How to sync Google contacts with Xiaomi phone: the complete guide

Moving contacts from a Google account to a Xiaomi smartphone is a challenge that every new device owner faces on MIUI. Despite the apparent simplicity, the process can be complicated due to firmware features, two-step authentication or conflicts between accounts. In this article, we will analyze all the ways of synchronization from automatic through settings to manual import through a.vcf file, and also consider typical errors and their solutions.

Many users mistakenly believe that simply adding a Google account to the system will make contacts instantly appear. In practice, MIUI 14/15 can block background sync due to battery optimization or require additional permissions. We tested all methods on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Xiaomi 13T and POCO F5 models to ensure that instructions are up to date for modern devices.

If you've just switched from an iPhone or other Android smartphone, this guide will help you avoid losing important numbers, and for those who have tried to sync contacts but have encountered errors like "Sync is stopped" or "Can't update data", we've prepared a section on the diagnosis of problems.

1.Preparation: What to do before synchronization

Before you start transferring contacts, make sure that the basic conditions are met:

  • 📱 Xiaomi phone is connected to the Internet (preferably via Wi-Fi for stability).
  • 🔑 You have access to a Google account where the contacts are stored (password and, if necessary, two-step authentication code).
  • 🔄 The device has the latest version installed. MIUI (Check in the settings → The phone. → Updating the system).
  • 📝 Backup of contacts created (more on this below).

Pay special attention to backup. Even if you're confident in the stability of synchronization, exporting contacts to.vcf will take less than a minute, but it will save data in the event of a failure.

  1. Open Google Contacts in your browser.
  2. Click on the gear icon (⚙️) → Exports.
  3. Select the Google CSV or vCard format and save the file to your computer or cloud.

⚠️ Note: If you use two of these SIM-maps on Xiaomi, synchronized contacts can be duplicated. Before transfer, check the settings in Contacts → Contact management → Display contacts and disable unnecessary sources.

📊 How to Transfer Contacts to a New Phone?
Through a Google account
With help. SIM-map
Through the.vcf file
I use third-party apps.

2. Method 1: Automatic synchronization through a Google account

This is the most reliable and recommended method, as it provides two-way synchronization: changes to the phone will be automatically updated in the cloud and vice versa.

Instructions for MIUI 14/15:

  1. Open Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
  2. Click Add Add Account → Google.
  3. Enter your login details (email and password) If two-step authentication is enabled, confirm your login via SMS or Google Authenticator.
  4. After adding an account, go back to Accounts and Sync, select your Google profile, and activate the slider next to Contacts.
  5. Press three points (⋮) top-right → Synchronize now.

If the contact did not appear immediately:

  • 🔄 Reboot the phone.
  • 📶 Check your internet connection (synchronization does not work through mobile data if background traffic for Google Contacts is disabled).
  • ⚙️ Make sure that in the settings → Annexes → Application management → Google Contacts Allowed AutoRun and Background Activity.

☑️ Checking for successful synchronization

Done: 0 / 4

3. Method 2: Manual import via.vcf file

If automatic sync doesn’t work (for example, due to the limitations of your Google Workspace corporate account), you can import contacts manually through a file. This method is also useful if you want to transfer only selective contacts.

Step-by-step:

  1. Export your contacts from Google to the.vcf file (as described in the Preparation section).
  2. Pass the file to your phone: 📎 Google Drive or other cloud. 🔗 By email (send yourself an attachment letter). 🖥️ Connect your phone to your PC and copy the file to your device memory.

Contacts

Xiaomi

Contact management

Import/Export of contacts

Import from the device

.vcf

Important: When importing, contacts will be stored in your phone memory, not in your Google account. To sync them back to the cloud, enable sync as in Method 1 after import.

⚠️ If there are more than 2,000 contacts in a.vcf file, break it into pieces using services like VCF Splitter. MIUI It may not be able to process large files.

Method 3: Synchronize through the Google Contacts app

The official Google Contacts app often works more stable than the standard MIUI app, especially on new Xiaomi models. Install it from Google Play and follow the instructions:

Steps:

  1. Open the Google Contacts app.
  2. Sign in to your account (if you haven’t done so before).
  3. Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner → Contact Synchronization settings.
  4. Select a Google account and enable Automatic Sync.
  5. Return to the home screen and pull down for a forced upgrade.

