How to sync contacts on Xiaomi: all ways + error solving

Synchronizing contacts on Xiaomi smartphones is a task that every user faces when buying a new device, changing the phone. SIM-Although it seems simple, the process can be complicated: contacts are duplicated, disappear after updating. MIUI or not displayed in some messengers, in this article we will discuss all current methods of synchronization (including hidden functions). MIUI 14/15), explain why contacts may not sync and give a checklist to recover lost numbers.

Xiaomi has two main sync accounts: Google and Mi Account, and many users miss the fact that the default setting can only save contacts locally (on the phone), which leads to their loss when they break or reset. We will show you how to check the current storage method, move contacts between accounts and avoid typical errors. For owners of older models (for example, Redmi Note 8 Pro or Mi 9T), we will give separate instructions taking into account the limitations of MIUI 11/12.

1. Check the current method of contact storage

Before you sync contacts, make sure they are not stored only in the phone's memory.

  1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette).
  2. Slip on three points in the upper right corner → Contact management.
  3. Select Import/Export → Export to your device (for backup).
  4. Pay attention to the Account to Save field – if it says Phone, your contacts are not synced to the cloud!

If you don’t have Google or Mi Account on your list, you should add them to your phone’s settings. On models with MIUI 14+, you can only switch on sync via Mi Account by default, which leads to problems when switching to non-Xiaomi devices.

📊 How do you normally sync your contacts?
Through Google.
Through the Mi Account.
Through SIM-map
Manual export/import
I'm not synchronizing.

This method is universal and works on all Android devices, including Xiaomi, Samsung and Pixel, the main advantage is that contacts will be available even after changing the phone to another brand.

Step 1: Adding a Google Account

If no account is added:

  1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
  2. Tap Add an account → Google.
  3. Enter your email details (e.g. example@gmail.com).
  4. At the stage of selecting synchronized data, turn on the Contacts switch.

Step 2: Move your contacts to Google

If the contacts are stored locally:

  • 📱 Open Contacts. → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
  • 🔄 Select Import with SIM/Phone. → Provide the source (phone or phone) SIM-map).
  • ☁️ In the Import Account field, select your Google Account.
  • ✅ Confirm the transfer (may take up to 5 minutes with a large number of contacts).

Google account added in settings

Contact synchronization for the account is enabled

Contacts are displayed at [contacts.google.com](https://contacts.google.com)

Test contact added on phone and appeared on Google-->

Important: After transferring, delete the contacts duplicates. In Contacts, select Control → Combine and Fix. On models with MIUI 15, this function works automatically when you first sync.

3. synchronization via Mi Account (for the Xiaomi ecosystem)

This is a good way to do it if you only use Xiaomi devices (smartphones, smartwatches, laptops) and the contacts will not be available on other brands’ phones.

Activation of synchronization

  1. Go to Settings → Mi Account (or Xiaomi Account on the new versions).
  2. Sign in to your account (if not logged in).
  3. Tap Data Sync → turn on the Contacts switch.
  4. Press Sync now.

To transfer contacts from your phone to Mi Cloud:

