The transition from the Apple ecosystem to the Android platform, in particular to smartphones Redmi, is often accompanied by the fear of losing important data, and phone numbers are usually first on the list. Modern methods allow you to perform this operation in just a few touches, saving not only names, but also additional fields such as email addresses or positions. Users have access to many tools, from built-in cloud synchronization functions to specialized utilities from the manufacturer.
The process of data migration has become much easier with the advent of high-speed transfer protocols and integration of Google services into iOS. Backup no longer requires complex manipulations with cables or a computer, although the wired method remains the most reliable for large volumes of information. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods so that you can choose the most convenient one for your situation.
It is worth considering that the data storage structure in iOS and Android is different, so the correct sequence of actions is critical to avoid duplicates. If you're planning on ditching your iPhone entirely, setting up a Google account first is a key step. For those who leave both devices, setting up two-way synchronization is important.
Preparing the iPhone for data export
Before starting any manipulations, you need to make sure that your phone book on the iPhone is up to date. Users often forget that some numbers can be stored locally on the device and not in iCloud, which will lead to their loss during transfer. Check your contacts display settings by selecting the All iCloud option to see the full picture.
The next step is to create a fresh backup, as this will ensure the safety of the data in case the process fails. Go to Settings → [Your name] → iCloud and make sure that the switch opposite the “Contacts” item is activated (lit green). If you haven't updated your backup in a while, click "Back up to iCloud" and wait for the process to complete.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure your iPhone is connected to a Wi-Fi network before creating a backup, otherwise the process may be interrupted or require you to pay for additional storage space. cloud.
It is also important to check the version of the operating system, since older versions iOS may have bugs when synchronizing with Google services. Updating to the latest available version will resolve most potential compatibility issues. This will take time, but will save nerves in the future.
Synchronization through a Google account (The most reliable method)
The most universal and correct method of transfer is to use Google cloud services, since Redmi works on Android and is deeply integrated with these services. You will need to install the application Google Drive or Google Contacts from the App Store on your iPhone. This method is good because the numbers are tied to your Gmail account, and not to a specific device.
After installing the application, launch it and log in to the same Google account that you plan to use on the new smartphone Redmi. In the application settings menu, find the “Backup” or “Synchronization” section and select the “Contacts” option. The system will prompt you to start a backup, during which all data from the iPhone will be uploaded to Google servers.
Now let's move on to setting up a new device. On your smartphone Redmi log in using the same Google account. In the menu Settings → Accounts and synchronization make sure that the “Contacts” item is checked. As soon as synchronization is completed, all your numbers will appear in the phone book automatically.
The advantage of this method is that it works in the background and does not require constant cable connections. If you lose your phone or decide to change it in the future, you just need to log into your account to restore your entire book. This industry standard for Android users.
Using the Mi Mover application for migration
The company Xiaomithat produces smartphones Redmihas developed its own application Mi Moverthat greatly simplifies the transition from other platforms. A special version of this tool is available for iPhone, which must be downloaded from the App Store. The application creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between two devices, which ensures high data transfer speeds without using Internet traffic.
The process begins by launching the application on both devices. On iPhone, select the “Sender” role, and on Redmi, “Recipient”. After scanning the QR code or entering a password, the devices will connect and you can select the type of data to transfer. In addition to contacts, Mi Mover allows you to transfer photos, videos and even some system settings.
☑️ Checklist for working with Mi Mover
It is important to note that during the transfer you should not switch to other applications or lock the iPhone screen, as this may break the connection. The data transfer protocol is interrupt sensitive, and the process will have to start over. However, the speed of Mi Mover is usually faster than cloud methods.
Transfer via SIM card and vCard export
If you do not have access to Wi-Fi or prefer classic methods, you can use a SIM card, although this method has serious limitations. SIM cards have little memory and often only support one name and one number per entry, trimming long names and removing additional numbers. To export contacts, go to Settings → Contacts → Import SIM contacts on your iPhone (if your SIM supports recording) or use third-party applications for export.
A more advanced option for “offline” transfer is to create a file vCard (.vcf). In the Contacts app on iPhone, select Select All (or the group you want), tap Share, and select Create vCard File. This file can be sent to yourself via email or transferred via Bluetooth/AirDrop to your computer, and then imported to Redmi.
