How to transfer contacts from Android to MIUI: all working methods

The transition to a smartphone Xiaomi with a shell MIUI is often accompanied by the need to transfer contacts from an old device. Even if you are an experienced user, the process can be difficult: different versions of Android, features MIUI 14/15, manufacturer restrictions (for example Huawei or Samsung) - all this affects the choice of method. In this article we will look at 5 proven methods contact transfer, including nuances for devices with Android 10-14, and also tell you how to avoid common mistakes that cause numbers to be lost or duplicate records.

Feature MIUI is close integration with services Xiaomi (for example, Mi Cloud), but this does not mean that you are obliged to use them. We'll show you how to transfer contacts without linking to a Xiaomi accountif you prefer Google, SIM card or local files. You will also learn what to do if your old phone has disconnected Bluetooth or no access to the Internet.

1. Transferring contacts through a Google account (the most reliable method)

Synchronization with Google is a universal method that works on 99% of Android devices, including Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO. The main advantage: contacts are automatically updated on all devices linked to one account. However, there are nuances:

• 🔄 On the old phone, contacts must be saved in Google account, and not in the device memory or on the SIM card.
• 📶 An Internet connection is required (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• ⚙️ On the new one Xiaomi the same account must be added Googleas on the old device.

Instructions for the old phone:

1. Open the application Contact.
2. Go to Settings → Contact management → Import/Export (the path may differ depending on the firmware).
3. Select Export to Google account and confirm the action.
4. Wait for synchronization to complete (check in Settings → Accounts → Google → Contact synchronization).

Instructions for a new one Xiaomi:

1. When you turn it on for the first time, add your account Google (or do it later in Settings → Accounts and synchronization).
2. Open Contact and wait for the data to automatically load (may take up to 10 minutes).
3. Check what's in the account settings, contact synchronization is enabled.

⚠️ Attention: If on your old phone contacts were stored only in the device memory (not in Google), first export them to your account. To do this, in the contact settings, select Import/Export → Export to .vcf → Save to Google account.

2. Transfer via SIM card (if there is no Internet)

The method is suitable for devices with support SIM cards (including hybrid slots on Xiaomi). The main disadvantage is the limit on the number of contacts (usually up to 250) and the lack of support for additional fields (for example, email addresses or birthdays). But the method works without the Internet and is suitable for old phones.

How to transfer:

1. On the old phone, open Contacts → Settings → Import/Export → Export to SIM card.
2. Select contacts to export (or press Select all).
3. Wait for copying to complete and remove the SIM card.
4. Insert SIM to the new Xiaomi and go to Contacts → Settings → Import from SIM card.

Pros of the method	Disadvantages of the method
Does not require Internet	Limitation on the number of contacts (usually 200-250)
Works on any Android devices	Photos of contacts and additional fields are not saved
Suitable for phones without a Google account	Slower than cloud synchronization

⚠️ Attention: On some models Xiaomi (for example Redmi Note 12), import from a SIM card may not work if the card format nano-SIM inserted into the hybrid slot along with the memory card. In this case, use an adapter for micro-SIM.

3. Transfer via Bluetooth (for devices without a cloud)

Bluetooth —an alternative if there is no access to the Internet or SIM card. The method works between any Android devices, but has limitations:

• 📱 Both phones must support contact transfer via Bluetooth (on some firmware this function is disabled).
• 🔋 The battery level must be at least 30% (transfer can take up to 15 minutes).
• 📄 Contacts are transferred in .vcfformat, which then needs to be imported manually.

Step-by-step guide:

1. On both phones, turn on Bluetooth and make them visible to other devices.
2. On the old phone, open Contacts → Settings → Import/Export → Send contacts → Via Bluetooth.
3. Select a new one Xiaomi from the list of devices and confirm the transfer.
4. On Xiaomi receive the incoming file .vcf and save it in the device memory.
5. Open the file via Contacts → Settings → Import from file.

4. Transfer via .vcf file (for backup)

Format .vcf (vCard) - a universal way to export contacts that works even if you do not have a SIM card or the Internet. The file can be transferred via USB cable, Telegram, Email or any cloud storage. The advantage of the method is saving all data (including photos, addresses and notes).

How to export contacts to .vcf:

1. On your old phone, open Contacts → Settings → Manage contacts → Export.
2. Select Export to file .vcf and specify the save location (for example, Internal memory → Download).
3. Copy the file to a new one Xiaomi (for example, via Explorer → Send → Bluetooth/Email).
4. On Xiaomi open the file via Contacts → Settings → Import → From .vcf file.

