Changing your smartphone, especially to Xiaomi devices, often involves moving your phone database quickly and without loss. This is one of the most common challenges faced by users who buy a new phone. Fortunately, the Android ecosystem offers many built-in tools for data migration, making the process as simple and automated as possible.
There are several proven methods, from classic synchronization through a Google account to using a specialized application Mi Mover. The choice of a particular method depends on the amount of information, the state of the old device and the personal preferences of the owner of the gadget. Below we will discuss each option in detail so that you can choose the most convenient one.
Using a Google account to sync
The most reliable and common way to transfer a phone book is through Googleβs cloud-based synchronization, which is ideal because your contacts are stored in the cloud and are not dependent on physical data. SIM-If you've used Android before, chances are your numbers are already saved there, and you just need to activate them on the new device.
First, make sure your old phone is synced. Go to Settings β Accounts β Google and check if the check box is ticked against Contacts. If that's correct, the data will automatically be uploaded to the corporation's servers. On the new Xiaomi, when you first turn on, just type in the same login and password so that the entire number database appears in the call list.
It's important to understand the difference between saving numbers, and often users store them in their phone's memory or on their phone. SIM-Google Contacts allows you to manage the database via a web interface, recover deleted records and eliminate duplicates, making this method preferred for long-term use.
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Always check where new numbers are saved: choose a Google account, not a βPhoneβ or βSIMβ so as not to lose data when changing your gadget.
If automatic sync didn't work, you can make a forced import. Open the Contacts app on your new device, go to settings, and select the import option from your account. The system will find a backup and suggest combining the data with your current phone book.
Transfer through the Mi Mover app
Xiaomi has developed its own data migration solution called Mi Mover, a specialized tool that allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also photos, applications, music and even system settings from the old Android to the new Xiaomi.
Install the Mi Mover app on both devices. On the new phone, select "I'm the recipient" and on the old phone, "I'm the sender." After scanning. QR-If you have a code or manual connection to the network you've created, you'll see a list of data categories to transfer. Make sure you select Contacts and Phone BookΒ».
- π² Supports data transfer from any Android-smartphone version 4.0 and above.
- π Transfer speeds are much faster than those via Bluetooth or cloud services.
- π Data is transmitted directly between devices without being uploaded to the internet.
βοΈ Check before launching the Mi Mover
It is worth noting that with Mi Mover, duplicate contacts can be eliminated automatically, but it is better to double-check the result. the application works steadily even when transferring large amounts of data, but requires that the screens of both phones be active in the process.
β οΈ Warning: Do not interrupt the transmission process or turn off smartphone screens until the progress scale reaches 100.
Import and export through SIM-map
A classic method that is relevant if you do not have access to the Internet or cloud services. SIM-The card has a limited amount of memory, so it is only suitable for transferring basic data: names and numbers. Multimedia, additional numbers and email addresses will be lost in this way.
On the old device, open the contacts app, go to the control menu (usually three dots or the "More" button) and select "Import/Export." SIM-After the procedure is completed, remove the chip and paste it into the new Xiaomi.
On your new phone, repeat the path: Contacts β Imports/Exports β Import with SIM-The system will suggest you choose a place to save β be sure to specify a Google account or device memory, in order to be able to fully synchronize in the future. SIM-The card does not support storing detailed contact information.
| Parameter | SIM-map | Google Account | VCF file |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo preservation | No. | Yes. | Yes. |
| Additional numbers | No. | Yes. | Yes. |
| Symbolic limit | Limited. | No. | No. |
| Network dependency | No. | Required. | No. |
Bluetooth Transfer and VCF Files
If cloud services are not available and Mi Mover is not installed, you can use a universal file format. VCF (This file contains the entire phone book and can be transmitted by any means available: Bluetooth, messenger or via the Internet. USB-cable.
On an old phone, back up your contacts as a file. From the Import/Export menu, select Export to Storage or Export to File.vcf. The system will create a file that is usually located at the root of internal memory or in the Contacts folder.
Transfer this file to the new Xiaomi. You can do this via Bluetooth (turn on visibility on both devices) or by sending the file to yourself via messenger (Telegram, WhatsApp). Once you receive the file, just open it - the system will suggest importing the found contacts into the phone book.
What happens if the VCF file is not opened?
This method is good for its versatility: almost all operating systems, including iOS and Windows, understand the VCF file. However, when transferring large files (thousands of contacts) over Bluetooth, the process can take considerable time.
Synchronization with Mi Cloud
Xiaomi smartphone owners have access to their own cloud storage, Mi Cloud, an alternative to Google services that is deeply integrated into the MIUI (or HyperOS) shell. Using Mi Cloud allows you not only to transfer contacts, but also to find the device, lock it and make full backups of the system.
To activate the function, go to Settings β Mi Account β Mi Cloud. Make sure the switch opposite the Contacts item is activated. If you are transferring data from an old Xiaomi, just log in to your account on the new device and the contacts will be pulled up automatically.
If you are switching from another Android, install the Mi Cloud app on your old device first, or log in through your browser to upload contacts there. Then, on the new Xiaomi, sign in to the same account, which is especially convenient for those using the Xiaomi smart home ecosystem.
- βοΈ Automatic update of the database in real time.
- π‘οΈ Remote contact recovery when you lose your phone.
- π Synchronization between tablet, phone and web version of the cloud.
Solving and dealing with duplicates
After transferring data, users often face the problem of duplicate records, which occurs when the same contact is stored in the phoneβs memory, in the Google account, and on the phone. SIM-Xiaomi has a built-in tool to combine such records.
Open the Contacts app, click three dots in the corner, and select Clean up or Contact Management, and the system will suggest finding and combining duplicates, a critical procedure for keeping order in the phone book.
You may also experience contacts in your account but not appearing in the call list, in which case check the display settings. In the contact menu, select Filter or Display Contacts and make sure that the All Contacts tick is ticked, not just Phone.
β οΈ Note: When combining duplicates, the system can choose the main photo or number at its discretion, it is recommended to manually check important contacts after cleaning, so as not to lose the priority number.
Regularly checking the phone book after data migration is a must-do step: make sure all numbers are readable, names are correct and photos are tied correctly, and it will take a few minutes, but it will save you from embarrassing situations in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I transfer my phone history and SMS along with my contacts?
What to do if the contacts are in Chinese after the transfer?
Is it safe to use third-party apps for portability?
How to restore contacts if I accidentally deleted them after transferring them?
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The fastest and most reliable way for Xiaomi users is Google Sync + Mi Mover for full data migration.