On Redmi, the import process is as follows: open the Contacts application, click on the menu (three dots or gear) and select “Import from .vcf file”. Specify the path to the saved file, and the system will automatically recognize and add all entries to the phone book. This is an excellent way for a one-time migration of a large amount of data without being tied to the cloud.
⚠️ Attention: When importing via a SIM card, problems may arise with the encoding of names if they contain special characters or emojis, so the vCard method is preferable.
Solving problems with duplicates and encoding
After transferring data, users often encounter the problem of duplicate records, when the same contact is displayed twice or three times. This happens if you synchronized multiple times or imported data from different sources (for example, iCloud and Gmail at the same time). Smartphones Redmi have a built-in cleaning tool, which is located in the Contacts application.
To merge entries, open the contacts menu, find the “Manage contacts” or “Services” item and select “Merge duplicates”. The system will analyze the phone book, find matches by phone number or name and offer to combine them into one card. This allows you to keep the database clean.
Sometimes there is a problem with displaying Russian names as a set of incomprehensible characters. This indicates an encoding error during export. In this case, it is recommended to repeat the procedure through Google Contacts, since Google services automatically convert the encoding to a universal format UTF-8, which is displayed correctly on all devices.
| Method | Speed | Saves photo | Internet required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Synchronization | Medium | Yes | Yes (Wi-Fi) |
| Mi Mover | High | Yes | No (local) |
| SIM card | Low | No | No |
| vCard file | Average | Yes | No (local) |
Setting up display and sorting on Redmi
After a successful transfer, you should customize the display of contacts for yourself, since sorting standards in iOS and Android are different. On iPhone, names are often sorted by first name, and on Android by last name, or vice versa. To change this, go to the Contacts app on your Redmi, open Settings and look for Sort or Display Contacts.
Here you can choose what order the names will go in (first name or last name) and how they will appear in the list. It's also useful to set up a display filter if you have old contacts in your Google Account that you don't want to see on your new phone. This helps to visually clear the list.
Hidden phone book settings
Some versions of the MIUI shell (HyperOS) have a hidden testing menu. Dial the code ##4636## in the dialer to see information about the phone, but be careful: changing the network settings in this menu may lead to loss of connection.
Do not forget that changes made on Redmi will automatically be reflected in your Google account when synchronization is enabled. This means that if you edit a number or add a photo on a new phone, these changes will be available on other devices where you are signed in to this account.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to transfer contacts through third-party applications?
Using official applications such as Mi Mover from Xiaomi or Google Drive are completely safe as they use secure communication channels. However, you should avoid little-known apps from the App Store with questionable reviews that may request excessive permissions to access your data.
What to do if contacts are not synced on Redmi?
Check your Internet connection and make sure that contact synchronization is enabled in your Google account settings on Redmi. Also try to force a data update: Settings → Accounts → Google → Your account → Synchronization. Sometimes deleting and re-adding the account helps.
Is it possible to transfer call history from iPhone to Redmi?
You cannot transfer call history using standard Android and iOS tools due to Apple security restrictions. However, the Mi Mover application in some versions supports the “Call Clone” function, which can try to transfer this list, but success is not 100% guaranteed.
How long does it take to transfer 1000 contacts?
When using Google cloud synchronization or the Mi Mover application, the process will take from 1 to 3 minutes depending on the Internet speed or the quality of the Wi-Fi connection. The SIM card method may take longer due to the slow write speed to the chip.
The most effective method is to pre-sync your iPhone with Google Account, which makes the migration to Redmi automatic and seamless.
In conclusion, migrating from iPhone to Redmi is a simple process if you use the right tools. Cloud synchronization via Google remains the gold standard for data safety and ease of management. By following the steps described, you can quickly set up a new smartphone and continue communication without losing important contacts.
⚠️ Attention: The MIUI and HyperOS shell interfaces may differ slightly depending on the firmware version. The location of menu items may be changed by developers, so look for sections that are similar in meaning.
Tip: After the transfer, make a test call from the new phone to make sure that the number the interlocutor has identified correctly and your name is displayed if it is saved in his phone book.