Transferring contacts from Google to Xiaomi Redmi 9: 5 proven ways

Shifting contacts from a Google account to a Xiaomi Redmi 9 seems like a simple task, but in practice users face unexpected challenges. The problems arise due to the features of the MIUI shell, which sometimes blocks automatic synchronization or creates duplicate records. In this article, we will discuss all working methods from standard synchronization to manual export through.vcf files, taking into account the specifics of the Redmi 9 model (codename lancelot).

Feature of Redmi 9 The fact that he works on the base MIUI 12/13 (Depending on the firmware version, where Google's account settings are hidden deeper than those of pure Android, and many users don't know that contacts can be stored in multiple locations at once: in the phone's memory, on the phone's memory, on the phone. SIM-We're going to show you how to avoid chaos and move data neatly, without loss.

Preparation: Checking current contacts on Google

Before you migrate contacts to Redmi 9, make sure they are actually saved to your Google account. Often users think the data is synced, but in fact it is only stored on an old device or a new one. SIM-map.

To check:

1. Open your browser on your computer and go to contacts.google.com.
2. Sign in with the same account that is linked to Redmi 9.
3. If it's empty, it means that the sync has not been set up before, and the data is stored locally on another device.

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If you don’t have contacts in Google, but you have them on your old phone, export them to your account first through your old device’s sync settings.

Redmi 9 also allows you to check your current contacts through the Contacts app (an icon with a human silhouette). Open it, tap three dots in the upper right corner, and select Contact Management. → Import/Export. Here you will see where your records are stored: on your device, SIM-map or Google account.

Method 1: Automatic synchronization through MIUI settings

The easiest way is to enable contact synchronization in MIUI settings, but there are pitfalls: sometimes the option is hidden or disabled by default.

1. Open Settings on Redmi 9 (cog icon).
2. Go to Accounts and Sync (some versions of MIUI call passwords and security → Accounts).
3. Select your Google account (if not, add it through Add Account).
4. Activate the slider opposite Contact. If there is no slider, tap on the account bar, then three dots at the top and select Sync Now.

After you turn on sync, wait 5-10 minutes. Contacts should appear in the Contacts app in the Google section.

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📶 Check your internet connection (synchronization only works via Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 🔧 Update the Contacts app via Google Play.

Contacts are displayed at contacts.google.com

In the application "Contacts" appeared group "Google"

No duplicate records.

Synchronization is enabled in account settings-->

Important: If you previously used another Xiaomi phone and enabled backup in Mi Cloud, contacts could be duplicated. In this case, before syncing with Google, delete duplicates through Settings → Apps → Contacts → Storage → Clear data (this will only delete local copies, cloud will remain).

Method 2: Manual import via.vcf file

If automatic sync doesn’t work (for example, sync is stopped due to an error), you can export contacts from Google to a.vcf file and import them to Redmi 9 manually.

Instructions for export:

1. On your computer, open contacts.google.com.
2. On the left menu, select Export.
3. Specify the vCard format (for importing into the Android Contacts app) and click Export.
4. The contacts.vcf file will be saved to your computer and transferred to Redmi 9 via USB, Bluetooth or cloud storage (e.g. Mi Share).

Instructions for importation on Redmi 9:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Tap on three points → Contact Management → Import / Export → Import from.vcf file.
3. Select the contacts.vcf file and specify where to save your contacts (we recommend that you choose Google to sync them with the cloud).

Method 3: Transfer through the Google Contacts app

The official Google Contacts app (not to be confused with Xiaomi’s standard Contacts) offers more options for sync management, and can be used if standard MIUI settings fail.

Steps:

1. Install the Google Contacts app from Google Play.
2. Open it and log in under the appropriate account.
3. Slip on the profile icon in the upper right corner → Contact Synchronization settings.
4. Make sure that the automatic synchronization slider is on.
5. Return to the main menu and select Fix and manage duplicates to combine the repetitive entries.

The advantage of this method is that the Google Contacts app bypasses the limitations of MIUI and directly syncs data with Google servers, and there is a tool for merging duplicates, which is useful after the transfer.

Automatic synchronization through settings

Manual import via.vcf

Appendix "Google Contacts"

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Method 4: Sync with Mi Account (if contacts were in Mi Cloud)

If you’ve previously used another Xiaomi smartphone and enabled backup to the Mi Cloud, your contacts could be saved there, in which case they can be transferred to Redmi 9 via your Mi Account and then synced with Google.

How to do this:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Account.
2. Sign in to your Mi Account (if not authorized).
3. Enable contact synchronization (Contact slider).
4. Wait for the synchronization to be completed (check in the Contacts app if the Mi group has appeared).
5. Now export contacts from Mi to Google: Open Contacts → Contact Management → Export/Import. Select Export from Mi Account to Google.

This is a good idea if you are switching from another Xiaomi to Redmi 9 and want to keep your contact history, but remember that Mi Cloud and Google Contacts are different services and duplicate data is possible.

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If you use both Mi Cloud and Google Contacts, turn off sync in one of the services to avoid conflicts and duplicates.

Method 5: Using Third-Party Applications

If none of the above methods worked, you can use third-party utilities, such as the My Contacts Backup or Contacts Backup & Restore app, which allows you to back up contacts and restore them to a new device.

Instructions for Contacts Backup & Restore:

1. Install the application on the old device (from where you need to transfer contacts).
2. Create a backup and save the file to Google Drive or send it by email.
3. Install the same app on Redmi 9.
4. Download the backup and restore contacts (Restore).
5. When restoring, select the save option in your Google account.

The advantage of this method is that it works even if you do not have access to contacts.google.com or if contacts are only stored on the Internet. SIM-However, be careful: some applications may store data in incompatible formats.

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Before using third-party apps, check out reviews on Google Play – some contain ads or require unnecessary permissions.

Problem Solving: Frequent Errors and Corrections

When you migrate contacts to Redmi 9, you're going to have a typical problem, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If none of the solutions worked, try resetting the Contacts app settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Contacts.
2. Select Warehouse. → Clear the data.
3. Reboot the phone and repeat the sync.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring contacts to Redmi 9