How to sync contacts with iPhone on Xiaomi: all the ways 2026

Moving from iPhone to Xiaomi smartphone is always an exciting step, especially when it comes to keeping important data safe. Contacts accumulated over the years have become one of the main concerns: how to transfer them quickly, without errors and without losing a single number? Fortunately, there are several proven synchronization methods, each of which is suitable for different situations from full automation to manual control.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to transfer contacts from iOS to iOS. MIUI, including cloud services (iCloud, Google Account), classic methods through SIM-A card or vCard, as well as modern solutions like Bluetooth and specialized applications, we will pay special attention to the hidden nuances that often cause errors, from incompatibility of formats to the limitations of wireless protocols.

Whether you’re using an iPhone 15 Pro Max or an older iPhone 6s, And regardless of the Xiaomi model — whether it's the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra or the budget Redmi Note 13 — the instructions below will help you complete the task without unnecessary hassle.

1.Preparation for the transfer: backup contacts on the iPhone

Before you start syncing, make sure to back up your contacts on your iPhone, which insures against accidental errors, service failures or format incompatibility. There are three main ways to backup:

• 📱 Local Export to File: Save contacts in.vcf (vCard) format directly to your device or to iCloud Files.
• ☁️ Cloud-based backup via iCloud: Automatic sync with Apple servers (requires an active iCloud subscription)+ large-scale).
• 💾 Copy to your computer via iTunes (for Windows) or Finder (for macOS).

The most universal method is export to vCard.

1. Open the Contacts app on the iPhone.
2. Click on Lists in the top left corner and select All Contacts.
3. Tap Share (button in the upper right corner) and select Export vCard.
4. Save the file to the Files or send it to the email/cloud.

⚠️ Note: If you have iCloud contact sync enabled, the exported.vcf file may not contain all fields (e.g., social media linked or notes!

For additional reliability, we recommend using a double backup: first export contacts to vCard, and then check their availability in iCloud through the web version (icloud.com/contacts). This ensures that even if one of the transfer methods fails, you will still have a backup copy.

2. Method 1: Sync through Google Account (the most universal method)

Using a Google Account is the most reliable and cross-platform way to transfer contacts, it works on any device, including iPhone and Xiaomi, and does not require additional applications. The main advantage is automatic synchronization: once set up, contacts will be updated on both devices whenever changes occur.

Instructions for iPhone:

1. Open Settings → Contacts → Accounts.
2. Click Add Account and select Google.
3. Enter your Google Account details (if not, create it here).
4. Activate the Contact switch and wait for the synchronization to be completed.

Instructions for Xiaomi:

1. Go to Settings. → Accounts and synchronization.
2. Select Google and log in to the same account as your iPhone.
3. Turn on Contact Sync.
4. Open the Contacts app and update the list (pull the screen down).

⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi already has contacts linked to another Google Account, they can merge with new ones by creating duplicates. → Accounts → Google → Synchronize contacts and clean old data if necessary.

Add a Google Account to your iPhone|Enable contact synchronization|Connect to the same account on Xiaomi|Check for no take-offs|Update your contact list-->

Method 2: Transfer over iCloud (for Apple users)

If you’re a big user of the Apple ecosystem, migrating over iCloud might seem like the most logical solution, a method that’s suitable for those who already sync contacts with iCloud and don’t want to use Google. However, there’s a nuance here: Xiaomi doesn’t support direct sync with iCloud, so intermediate exports will be required.

Step-by-step:

1. On iPhone, make sure your contacts are synced to iCloud (Settings → [Your name] → iCloud → Contacts).
2. On your computer, open your browser and go to iCloud.com, log in.
3. Select Contacts, then click on the gear in the lower left corner and click Select All.
4. Click on the gear again and select Export vCard. Contacts.vcf file will be saved to your computer.
5. Transfer the file to Xiaomi (via email, Google Drive, USB-cable).
6. On Xiaomi, open the.vcf file and the system will prompt you to import contacts into the phone book.

Alternatively, use the iCloud app for Windows (if you have a PC):

• 🖥️ Install iCloud for Windows.
• 🔄 Enable synchronization of contacts with Outlook or save them to a.vcf file.
• 📲 Transfer the file to Xiaomi and import it.

⚠️ Note: When exporting from iCloud to vCard, some tags (such as FaceTime or iMessage binding) are lost. If this data is critical, use Google Account or specialized applications like My Contacts Backup.

Method 3: Transfer of contacts through SIM-Card (for small telephone books)

method SIM-The card is a classic that works even on the oldest phones:

• 📵 Nana SIM a limited number of contacts (usually up to 250).
• 📇 Only basic data: name and number (without email, addresses, photos) are stored).
• ⚠️ Risk of data loss during retrieval SIM (For example, if the card is damaged).

If your phone book is small and doesn't contain complex entries, this may be the fastest way.

