Buying a new smartphone, such as a popular one Xiaomi Redmi 9always causes mixed feelings: the joy of owning a fresh gadget and slight anxiety about transferring important information. The most valuable database for most users is the phone book, which contains the numbers of loved ones, colleagues and service providers. Fortunately, the ecosystem Android provides many tools for seamless data migration, making the process intuitive even for beginners.
Unlike old feature phones, modern smartphones allow you to transfer not only names and numbers, but also avatars, additional addresses and notes. When switching to Redmi 9 it is important to choose a method that will preserve the structure of your phone book and minimize the risk of losing entries. We will look at all current methods - from cloud synchronization to classic transfer via a SIM card.
Before you begin any active actions, make sure that both devices are charged at least 50-60%. Although the process of transferring text data does not consume much power, a sudden shutdown of the old or new device may interrupt the import procedure. Also check that you have a stable Internet connection if you plan to use cloud services.
Synchronization via Google account: the most reliable method
Using cloud storage Google Contacts is the gold standard for Android users. This method ensures that your contacts are kept safe and will automatically appear on your new device as soon as you log in. On your old phone, open Settings and find the section Accounts or Users and accounts.
Select your primary Gmail address from the list. Make sure that the switch opposite the item Contact is active. If it's off, turn it on and press the sync button (usually the three dots in the corner of the screen or a separate key). The system will send all records to Google servers, assigning them a unique identifier.
On the new Xiaomi Redmi 9 the setup process occurs the first time you turn it on. When the setup wizard prompts you to enter an account, use the same username and password as on your old device. After successful authorization, the phone will automatically begin downloading data from the cloud.
⚠️ Attention: If you previously saved contacts only in the phone memory or on the SIM card, they are not synchronized automatically. Before enabling synchronization, you must manually move them to your Google account through the contacts application on your old device.
You can check the success of the operation through a browser on your computer by going to contacts.google.com. If you see all your numbers there, it means they will appear on your new smartphone within a few minutes of connecting to Wi-Fi. This is the most safest methodeliminating data loss if the device breaks down.
Enable two-way synchronization in your Google account settings so that any changes made on Redmi 9 are automatically updated on your other devices.
Using the Mi Mover application for quick migration
Xiaomi has developed its own utility Mi Moverwhich is preinstalled on all brand devices, including Redmi 9. This application allows you to transfer data directly from your old phone to a new one via a Wi-Fi channel, without using the Internet or cloud servers. The transfer speed is quite high.
Launch the application on both smartphones. On an old device (even if it is not Xiaomi), you may need to download Mi Mover from the Play Market store. When you start, you will be asked to select a device role: “I am the sender” on the old phone and “I am the recipient” on the new Redmi 9.
The new phone will generate a QR code or hotspot. Scan it with the camera of your old device or connect to the created Wi-Fi network manually. Once the connection is established, a data selection menu will open.
- 📱 Select the "Contacts" category in the list of transferred data.
- 📸 If desired, also check "Photos", "Messages" and "Applications" for a complete transfer.
- 🚀 Click the "Send" button and wait until complete process.
The advantage of this method is that it copies contacts exactly in the format in which they are stored on the old device, including linking to local accounts. However, for long-term storage, it is still recommended to export them to Google after transfer.
Export and import via vCard file
If for some reason cloud synchronization is not possible and the direct connection is unstable, you can use an intermediate format file vCard (.vcf). This universal format is supported by all modern smartphones and operating systems. The file contains all information about contacts in text form.
On your old device, open the Contacts application. Go to the control menu (three dots or gear) and select “Import/Export contacts”. Click on the option Export to .vcf file or Export to storage.
The system will prompt you to select a storage location. The most convenient way is to save the file to internal memory or a microSD card. After creating the file, you need to transfer it to Xiaomi Redmi 9. This can be done via Bluetooth, instant messenger (Telegram, WhatsApp) or simply by copying the file to your computer and then to a new phone.
On the receiving device, find the transferred file through Explorer File Manager. Click on it - the system will automatically offer to open it with the Contacts application. Confirm the import, and all entries from the file will be added to the phone book.
What to do if the file does not open?
Make sure the file extension is .vcf. Sometimes when sending via instant messengers, the file may be renamed. Try opening it through the import menu in the contacts application, selecting the “Storage” source.
Transferring contacts from a SIM card
This method is considered outdated, but is still relevant for users who stored numbers on an operator card. The main limitation here is the amount of SIM card memory and the length of the records. Typically, no more than 250 contacts fit on the card, and names are often trimmed to 10-15 characters.
Insert the SIM card from the old phone into the slot of the new one Redmi 9. If your device has two slots, make sure the card is installed in an active slot. After the system boots, go to the Contacts application.
