Switching from an iPhone to a Xiaomi smartphone often causes users to fear losing important information, such as a phone book. However, modern technologies and tools developed by engineers of the Android and MIUI ecosystem allow you to perform this procedure quickly and without losing data. You do not need to manually reprint hundreds of numbers or worry about the fact that ties with colleagues and friends will be severed forever.
There are several proven methods of data migration, each with its own characteristics and suited to different use cases. The choice of the particular method depends on whether you have access to a computer, how many contacts you have, and whether you want to have a single database of numbers tied to your account in the future. We will look at all the current options, from cloud synchronization to manual transfer through the Internet. SIM-map.
It’s important to understand that iOS and Android use different storage structures, but basic file formats like.vcf or.csv are universal.This makes it easy to convert information between devices. Before starting the process, make sure that both smartphones are at least 50% charged to avoid an unforeseen shutdown at a critical time.
Synchronization through Google account
The most reliable and modern way to transfer is using Google cloud storage, which allows you not only to transfer numbers to Xiaomi, but also to keep them safe in case of loss or breakage of the device. First, you will need to install the Google Contacts app on your iPhone from the App Store, if it is not already installed there.
Once you install the app, log in using the same Google account you plan to use on your new smartphone. In the iOS app settings, you need to activate the sync function. The system will ask for permission to access contacts - confirm it. After that, all the entries from the iPhone phone book will start uploading to the Google cloud.
On the new Xiaomi device, the process is even easier. When you first turn on or in Settings → Accounts and Sync, add the same Google account. Make sure the slider opposite Contacts is activated. The system automatically pulls up all saved numbers and distributes them to the appropriate fields.
☑️ Checking before synchronization
The main advantage of this method is two-way communication: any changes you make to Xiaomi will also affect the cloud and, if desired, other devices, creating a single ecosystem where your data is always relevant, no matter what gadget you use right now.
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If you have a dual SIM card, make sure that when syncing, you choose to save to your Google account, not to your Google account. SIM-map to avoid cutting off long contact names.
Export and import via VCF file
If you don’t have a stable internet connection or prefer to store data locally, a.vcf file is a great option. This format is a universal standard for business cards and is supported by almost all existing devices. On iPhone, open the standard Contacts app and go to the list of all entries.
Select the contacts you want. To highlight everything, tap the screen and select the “Select All” option (usually available via the management menu or swipe). Then click the “Share” button and select the vCard format. Send the resulting file to yourself by email or save it to a cloud storage such as Google Drive or Yandex.Disk.
On a Xiaomi smartphone, open a file through any file manager or download it from your mail. The system automatically prompts you to open the file using the Contacts or Importer app. Select the import option and specify the location of the save — it is best to choose a Google account or phone memory, but not the phone memory. SIM-a map to save all information, including photos and addresses.
What to do if the file is not opened?
This is particularly useful in mass data transfer, where you have to move thousands of records at once, and it's also useful in creating backups that you can store on your computer for years.
Use of the Mi Mover app
Xiaomi has developed its own Mi Mover app, which makes it much easier to move from other platforms. Although the main functionality is sharpened for data transfer from Android to Android, there are ways to use it for iOS, but more direct methods are recommended for contacts. However, if you use Mi Mover to transfer photos and videos, it is better to transfer contacts separately in one of the ways described above.
However, if you’re considering alternative third-party apps available on the App Store for “Move to Android” or Xiaomi counterparts, the process may look different. Often, these apps require paired software to be installed on both devices. In the case of Xiaomi, the built-in import mechanism through Settings → Advanced Settings → Import of contacts can offer a connection to iCloud.
To do this, you’ll need to enter your Apple ID and password directly into the MIUI interface. The system will contact Apple’s servers, upload a list of contacts and store them in your phone’s memory. It’s a quick way to do this, but it requires the smartphone manufacturer to have complete confidence in the security of your credentials.
It is worth noting that direct wireless transfer of contacts via Mi Mover from iPhone to Xiaomi sometimes works unstable due to the limitations of the iOS operating system on background processes.
Transfer through SIM-map
The oldest, "old school" method, which is still relevant if you need to transfer only the base numbers without additional fields, the main disadvantage of this method is the limitation on the length of the contact name (usually up to 15-20 characters) and the inability to save several numbers for a single subscriber or his photo.
On iPhone, go to Settings → Contacts. Find “Import SIM contacts.” Here, the system will suggest copying data from the SIM card to your phone, but we need to reverse. Unfortunately, iOS does not have a direct “Export to SIM” button on this menu for all carriers. You will have to use a third-party app from the App Store, such as “Copy to SIM” or an analog that can read the iPhone base and write it to the chip.
After the contact is recorded on SIM-Take the card out and paste it into your Xiaomi smartphone. In the Contacts app on Android, go to the settings (three dots or gear) and select "Import contacts» → «S SIM-The system will prompt you to choose a place to save — select a Google account or phone memory.
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method SIM-The card is only suitable for emergencies, when other methods are not available, as you risk losing some data (photo, email, second numbers).
If you have a Nano-SIM and don’t have an adapter, and a new phone requires a Micro-SIM or Standard-SIM, be careful when trimming or using adapters to avoid damaging the chip. Modern Xiaomi smartphones use the Nano-SIM format, so there should be no problems with the physical size.
Solving problems with coding and duplicates
When transferring data between different operating systems, there are often technical difficulties, and one of the most common problems is violation of the encoding of names, especially if the contacts have Cyrillic characters or special signs, instead of names, you can see a set of incomprehensible characters or "crackers".
To avoid this, when exporting via.vcf, make sure that the encoding is set to UTF-8. Most modern applications do this by default, but older programs on your computer can use Windows-1251. If the problem already occurs, try opening the file in a text editor on a PC (such as Notepad++) and resaving it in the correct encoding.
Another common nuisance is the appearance of duplicates.Since Android and iOS can index the same entries differently, after importing, you may find that "Mom" now has two numbers or three identical contacts with slight spelling differences. Xiaomi has a built-in tool to combat that.
Open the Contacts app, go to the settings, and find the item "Combine Repetitive Contacts" or "Clean Duplicates." The system will analyze the database, find matches by phone number or name, and suggest combining them into a single card, a critical step to maintain order in the phone book.
| Transfer method | Saves a photo. | Saves the email. | Internet is required | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Synchronization | Yes. | Yes. | Yes. | Low. |
| VCF File | Yes. | Yes. | No (for transmission) | Medium |
| SIM-map | No. | No. | No. | Low. |
| Apps (Move to Android) | Yes. | Partially. | Yeah (Wi-Fi) | Medium |
Display and sorting in MIUI
After successfully migrating contacts to Xiaomi, you may notice that they are not displayed in the way they used to. iOS accepts sorting by name followed by surname, or vice versa, depending on the region. MIUI settings can be confused or set by default.
Go to the Contacts app settings on your Xiaomi. Find the Sort or Contact Display section. Here you can choose the order: Name, Surname or Surname, Name, and you can also configure which accounts to display in the shared list, such as hiding contacts from Viber or Telegram if they interfere.
⚠️ Warning: After the transfer, be sure to check the contacts with international numbers. Sometimes iOS saves them with the country code (for example, iOS saves them with the country code, +7 or +1) and when importing on Android, it may be necessary to manually adjust the format to display flags correctly and determine the region.
Don’t forget to also set up rings and default messages for new contacts if needed. Android allows you to assign unique tunes to each subscriber, which can be hidden in the depths of the contact card editing menu.