On the iPhone:

1. Go to Settings. → Contacts → Imports SIM-contact (if there is no option, then your model does not support export to the SIM).
2. Select contacts to copy to SIM (or press Choose all).
3. Wait until the process is completed.

On Xiaomi:

1. Put it in. SIM-smartphone-card.
2. Open Contacts. → Settings (three dots in the upper right corner) → Imports/Exports.
3. Select Import with SIM-maps and specify where to save contacts (on your device or in Google Account).

This is a good approach for emergencies where there is no Internet or other devices at hand, but it is better to use cloud services to make a full transfer.

💡

If you SIM-The map already has contacts, before importing to Xiaomi, make a backup! To do this, export them to the.vcf file through the Contacts menu → Imports/Exports → Export to device.

5. Method 4: Wireless transmission over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct

If you don't have access to a computer or the Internet, but both devices support Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct, you can transfer contacts directly, which doesn't require cables or cloud services, but has speed and data limits.

Instructions for Bluetooth:

1. On iPhone, open Settings → Bluetooth and turn on visibility.
2. On Xiaomi, also activate Bluetooth and find your iPhone in the list of available devices. Confirm the pairing.
3. On iPhone, open the Contacts app, select a contact (or multiple), click Share and select Bluetooth.
4. Take the file to Xiaomi and import it into the phone book.

For Wi-Fi Direct (if supported):

• 📶 Activate Wi-Fi Direct on both devices (on Xiaomi: Settings) → Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi Direct).
• 🔗 Connect devices to each other.
• 📲 Use a file manager or a specialized application (such as Send Anywhere) to transfer a.vcf file.

⚠️ Note: When you send your contacts over Bluetooth, they're sent in one or two packs, and if you have more than 50 contacts, this method is going to be very uncomfortable. Additionally, the iPhone can restrict the transfer of multiple contacts at once – in this case, use export to vCard and send the entire file.

To speed up the process, we recommend using applications for wireless file transfer:

• 📲 Send Anywhere (cross-platform, no volume restrictions).
• 📲 Xender (supports direct contact transfer).
• 📲 SHAREit (Fast Wi-Fi Direct Connection).

💡

To transfer a large number of contacts over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct, always export them to the.vcf file on your iPhone, and then send the entire file.

Method 5: Use of third-party applications (for advanced users)

If standard methods do not work (for example, due to large amounts of data or specific formats), specialized applications can be used. They offer additional functions: merging duplicates, restoring remote contacts, converting formats.

Top.-3 contact-transfer applications:

Examples of Copy My Data:

1. Install the app on iPhone and Xiaomi.
2. On your iPhone, select Copy Data from This Device.
3. On Xiaomi, select Copy Data to This Device.
4. Connect devices to a single Wi-Fi network or use Wi-Fi Direct.
5. Select Contacts and start the transmission.

These applications are particularly useful if:

• 🔄 You need to merge contacts from multiple sources (iCloud, Google, SIM).
• 🧹 Requires cleaning of duplicates before transfer.
• 🔍 Recover remote contacts (some apps scan backups).

⚠️ Note: When using third-party applications, always check the permissions they request. SMS, call logs or location – this is redundant for contact transfer and may threaten data security.

7.Chronicle problems and their solutions

Even with strict adherence to the instructions, errors can occur, and let’s look at the most common problems and ways to fix them:

1. Contacts are not synced with Google Account

• 🔄 Check your internet connection on both devices.
• 🔄 Make sure sync is enabled in your account settings (Settings) → Accounts → Google → Synchronization of contacts).
• 🔄 Reboot both devices and try again.
• 🔄 Delete your Google account and add it again.

2.When importing with SIM-maps missing some fields

It's normal behavior: SIM-Cards store only names and numbers. To transfer full data (email, addresses, notes), use vCard or cloud services.

3.Duplicate contacts after synchronization

• 🧹 Use apps like Contacts Optimizer to find and merge duplicates.
• 🧹 Manually check the contact groups in Google Contacts (contacts.google.com) and remove unnecessary contact groups.

4. Cannot export contacts from iCloud

• 🔄 Check if contact synchronization is enabled in Settings → [Your name] → iCloud.
• 🔄 Use a different browser (e.g. Safari instead of Chrome).
• 🔄 If you have more than 25,000 contacts, export them in parts.

5.In Bluetooth transmission, contacts are not imported to Xiaomi

• 📲 Make sure the file has a.vcf extension (sometimes the iPhone sends contacts in an unsupported format).
• 📲 Try renaming the file to contacts.vcf before importing it.
• 📲 Use a file manager (e.g. Files by Google) to open the file.

If none of these methods worked, try an alternative approach:

1. Sync your contacts with iCloud on Mac or PC via iTunes.
2. Export them to CSV Using Microsoft Outlook or Apple Contacts.
3. Import. CSV Google Contacts and then sync with Xiaomi.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)