In the settings menu, select the section Import/Export contacts. Click on item Import from SIM card. The system will prompt you to select a destination: it is recommended to select “Google Account” or “Phone” to free up the card and have full records.
| Characteristics | SIM card | Google account | Phone memory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts limit | ~250 pcs. | Unlimited | Depends on memory |
| Name length | Limited (15 characters) | Full | Full |
| Add. fields | Number only | Email, address, notes | Email, address |
| Risk of loss | High (if the card is broken) | Low (cloud) | Medium (on reset) |
After the import is completed, it is strongly recommended to extract contacts from the SIM card to the cloud or device memory, and clean the card itself. This will prevent confusion in the future when you decide to change your operator or tariff plan.
SIM transfer is an emergency method. To fully use all the functions of a smartphone, contacts must be stored digitally in the device’s memory or in the cloud.
Synchronization via Mi Cloud
Smartphone owners Xiaomi have access to a proprietary cloud service Mi Cloud. It's a great alternative to Google, especially if you're deeply integrated into a brand's ecosystem. The service allows you to synchronize contacts, messages, notes, and even find a device if lost.
To get started, you need to create or log into an existing one Mi Account. On the old device (if it is also Xiaomi), go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud. Make sure that the “Contacts” switch is active and the data is synchronized.
If the old phone is of a different brand, you can install the application Mi Cloud from the Play Market or use the web version on your computer. Upload your contacts there in vCard format. On the new one Redmi 9 just log into your Mi Account when setting up, and the phone book will be updated automatically.
⚠️ Attention: Free space in Mi Cloud is limited to 5 GB. If you have a very large phone book with high-resolution photos, you may run out of space. In this case, remove the synchronization of photo contacts, leaving only text data.
The convenience of Mi Cloud lies in the ability to manage contacts through the i.mi.com web interface. You can delete duplicates, merge entries and edit information directly from the browser, and the changes will be instantly reflected on your smartphone.
☑️ Check before synchronizing Mi Cloud
Solving problems with duplicates and display
Often, after transferring data, users encounter the problem of duplicating records. This happens when the same contact is saved on the SIM card, in the phone memory, and in the cloud. Xiaomi Redmi 9 has a built-in powerful tool to solve this problem.
Open the Contacts application and click on the profile icon or menu in the corner. Select item Organizing contacts or Managing contacts. Click on the option Merge duplicates. The system will automatically scan the database and offer to merge duplicate entries.
If some contacts are not displayed after transfer, check the display settings. In the contacts menu, find the item Contacts filter or Contacts to display. Make sure that the “All contacts” option is selected, and not just a specific account or group.
Sometimes clearing the application cache helps. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications → Contacts. Click Clear and select Clear cache. This will not delete your numbers, but will force the application to re-read the database again, which may correct display errors.
⚠️ Attention: Shell interface MIUI (which runs Redmi 9) may vary slightly depending on the firmware version. If you do not find the exact name of the menu item, look for icons with similar meanings or use the search in the settings.
How to remove all duplicates at once?
In the "Organize contacts" menu, select "Merge duplicates." The system will show a list of pairs. You can confirm the merger for each pair separately or click “Merge all” if you are confident in the accuracy of the algorithm.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to transfer contacts if the old phone does not turn on?
If the phone is completely dead, but the SIM card is working, you can insert it c Redmi 9 and import numbers from the card. If the contacts were saved only in the memory of the faulty phone, you will need to repair the old device to extract the data or restore from the latest Google/Mi Cloud backup if synchronization was enabled previously.
Is it safe to transfer contacts via Bluetooth?
Yes, transfer via Bluetooth is safe, since the connection is established directly between devices without the participation of third-party servers. However, this method is slow for large amounts of data. It is recommended to transfer contacts as a vCard file, rather than one entry at a time.
What to do if contacts are displayed in hieroglyphs or gibberish?
This is an encoding issue that often occurs when importing from older phones or certain models. Try opening the vCard file on your computer in Notepad and saving it with UTF-8 encoding, then re-importing it to your smartphone. Also check the system language in the settings Redmi 9.
How long does it take to synchronize 1000 contacts?
When using a Google or Mi Cloud account via stable Wi-Fi, synchronizing 1000 contacts takes from 30 seconds to 2 minutes, since only text information is transmitted. When transferring via Bluetooth or creating a vCard file, the process may take 5-10 minutes depending on the memory writing speed.
Do you need to delete contacts from your old phone after transferring?
No, this is not necessary. However, if you sell or give away your old phone, you must perform a Factory Reset, which will automatically delete all data, including contacts. Before doing this, make sure that on the new Redmi 9 all numbers are displayed correctly.