How to import contacts from Google to Xiaomi phone: 3 proven ways

Transferring contacts from a Google account to a new Xiaomi smartphone is a challenge that every user faces when switching to a device with MIUI. Despite its apparent simplicity, the process can be complicated by synchronization errors, incompatibility of MIUI versions or account configuration features. In this article, we will discuss three official methods of importing contacts (automatic synchronization, manual export/import via.vcf and recovery from backup), as well as solve typical problems - from the absence of the import button to duplication of records.

Xiaomi is very specific about integrating Google services into firmware, but sometimes default settings hide key options. For example, MIUI 14 changed the way to sync contacts compared to MIUI 12, and in some regional versions (for example, India), the import function from Google Contacts can be disabled by default. We took into account all the nuances and prepared a universal guide that will suit models from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 13 Ultra.

1.Preparation: Checking Google Account and Xiaomi Settings

Before you start importing, make sure your Google account is properly added to your smartphone and has access to contacts.This is often missed, but it causes 70% of sync errors.

First, check:

• 🔍 Account added to system: go to Settings → Accounts and synchronization → If you don't have an account, add it through Add an account.
• 🔄 Contact Sync is enabled: in the Google account menu, find the account Sync and activate the switch next to Contacts.
• 📱 Version. MIUI Supports Google Contacts: on devices with MIUI For China (without Google Services), there may be no import function, in which case manual export.vcf will be required.

If you’re using Xiaomi with Global ROM but no contact import button, try updating the Contacts app via Google Play. In some cases, resetting the app settings helps: Settings → Apps → App Management → Contacts → Storage → Clear data.

⚠️ Note: If you have previously used Mi Account (Xiaomi account) to store contacts, importing from Google may create duplicates. Before syncing, export your current contacts to.vcf via Contacts → Settings → Exports.

2. Method 1: Automatic synchronization of contacts Google with Xiaomi

The fastest and most reliable method is sync through a Google account, which is suitable for most Xiaomi models on MIUI 12-14 and does not require additional actions if the settings are correct.

Instructions:

1. Open the settings on your phone.
2. Go to Accounts and Sync (in some versions of MIUI – Passwords and Accounts).
3. Select your Google account (if not, add it through Add Account).
4. Activate Contact Sync slider (or Contacts in the data list for sync).
5. Wait until the process is complete (it can take up to 10 minutes depending on the number of contacts).

Once synced, the contacts will appear in the Contacts app (Mi Contacts icon).To make sure they are downloaded from Google, not from Mi Account, open any contact and check the source at the top of the screen - Google should be listed there.

⚠️ Warning: If no contacts appear after synchronization, check your internet connection (synchronization only works via Wi-Fi or mobile data) and update the Google Contacts app to the Play Market.

Method 2: Manual export and import of contacts via VCF file

If automatic sync doesn’t work (e.g., on Xiaomi with Chinese firmware or after resetting), use manually exporting contacts from Google to a.vcf (vCard) file and then importing them to your phone.

Step 1: Export your contacts from Google:

1. Open the web version of Google Contacts on your computer or phone.
2. On the left menu, select Export.
3. Specify the format of Google CSV or vCard (for iOS) (any one is suitable).
4. Click Export and save the file to the device.

Step 2: Import VCF to Xiaomi:

• 📁 Move the.vcf file to your phone’s memory (for example, to your Downloads folder).
• 📱 Open the Contacts app on Xiaomi.
• 🔍 Press three points (⋮) top-right → Settings → Import/Export of contacts → Import from.vcf file.
• 📄 Select the saved file and confirm the import.

If you do not have an import option, try an alternative method:

1. Install Google Contacts from Google Play (unless preinstalled).
2. Open it and click on the profile avatar → Import.
3. Select the.vcf file and wait until it is completed.

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If the VCF file doesn’t open on Xiaomi, check its integrity: try importing it on another device or re-exporting it from Google Contacts with a different format (e.g. vCard version 3.0).

4. Method 3: Recover contacts from Google backup

If you have previously backed up contacts on Google Drive or through Google Contacts, you can restore them directly to Xiaomi, a method that is useful if you have an archived version of contacts (e.g. from 2020-2023) and need to return outdated data.

Instructions:

1. Open Google Contacts in your browser.
2. In the left menu, select Cancel Changes (if you want to return deleted contacts) or Restore Contacts (for archived copies).
3. Enter the backup date and confirm the recovery.
4. On Xiaomi phone, update sync: Settings → Accounts → Google → Contact Sync.

If the backup is stored in Google Drive:

• 📁 Open Drive and find a file with the.vcf or.csv extension.
• 📥 Download it to your phone.
• 📱 Import through Contacts → Import (as in Method 2).

Note: Restore from backup will overwrite your current contacts to Google. If you need to merge data, export your current contacts to a separate file first.

5. Solving common mistakes when importing contacts

Even when following the instructions, Xiaomi users face problems, and we have collected the TOP-5 errors and ways to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, try an alternative method:

• 📲 Install Simpler Contacts or Contacts Optimizer from Google Play – they support import from Google even on Chinese firmware.
• 🔧 Reset the Contacts app settings through Settings → Annexes → Contacts → Reset.
• 📡 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes corporate networks block Google sync).

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If contacts are still not imported, the problem may be the limitations of regional firmware, in which case the firmware will help to flash to the global version of MIUI or use third-party synchronization applications.

6. How to avoid future contact loss

To avoid problems importing the next reset or replacement phone, set up automatic backup:

Reservation methods:

• 🔄 Google Sync: Enable automatic sync in your account settings (updates contacts every few hours).
• ☁️ Backup in Mi Cloud: Go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup and activate copying of contacts.
• 💾 Local Export: Once a Month, Export Contacts to.vcf → Settings → Export and save the file to the cloud (e.g. Google Drive or Yandex Disk).

For additional reliability, use double redundancy:

1. Sync your contacts with Google and Mi Account at the same time.
2. Install the Super Backup & Restore app to create local backups.
3. Periodically check the integrity of backups by opening.vcf files on another device.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Xiaomi with two SIM-By default, the contacts can be saved to the card to avoid loss when replaced. SIM, Transfer all contacts to Google or Mi Account via Contacts → Contact management → Move it.

7. Frequent questions about importing contacts on Xiaomi