Changing a smartphone often causes anxiety not because of the lack of new functions, but because of the risk of losing important information. This is especially true for the phone book, where the numbers of relatives, colleagues and friends are stored. Happy owners of new devices from Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO often face the issue of integrating data from an old device. Fortunately, the ecosystem Android and proprietary utilities of the Chinese brand offer many solutions to this problem.
The process of migrating contacts to Xiaomi is as simplified as possible and does not require special technical skills. You can use both cloud services and local connection between devices. In this article, we will look at the most reliable methods that guarantee the safety of your contact list. The choice of a specific method depends on the condition of your old phone and personal preferences.
Synchronization via Google account
The most universal and reliable method of transferring data is using cloud storage Google. If you were signed in to your account on your previous device, then most likely your contacts are already saved in the cloud. To start working on a new one Xiaomi you just need to add the same account to the system settings.
After authorization, the system will automatically offer to synchronize data. You need to make sure that the switch next to the "Contacts" item is activated. After a few minutes, depending on the Internet speed and the size of the database, all entries will appear in the phone book. This is an ideal option for those who are switching from any Androidsmartphone.
If automatic synchronization does not occur, you can start the process manually. Go to Settings → Accounts and synchronization. Select your Google profile and click the "Sync" button. Sometimes the device needs to be rebooted to display all entries. This method also allows you to easily restore data if you accidentally deleted a number.
- 🔄 Automatic update of the database when new numbers are added.
- 🛡️ High degree of data protection against loss if the device breaks down.
- ⚡ Instant access to contacts from any device via a browser.
Before transferring, go to contacts.google.com from your computer to make sure that all the necessary numbers are actually saved in the cloud.
Using the Mi Mover application
Branded The utility Mi Mover is designed specifically for quick data migration between smartphones Xiaomi and other devices based on Android. This application creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between the old and new phone, which provides high transfer speeds without using mobile data. You can download the app from the store GetApps or Google Play.
Launch the application on both devices. On the new phone, select the “Recipient” role, and on the old phone, “Sender”. After scanning the QR code or manually connecting to the network, select the "Contacts" category in the list of transferred data. The copying process takes just seconds, even with thousands of records.
It is important to note that Mi Mover may not work correctly with some specific contact fields if they were created in third-party instant messengers or applications. However, standard fields such as name, number and email are transferred without distortion. This method is especially convenient if you are switching to a branded device Xiaomi.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure that both smartphones are connected to the same Wi-Fi network or use an access point created by one of the devices, otherwise the connection will not be established.
Transfer via SIM card
The classic method, which is relevant if you do not have access to the Internet or your old device is unstable. Modern SIM cards have limited memory, so this method is only suitable for transferring basic numbers without additional details such as photos or email addresses.
On your old phone, go to the Contacts application, open the settings menu and select Import/Export. Click "Export to SIM card". After completing the operation, move the card to a new one Xiaomi. In the contacts menu, select "Import from SIM card" and specify the save location - it is better to select internal memory or a Google account.
The main disadvantage of this method is the limitation on the length of the contact name and the lack of support for special characters. Often long names are truncated and formatting is lost. However, this is the fastest way to restore communication in an emergency when other methods are not available.
| Parameter | SIM card | Google Account | Mi Mover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | Low | Medium | High |
| Saving photos | No | Yes | Yes |
| Network dependence | No | Required | Local |
| Record limit | ~250 pcs. | No | No |
SIM card is only suitable for emergency number transfer, as it does not save avatars and additional contact fields.
Import from VCF file
Format .vcf (vCard) is a universal standard for storing contact information. You can create a backup copy of all the numbers on your old phone in the form of one file, transfer it to the new one Xiaomi in any convenient way and import. This method gives full control over the process and allows you to store the archive on your computer.
To create a file, go to the contact settings of your old device and select "Export to .vcf file". Save it to internal memory or microSD card. Then transfer this file to your new smartphone via Bluetooth, Messenger or USB cable. On Xiaomi open the file through the standard Contacts application or file manager.
The system will automatically recognize the format and offer to select an account into which the data will be saved. It is recommended to save contacts to your Google account so as not to repeat the export-import procedure in the future. The file .vcf saves the entire structure of the record, including several numbers per subscriber and notes.
⚠️ Attention: When importing a large file (more than 1000 contacts), the process may take several minutes, do not interrupt the application until a success notification appears.
Where can I find the imported file?
Usually the file is saved in the root of the internal memory or in the Downloads folder. If you do not see it in the file manager, use the search using the .vcf extension.
Transfer from iPhone to Xiaomi
Moving from iOS to Android previously caused difficulties, but now this procedure has become much easier. Company Xiaomi has integrated support for Apple tools into its services. The most effective way is to use the “Data Transfer” application (Mi Mover), which has a version for iPhone.
Install the application on both devices. On iPhone, you will need to grant access to contacts and allow the creation of a local Wi-Fi network. After pairing, select the contacts to transfer. An alternative option is synchronization via iCloud: export contacts from iCloud in vCard format on your computer, and then import them to Xiaomi as described in the previous section.
It is worth considering that some specific data, such as notes in contacts or custom ringtones, may not be transferred correctly due to differences in the file systems of operating systems. However, basic data, including names and phone numbers, is transferred without loss. This allows you to comfortably change the ecosystem without losing your social circle.
- 🍎 Supports direct transfer from iOS via Wi-Fi.
- 📂 Possibility of using iCloud as an intermediate link.
- ⚙️ Preserving the basic structure of the phone book.
☑️ Preparing to transfer from iPhone
Problem solving and duplicates
After data transfer, users often encounter the problem of duplicate records. This happens when contacts are saved simultaneously to the SIM card, phone memory and Google account. The system Xiaomi is equipped with a built-in tool to solve this problem, which is located in the "Contacts" application.
Open the application, go to settings and find the item "Merge duplicates" or "Clear duplicates". The system will automatically scan the database, find duplicate records and offer to merge them. You can review each offer before confirming so you don't lose important details.
A situation may also arise when contacts are displayed, but without names, only numbers. This means that they are stored in a hidden profile or on a SIM card whose display is disabled. Go to the contact display settings and make sure that the checkbox is in front of all sources, including Phone and Google.
⚠️ Attention: The interface of the Contacts application may differ depending on the version of MIUI or HyperOS, but the logic of the merging tools remains the same.
Regularly clear duplicates after each major data import so that the phone book remains neat and easy to search.
Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to transfer call history along with contacts?
It is difficult to transfer call history directly to the dialer interface of a new phone using standard Android and Xiaomi tools. This usually requires third-party backup applications, such as SMS Backup & Restore, which can save and restore call logs.
What to do if contacts are not synced with Google?
Check your Internet connection and make sure contact synchronization is enabled in your account settings. Also try clearing the cache of the Google Play Services and Contacts application through the phone settings menu.
Is it safe to transfer contacts via Bluetooth?
Yes, transferring via Bluetooth is safe, since the connection is established directly between devices without access to the Internet. However, this method is very slow for large amounts of data and is only suitable for transferring individual business cards.
Where are contacts stored after transferring to Xiaomi?
By default, new Xiaomi smartphones offer to save contacts in a Google account. You can change this in the Contacts app settings by selecting "Storage Settings" and specifying your preferred location, such as your device's internal storage.