How to sync contacts on Xiaomi: all the ways of 2026

Losing contacts on Xiaomi is one of the most frustrating situations for a smartphone owner. MIUI There are several ways to sync your phone book: through your Mi Account, Google services, SIM-But how do you choose the best method? And what if contacts are not synchronized or duplicated?

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of synchronizing contacts on Xiaomi, Redmi and smartphones. POCO (including models 2023–2026 We will give instructions on how to eliminate common errors. MIUI 14/15 And Google's new restrictions on Chinese firmware, so if you just bought a phone or you're planning to reset it to factory settings, bookmark this article!

1. synchronize contacts via Mi Account (Xiaomi cloud)

The most reliable way for Xiaomi owners to use the built-in cloud service Mi Cloud, which automatically backs up contacts, messages and even notes, linking them to your Mi Account, the main advantage is that data is stored even when you change your device or reset your settings.

To enable synchronization:

1. Open Settings → Xiaomi account.
2. Choose Mi Cloud (which may be called the Cloud).
3. Activate the slider opposite Contact.
4. Press Sync (or wait for automatic sync).

Is Mi Cloud enabled in the settings?

Is there an active internet connection (Wi-Fi/mobile data)?

Is there enough space in the cloud storage (free – 5 GB)?

Is firmware updated? MIUI last-minute?-->

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi with global firmware, but previously registered Mi Account in China, re-link your account to the region of purchase.

Mi Cloud does not sync contacts with SIM-Maps are only those stored in your phone or Google account, if your contacts are stored on the phone. SIM, First, transfer them to the device memory (Contacts) → Management → Imports/Exports).

2. synchronize through a Google account

For users who are actively using Google services (Gmail, Google Contacts, Android Auto), synchronization through Google Account will be the best solution. This method is universal and works on any Android device, not just Xiaomi.

Instructions for setting:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Accounts and synchronization.
• 🔍 Select your Google Account (if not, add it via Add Account).
• 🔄 Enable Contact Slider (and other data if necessary).
• 🔄 Click Sync Now for Forced Update.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi smartphones with Chinese firmware (MIUI China) Google services can be disabled by default, and activation will require:

1. Install Google Installer from the Mi App Store.
2. Manually add an account through Settings → PapaSSWORD & SECURITY → Privacy → Special app access → Install unknown apps.
3. Reset the device.

Mi Cloud (Xiaomi)

Google Account

SIM-map

Side Services (iCloud, Yandex, etc.)

I'm not synchronizing.-->

3. Transfer of contacts with SIM-maps on Xiaomi

If your contacts are stored on SIM-It's easy to transfer them to your phone's memory or to the cloud, and it's the right way to do it when you buy a new smartphone or when you reset your settings.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Contacts (or Phone) application.
2. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Contact Management.
3. Go to Import/Export → Import from SIM-card.
4. Choose where to save contacts: Device (locally) or Google/Mi Account (to the cloud).
5. Confirm the import and wait until it is completed.

💡 Before importing, check how many contacts are stored on the SIM. Some operators (such as MTS or Beeline) limit this number to 200-250 records. If there are more contacts, divide them into parts or use alternative methods of transferring them.

4.Export and import of contacts via VCF file

The VCF file (or.vcf) is a universal contact storage format that all modern smartphones support, and is convenient for backing up or transferring data between devices of different brands (for example, from iPhone to Xiaomi).

How to back up your contacts in VCF format:

• 📱 Open Contacts. → Management → Imports/Exports.
• 📤 Select Export to File (or Export to Device).
• 📁 Specify a folder to save (for example, Downloads or Documents).
• 💾 Click Export – the file will be saved as contacts.vcf.

To import contacts from VCF:

• 📂 Copy the.vcf file on your smartphone (via Bluetooth, Telegram or cable).
• 📥 Open Contacts. → Management → Imports/Exports → Import from the device.
• 🔍 Select the contacts.vcf file and confirm the import.

⚠️ Note: When importing VCF-file on Xiaomi with MIUI 14+ There may be a "failed to import" error due to the limitations of the new version of Android:

1. Rename the file to contacts_backup.vcf (spaceless). 2. Use the Mi File Explorer file manager to import, not the standard Contacts app». 3. If it doesn’t work, import contacts via Google Contacts to your PC and then sync with your phone.

5. Synchronization through third-party services (iCloud, Yandex, Samsung Cloud)

If you use the ecosystem of Apple or other brands, you can sync your contacts to Xiaomi through third-party cloud services, such as iCloud (for iPhone owners) or Yandex Drive (for email users @yandex.ru).

Example of synchronization via iCloud:

1. On iPhone, enable synchronization of contacts with iCloud (Settings → [Your name] → iCloud → Contacts).
2. On Xiaomi, open your browser and go to iCloud.com.
3. Sign in and export contacts to the.vcf file.
4. Import the file to Xiaomi (see section 4).

For Yandex:

• 📧 Add a Yandex account to your Settings → Accounts and synchronization.
• 🔄 Enable contact synchronization.
• 🔄 Press Sync Now.

💡

If you’re switching between Android and iOS frequently, use Google Contacts as a stash of storage.Export your iPhone contacts to Google, then sync them to Xiaomi.

6. Solving problems with contact synchronization

Sometimes contacts on Xiaomi don’t sync or are displayed incorrectly. Let’s look at common mistakes and how to fix them.

Problem 1: Contacts are not synced with Mi Cloud

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🌐 No internet – check your Wi-Fi or mobile network connection.
• 🔄 Autosynchronization is disabled - turn it on Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization settings.
• 📱 Outdated firmware - update MIUI last-minute.
• 🔒 Region-Blocked – If your account is tied to China, create a new Mi Account for global firmware.

Problem 2: Duplicate contacts

Doubles occur when contacts are synced simultaneously through Mi Cloud and Google to eliminate:

1. Open Contacts → Management → Combine and Fix.
2. Select Find duplicates and confirm the union.
3. Turn off the sync of contacts in one of the accounts (leaving only Mi Cloud or Google).

Problem 3: Contacts are lost after resetting settings

If you have done Hard Reset but haven’t enabled backup, try:

• 🔍 Check if contacts are saved in Google Contacts (via browser).
• 📥 Restore from Mi Cloud backup (if it was created).
• 📞 Ask the operator to re-establish contact with SIM-Cards (some operators keep backups).

💡

Before resetting, always check if contact sync is enabled in Mi Cloud or Google. Even if you don’t plan to reset your phone, a backup will save data if your device is stolen or broken.

7. Automatic contact synchronization on new Xiaomi models

Xiaomi 2023-2026 (Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13 Pro)+, POCO F6) We have updated the synchronization system in MIUI 15 Contacts can now be automatically backed up not only to the cloud, but also to external drives (e.g., to the cloud, SD-map).

How to set up automatic backup:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Local Backup.
3. Specify the folder to save (internal memory or SD-map).
4. Enable Automatic Backup and set a schedule (e.g. once a week).

🔹 Advantages of the new method:

• ✅ It is not dependent on the Internet (copy is stored locally).
• ✅ You can restore contacts even without access to the Mi Cloud.
• ✅ Supports backup encryption.

⚠️ Attention: Local backup does not replace cloud sync! if the phone is stolen or it breaks, access to the Internet is not a good option. SD-The card may be lost. Use both methods for reliability.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Contact Synchronization