Error 2: Contacts are duplicated

This happens if the phone is synced to multiple sources (e.g. Google). + Mi Account + SIM-Decision:

  1. Open Contacts → Contact Management → Contact Display.
  2. Turn off unnecessary sources (leave only Google).
  3. Click Combine Contacts to merge duplicates.

Error 3: Contact photos are not displayed

Photos from Google Contacts may not sync due to MIUI limitations.

  • 🖼️ Open Google Contacts (web version) and check if photos are attached to your contacts.
  • 🔄 Enable the option "Show photos" in the settings of the Contacts app on your phone.
  • 📲 Install an alternative contact app, such as Contacts+.
What to do if your contacts are lost after your phone is dropped?
If you have done a factory reset but have pre-synced your contacts with Google, just add your account again – the data will be restored automatically. If the sync has not been set up, try to restore contacts from a backup of.vcf or through Google Contacts (the Recycle Bin section where the data is stored for 30 days).

6. Additional settings and optimization

After successful synchronization, we recommend configuring the display and management of contacts for convenience:

Display setting:

  • 👥 To hide contacts with SIM-Cards or Mi Account, go to Contacts → Contact management → Display contacts and select only Google.
  • 🔍 For a quick search, activate the search for T9" in the settings of the application Contacts.
  • 📇 To sort contacts by last name, open Settings → Additionally. → Sorting contacts.

Backup:

Set up automatic contact backup in Google Drive:

  1. Open Google Drive on your phone.
  2. Go to Settings → Backup.
  3. Enable the option "Contact Backup".

Battery savings:

If you notice that synchronization consumes a lot of charge, limit background activity:

Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Consumption Management → Select “Google Contacts” → Limit background activity

⚠️ Attention: Restricting background activity can cause synchronization delays (up to several hours). Use this option only when the battery is critically discharged.

💡

For maximum reliability, use a combination of automatic sync via Google + monthly export of.vcf backup to the cloud.

7. Alternative methods of transferring contacts

If standard methods don’t work, consider alternatives:

Method 1: Through Mi Mover (to switch from another Xiaomi)

The Mi Mover app is pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones and allows you to transfer contacts over Wi-Fi Direct:

  • 📱 On the old phone, open Mi Mover and select "I am the sender".
  • 📱 On the new phone, select "I am the recipient" and scan. QR-code.
  • 🔄 Select "Contacts" in the data list for transfer.

Method 2: Through SIM-card (limitation of 250 contacts)

Suitable for emergency transfer if there is no Internet access:

    Method 3: Third-party applications

    If you need to move contacts from your iPhone or other device, use:

    • 🍎 Move to iOS (for switching from Android to iPhone and back).
    • 🔄 Shareit or Mi Drop for transferring a.vcf file.

    FAQ: Frequent questions about contact synchronization

    ❓ Why Contacts Aren't Automatically Synced?
    There are several reasons: Background sync is disabled in battery settings; there is not enough space in your Google account (check Google One); conflict with another account (like Mi Account); outdated version of the Google Contacts app; Solution: Check every item in the list above and, if necessary, force sync in your account settings.
    ❓ Can only synchronize a portion of the contacts?
    Yes, for this: Open Google Contacts in your browser. Create a new group (like "Work") and add the contacts you want to add to it. In the sync settings on your phone, select only this group. In the Google Contacts app on Xiaomi, you can also manually disable the display of unnecessary tags.
    ❓ How to transfer contacts from iPhone to Xiaomi?
    The most reliable way: On iPhone, export contacts to iCloud (set up sync in Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → Contacts). Open iCloud.com on your computer, select contacts and export them to.vcf. Import the file to Xiaomi as described in Method 2. Alternative: Use the Move to Android app (from Google) for direct Wi-Fi transfer.
    ❓ Why did photos of contacts disappear after synchronization?
    This is a well-known MIUI problem related to memory optimization: Solutions: Open each contact manually and wait for the photo to load (they will load when you first open it), use Google Contacts instead of the standard one. Check if the "Show photos" option in the contact settings is disabled.
    ❓ How to Cancel Contact Sync with Google?
    To stop syncing: Go to Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Google → Turn off the slider next to Contacts. Click Delete Data (optional) to erase contacts from your phone. ⚠️ Deleting data from your Google account on your phone won’t remove it from the cloud – it will stay on contacts.google.com.