How to Move Contacts from Google to Xiaomi: 5 Ways to Move Contacts

Why moving contacts from Google to Xiaomi is not as easy as it seems

Did you buy a new Xiaomi smartphone and run into a problem: Are all your contacts stored in a Google account but not displayed in a phone book? Or did all the numbers disappear after resetting? This situation is familiar to many users, especially those who are switching from Android devices of other brands. The fact is that Xiaomi uses its own shell. MIUI, Sometimes it conflicts with standard Google services.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to transfer contacts – from automatic synchronization to manual export through the Internet. VCF-You'll learn how to avoid duplication of records, why some numbers may not show up, and what to do if the synchronization is "hang" and also a unique life hack for owners of Xiaomi with two different types of devices. SIM-Cards: How to link contacts to a particular slot.

Before you start, check two things: the MIUI version (relevant to the Xiaomi 12/13/14 series and Redmi Note 11/12) and the stability of the Internet connection.

Method 1: Automatic synchronization through Google account

The easiest method is to sync contacts directly from your Google account, which works on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 and newer, but there are nuances: For example, if you previously disabled sync on your old device, contacts may not be tightened up.

To enable synchronization:

1. Open Settings → Google Accounts.
2. Choose your account (if there are several).
3. Slip on the item Synchronization of the account.
4. Activate the slider opposite Contact.
5. Wait 5-10 minutes – the contacts will appear in the phone book.

⚠️ Note: If contacts are duplicated after synchronization, check if sync with Mi Cloud is enabled. → Accounts. → Mi Account → Syncing, leaving only Google.

Make sure that your Google account is added to your system|Check the stability of the Internet connection|Disable sync with Mi Cloud (if not required)|Update the Contacts app in Google Play-->

Method 2: Export contacts to VCF file and import to Xiaomi

If automatic sync fails (for example, because Sync is currently experiencing problems), use manual export, a method that is suitable for transferring contacts from an iPhone, old Android, or even Outlook.

Instructions for export:

1. On your computer, open Google Contacts.
2. On the left menu, click Export.
3. Select the Google CSV format (for backup) or vCard (VCF) format (for importing to your phone).
4. Click Export and save the file to your computer.

Now Import to Xiaomi:

• 📱 Transfer the.vcf file to your phone via USB, Bluetooth or cloud (e.g. Google Drive).
• 📂 Open the file through Files or send it to the mail and download to the device.
• 👤 The system will offer to import contacts - confirm the action.

⚠️ Warning: If you see an error when importing a file, check the integrity of the file. Sometimes files are corrupted when downloaded via mobile Internet. Try downloading the file via Wi-Fi.

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If contacts are in VCF-Files are displayed in hieroglyphs, set the encoding before exporting to Google Contacts UTF-8 browser-based.

Method 3: Transfer of contacts through SIM-map (for older models)

This method is relevant for Xiaomi Redmi 4/5/Note 5 and other models without active Internet, it is suitable if you do not have access to a Google account or MIUI is unstable.

• 📵 SIM-The card stores only the name and number (without email, addresses, photos).
• 🔢 Limit the number of contacts – usually 250-300 entries.
• ⚠️ Risk of data loss during retrieval SIM.

How to move:

1. On your old phone, export your contacts to SIM: Contacts → Settings → Import / Export → Export to SIM.
2. Insert the SIM into Xiaomi.
3. Open Contacts → Settings → Import with SIM.
4. Choose the contact for import (all possible).

🔹 Advice for Xiaomi with two SIM: If you have a Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 with two slots, insert before importing SIM Slot 1 - Some versions MIUI Ignore Slot 2 when importing.

Method 4: Sync with Mi Cloud (alternative to Google)

If you prefer the Xiaomi ecosystem, you can move contacts through the Mi Cloud, which is convenient if you plan to use other brand services (for example, Mi Fit or Mi Home).

Step-by-step:

1. Register or log in to Mi Account on your phone.
2. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account → Synchronization.
3. Turn on the Contact Slider.
4. On an old device, export contacts to VCF and upload them to Mi Cloud via the web version.

⚠️ Note: If you use both Google and Mi Cloud, disable the sync of contacts in one of the services.

Method 5: Use of third-party applications (for advanced users)

If the standard methods didn't work, try specialized applications. We tested three of the most reliable ones.

• 🔄 Copy My Data – Transfers contacts, calendars and photos over Wi-Fi without clouds.
• 📲 My Contacts Backup – Creates a backup copy of the VCF and send it to an email.
• 🌐 Samsung Smart Switch – despite the name, works with Xiaomi (you need a computer).

🔹 How to Use Copy My Data:

1. Install the app on both devices.
2. On the old phone, select Send Data, on the new one, select Receive Data.
3. Connect to a single Wi-Fi network.
4. Select Contacts and confirm the transfer.

⚠️ Note: Apps like SHAREit or Xender may not correctly transmit Cyrillic characters in contacts. If names are displayed by Krakozabra, use Google Contacts or VCF.

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The side of the app is convenient for one-time transfer, but not suitable for constant synchronization. For long-term use, it is better to configure Google or Mi Cloud.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even with the right contacts transfer, Xiaomi users face problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

🔹 Hidden problem: On some Xiaomi models (e.g, POCO F3) Google's default contacts are hidden to see:

1. Open Contact.
2. Slip three points in the top right corner.
3. Choose Display Contacts.
4. Make sure that the Google item is marked.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions