messengers or corporate calls.