Changing the ecosystem from iOS to Android often causes concern among users, especially when it comes to the safety of personal data. The most critical asset for most smartphone owners is the phone book, which contains the numbers of loved ones, colleagues and business partners. Fortunately, modern technologies make it possible to migrate from iPhone to devices Xiaomi or Redmi as quickly and painlessly as possible. There are several reliable methods, each of which is suitable for specific use cases and the amount of information.
In this article we will analyze in detail all available synchronization methods, from cloud services to local transfer through special utilities. You'll learn how to avoid duplicate entries and properly configure the display of names on your new device. Regardless of whether you are changing your phone for the first time or just testing a new platform, these instructions will help you restore your usual level of comfort in a matter of minutes.
Preparatory stage and checking iCloud
Before starting any manipulations, you need to make sure that all your data on your old device is up-to-date and saved in the cloud. If you actively use iCloud synchronization, then half the work is already done. Go to your settings iPhone and check whether the slider next to the “Contacts” item in the iCloud section is activated. This ensures that the database is not lost during the preparation process.
It is also worth paying attention to the state of the account itself. Make sure you remember the password for your Apple ID account, as you may need it to confirm actions or temporarily log in to the web version of the service. If contacts are stored only locally in the phone's memory without being linked to the cloud, exporting them will require additional steps, which we will discuss below.
⚠️ Attention: If you have two-factor authentication enabled on your Apple ID, make sure you have access to a trusted number or device to receive a verification code when logging into the web interface.
It would be a good idea to audit of records directly on the phone. Remove duplicates or outdated numbers so as not to transfer “garbage” to a new device Redmi. Clearing the database at the source saves time for subsequent sorting in the Android address book.
Synchronization via Google Account
The most universal and reliable method of transfer is using the Google infrastructure. Since the operating system installed on smartphones is deeply integrated with Google services, this method ensures automatic data updates in the future. You'll need to add your Gmail account directly to Settings MIUIinstalled on smartphones Xiaomi, is deeply integrated with Google services, this method ensures that data is automatically updated in the future. You will need to add your Gmail account directly to Settings iPhone, which will allow the iOS system to upload contacts to Google servers.
To do this, go to Menu Settings on your iPhone. Find the section responsible for managing accounts (in different versions of iOS it may be called “Mail”, “Contacts” or “Passwords and Accounts”). Click “Add account” and select logo Google. Enter your details from the mailbox that you plan to use on the new phone.
After successful authorization, the system will prompt you to select data for synchronization. Make sure the switch next to Contacts is green. The uploading process may take from a few seconds to several minutes depending on the size of your phone book and the speed of your Internet connection.
If there are a lot of contacts (more than 2000), leave the phone connected to Wi-Fi and charging for 10-15 minutes after turning on synchronization, so that the process completes in the background without errors.
Now let's move on to the new smartphone Xiaomi. When you turn it on for the first time or in the menu Settings → Accounts and synchronization add the same Google account. The system will automatically pull up all records from the cloud. This solution is ideal for those who want to have a single database accessible from any device.
Using the Mi Mover application
The company Xiaomi has developed its own utility Mi Mover, designed for quick data migration from old devices. This application creates a direct wireless connection between phones, transferring data at high speed without using the Internet. For owners iPhone this method is one of the most convenient, as it does not require setting up complex cloud rules.
On a new smartphone Redmi the Mi Mover application is usually pre-installed in the “Tools” folder. If it is not there, you can download it for free from the store GetApps or Google Play. On the side iPhone you will also need to install a similar application from the App Store. Launch the app on both devices.
☑️ Preparing to work with Mi Mover
On the phone Xiaomi select the role “I am the recipient”, and on iPhone - “I am the sender”. Your Android smartphone will generate a QR code. Scan it with your iPhone camera to establish a connection. After pairing the devices, select only the “Contacts” item in the list of transferred data and press the start transfer button.
⚠️ Attention: While Mi Mover is running, do not minimize the application or lock the iPhone screen, as iOS may interrupt data transfer in the background to save energy.
The advantage of this method is that it transfers not only numbers, but also accompanying information, if supported by the transmission format. The speed of Mi Mover is usually much higher than when downloading via the cloud, especially with large amounts of data.
Exporting contacts to a VCF file
The classic method that always works, regardless of the software version or the presence of an Internet connection. The format vCard (.vcf) is standard for exchanging contact information between different platforms. This method is ideal if you want to make a manual backup or if automatic synchronization is unavailable for some reason.
To create a file, go to the Contacts application on your iPhone. In the upper left corner or in the settings menu (three dots or “Lists”), find the “Export contacts” function. The system will prompt you to select a sending method. You can send the file to yourself via email, save it to “Files” or transfer via messenger.
