How to copy contacts from Google Account to Xiaomi phone: the complete guide

Transferring contacts from Google Account to Xiaomi smartphone seems to be a simple task – until you encounter synchronization, which is “hang”, duplicate records or a blank list of subscribers. The problem is that the manufacturer defaults to configure devices for Chinese Mi Account services, and automatic synchronization with Google is often disabled in new firmware. MIUI 14/15. In this article, we will analyze all working methods - from standard imports to bypassing locks on custom firmware.

Many users lose contacts when changing their phone or resetting, without even knowing that all data has been in the Google Contacts cloud for a long time. Meanwhile, just once you set up sync, and your address book will automatically update on all devices. But what if sync does not work? Or if you use Xiaomi with global firmware, where Google options are hidden? The answers are below.

1. Preparation: Checking saved contacts in Google

Before you transfer data, make sure that it is even in your Google Account. Many users use the phone for years, unaware that the contacts are stored only in the device's memory.

🔹 Method 1: Through the web version of Google Contacts

Open your browser on your computer or phone and go to contacts.google.com. Sign in with the same account you used on your old device. If you see all your contacts here, you can start moving. If the list is empty, then sync has not been set up before, and the data is only stored in the memory of the old phone.

🔹 Method 2: Through account settings on Xiaomi

On the new Xiaomi smartphone go to Settings → Google accounts → Data and personalization → Data management. It's going to show you how many contacts are stored in the cloud. If the number doesn't match the actual number, you'll have to export the data from the old device first.

⚠️ Note: If you used the old Mi Account (not Google) phone, the contacts could only be saved in the Xiaomi cloud, in which case the transfer is possible only through export to the.vcf file - read about this in the section on manual import.

• 📱 Check the version. MIUI: On firmware older MIUI 12 The path to account settings may be different. Update the system in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔄 Make sure the Internet is stable: synchronization will require a connection to Wi-Fi or mobile network.
• 🔒 Turn it off. VPN: Some regions (e.g. China) block access to Google services. VPN, temporarily deactivate it.

2. Automatic synchronization of contacts with Google on Xiaomi

The easiest way is to enable automatic synchronization. On new Xiaomi smartphones (especially global firmware), this option is often disabled by default.

1. Open the settings on your phone.
2. Go to Accounts and Synchronization (or Pa)SSWORD & SECURITY → Account management on MIUI 14+).
3. Click on your Google Account (if not, add through Add Account).
4. Activate Contact Sync (or Google Contacts) slider.
5. Wait until the process is complete (it can take up to 10 minutes with a large number of records).

If after the synchronization of the contacts did not appear:

• 🔄 Reboot your phone – sometimes it speeds up the process.
• 📶 Check your internet connection (synchronization does not work in traffic saving mode).
• 🔧 Update the Contacts app on Google Play.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 with Chinese firmware) may have the Google sync option hidden.

3. Manual import of contacts via.vcf file

If automatic synchronization didn’t work (or you want to move contacts from Mi Account), you can export them to a.vcf file and import them to a new device, which is universal and works even on custom firmware.

📌 Exporting contacts with Google:

1. Open Google Contacts in your browser.
2. Click on the icon. ⚙️ Settings → Exports.
3. Select the Google format CSV vCard (or vCard) is better for Xiaomi).
4. Click Export and save the file to your computer or cloud.

📲 Imports to Xiaomi:

1. Copy the.vcf file to your phone (for example, via Google Drive or USB cable).
2. Open the Contacts app on Xiaomi.
3. Press three points. ⋮ → Settings → Import/Export of contacts → File-based import.
4. Select the downloaded file and confirm the import.

If you have an error when importing "File corrupted", try:

• 🔄 Restore file in vCard 3.0 format (in Google export settings).
• 📱 Use a third-party app, such as Contacts Backup & Restore.
• 💻 Open a file on a PC via Outlook or Thunderbird, then re-export.

4. Transfer of contacts through the application "Google Contacts"

The official Google Contacts app (not to be confused with the standard Xiaomi Contacts app) offers advanced synchronization features. It can be used if standard methods don't work.