If there are many contacts (more than 1000), split the export into several files to avoid import errors. firmware MIUI (for example, MIUI 13), when importing a large file, an error may appear "Failed to import". In this case:

• 📂 Divide the contacts into groups by 300-400 pieces and export them separately.
• 🔄 Reboot your phone before importing.
• 📱 Use third-party applications (for example Contacts Backup) if standard import does not work.

What to do if the .vcf file does not opens on Xiaomi?

If the error “The file is damaged” appears when you try to import, try opening it on a PC using Excel or Notepad++. The file may be saved in the wrong encoding. Also check the extension - it should be .vcf, not .vcf.txt.

5. Xiaomi)

If you already have an account Xiaomi (Mi Account, you can use a proprietary cloud Mi Cloud. This method is convenient if you plan to constantly use the ecosystem Xiaomi (for example, synchronize contacts with Mi Band or Mi Home). However, there are limitations:

• 🌐 Internet connection required.
• 📱 The application must be installed on the old phone Mi Cloud (not available on all brands).
• 🔒 Contacts will be linked to the account Xiaomi, not Google.

Instructions:

1. On your old phone, install Mi Cloud from Google Play (if it is not there by default).
2. Login using yours Mi Account and enable synchronization contacts.
3. Wait until the data is uploaded to the cloud.
4. On the new one Xiaomi log in to the same account and enable synchronization in Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Contacts.

⚠️ Attention: If you previously used Mi Cloud on another device, the contacts may be duplicated. Before synchronizing, check the list in Mi Cloud → Data Management and clear it if necessary.

6. Transfer using third-party applications (for difficult cases)

If standard methods do not work (for example, on phones with custom firmware or outdated versions of Android), use third-party utilities. We recommend:

• 📲 Contacts Backup & Restore — export/import to .vcf or .xml, support for cloud services.
• 🔗 CLONEit — transfer of contacts, messages and applications via Wi-Fi (without the Internet).
• 📧 My Contacts Backup — sending contacts by email to view .vcf.

Example of transfer via CLONEit:

1. Install the application on both phones.
2. On the old phone, select Send, on the new one - Receive.
3. Connect to one Wi-Fi network or create an access point.
4. Select Contact in the data list to transfer and confirm the transfer.

The advantage of third-party applications is that they often support additional fields (for example, call history or contact notes) that are not transferred in standard ways. However, be careful:

• 🛡️ Check application permissions (some request access to SMS or geolocation).
• 📥 Download utilities only from Google Play or official sources.
• 🔄 After the transfer, delete temporary files to free up memory.

Common problems and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions correctly Difficulties may arise. Let's look at typical errors and ways to fix them:

Problem	Cause	Solution
Contacts are not synchronized with Google	Synchronization is disabled in your account	Check Settings → Accounts → Google → Contacts synchronization
The .vcf file is not imported	Damaged file or incompatible encoding	Try opening the file on your PC or dividing your contacts into smaller groups
Contacts are duplicated	Synchronization with multiple accounts (Google + Mi Cloud)	Disable synchronization in one of the accounts and clear duplicates in Contacts → Manage → Merge
Bluetooth does not find the device	Firmware conflict or visibility mode is disabled	Reboot both phones and turn on Search for devices in Bluetooth settings

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 📵 The old phone does not have Airplane mode or Battery saving (they can block data transfer).
• 🔒 On the new Xiaomi there are no restrictions for the application Contact (check in Settings → Permissions).
• 📱 Both devices run on the latest firmware versions (update via Settings → About phone → System update).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

Is it possible to transfer contacts from iPhone to Xiaomi?

Yes, but to do this you need to first export contacts from iPhone to a file .vcf via Settings → Contacts → Export (or via iCloud.com) and then import it on Xiaomi as described in Section 4.

Why did contact photos disappear after the transfer?

Contact photos are stored separately from the main data and may not be transferred via SIM card or Bluetooth. To save them, use export to .vcf or synchronization via Google/Mi Cloud.

How to transfer contacts if your old phone is broken?

If the phone does not turn on, but you have enabled synchronization with Google or Mi Cloud, just add an account to a new one Xiaomi —contacts will be loaded automatically. If there was no synchronization, try removing the SIM card or connecting the phone to the PC in Recovery (requires skills to work with ADB).

Is it possible to transfer contacts from Android to Xiaomi without loss?

Yes, if you use synchronization via Google or export to .vcf. These methods save all fields (numbers, email, addresses, notes). But transferring via SIM card or Bluetooth can lead to the loss of part of the data.

What to do if contacts have been transferred but are not displayed in the Contacts application?

Check whether they are hidden in the display settings Go to Contacts → Settings → Display contacts and select the desired account (Google or Mi). Also try rebooting your phone.