How to transfer contacts from Google to Xiaomi Redmi phone: 3 proven ways

Shifting contacts from a Google account to a Xiaomi Redmi smartphone seems like a simple task, but in practice users face nuances: numbers don’t sync, records are duplicated or profile photos are lost. In this article, we will discuss three working methods — from automatic synchronization to manual export via a.vcf file — taking into account the features of MIUI firmware and Android versions on Redmi Note 12/13, Redmi 10/11 and other devices.

Xiaomi’s default feature is that it offers to use its own Mi Cloud service for backup. However, if your contacts are stored in Google Contacts (for example, after using a phone on a pure Android or iPhone), they will require additional actions. We tested all methods on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ (MIUI 14) and Redmi 10C (MIUI 13) – the instructions are relevant for all devices of the line, including budget models.

1. Automatic synchronization of contacts Google with Xiaomi Redmi

The fastest way is to enable sync through account settings, which is suitable if you are setting up your phone for the first time or ready to reset your current contacts, and important is that it doesn’t automatically combine duplicates — you’ll have to manually clean them through the Contacts app.

Algorithm of action:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Accounts and synchronization (on some versions) MIUI Path: Settings → PapaSSWORD & SECURITY → Account binding).
• 🔍 Find your Google account in the list and tap it.
• 🔄 Enable the slider opposite Contacts (if it is grey, click Sync manually).
• ⏳ Wait 5-10 minutes. Progress can be tracked in the notification curtain.

If no contact is made:

• 🔄 Reboot your phone – sometimes sync “hangs” in the background.
• 📶 Check your internet connection (better via Wi-Fi).
• 🔧 Update Google Contacts app in Play Market.

⚠️ Note: If you have previously used Mi Cloud, Google contacts may not appear in the standard app. → ☰ → Contact management → Display contacts and select your Google account.

2.Exporting contacts from Google to VCF file and importing to Xiaomi

This method is suitable if:

• 📱 You want to keep a backup of your contacts before transferring.
• 🔄 Automatic synchronization is not working (for example, due to corporate account limitations).
• 📲 You need to transfer contacts to Redmi without linking to a Google account.

Export instructions:

1. Open contacts.google.com on your computer and log in.
2. On the left, click Export → select vCard (for iOS) → click Export.
3. Save the contacts.vcf file to your computer or directly to Mi Cloud/Google Drive.

Imports to Xiaomi Redmi:

1. Copy the.vcf file to your phone (for example, via Telegram, email, or USB cable).
2. Open the file through Files (MIUI app) → select Contacts in the list of applications to open.
3. If the contacts do not appear, check the Imported folder in the Contacts app.

⚠️ Note: When importing.vcf to Xiaomi, contact photos may not be transferred.To save avatars, use the Google Contacts app for Android or export them separately through Google Photos.

3. Transfer contacts through the Google Contacts app

If the standard methods don’t work, install the official Google Contacts app from Play Market.

• 🔍 See all contacts linked to a Google account, even if they don’t show up in a standard app MIUI.
• 📱 Export selective contacts to.vcf directly from your phone.
• 🔄 Manually synchronize changes (useful for automatic synchronization problems).

Step-by-step:

1. Make Google Contacts.
2. Open the app and select your account.
3. Put three points on it (⋮) → Settings → Imports/Exports.
4. For import: select the.vcf file from your phone’s memory.
5. For export: Click Export in the file and save contacts.

The advantage of this is that you can combine duplicates directly in the app, for example, if you have contacts in both Mi Cloud and Google, Google Contacts will offer to merge them.

4. Problem Solving: Contacts are not carried over or duplicated

Typical errors when transferring contacts to Xiaomi Redmi and how to fix them:

If not all contacts are displayed in the phone book after synchronization, check:

• 👥 In the annex Contacts (MIUI) open up ☰ → Contact management → Display contacts and select your Google account.
• 🔍 In Google Contacts (web version), check if there is a filter by group (for example, “My contacts” instead of “All of them»).

💡

If you need to migrate contacts from your iPhone to Xiaomi Redmi, export them to your Google account first via iCloud (set up sync in iPhone Settings → Contacts → Accounts → Add Google), and then follow the instructions from this article.

5. Alternative methods: applications for transfer of contacts

If the standard methods don't work, use third-party tools. We tested three reliable options:

• 📱 My Contacts Backup (Android/iOS) — It exports contacts to.vcf and sends them to email.
• 🔄 Copy My Data – transfers Wi-Fi contacts directly between devices (e.g. from an old Samsung to a new Xiaomi).
• 📲 Simpler Contacts – Clears duplicates and optimizes contacts before transferring.

Example of transfer via My Contacts Backup:

1. Install the app on your old phone.
2. Click Backup → send the file to email.
3. On Redmi, open the email, download.vcf and import through Contacts.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party apps, turn off automatic sync in Google and Mi Cloud settings to avoid data conflicts. After transfer, check contacts for errors (for example, downed numbers or empty fields).

6 How to keep contacts in Mi Cloud and Google at the same time

If you want to use both services (for example, for backup), set up two-way sync:

1. Enable sync with Mi Cloud: Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Sync → Contacts (incl.)
2. Enable Google sync (as described in the first section).
3. In the annex Contacts (MIUI) open up ☰ → Contact management → Display contacts and select both accounts.

Important: With this approach, you can have duplicates.

• 🔍 Check your contacts in Google Contacts (web version) regularly for repeats.
• 📱 Use the Connect and Fix feature in Google Contacts for Android.

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If you’re planning to sell or drop Xiaomi Redmi, untie your Google and Mi accounts in the settings first so new owners won’t get access to your contacts.

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts to Xiaomi Redmi