Changing a smartphone is always an exciting process, often overshadowed by the need to transfer data. Owners of the Xiaomi ecosystem are in a better position, as the MIUI and HyperOS shell offer powerful built-in tools for migration.
Modern methods allow you to copy the entire database in minutes without losing formatting or additional characters in numbers. You don't have to manually interrupt hundreds of records or search for complex programs on a computer. The system offers several ways to solve the problem, each of which has its own advantages depending on the state of the old device and the availability of the Internet.
In this article, we will take a look at all the current sync methods, from cloud services to local file transfers, how to avoid duplication of records and what to do if standard methods fail. Choosing the right method will save you time and nerves when you first set up a new gadget.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before you start the active phase of the transfer, you need to make sure that both devices are ready to work. Battery charge of both smartphones should be at least 50-60%, as the process of data transfer, especially over wireless protocols, can be energy-consuming.
It is important to ensure a stable connection to the Internet if you plan to use cloud methods. Local transmission via Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth is not required, but it is critical to synchronize accounts. Make sure that both devices have up-to-date versions of system software to avoid file format conflicts.
⚠️ Warning: If you use third-party applications to clean up memory on your old phone, check if hidden phonebook system files have been deleted.
Check if device detection is enabled. Security settings sometimes have restrictions that block data from unknown sources. MIUI requires certain permissions to work uptime.
☑️ Ready for transfer
Synchronization with your Mi Cloud account
The most native and preferred way for users of the Xiaomi ecosystem is to use their own cloud storage Mi Cloud. This method allows you not only to transfer numbers, but also to save the structure of records, including binding to messengers and additional address fields.
Once logged in, go to the settings menu and find the cloud service, and you should activate the sync for the Contacts section, and the system will automatically upload all the records to the server, and on the new phone, just log in to the same account, and the data will appear automatically.
This method is particularly useful because it works in the background, and even if you accidentally delete a number on one device, it will recover from the cloud on another if the sync is set up correctly, but it's worth remembering the limits of free storage, although textual contact data is usually enough.
What to do if your contacts are not synchronized?
Use of Google Contacts
The Google ecosystem is an alternative to the corporate cloud, and many users default to saving numbers there without even thinking about it. When you first activate an Android smartphone, the system suggests you login to Gmail, and if you've agreed to sync, your contacts are already online.
To move them, just add the same Google account to the new Xiaomi. Make sure that the slider opposite the Contacts item is activated. The system will pull all the entries from the Google cloud into the device's local phone book. This is a universal method that works when you switch from any Android to any Android.
The advantage of this is brand-independent: If you decide to switch from Xiaomi to Samsung or Realme in the future, your phone book will stay with you, and Google is great at combining duplicates, which often happens with frequent changes. SIM-map.
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Use the web version of contacts.google.com to pre-clean the database, where it is convenient to delete old duplicates and edit names before syncing to a new phone.
Local transmission via Mi Mover
Mi Mover (or "Mi Move") is a specialized tool built into the MIUI shell that allows you to transfer data directly from your phone to your phone, ideal when you don't have access to the Internet or you need to transfer not only contacts, but also photos, apps and settings.
To start the process, open the application on both devices. On the old phone, select the role "Sender" and on the new one, "Receiver." After scanning. QR-If you have a code or manual connection over a Wi-Fi network you're building, select Contacts and start the transmission. The speed of copying in this mode is much faster than it is via Bluetooth.
What's unique about this method is that it creates an exact replica of the data structure, and if you've had complex contact groups or specific ringtones for individual subscribers, Mi Mover will try to keep those attributes, which is the best choice for a full one-to-one migration.
Transfer via Bluetooth and local file
The classic method that doesn't require internet or accounts is to export contacts to and transfer a.vcf file, which is universal and works even on very old smartphones, so you can create a file with all the contacts or select individual records.
Open the Contacts app, go to the settings and select Import/Export Contacts. Select Export to Internal Memory. Once you create the file, transfer it to your new phone via Bluetooth or any messenger. On the new device, just open the file you receive, and the system will prompt you to import the records.
This is a good way to be transparent: you see a file, you can copy it to your computer or flash drive as an additional insurance, but when you import a large file (e.g., 2,000+ contacts), the process can take some time, and the phone can hang slightly.
| Method | Speed. | We need the Internet. | Saves a photo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Cloud | Tall. | Yes. | Yes. |
| Google Sync | Medium | Yes. | Yes. |
| Mi Mover | Very high. | No. | Yes. |
| Bluetooth / VCF | Low. | No. | Partially. |
Work with SIM-mapping
Sometimes the simplest method is the only one available. SIM-Cards are a "grandfather" way of helping when a smartphone is not turned on or glitched, but it has a serious drawback: limited SIM memory and no support for long names or multiple numbers per contact.
To copy the data, insert SIM-card to the new phone, go to the contact settings and select "Import with" SIM-After that, remember to copy the new records back to the SIM or the cloud, so that you do not lose them when you next change the device.
⚠️ Note: When importing with SIM-Cards are often lost photos of subscribers and additional fields (addresses, social networks). Use this method only as a temporary solution or for base numbers.
If you notice room omissions or strange characters after the transfer, try changing the encoding when importing or use resetting the Contacts app through the app menu without deleting the data itself.
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For maximum reliability, use a combined approach: keep the main base in the Google/Mi Cloud and critical numbers are duplicated on SIM-map or write in a paper notebook.