Changing mobile devices often raises concerns about privacy, and contact records are at the top of the priority list. Fortunately, the Android ecosystem on which Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones are based provides powerful tools for seamless transfer of information. The process of synchronizing with Google servers is a regular and most reliable way of migration, without requiring the use of third-party software or complex manipulation of cables.
You don't need to be a technician to do this, because MIUI or HyperOS interfaces are as customized as possible for simple interaction, and the main task is to properly configure your account settings, after which the phone will download all the necessary data from the cloud on its own, ensuring that even if your device accidentally breaks down or resets, your numbers will remain secure and accessible instantly.
In this article, we will take a closer look at each step of the process, focusing on the possible nuances and errors that can occur when working with different versions of the operating system, learn how to check the synchronization status, force data updates, and what to do if contacts are not displayed in the phone book immediately after logging in.
Preparing a Google account for data transfer
Before you start setting up a new Xiaomi Redmi device, you need to make sure that the original data is correctly stored in the cloud. Often users do not suspect that their numbers are stored only in memory. SIM-Checking the storage source is a critical first step that should not be ignored.
To check, log in to contacts.google.com from your computer or any other device using the same login and password that will be used on your smartphone. If you see a current list of all your friends and colleagues there, then the preparation process is completed successfully. Otherwise, export or sync from the old device first.
⚠️ Note: If your contacts are only saved SIM-You don't automatically sync to Google, you need to copy them to your old phone's memory first, and then sync them to the cloud.
Make sure your Google account has a contact sync feature on it, a basic requirement that your phone simply won’t be able to “see” your login records without, and it’s also worth checking for storage space, although text data on phone numbers requires minimal storage.
Adding Google Account to Xiaomi Settings
After you first set up your Redmi smartphone or any other time you're working with the device, you'll need to add an account. If you missed this step on first turn on, don't worry: the system allows you to add a new profile at any time through the settings menu. This is standard procedure for all Android devices.
Open the main menu and find the Settings section. Scroll down to Accounts and Sync (in some firmware versions, it may be simply called “Accounts” or be inside the Passwords and Security menu).
Enter your email address and password. The system may request a sign-in confirmation via a notification on another device or through a SMS-If you have two-factor authorization enabled, the phone will then ask you to choose which data to sync.
☑️ Checking account settings
At this point, it's important to not miss the choice of data types to synchronize, make sure that the switch opposite the Contact point is activated. Other settings, such as Calendar or Drive, can be configured as desired, but this is the parameter that is critical for our task.
Configure the synchronization parameters in MIUI
The MIUI shell interface or the new HyperOS has its own synchronization management features that may differ from pure Android. Once you add an account, the system usually starts loading data automatically, but sometimes manual intervention is required to force an update.
Go back to Settings → Accounts and Sync. Find your newly added Google account and click on it. You will see a list of services associated with that profile. Make sure the Contacts slider is blue, which means active state.
If the data didn't show up right away, click on the three dots in the top right corner of the screen (or the "More" button) and select "Sync." The phone will contact the server and try to download the current data. The process can take anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes depending on the number of records and Internet speed.
| Parameter | Status | Description of action |
|---|---|---|
| Google account | Active. | The main profile for synchronization |
| Contacts | Included. | Allows data exchange with the cloud |
| Calendar | Optionally. | Synchronizes events and meetings |
| Drive | Included. | Backup of application data |
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To save traffic, enable Wi-Fi-only sync in your mobile network settings if you have a limited plan.
It's worth noting that in some cases, the system can request permission to access contacts for system applications, which is a normal situation for the numbers to be displayed correctly in the call and message interface, and without that permission, the phone won't technically be able to show you the downloaded data.
Selecting the displayed contact list
One of the most common problems faced by Xiaomi Redmi owners is when the account is connected, sync is enabled, but the numbers in the phone book do not appear, most often the reason lies in filtering the displayed lists.
Open the standard Contacts or Phone app. Go to the app settings (usually three dots or a gear in the corner) and find the "Contact Display" or "Contact Filter" option, and the default restriction may be, such as "Phone Contact Only."
Change the setting to All Contacts, or specifically select your Google account from the list, and then the list in the phone book should be updated immediately and you will see all the numbers that were in the cloud, which solves 90% of the missing numbers problem after you move to a new smartphone.
⚠️ Note: Do not keep new numbers in memory SIM-Always choose a Google account when creating a new record so you don’t lose data in the future.
Also check if the "Favorites Only" mode or any specific group filter is enabled if you have previously categorized contacts.Previously configured the display ensures that you see the full picture of your address book.
What to do if the filter does not help?
Solving problems with duplicate numbers
When transferring data from different devices or after synchronization, users often face the problem of duplication of records. The same person can be displayed twice: once as a record from Google, and the second time as a local copy or record from the Internet. SIM-It's a mess and a mess.
Modern versions of MIUI have a built-in tool to combine takes: Open the Contacts app, click on the menu, and select Contact Management. There should be the option to Combine Repeated Contacts.
The system will analyze the database, find records with the same names or phone numbers, and suggest combining them, and you can do this automatically for all records, or manually review each pair to make sure the merger is correct, which helps keep the address book clean and orderly.
- 📱 Open the Contacts app on the home screen.
- ⚙️ Go to the settings menu (three dots or gears).
- 🔗 Select “Consolidate duplicates” or “Contact management».
- ✅ Confirm the merger operation for selected couples.
After the merger procedure, it is recommended to check several random contacts again to make sure that the information (photo, additional numbers, email) is saved correctly and nothing is lost during the merger.
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Regularly combining duplicates not only cleans the list, but also speeds up the search for contacts and the work of the system as a whole.
Using the Mi Cloud for additional protection
While syncing with Google is the standard, Xiaomi smartphone owners have the unique ability to use the branded Mi Cloud to create an additional copy of contacts.This creates a second layer of data protection in case of problems with the main account.
To activate this feature, log into your Mi Account via your phone settings. In the "Mi Cloud" section, find "Contacts" and enable synchronization. The system will suggest combining local data with the Mi cloud. This is especially useful if you plan to use Xiaomi ecosystem devices such as tablets or smartwatches.
It’s important to understand the difference: Google syncs data between any Android device, and Mi Cloud is convenient for quick recovery on Xiaomi’s technique.You can use both methods simultaneously, which will ensure maximum reliability of storage of your address book.
⚠️ Note: When you enable Mi Cloud sync, keep a close eye on the direction of sync so that you don’t replace current data from Google with old entries from the Xiaomi cloud if they differ.
Check your backup status regularly in Mi Cloud to make sure the latest copy is recent, and it will only take a couple of minutes of your time, but save you from losing important numbers at a critical time.