The received file .vcf needs to be opened on your smartphone Xiaomi. If you sent it by email, simply open the email on your new phone and click on the attachment. The Android system will recognize the format and offer to import the found entries. You can choose which account to save the data to: to the phone’s local storage, to account Google or to account Mi.
This method gives complete control over the process. You can first open the file on your computer, edit it in a text editor (if you have the appropriate skills), or simply ensure the integrity of the data before importing.
Comparison of data transfer methods
To make it easier for you to choose the best option, we have compiled a summary table comparing the main characteristics of the considered methods. Each method has its own strengths depending on your situation and technical preferences.
| Method | Speed | Internet required | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Account | Medium | Yes | Low |
| Mi Mover | High | No (Wi-Fi Direct) | Medium |
| VCF file | Instant | No (for transfer) | Low |
| SIM card | Low | No | High* |
As can be seen from the table, the use of Mi Mover is the most balanced solution for one-time migration of a large amount of data. However, for constant synchronization in the future, there is nothing better than linking with Google Contacts. We do not recommend transferring via a SIM card, since older cards often have a limit on the number of characters in the name and do not store additional numbers or email addresses.
Solving problems with encoding and duplicates
Sometimes after the transfer, users encounter unpleasant artifacts: names are displayed in the form of hieroglyphs or incomprehensible symbols, or one entry is duplicated several times. A problem with encoding most often occurs when exporting via file VCFif the file was created in one encoding and read in another. In modern versions MIUI i iOS this is rare, but the possibility cannot be ruled out.
If you see “crazy words” instead of names, try opening the VCF file on your computer via Notepad and saving it with encoding UTF-8, then repeat the import. Also make sure that the correct language and region settings are selected on both devices, although this affects the sorting rather than the display of characters.
Fighting duplicates is a more common task. When trying to synchronize multiple times or import from different sources (for example, first from SIM, then from Google), records may overlap each other. Smartphones Xiaomi have a built-in tool to solve this problem.
Go to the “Contacts” application, click on the menu (three dots or gear) and find the “Organize contacts” or “Manage contacts” item. Select the Merge Duplicates option. The system will analyze the database, find records with the same numbers or names and offer to combine them into one card. This allows you to quickly put things in order in your phone book.
Why are some contacts not transferred?
Some entries can be saved in specific instant messengers (for example, only in Viber or WhatsApp) or in third-party applications that do not have access to the iOS system address book. Such contacts need to be exported from the applications themselves.
Setting up display and sorting on Xiaomi
After a successful transfer, it is important to set up a convenient display of the contact list. Users accustomed to logic iOSmay be surprised by how names are sorted by default in Android. In the settings of the Contacts application on Redmi you can flexibly manage this parameter.
Go to contact settings and find the “Sorting” section. You can choose the order “First Name, Last Name” or “Last Name, First Name”. The display setting is also available: show only names or full data. These parameters affect only the visual perception of the list and do not change the data itself.
Another important aspect is the choice of the default account for saving new numbers. To ensure that new contacts are automatically added to the cloud and not lost when you change your phone, go to the settings and check the box next to your Google Account in the “Account to be saved by default” item. This will save you from having to manually transfer data in the future.
⚠️ Attention: The interface of the Contacts application may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13, 14 or HyperOS). If you do not find the specified item, use the search in your phone settings by entering the word “Contacts”.
Correctly setting up your account by default ensures that all new numbers will be automatically synchronized with the Google cloud, ensuring their safety.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I transfer call history from iPhone to Xiaomi?
Unfortunately, standard iOS does not allow you to export call logs to a format that can be easily imported into Android. Apps like Mi Mover sometimes attempt to transfer this data, but success is not guaranteed due to Apple's security restrictions. Call history usually starts from scratch on a new device.
What to do if contacts are duplicated after synchronization?
Use the built-in function of merging duplicates in the Contacts application on Xiaomi. Also check out the web version of Google Contacts (contacts.google.com) - it has a powerful Merge and Fix tool that works even better than on the phone.
Will contacts disappear from iPhone if I add a Google account?
No, adding an account and enabling synchronization only copies the data to the Google cloud. The original recordings remain in the iPhone memory and iCloud. Deletion will only occur if you manually disable synchronization and select the “Delete from iPhone” option, or erase the data manually.
How to transfer contact photos (avatars)?
When synchronizing via Google Account or using Mi Mover, profile photos are usually transferred along with the numbers. When exporting to a VCF file, avatars may not be saved, since the standard vCard format does not always correctly process embedded images in large batches.
Is it safe to enter your Google password on an iPhone?
Yes, it is absolutely safe. You enter data into the iOS system settings menu, which uses secure communication protocols with Google servers. Apple does not have access to your password; it is only used for authorization on the search giant's servers.