How to upload contacts from Google to Xiaomi phone: all the working ways

Transferring your Google Account contacts to your Xiaomi smartphone seems like a simple task — until you encounter sync errors, duplicate records, or suddenly disappear. Especially relevant is the problem for users who switch from iPhone to Redmi/POCO or forgot to turn on backup after resetting. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to import contacts from Google Contacts to the MIUI address book, including manual methods for cases when automatic sync does not work.

Many people mistakenly believe that simply adding a Google Account to your phone settings will make contacts instantly appear. In practice, MIUI 14 (and earlier versions) can be slowed down by conflicts with Mi Account, incorrect synchronization settings or power saving restrictions. We have tested all methods on Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5 models – and are ready to provide step-by-step instructions for typical errors.

If you’ve just bought a Xiaomi smartphone or restored it after a reset, the first thing to do is check whether contacts between Mi Account and Google Account are duplicated. This is a problem common with MIUI firmware due to aggressive integration of its own services. Next, you’ll learn how to prioritize Google Contacts, disable unnecessary syncs, and avoid data loss when switching between accounts.

1.Preparation: Verification of accounts and backups

Before you move contacts, make sure they are actually saved to your Google Account, and users often confuse local contacts (only saved on your phone) with cloud ones to check this out:

1. Open contacts.google.com on your computer or other device and log in with the same account you use on Xiaomi.

2. If no contacts are available, they are stored only in the memory of the old phone, in which case, export them to the.vcf file first via the Export menu (on iPhone this is done via Settings → Contacts → Import / Export).

On the Xiaomi smartphone, before synchronization, follow the mandatory steps:

• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version: Go to Settings → The phone. → Update: Older versions of firmware may contain synchronized bugs.
• 🔋 Turn off battery optimization for Google Play Services and Contacts: Settings → Annexes → Application management → All applications → Find Google Play Services → Battery → No restrictions.
• 📶 Connect to stable Wi-Fi – synchronization via mobile Internet may be interrupted.
• 🔒 Make sure there are no restrictions on Google on the phone: some regions (like China) block Google services by default.

⚠️ Note: If you have previously used Mi Account to back up contacts, there may be a conflict after adding a Google Account. MIUI Offers to merge contacts – choose Save Google to avoid duplicates.

2. Method 1: Automatic synchronization through Google Account

This is the simplest method, and it works 90% of the time, but it requires the right setup.

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync (in some versions of MIUI, the path may be called Memory and Sync).

2. Click Add Account → Google and log in.

3. After adding an account, tap it and turn on the slider opposite the Contacts (also we recommend turning on Gmail and Calendar for full sync).

4. Go back to the main settings menu and go to Apps → Application Management → Contacts → Permissions. Make sure the app has access to Contacts and Storage.

If the contacts do not appear immediately, wait 5-10 minutes (synchronization may be delayed) to speed up the process:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📱 Open the Contacts app, swipe down for updates.
• 🔧 In Google account settings, click Sync Now.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 10C or POCO M4 Pro) there is no support for Google Services in the firmware, if you do not see the option to add a Google Account, you will need to install a global firmware.

Method 2: Import via file.vcf (for local contacts)

If contacts have not synced with Google before and are only stored on an old phone, they can be exported to a.vcf (vCard) file and imported to Xiaomi.This method is also suitable if automatic sync is not working.

Step 1: Exporting contacts from your old phone

• 📱 On Android: Contacts → Settings → Imports/Exports → Export to file.vcf (save the file to the cloud or memory card).
• 🍎 On iPhone: Settings → Contacts → Imports SIM-Contacts (if contacted) SIM) Or use iCloud for export.

Step 2: Transfer the file to Xiaomi

Copy the.vcf file to your smartphone via:

• 📁 Conductor (if file on memory card or in cloud).
• 🔗 Email/Telegram — Send the file to yourself and download it to your phone.
• 🖥️ USB-cable – connect Xiaomi to your PC and transfer the file to the Download folder.

Step 3: Import to Xiaomi

1. Open the Contacts app.

2.Shoot three points (⋮) top-right → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Import from file.vcf.

3. Select a file and confirm the import. Contacts will appear in the Phone (local) section.

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If contacts are duplicated after import, use the built-in merge function in Contacts → Settings → Merge contacts.

Method 3: Sync through Mi Mover (to switch from iPhone)

If you're switching from an iPhone to Xiaomi, Mi Mover's branded app will help you move contacts without using Google, a method that works even on Chinese firmware:

1. Install Mi Mover on both phones (available in the App Store for iOS and preinstalled on Xiaomi).

2. On iPhone, select Send, on Xiaomi, Receive.

3. connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network (or create an access point on Xiaomi).

4. On your iPhone, select Contacts and confirm the transfer.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Faster than syncing through Google (especially with a lot of contacts).
• 🔒 It works without a Google Account.
• 📱 It also carries messages, photos and notes (optional).

Disadvantages:

• 🚫 It doesn’t save contacts in the cloud, it’s only on your phone.
• 🔄 When resetting Xiaomi contacts will have to be transferred again.

5. Problem Solving: Why Contacts Aren't Synchronized

If after all the manipulations, the contacts did not appear, check the typical reasons:

Critical error: if after resetting the settings, contacts disappeared from the Google Account, you can restore them within 30 days through the basket on the website contacts.google.com (section “More → Recycle Bin”).

To diagnose deep problems, use synchronization logs:

1. Install Sync Adapter Debug from Play Market.
2. Launch the app and select Contacts Sync.
3. Click Request Sync Now and check for errors (such as authentication failed or network error).

6. Additional settings: backup and contact merge

To avoid losing contacts in the future, set up automatic backups:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google → Your account.

2. Enable Autosynchronization of data and set the frequency (we recommend every hour).

3. For additional reliability, export contacts to.vcf once a month (store the file in the cloud).

If you have duplicate contacts due to a conflict between Mi Account and Google:

1. Go to Contacts → Settings → Combine Contacts.

2. Select Combine All or manually match duplicates.

3. disable contact sync for Mi Account if you do not use it:

Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Mi Account → Contacts (disable)

For users who switch between devices frequently, we recommend using only Google Contacts as the primary source, making it easier to transfer data to a new phone in the future.

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If you plan to sell or dump Xiaomi, export your contacts to.vcf first – once reset, they will be deleted without recovery (unless synced to the cloud).

7. Features for Sina-based firmware (without Google Services)

Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G for the Chinese market) do not support Google Play Services.

• 🌐 Install a global firmware (for example, MIUI Global or EEA). Instructions: Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool. Download the firmware for your model from the official website. 4PDA).

Use alternative methods

• Import contacts via.vcf (see section 3).
• Transfer data via Mi Mover (see section 4).
• Install ES Explorer and manually copy the contact file to /storage/emulated/0/Download.