How to copy contacts from Google to Xiaomi Redmi phone: all ways + problem solving

The transition to the new Xiaomi Redmi smartphone often involves data porting, and one of the most important steps is copying contacts. If you have used Google services (such as Gmail or Google Contacts), all your phone numbers, email addresses and other contact information are already stored in the cloud, the main thing is to properly sync them with a device based on MIUI.

Many users mistakenly believe that to transfer contacts, you need to manually export them to a.vcf file or use third-party applications. In fact, Xiaomi Redmi (regardless of model — be it Redmi Note 12, Redmi 10 or POCO X5) supports automatic synchronization with a Google account. However, there are nuances: sometimes the process is slowed down due to MIUI settings, account conflicts or energy saving restrictions. In this article, we will analyze all working methods, from standard synchronization to manual import through a file, and also explain how to avoid typical errors.

If you’ve just purchased a Xiaomi Redmi or plan to reset it to factory settings, bookmark this instruction and it’s useful if you lose your phone, because contacts linked to a Google account can be restored on any device in minutes.

1. Automatic synchronization of contacts through Google account

The easiest and most reliable way to do this is to use the built-in MIUI sync function with Google Contacts, which works on all Xiaomi Redmi models (including the Redmi 13C, Redmi Note 11 Pro+ and older devices) and does not require additional apps to be installed.

To start, make sure your Google account is added to your phone. If you’ve already logged in to the Play Store or Gmail, your account is already linked. To check this, go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google and select your profile. Your email address (e.g., user@gmail.com) should be displayed here.

Then turn on the synchronization of contacts:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Accounts and synchronization.
• 🔄 Click on your Google account.
• ⚙️ In the account sync section, find the Contacts item and activate the slider.
• 🔄 Click Sync Now (or More) → Synchronize in new versions MIUI).

The process can take anywhere from a few seconds to 5 to 10 minutes depending on the number of contacts and Internet speed. Once complete, all numbers will appear in the standard Contacts app. If sync does not start, check if the background mode for Google services is turned off in the battery settings (Settings → Battery → Power Saving Mode).

2. Manual import of contacts via.vcf file

If automatic synchronization fails (e.g., due to Google server errors or MIUI limitations), you can export contacts to a.vcf file and upload them manually, a method that is universal and suitable even for devices without Internet access.

We export contacts with Google Contacts first:

1. Open contacts.google.com on your computer or phone and log in.
2. Click on the icon. ⚙️ Settings → Exports.
3. Select the Google CSV or vCard format (for iOS) (preferably vCard for compatibility).
4. Click Export and save the file (e.g. contacts.vcf).

Now we import the file to Xiaomi Redmi:

• 📁 Copy the contacts.vcf file to your phone (for example, via Bluetooth, Telegram or Google Drive).
• 📱 Open the Contacts app (Contacts).
• 🔄 Press three points (⋮) top-right → Imports/Exports → Import from the device.
• 📄 Select the contacts.vcf file and confirm the import.

⚠️ Note: If contacts are duplicated after import, delete duplicate entries via Settings → Combine and correct in the Appendix Contacts. MIUI 14 This function may be called Contact Optimization.

3. Transfer of contacts through SIM-map (alternative method)

If you do not have access to the Internet or Google account, you can temporarily save contacts on the Internet. SIM-map and transfer them to Xiaomi Redmi.This method is suitable for a small number of numbers (usually SIM Up to 250 contacts are maintained).

Instructions for the old phone (from which we copy):

• 📱 Open Contacts. → Settings → Imports/Exports → Exports to SIM.
• 📇 Select contacts for export (or click Select All).
• 🔄 Confirm the export and wait until it is completed.

Now Imported to Xiaomi Redmi:

• 📱 Put it in. SIM-card.
• 📇 Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Imports/Exports → Import with SIM.
• 🔄 Select contacts and click Import.

⚠️ Note: When importing with SIM-Some fields (such as contact photos or additional numbers) may not be ported to Xiaomi Redmi.

4.Use of third-party applications for contact transfer

If standard methods don't work, you can use specialized applications, such as My Contacts Backup or Copy My Data, which allows you to transfer contacts between devices over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or over the cloud.

Steps for export:

1. Install the app on your old phone from Google Play.
2. Open it and press Backup (backup).
3. Select the vCard format (.vcf) and send the file to mail or save to the cloud.

Steps to import on Xiaomi Redmi:

• 📥 Install My Contacts Backup on your new phone.
• 📄 Open the received.vcf file through the application.
• 🔄 Click Restore and confirm the import.

The advantage of this method is that you can selectively move contacts and create backups. However, be careful: some applications request access to personal data, which may not be secure. Before installing, check reviews and ratings on Google Play.

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Before using third-party apps, disable Google autosynchronization to avoid duplicate contacts.

5. Solving typical problems when transferring contacts

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, you can get errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them:

Problem 1: Contacts are not synced with your Google account.

• 🔄 Check your internet connection (better to use Wi-Fi).
• 🔋 Make sure there are no battery restrictions for Google Play Services (Settings) → Battery → Energy saving regime → Annexes).
• 🔄 Reboot your phone and re-enable sync.

Problem 2: After importation, the contacts are duplicated.

• 🧹 In the Contacts app, go to Settings → Combining and correcting.
• 🔍 Select Find duplicates and combine them manually or automatically.

Problem 3: The.vcf file does not open on Xiaomi Redmi.

• 📁 Check the file extension (should be.vcf, not.txt).
• 📥 Try opening a file through Google Contacts or sending it to the mail and importing it from there.

6. How to avoid future contact loss

To avoid the problem of moving contacts the next time you change your phone, set up automatic backup. Here are some tips:

• ☁️ Enable autosynchronization with Google: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of contacts.
• 📅 Export contacts to a.vcf file regularly (e.g. once a month) and save them to Google Drive or your computer.
• 🔄 Use it. MI Cloud (cloud from Xiaomi): go to Settings → Accounts. → Mi Cloud → Contacts and enable backup.

If you change phones frequently or use multiple devices (such as Xiaomi Redmi and tablet), set up multi-profile sync. To do this, add the same Google account to all gadgets - contacts will automatically update on all devices.

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The most reliable way to save contacts is to use both Google sync and periodic export to the.vcf file. This will protect data even if you lose access to your account.

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts to Xiaomi Redmi