How to transfer contacts from SIM-card to Google-account on Xiaomi Redmi 10: detailed instructions

Transfer of contacts with SIM-Google account cards are a must for Xiaomi Redmi owners 10, Who wants to save a phone book in the cloud and sync it between devices. SIM-The cards are limited in size (maximum) 250-500 Google contacts solve these problems: they are available on any smartphone after logging in, are automatically backed up and allow you to edit information via the web version.

This article presents unique nuances for Redmi 10 with MIUI 12/13/14 that are not covered by standard instructions, such as why Cyrillic characters in names disappear when imported, how to circumvent the limit on the number of contacts per transfer, and what to do if synchronization is “hang” at 99%, and also discuss alternative methods for cases when the standard method does not work (for example, when the SIM is damaged or the Internet is not available).

Why you should move your SIM contacts to Google

SIM-Maps are becoming a thing of the past as the primary store of contacts. Here are the key reasons to migrate to Google contacts:

• 📱 Device Synchronization: Contacts automatically appear on a new smartphone after logging in to your account.
• 🔄 Backup: Google saves the history of changes, allowing you to roll back to the previous version.
• 🌍 PC Access: Edit contacts via contacts.google.com without a smartphone.
• 📸 Photo support: link avatars to contacts (on the SIM It's impossible).
• 🔍 Smart Search: Google searches for contacts by name snippets, number, or even notes.

There is a hidden plus to Redmi 10: when migrating to Google, contacts integrate with Xiaomi’s branded services (such as Mi Cloud), but they remain available on devices of other brands, a universal solution for those who plan to change their smartphone.

⚠️ Note: If you use two of these SIM-Redmi 10 cards, contacts can be duplicated when imported. SIM They are saved (in contact) → Contact management → Imports/Exports).

Preparation for transfer: what to do in advance

Before starting the procedure, follow 3 mandatory steps to avoid data loss:

1. Check out the space available on your Google account. Contacts take up little space, but if you have thousands of entries, it may take up to 10MB. Go to Google Drive and make sure the quota isn't exhausted.
2. Update the Contacts app. On Redmi 10, it can be called MIUI Contacts or Google Contacts (depending on the firmware version). Open Play Store → My Apps → Updates.
3. Create a backup copy SIM-Export them to the file. VCF (business card) through Contacts → Management → Export to the device. The file will be saved in the Downloads folder.

Also note that MIUI sometimes blocks background synchronization to save battery life.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Contacts.
2. Select AutoRun and Background Activity – Enable both options.

Step-by-step: transferring contacts with SIM to Google

Follow this algorithm for Xiaomi Redmi 10 with MIUI 12/13/14:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette on the home screen or in the app menu).
2. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Contact Management.
3. Go to the section "Import / Export» → Import with SIM-map.
4. Choose. SIM-The card you want to transfer your contacts to (if there are two).
5. Tick the necessary contacts or click Select all.
6. Click on “Import” and wait for the process to be completed.
7. Return to Contact Management and select Contact Sync.
8. Activate the switch next to your Google account (if not, add the account to Settings → Accounts).
9. Click on Sync Now and wait until it is completed (may take up to 5 minutes).

If your contacts don’t show up on Google after importing, check:

• 🔄 Is synchronization enabled in the settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of the account.
• 📶 Is there a stable Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 📱 Are there restrictions for the “Contact” application in Settings? → Battery → Energy saving regime.

Checked free space in Google account

Updated Contacts app

Backup created SIM-contact (file) VCF)

Autostart and background activity for Contacts included

A stable Internet connection-->

Common mistakes and their solutions

When you move contacts to Redmi 10, you're going to have a typical problem, and here's how to solve them:

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

1. Export your SIM contacts to the VCF file (as described in the Preparation section).
2. Open contacts.google.com on PC.
3. Click Import → select the VCF file → confirm the download.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Mi Cloud for backup, disable its sync with contacts before transferring to Google. Otherwise, version conflicts may occur where data will be duplicated or erased.

Alternative methods of contact transfer

If the standard method does not work (for example, due to a damaged SIM or MIUI errors), use one of these methods:

Method 1: Through the VCF file (business card)

1. Export your SIM contacts to the VCF file (Contacts → Management → Export to your device).
2. Connect Redmi 10 to your PC and copy the file to the Downloads folder.
3. Open Google Contacts in your browser, click Import and select the file.

Method 2: Copy My Data App

This is a good idea if you have a second smartphone (not even Xiaomi):

1. Install Copy My Data on both devices.
2. Connect them to a single Wi-Fi network.
3. On your old phone, select Send Contacts, on Redmi 10, Receive Contacts.
4. After the transfer, sync your contacts with your Google account.

Method 3: via Bluetooth (if there is no internet)

Method for emergency:

1. Send your Bluetooth contacts from another phone to Redmi 10 (they will be stored in the device’s memory).
2. Open Contacts → Management → Import / Export → Import from the device.
3. Select the file and import the contacts.
4. Enable sync with Google.

How to check if your contacts have been successfully transferred

After syncing, make sure that the data is saved correctly in Google:

1. Checking on your smartphone: Open Contacts → press three points (⋮) → Contact management. Make sure that the Displayed Contacts section selects All Contacts or your Google account. Scroll through the list: if contacts are displayed without an icon SIM-map (📱), they've been moved.
2. Web Verification: Open contacts.google.com in your browser. Sign in with the same account as your phone. Compare the number of contacts on your website and phone (should match).
3. Test call: Try calling one of the transferred numbers through the Phone app. If the call passes and the history shows the contact name (not the number), the transfer was successful.

If contacts are not displayed, try:

• 🔄 Forced Synchronization: Go to Settings → Accounts. → Google → Sync and click on “Sync Now».
• 📱 Rebooting your phone: Sometimes MIUI «Forgetting to update the contact cache.
• 🔧 Cleaning the cache of the Contacts application (Settings) → Annexes → Contacts → Warehouse → Clear the cache).

💡

If some contacts are displayed without names (numbers only) after transfer, check them in the web version of Google Contacts. There may be an encoding error when importing. Manually edit these contacts on the site - the changes are synchronized with the phone.

How to Manage Google Contacts After a Transfer

Your contacts are now stored in the cloud and can be managed flexibly.

• 📝 Editing: Change your number or name via the web version – changes will apply to all devices.
• 🗑️ Remove duplicates: the web version has a tool Find and combine duplicates (on the menu on the left).
• 🔍 Recovery of Remote Contacts: You can return them from the Recycle Bin within 30 days (Settings) → Repeal the changes).
• 📁 Grouping: Create tags (e.g., “Work”, “Family”) for easy search.
• 📱 Export: You can upload all contacts to a file VCF or CSV backup.

The Redmi 10 also has additional MIUI features:

• Quick Search: Swipe down the contact screen to open the search bar.
• Favorite Contacts: Click on the asterisk next to the name to add to your favorites (they will appear on the Favorites tab).
• Hiding contacts: in Settings → Displayed contacts can be hidden numbers without names or duplicates.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Mi Cloud in parallel with Google, disable the sync of contacts in one of the services. otherwise, when editing the contact on the phone, conflicting versions can be created in both clouds.

💡

Once you have your contacts transferred to Google, you can edit them not only on your phone, but also through the web, which is convenient if you need to quickly update the number or add a note from your computer.

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts to Xiaomi Redmi 10