How to transfer contacts with Xiaomi Redmi to Google account: all ways + errors

Moving contacts with Xiaomi Redmi to a Google account is a task that every second user faces after buying a new smartphone or resetting settings. MIUI With built-in synchronization tools, many owners of Redmi Note 12, Redmi 10 or other models face problems: contacts are duplicated, out of sync or disappear after an update. In this article, we will analyze 5 proven methods of transfer – from standard synchronization to manual export through the Internet. VCF-file, and solve common errors such as "Synchronization stopped" or the lack of option in the settings.

The peculiarity of Xiaomi is that the manufacturer is actively promoting its own services (Mi Account), but the Google account remains a more versatile solution - it will allow you to restore contacts on any Android device, even not from Xiaomi. If you are switching from Redmi to Samsung, Pixel or iPhone, syncing with Google will make migration easier. MIUI 14/15 Android 13/14, It is also suitable for older versions (with adjustments to the interface).

Why it’s better to sync your contacts with Google instead of Mi Account

Smartphone makers often impose their cloud services, and Xiaomi is no exception, but Google Contacts has several key advantages:

• 🌍 Cross-platform: Contacts will be available on any device, from Redmi to iPhone or even through the web version on PC.
• 🔄 Automatic backup: Google saves a change history (up to 30 days) to help you roll back erroneous edits.
• 📱 Easy transfer to a new phone: when you first turn on Android-device system will offer to restore contacts from Google.
• 🔒 Security: Two-factor authentication and data encryption are more secure in Google than in Mi Account.

Another plus is integration with other Google services, such as Gmail, Google Meet or Google Maps. For example, when you call through Google Duplex (Artificial Intelligence for Booking), the system will automatically pull the contact from your address book.

⚠️ Note: If you previously synced contacts with Mi Account, their duplicates may remain in the phone memory even after transferring to Google. Before starting the procedure, we recommend clearing the cache of the Contacts app in the settings (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Contacts → Warehouse → Clear the cache).

Method 1: Standard synchronization through Xiaomi settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI sync feature, which is suitable for most Redmi models (including the Redmi Note 11, Redmi 9, Redmi A2) and does not require additional applications. Importantly, before you start, make sure that your phone has added a Google account and turned on mobile Internet or Wi-Fi.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to Accounts and Sync (in some versions of MIUI – Passwords and Accounts).
3. Select your Google account (if not, click Add Account and log in).
4. Activate the slider opposite Contact (could be called Contact Synchronization).
5. Wait for the process to be completed (the synchronization icon will appear in the upper right corner).

If the Contact option is not on the list, check:

• 📱 Version MIUI: in old firmware (below) MIUI 12) the path may be different - look for Settings → Synchronization.
• 🔄 Sync status: Sometimes you need to manually press Sync (circular arrow button).
• 🚫 Account Limitations: If a Google account is added via Mi Account, rights may be limited.

Make sure your phone is connected to the internet

Check the space available in your Google account (contacts take up little space, but there is a limit)

Disable battery optimization for the Contacts app

Update the Google Contacts app in the Play Market-->

Method 2: Exporting contacts to a VCF file and importing them to Google

If standard synchronization fails (e.g., because of a “Sync Stopped” error), you can manually transfer contacts through a.vcf (vCard) file, a method that is universal and suitable even for devices without access to Google services (e.g., on Redmi with custom firmware).

Steps for export:

1. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
2. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Contact Management (or Import/Export).
3. Select Export to File → Specify a folder to save (e.g. Downloads).
4. Confirm the export of all contacts (the file will be called contacts.vcf or similar name).

Now Import the file to Google:

1. Open your browser on your PC and go to contacts.google.com (sign up with the same account as your phone).
2. In the left menu, click Import → Select a file and download contacts.vcf.
3. Wait until the import is complete (may take a few minutes with a lot of contacts).

⚠️ Note: If the.vcf file contains photos of contacts, they may not be imported to Google due to format limitations.In this case, use alternative methods (for example, My Contacts Backup from the Play Market).

Method 3: Sync through the Google Contacts app

The official Google Contacts app often works more stable than the built-in MIUI tools. If standard sync fails, installing this app can fix the problem. Download it from the Play Market (free).

How to transfer contacts:

1. Open the Google Contacts app and log in.
2. Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner → Contact Synchronization settings.
3. Turn on Automatic Sync and select your Google account.
4. Return to the main menu and click Contact Management → Import → select Device as source.
5. Confirm the import of all contacts from the phone.

The advantage of this method is that it allows selective importation, for example, if you have personal and work contacts on Redmi, you can only transfer the desired groups, and the app offers tools to combine duplicates and clean old records.

Standard synchronization through settings

Exports/imports via VCF

Google Contacts app

Other methods (indicate in the comments)-->

Method 4: Transfer contacts via Mi Mover (for new Xiaomi)

If you buy a new Xiaomi smartphone (like the Redmi Note 13 Pro), you can use the Mi Mover branded tool. This app is pre-installed on all Xiaomi devices and allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also SMS, photos, applications. However, the method has a limitation: it works only between Xiaomi devices.

Step-by-step:

1. On the old Redmi, open Mi Mover (find through the app search).
2. Select Me as the sender and connect to Wi-Fi.
3. On the new phone, launch Mi Mover and select I am the recipient.
4. Scan it. QR-code from a new phone on an old one (or connect via Bluetooth).
5. In the data list for transfer, mark Contacts and click Send.

Mi Mover transfers contacts to the local storage of the new phone, not to the Google account. After the procedure is completed, we recommend that you additionally sync them with Google (see Method 1 or 3) to avoid data loss.

1. Both phones are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (do not use mobile Internet).

Newer phones (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro+) may need to allow location access for the Mi Mover.

3.Reboot both devices and try again.-->

Method 5: Alternative applications for contact transfer

If none of the above methods work, third-party applications will come to the rescue, and they are useful in cases where:

• 📵 On the phone installed custom firmware without Google services.
• 🔄 Standard synchronization gives an error "Can't synchronize".
• 📱 You need to transfer contacts from Redmi to iPhone or device to another OS.

Top.-3 tested applications:

• 📲 My Contacts Backup: Exporting Contacts to the Internet VCF It sends the file to an email. It supports backup with a password.
• 🔄 Copy My Data: Transfers contacts, calendars and photos over Wi-Fi between Android and iOS devices.
• 🌐 Super Backup & Restore: Creates backups of contacts, SMS and logs of calls to the cloud or to a memory card.

Use of My Contacts Backup:

1. Install an app from the Play Market.
2. Click Backup → Select All Contacts → Email.
3. Enter your email (preferably Gmail) and send the file.
4. On PC, open the email, download the.vcf attachment and import it to Google Contacts.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party applications, avoid programs with suspicious permissions (e.g. access to the software) SMS Check reviews and ratings in the Play Market before installing. It is better to give preference to applications with more than 1 million downloads and a rating above 4.5.

Typical errors and their solution

Even when following the instructions, Xiaomi Redmi users face problems when transferring contacts.

If none of the solutions worked, try resetting the Contacts app settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Contacts.
2. Click Warehouse → Clear your data (this will delete all local contacts, so pre-export them to VCF!).
3. Reboot the phone and repeat the sync.

💡

If all the manipulations still do not sync, the problem may be on the side of Google. Check the status of services at google.com/appsstatus. In global failures, you just have to wait for the recovery.

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts to Xiaomi