Changing your smartphone is always a little stressful, especially when you move between devices in different ecosystems, like MIUI to EMUI or HarmonyOS. Xiaomi and Redmi device owners who have decided to buy a new device from Huawei often wonder: how to save a phone book without duplicates and errors? Fortunately, modern technology allows you to do it in a few minutes using built-in tools or cloud services.
There are several proven synchronization methods, each with its own characteristics, and the choice of the particular method depends on the volume of data, Internet speed and personal preferences of the user. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the options, from automatic transfer via Mi Mover to classic unloading on the road. SIM-map so that you can choose the most convenient for yourself.
Regardless of the method chosen, preparation is key: make sure both devices are at least 50% charged so that the process doesn’t break down halfway, and check the stability of the connection if you plan to use cloud services or Wi-Fi Direct.
Using the Mi Mover app for migration
The fastest and most reliable way is to use the official Mi Mover app (or its counterparts preinstalled in the system), a tool designed specifically for data migration between Xiaomi smartphones and devices from other brands, including Huawei.
To get started, you need to install the app on both devices unless it's built into the default system. On the old Xiaomi phone, select Send mode and on the new Huawei, Get. QR-The code or password entry will start automatically searching for available files.
In the data transfer list, make sure to check the contact list, and you can also select photos, messages and call history, which takes 2 to 10 minutes depending on the amount of information.
⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the transmission process even if the phone screens are out. Interrupting may damage files or create incorrect entries in the phone book.
Once the procedure is complete, check the contact list on the new device, and sometimes old records may be duplicated if Huawei has already signed in to a Google account with synchronization, which will require manual cleaning of duplicates through the standard Contacts app.
Synchronization through Google account
Google's ecosystem is a universal solution for Android users, and if your Xiaomi has enabled Google account sync, the transition to Huawei will be almost unnoticed. All data is already stored in the cloud and ready to be uploaded to any new device.
To check, go to the settings of your old phone, select Accounts and Sync, and make sure that there is a tick in front of Contacts. If sync has been disabled, turn it on and click Sync.
On the new Huawei smartphone, sign in to the same Google account, automatically prompting you to restore data from the backup, and even if you don’t automatically restore it, contacts will appear in the phone book within 10-15 minutes of connecting to the Internet.
- 📲 Make sure that both devices have the latest version of Google Play services installed.
- 🌐 Use Wi-Fi network for fast synchronization, as mobile internet can be unstable.
- 🔄 When you sign in, select the Recover from the Cloud option for full data integration.
This method is particularly handy because it doesn’t require both phones on hand at the same time: You can sell the old Xiaomi and set up a new Huawei at any time just by logging into your profile.
Exports and imports through SIM-map
The classic method, which doesn't require the Internet or any additional apps, is perfect if you only need to transfer phone numbers without the extra details of photos, email addresses or addresses.
First, open the Contacts app on Xiaomi. Click on the menu (three dots or bars) and select "Import/Export Contacts." In the menu that appears, click "Export on" SIM-The system will warn you that some data may be lost because SIM-card-bound.
After the export is completed, extract SIM-A card from an old phone and paste it into a new Huawei. On the new device, go back to the contact app, select the import menu, and specify the source «SIM-All numbers will be copied to the phone's internal memory.
☑️ Checklist for transfer through SIM
The main disadvantage of this method is the restriction on the number of characters in the contact name and the lack of support for long numbers, SIM-The card often has a limit on the number of records saved (usually up to the end of the day). 250-500).
Bluetooth Transfer and vCard File Sharing
If you can’t use the cloud or special applications, you can use the standard Bluetooth protocol, which allows you to transfer a file with all contacts in vCard (.vcf) format from one device to another.
In the Xiaomi phone book, select the contact export function. SIM-Select the option to share or send. From the list of available applications to transfer, select "Bluetooth».
Turn on Bluetooth on both phones and pair. Once you accept a file on Huawei, the system automatically recognizes the vCard format and prompts you to import all the records it contains, a process that may take longer than Wi-Fi Direct, but it works even without access to the network.
What to do if the file is not opened?
Use this method with caution when transferring very large phone books (over 1,000 contacts), as the process can take considerable time or be interrupted due to connection instability.
Comparison of methods of transfer of contacts
To make your choice easier, we have compiled a comparative table of the main ways to migrate, which will help you assess the pros and cons of each option depending on your situation.
| Method | Speed. | We need the Internet. | Saves a photo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover / Phone Clone | Tall. | No. | Yes. |
| Google Synchronization | Medium | Yes. | Yes. |
| SIM-map | Low. | No. | No. |
| Bluetooth (vCard) | Low. | No. | Yes. |
As you can see from the table, specialized applications like Mi Mover or Huawei's Phone Clone are the most functional, and they retain the entire data structure, including avatars and additional fields.
However, if you don’t have the ability to install apps, syncing through Google remains the gold standard of reliability, ensuring that your data isn’t lost even if both phones physically break down, as the copy is stored on the company’s servers.
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Tip: Before any transfer procedure begins, back up your contacts in.vcf and save them to your computer or send them to your messenger, which will create a restore point in case of a crash.
Solving problems in transfer
Users may encounter various difficulties in migrating data, and one of the most common problems is the appearance of duplicates. SIM-maps, both from the cloud and through the app.
To solve this problem, Huawei phones have a built-in unification feature: Go to contacts, click on the menu and select Contact Management -> Combine duplicates. The system will automatically find the duplicates and prompt them to merge.
Another problem is the encoding of names. SIM-Maps or old file formats can display names as incomprehensible characters, in which case changing the encoding in the system language settings or re-importing through Google, which automatically corrects the encoding, will help.
⚠️ Warning: If the photo numbers are missing after the transfer, check where the contacts are. SIM-Maps instead of your phone or Google account memory, move them to the right partition.
Some older Xiaomi or Huawei models may have limits on the number of contacts in a group or in the phone book as a whole (usually a limit on the number of contacts in a group or in a phone book). 2000-5000 records for very old devices).
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The cleanest result without duplicates is a complete reset of the new phone and initial setup with a recovery from Google’s cloud, rather than copying on top of existing data.