📥 Installation and configuration:

1. Download Google Contacts from Google Play.
2. Open the application and log in under your account.
3. Go to Settings. → Contact management → Imports.
4. Select the source: SIM-Map, Device or.vcf file.

⚡ Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 Automatic combination of duplicates (Cleaning and Merger function).
• 🌐 Synchronize with other devices (e.g., tablet or computer).
• 📊 Recovery of remote contacts within 30 days.

If the app doesn’t see your contacts:

• 🔧 Check the permissions: Settings → Annexes → Google Contacts → Permits (must include Contacts, Warehouse, Phone).
• 📵 Make sure contacts are not hidden in the display settings (Tab All Contacts vs My Contacts).

💡

If you change phones frequently, set up automatic backups in Google Contacts. → Backup and enable Automatic Backup. Now all changes will be saved in the cloud in real time.

5. Problem Solving: Why Contacts Aren't Synchronized

Even after you set it right, synchronization may not work, and here are the most common reasons and ways to fix them:

🛠 Additional steps for complex cases:

• 🔄 Resetting synchronization settings: Settings → Google accounts → Delete your account Then add it again and enable synchronization.
• 📱 Verification of firmware versions: On MIUI 13 and older, there is a sync bug in regions with limited access to Google. MIUI 14+ use VPN.
• 🔧 Manual synchronization through ADB: For advanced users: adb shell content query --uri content://com.android.contacts/raw_contacts --where "account_name='your e-mail@gmail.com'" (requires the developer mode on and the connection to USB).

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi with Chinese firmware (e.g. Redmi) K50 Pro for the Chinese market, standard Google services can be blocked, in which case the only reliable way is to manually import via.vcf or install custom firmware with support. GMS (Google Mobile Services).

6. Alternative methods: third-party applications and services

If none of the above methods worked, you can use third-party tools, which are useful when:

• 🔒 You do not have access to your Google Account (forgot your password, your account is blocked).
• 📱 You need to move contacts from your iPhone or other Android device without Google.
• 🔄 Selective transfer is required (e.g. only work contacts).

📌 Top.-3 contact-transfer applications:

1. My Contacts Backup (free, export to.vcf and send by email)
2. Copy My Data (wi-fi transfer between devices without cloud)
3. Samsung Smart Switch (works with Xiaomi, supports porting from iOS).

🌐 Cloud services:

• 📤 Export to SIM: Export contacts to SIM-Map on your old phone, then import them to Xiaomi via Contacts → Import with SIM.
• ☁️ iCloud (for iPhone users): Export contacts from iCloud to.vcf via the web version of icloud.com, then import to Xiaomi.

⚠️ Important: When using third-party apps, check permissions – some programs request access to the app. SMS, Call logs and geolocation, which is not always secure. Give preference to high-ranking apps (4.5).+ Google Play and the latest updates.

💡

The side of the application is convenient for a one-time transfer, but for constant synchronization it is better to use Google’s built-in tools or MIUI. This minimizes the risk of data leakage.

7. How to avoid future contact loss

To avoid any more contact transfer problems, set up automatic backups. Here are the proven ways:

🔄 Synchronization with Google:

• Enable automatic synchronization in Settings → Google accounts → Synchronization of contacts.
• Install the Google One app for advanced backup (includes contacts, SMS photo).

☁️ Xiaomi's Cloud:

• Activate Mi Cloud in Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization of contacts.
• Make sure you have enough space in the cloud (free 5GB is available).

📱 Local backups:

• Export contacts to.vcf file regularly through Contacts → Settings → Export and save it to Google Drive or Flash Drive.
• Use apps like Super Backup to automatically create backups on a schedule.

🔧 Additional advice:

• 📌 Link backup email and phone number to your Google account to help restore access if you forget your password.
• 🔄 Check periodically to see if new contacts are saved to the cloud: add a test record and make sure it shows up at contacts.google.com.
• 📵 Avoid storing contacts only on the SIM-card – easy to lose and capacity limited (maximum 250 records).

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts to Xiaomi