Contacts → Management → Import / Export → Export to the device (create a backup.vcf) → Import from the device (select Mi Account)
What if Mi Accounts don’t sync your contacts?
1. Check your internet connection (synchronization only works via Wi-Fi or mobile data). 2. Update the Mi Cloud app to Google Play. 3. Restart your phone to the MIUI 14+ Sometimes helps resetting the cache of the application Contacts (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Contacts → Clear the cache). 4. If the problem persists, untie and re-add Mi Account in the settings. 4. Export and import through SIM-Map (for older models) This method is relevant for Xiaomi Redmi 4X, Mi A1 And other budget models without a stable Internet: 🚫 SIM-The card stores only names and numbers (without photos, emails and addresses). 📏 Limit: ~250 contacts per person SIM (depends on the operator). ⚠️ When transferring Cyrillic names can be displayed by Krakozabra.Instructions for export Insert SIM-- card to phone. → Management → Imports/Exports → Exports to SIM. Select contacts for export (or click Select All). Confirm saving. ⚠️ Note: Before exporting, check what is on SIM If you have more than 200 contacts, break them up into pieces (e.g. first A-M, then H-Y). SIM On a new device: Insert the new device SIM-Map, please contact us. → Management → Imports/Exports → Import with SIM. Select an account to save (recommended by Google). 5 Manual export/import via.vcf File.vcf (vCard) is a universal format for backup contacts. It can be sent by email, saved in the cloud or transferred to another phone via USB. Create a backup copy Open Contacts → Management → Imports/Exports → Export to your device. Select contacts to export (or Select all) Specify a save path (e.g., Internal Memory) → Download.The file will be saved as contacts.vcf. To import contacts to a new phone: Copy the contacts.vcf file to your device (e.g., via Google Drive or cable) USB). Open Contacts. → Management → Imports/Exports → Import from the device. Select the.vcf file and specify the account to save. Synchronization method Pros Cons Suitable for Google Universality, access from any device Requires Internet, possible duplicates All models Xiaomi Mi Account Fast sync in the Xiaomi ecosystem Does not work on not working on-Xiaomi device MIUI 12+ SIM-No Internet, simplicity Limited number of contacts, no additional data Old models (Redmi) 4/5) vcf File Full backup, can be edited Manual transfer, risk of file loss All models 6. Solving synchronization problems If contacts are not synchronized, check the following points: 🌐 Internet connection: Synchronization through Google/Mi Account only works when you connect to the network. MIUI 14+ You can enable the option of Sync over mobile data in the account settings. ⏳ Server Latency: Sometimes synchronization takes up to 24 Reboot your phone and check later. 🔄 Account Conflict: If contacts are duplicated, turn off sync for one of the accounts (e.g., leave only Google). 📱 Application Error: Clear Contact Cache and Mi Cloud in App Settings. ⚠️ Attention: On Poco models X3 Pro and Redmi Note 10 s MIUI 12.5 Sometimes you reset your sync settings after you update. After the update, check if Autosynchronize is enabled in your Settings. → Accounts. If contacts are missing after resetting: Check the cart in Contacts (stored) 30 Restore from Mi Cloud backup (if sync is enabled). [Google Contacts](https://contacts.google.com) — Older versions of contacts can be retained. 💡If you plan to reset your phone to factory settings, pre-export the contacts to a.vcf file and send it to an email.This is the only way to guarantee that you can save data in case of hardware failures. 7. Features for old models (MIUI 11 and below) On Xiaomi devices with MIUI 11 (For example, Redmi Note 7, Mi 9 SE) The synchronization interface is different: 🔗 Import/Export menu hidden behind long tap on button + in the annex Contacts. ☁️ Mi Account requires a separate Mi Cloud app (download to Google Play if not available). 📵 Synchronization through SIM It is unstable – we recommend using the.vcf file. MIUI 11: Open the Settings. → Sync (not "Accounts"). Choose Mi Account or Google. Activate Contacts slider. On these versions MIUI You may also not have the option of combining duplicates. Use third-party applications such as Contacts Optimizer to clean contacts. FAQ: Frequent questions: Can you sync contacts between Xiaomi and iPhone? Yes, but only through a Google account or a.vcf file. On iPhone, add a Google account to Settings → Passwords and accounts and enable contact sync. The alternative is to export your Xiaomi contacts to a file and import it to your iPhone via iCloud. MIUI Is that a typical problem when updating with MIUI 12 on MIUI 13/14. The reason is resetting synchronization settings. Solution: Check if synchronization is enabled in Settings → Accounts: If contacts were stored locally, restore them from a backup (.vcf or Mi Cloud file). Email Xiaomi support via Mi Community - sometimes they can recover data from the backup. IMEI. How to transfer contacts from Xiaomi to your computer? There are three ways: Through Google Contacts: Export contacts to your computer. [contacts.google.com](https://contacts.google.com) format CSV. Using.vcf: Copy the file from phone to PC USB Or through the cloud. Through Mi Cloud: Go to the cloud. [i.mi.com](https://i.mi.com) → Contacts → Export. For editing on your PC, use Microsoft Outlook or Google Contacts. Can you sync contacts without the Internet? Yes, but with limitations: 📱 SIM-Map: Portable only numbers and names (no photo and additional fields). 💾.vcf file: You can copy to another phone via Bluetooth or USB-cable. 🚫 Mi Account/Google: They require the Internet for the first synchronization. How do you remove the duplicate contacts after synchronization? MIUI 14+: Open Contacts. → Management → Combine and fix. Select Automated. Confirm the take merger. Old versions. MIUI Use the Duplicate Contacts app from Google Play, and you can manually export your contacts to Google and use the Find and combine takes tool to create a new product. [contacts.google.com](https://contacts.google.com).