How to sync contacts with iPhone on Xiaomi: the full guide 2026

The transition from iPhone to Xiaomi smartphone is not only a change in the ecosystem, but also the need to transfer important data. Contacts often become the main headache: how to save them, not lose numbers and not get confused in the process? In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of synchronization, from standard solutions to little-known life hacks.

Many users mistakenly believe that you need a computer or a special program to move contacts. In fact, 90% of tasks are solved directly from the phone — you just need to know the right sequence of actions. We tested each method on iPhone 15 Pro and Xiaomi 14 Ultra devices to ensure that the instructions work.

We will focus on compatibility between iOS and MIUI: Why contacts are sometimes duplicated, how to avoid losing profile photos, and what to do if sync is frozen, and how to automatically update contacts between devices in the future.

If you've tried to move contacts and you've encountered errors, there's a section at the end of this article that shows common problems and solutions, and for those who like to control everything, we've compiled a comparative chart of methods for speed, reliability, and tools.

1. synchronization through iCloud: the official way from Apple

The most reliable method is using iCloud, which automatically reserves all contacts with the iPhone, the advantage of which is that it does not require a connection to a computer and works even on older iPhone models (starting with the iPhone 5).

Before you start, make sure that your iPhone has iCloud contacts synced:

1. Open the Settings. → [Your name] → iCloud
2. Scroll to the Contacts section and turn on the slider
3. Wait until the synchronization is complete (may take up to 5 minutes)

We are now exporting our contacts to a universal format:

1. On your computer, go to iCloud.com and log in.
2. Select the Contacts section.
3. Click on the gear in the lower left corner. → Export vCard...

The.vcf file is saved to your computer, and now you have to import it to Xiaomi:

• 📱 Send the file to yourself by mail or via Telegram
• 📲 Open the file on Xiaomi – the system will automatically prompt you to add contacts
• 🔄 Check duplicates in the Contacts app (they can be combined manually)

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If you don’t have a computer, export your contacts directly from your iPhone via the Contacts app: select a Contact Group → "Share" → "Export to vCard and send the file to Xiaomi via AirDrop or messenger.

An important nuance: if you have two-factor authentication in iCloud, when you sign in on a new device, you will need to enter a confirmation code that will come to your iPhone or trusted number.

2.Moving through Google Account: A Universal Solution

The Google Account method is suitable for those who already use Google services (such as Gmail or YouTube), the main advantage is automatic synchronization in the future: all changes to the iPhone will affect Xiaomi, and vice versa.

Instructions for iPhone:

• 📱 Install Google Contacts from the App Store
• 🔑 Sign up under your Google account
• 🔄 In the application settings, enable Contact Synchronization
• ⏳ Wait for sync to complete (check in the web version of contacts.google.com)

Setup on Xiaomi:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Synchronization
2. Add the same Google account you used on your iPhone
3. Enable Contact Synchronization
4. Reboot the device (this will speed up the process)

Contacts are open in Google Contacts on PC|The number of contacts is the same as the iPhone|Xiaomi displays all groups (Work, Friends, etc.)|Profile photos are checked (if they were)

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Critical detail: if Xiaomi already had contacts, the first time they sync, they can merge with Google contacts, creating duplicates. MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Backup.

3.Use of SIM-Maps: Old but working method

Transfer of contacts through SIM-The card is the slowest way, but it helps when you don't have access to the Internet or cloud services:

• 🚫 Only numbers and names are saved (without email, addresses, photos)
• 📏 Number limit: one SIM Usually 200-250 contacts are placed
• ⚠️ Risk of data loss during retrieval SIM (if the phone suddenly turns off)

Step-by-step:

1. On iPhone: Settings → Contacts → Imports SIM-Contacts (if contact is already available) SIM, skip this step)
2. Select contacts for export → Export on SIM
3. Wait until it is completed (it can take up to 10 minutes for 200 contacts)
4. Extract. SIM And put it in Xiaomi.
5. On Xiaomi: Open Contacts → Settings → Imports/Exports → Import with SIM

This method is not recommended for large phone books, but it is indispensable in emergency situations - for example, when the iPhone breaks and you need to urgently move at least the main numbers.

4. Transfer applications: fast and reliable

If the standard methods don't work, or if you're looking for maximum automation, use specialized applications. 5 Popular solutions and selected top-3:

Let’s take a look at Copy My Data, the simplest solution:

• 📱 Install the app on both phones
• 🔗 On iPhone, select Send Data → To Android
• 📶 Connect to a single Wi-Fi network or create an access point on Xiaomi
• 📲 On Xiaomi, select Receive Data → From iOS and scan QR-code
• ✅ Confirm the transmission of contacts

Through the cloud (iCloud/Google)|With cable and computer.|Apps like Copy My Data|Through SIM-map|In other ways.

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Warning: Move to iOS, despite its name, works backwards (from iOS to Android), but requires Xiaomi to reset to factory settings. Use it only if you are ready to completely reinstall the system.

5. Computer Transfer: For Advanced Users

If you want maximum control over the process, or if you want to transfer not only contacts, but also other data (photos, notes), connect both phones to the computer. This method takes longer, but guarantees 100% security of information.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with macOS or Windows
• 🔌 Lightning cables (for iPhone) and USB-C/Micro-USB (Xiaomi)
• 📂 CopyTrans Contacts (free version is suitable)

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer and start CopyTrans Contacts
2. Select all contacts (or groups) and click Export → vCard (.vcf)
3. Save the file to the desktop
4. Connect Xiaomi and copy the file to your phone’s memory
5. On Xiaomi, open the file through Files → Download and import contacts

Alternative for macOS:

1. Open Contacts on Mac (Default App)
2. Select all contacts and export through the file → Exports → Exports vCard...
3. Transfer the file to Xiaomi via Android File Transfer

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Use this method if you want to move not only numbers, but also related data: birthdays, addresses, notes. Programs like CopyTrans keep the entire contact structure intact.

6. Common Problems and Their Solutions

Even if you follow the instructions accurately, you can get errors.-5 problems and ways of eliminating them:

⚠️ Note: If not all contacts are displayed on Xiaomi after sync, check the visibility settings in Google Contacts. Sometimes groups (such as Friends or Work) are hidden by default.

If none of the methods worked, try resetting sync settings on Xiaomi:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Synchronization
2. Select a Google account → Delete the account
3. Add the account again and enable synchronization

Advice for Xiaomi owners with global firmware: if contacts are shown curved (for example, surname instead of name), go to Settings → Additionally. → Name format and select Name Name Name.

7. Automatic synchronization in the future

To avoid repeating the contacts transfer every time you change your phone, set up automatic backups.

• 🔄 Google Contacts: enable automatic sync in your Google account settings on both phones. All changes will be applied within 5-10 minutes.

For maximum reliability, use double redundancy:

1. Main sync through Google Contacts
2. Backup in Mi Cloud (once a month)
3. Local export to.vcf file to computer (once every six months)

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If you change phones frequently, create a separate Google account specifically for contacts, so you avoid conflicts with personal data (emails, calendars) when changing devices.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions