Transferring contacts from Xiaomi to Google: 5 proven ways with instructions

Why moving your contacts to Google is the best solution for Xiaomi owners

Changing your smartphone or switching to a different ecosystem is often accompanied by the problem of moving contacts. -- Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices POCO face this task especially acutely because of the features of the corporate shell MIUI. Unlike standard Android, where the default contacts are tied to a Google account, Xiaomi most often stores them in local memory or in the Mi Account cloud, which poses the risk of data loss when resetting or replacing the device.

Moving contacts to Google Account solves several key problems at the same time:

• 🔄 Automatic sync between all Android devices, including ChromeOS tablets and laptops
• 📱 Quickly restore contacts when buying a new smartphone (even not Xiaomi)
• 🛡️ Protection against loss in case of phone breakdown or reset to factory settings
• 🌐 Access via the web on any device via contacts.google.com

In this article, we will look at all the current ways of transferring contacts – from standard functions to the main functions. MIUI We'll focus on the nuances of the latest versions. MIUI 14/15 Problems that may occur when syncing with Mi Account and Google accounts.

Method 1: Standard synchronization through MIUI settings

The easiest method that works on most Xiaomi devices (including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 13 and other models on the MIUI 12+). This method does not require the installation of additional applications and takes no more than 5 minutes.

Algorithm of action:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette)
2. Slip on three horizontal stripes in the upper right corner → Select Contact Management
3. Go to the Import/Export Contacts section → Synchronization of contacts
4. Turn on the switch opposite Google (if it is not, click Add Account and log in)
5. Confirm the synchronization in the window that appears

After that, all contacts stored in the device memory will be uploaded to your Google Account. You can check the result at contacts.google.com (update the page through the website). 2-3 minute).

⚠️ Note: If Google is not listed in the sync list of accounts, but you are sure that it has been added to the system, go to Settings → Accounts and sync and make sure your account is active. Some Xiaomi firmwares require manually enabling contact sync in your Google account settings.

Method 2: Export contacts to file VCF followed by importation to Google

This method is suitable for users who have:

• 📵 There is no stable internet connection
• 🔒 Cannot synchronize contacts through settings
• 📱 The device is running on an outdated version MIUI (before MIUI 10)
• 🔄 Only a part of the contacts should be moved.

Export instructions:

1. Open the Contacts app
2. Press three dots (menu) → Contact management → Import/Export of contacts
3. Select Export to File (or Export to Memory Card)
4. Specify the location of the save (we recommend choosing the internal memory for convenience)
5. Confirm export – a contact.vcf file will be created

Now you need to import this file into your Google Account, and you can do this in two ways:

Detailed instructions for import via the web version:

1. Open on your computer or phone the website contacts.google.com
2. Sign up with your Google Account
3. In the left menu, select Import.
4. Click Select a file and download contacts.vcf
5. Confirm the import – contacts will appear in your account through the 1-2 minute

💡

If the file VCF Not imported due to its large size (over 5,000 contacts), split it into parts with free online services like VCF Splitter.

Method 3: Using Mi Mover to transfer to a new device

Mi Mover is a proprietary application from Xiaomi designed to transfer data between devices, and although its main purpose is to migrate to a new smartphone, it can export contacts to an intermediate file and then upload them to Google.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Mi Mover from Google Play (if it is not in the firmware)
2. Launch the application and select I am the sender
3. In the data list for transfer, mark only Contacts (uncheck the remaining points)
4. Select Save on your device instead of direct transfer
5. After exporting, the contact file will be stored in the MiMover folder in internal memory.

Next, import the resulting file to Google Account in the same way as described in Method 2. The main advantage of this method is the ability to selectively transfer only the desired contacts (for example, without duplicates or outdated entries).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (especially with the MIUI 9 and below) Mi Mover may not save contacts in standard format VCF. In this case, use applications to convert files, for example. ES Conductor.

Method 4: Sync with Mi Account and then transfer to Google

If your contacts are saved in the Mi Account cloud (which is typical for users who previously used Xiaomi backup features), they can be exported to the device first and then uploaded to Google. K40 and other models with active reference to the Mi ecosystem.

How to transfer contacts from Mi Account:

1. Open the settings of → Mi Account
2. Go to i.cloud.mi.com (opens in the browser)
3. Sign in and select the Contact section
4. Press three points. → Export (file will be created) VCF)
5. Download the file to your device and import it to Google as described above.

Alternatively, sync your Mi Account with your Google Account directly:

• 📲 Open the Settings. → Accounts and synchronization
• 🔄 Tap on Mi Account. → Contact synchronization (enable if disabled)
• 📥 Go back and select Google. → switch on contact synchronization
• 🔄 Wait for the synchronization to be completed (may take up to 10 minutes)

Important: This transfer may involve duplicate contacts. Before synchronization, it is recommended to clear Google Contacts of old records or use the doubles merging tool on contacts.google.com.

Method 5: Manual copying of contacts with SIM-cards (for older models)

If your contacts are stored on SIM-card (relevant for devices up to Xiaomi Mi 9 or using two devices) SIM), They can be transferred to the phone's memory first, and then synced to Google, which is the longest, but sometimes the only way.

Instructions:

1. Open the Contacts app
2. Press three points. → Contact management → Import/Export of contacts
3. Select Import with SIM-cards (specify the required one) SIM, if)
4. Mark contacts for import (or click Select All)
5. Confirm the import – contacts will appear in the device memory
6. Now sync them with Google through Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of contacts

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Nana SIM-The card only stores the name and number (without email, addresses and notes)
• 🚫 Limit the number of contacts (depending on the operator, usually 200-250)
• 🚫 No support for contact photos

💡

If contacts are SIM-map duplicated when importing, use the merge function in Google Contacts: highlight duplicates → "Unite".

Common Problems and Their Solutions

Even when following instructions, Xiaomi users often encounter errors when migrating contacts. Let’s look at typical scenarios and how to fix them.

If none of these methods worked, try the following:

1. Delete and re-add Google Account in your device settings
2. Clear the cache of the application Contacts in Settings → Applications
3. Check if the app blocks sync to save charge (e.g., battery and performance) → Background restriction)

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global Stable and MIUI China may have different paths to synchronization settings. If you use Chinese firmware, pre-switch the interface language to English for ease of navigation.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions