How to Import Google Account Contacts to Xiaomi

The transition to a new Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone always starts with an account setup, but the most critical thing for most users is to save the phone book. Losing the numbers of colleagues, friends and delivery services can turn a new gadget into a useless plastic box. Fortunately, the Android ecosystem makes it easy to move data from Google's cloud storage.

Unlike older push-button phones, modern devices don’t require a physical connection to a computer to load numbers.All you need is a stable internet connection and proper access to system settings. However, Miui users often face the nuances when numbers don’t appear immediately or are duplicated.

In this guide, we will look at all the steps of the process, from basic synchronization to manual import via a.vcf file. We will also look at the typical errors that occur when working with the HyperOS shell or earlier versions of Miui.

Account preparation and data verification in the cloud

Before you start setting up the Xiaomi smartphone itself, you need to make sure your contacts are actually saved in the Google cloud. SIM-maps or locally in memory of an old phone, forgetting to sync.Without prior verification, you risk wasting time.

You can check it through any browser on your computer or other device, you need to log into your Gmail account and go to Contacts. If it shows all the numbers you need, you're ready to move the data. If the list is empty, export from the previous device first.

Make sure your new Xiaomi has the latest version of Google Play, a system component that ensures all cloud features work properly, and without it, sync may not work smoothly or even start at all.

⚠️ Note: If you use dual-authorization on Google, make sure you have access to a phone number or authenticator app to confirm sign-in on the new device.

Adding a Google Account to Xiaomi

The first step when you activate a new Redmi or Poco is to log in to your account. If you missed this step when you first set up, don’t worry — you can add a profile at any time through the settings menu, which will connect your device with the search giant’s ecosystem.

To start, open the Settings app and find Accounts and Sync. From the list of available services, select the Google logo. The system will prompt you to log in to an existing profile or create a new one. Enter your credentials carefully by observing the character register.

Once you're logged in, the system will ask permission to synchronize different types of data, and it's not just about clicking "Accept All," it's about making sure that the tick opposite the "Contacts" box is active, and that's what triggers the background process of downloading your phone book from the cloud.

• 📲 Open the Settings menu on the main screen.
• 🔐 Go to Accounts and Synchronization.
• 🌐 Select Google and enter a login with a password.
• ✅ Make sure the contact switch is in active condition.

Manual synchronization and delay elimination

Sometimes, the automatic start of data loading does not happen instantly due to the nature of the energy saving in the Miui shell. The system can limit background activity to save battery power, which leads to delays in the appearance of numbers in the phone book.

Return to the Accounts and Sync menu and click on the newly added Google account. In the list that opens, you will see the status of the last sync and the time it takes. If the data has not been updated in a long time, click Sync or the corresponding update icon.

If the process freezes or gives an error, try clearing the service cache. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, search the list of Google Play Services and select Clear cache. This is a secure operation that will not delete your personal data, but can fix software failures.

It’s worth noting that when you first turn on your phone, it can take a few minutes to load a thousand contacts. Don’t panic if the list is empty in the first minute – give the system time to process the request and display the information on the screen.

Import via VCF file: an alternative method

In situations where standard synchronization is not possible (for example, in the absence of stable Wi-Fi or server problems), manual import through a.vcf file comes to the rescue. This universal format is supported by all smartphones and allows you to transfer contacts “offline” in a way.

You need to get this file first. You can export contacts from your old phone or download them in advance through the Google Contacts website on your computer. Save the contacts.vcf file to the internal memory of the new Xiaomi or transfer it via Bluetooth or messenger.

To start the import process, open the standard Contacts or Phone app. Click on the menu (usually three dots or strips) and select Import/Export. Next, specify the source - Device Memory or Internal Drive, and the system will prompt you to select a file to import.

⚠️ Note: When importing from the file VCF Make sure you choose your Google account as your target storage, rather than your phone’s memory, so that your contacts are automatically backed up in the future.

Display setting and duplicate filtering

After successful import, users often face a problem: numbers seem to be loaded, but they are not visible in the subscriber list, a common situation associated with the filtering settings of displayed contacts in the MIUI application.

Open the Contacts app and call the settings menu. Find Display Contacts (or Contacts to Display) and the default restriction may be, such as Phone Only. Change the setting to All Contacts or select a specific Google account.

Another common problem is the appearance of duplicates. If you have the same number saved in both SIM and Google, the system can display them as two different entries. Modern versions of Android can combine them automatically, but sometimes you need to manually clean. Use the "Combine duplicates" function in the contact management menu.

• 👁️ Check the display filter in the application settings.
• 🧹 Use the function of combining duplicates.
• 📂 Make sure that no other contact groups are hidden".
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone to update the index base.

💡

The correct configuration of the display filter is key if you do not see the numbers in the phone book after synchronization.

Solving Typical Synchronization Problems and Errors

Even if all instructions are followed, technical difficulties can arise, such as the “failed to sync” error often indicates a date and time problem, and if system time is lost, security certificates fail to be verified and the connection to the Google server is blocked.

Check your date settings: they should be in Auto-Detection mode. Also, problems can be caused by overcrowded account storage. If your Google Drive is full, some services may be suspended, although contacts usually have their own separate limit.

In rare cases, deleting and re-additioning an account helps. Before doing so, make sure to back up local data, if any. Go to Settings → Accounts, select Google and click Delete Account, then add it again.

The way to reset network settings (if the connection is a problem):


Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile Networks and Bluetooth

If nothing works, check if you have a modified host file or VPN that blocks Google domains. In corporate networks, access to sync servers may also be restricted by an administrator.

💡

For quick diagnosis, try opening google.com/contacts in Chrome on the same phone. If the page loads, you have a problem with your system settings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)