How to save Xiaomi contacts in Google: 5 proven ways

Losing contacts is one of the most frustrating situations for a smartphone owner, especially if it’s Xiaomi, where by default contacts can only be stored in the device’s local memory. Unlike Google contacts, which are automatically synced to the cloud, local records disappear when a phone is reset, replaced, or reset. SIM-maps or even after updating MIUI. This article will help you understand how to securely save all the numbers in Google so that they are available on any device – from Redmi Note 12 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

We will look at not only standard synchronization methods through MIUI settings, but also alternative methods: export to the.vcf file, backup via Mi Cloud, as well as solving typical problems such as the “Sync Stopped” error.

If you've ever seen your phone flashing all your contacts go missing, or you just want to be safe from that kind of situation, this is the guide for you. Let's start with the simplest and most reliable method.

1. Automatic synchronization of Xiaomi contacts with Google

The fastest way to save contacts is to link them to a Google account, which works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones running MIUI (including versions 12, 13 and 14), the main condition is an active Internet connection and a registered Google account.

To enable synchronization:

1. Open the Contacts app on your Xiaomi.
2. Slip along three horizontal lines (menu) in the upper left corner.
3. Choose Contact Management → Import / Export Contacts → Contact Synchronization.
4. Turn on the switch next to your Google account.
5. Confirm the action by clicking Sync Now.

After that, all existing contacts will be uploaded to the Google cloud, and new ones will be automatically added to them. To check the result, go to contacts.google.com from your computer or other device, which should show all the saved numbers.

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If you have multiple Google accounts, select the main one for sync. Contacts will be duplicated if you enable sync for multiple accounts at the same time.

2. Manual export of contacts to VCF file (for backup)

If you don’t trust cloud services or want a local copy of contacts, you can export them to a.vcf (vCard) file, a method that is suitable for backing up before you drop your phone or sell it.

Export instructions:

• 📱 Open the Contacts app on Xiaomi.
• 🔍 Go to Contact Management. → Import/Export of contacts → Export to file.
• 📁 Select a folder to save (such as Downloads or Mi Cloud).
• 💾 Click Export and wait for the file to be created (usually takes a few seconds).

The finished contacts.vcf file can be copied to your computer, flash drive or sent to your own mail. To import contacts back later, use the Import from the file option in the same menu. This method is universal and works even on devices without Google services (for example, on Chinese versions of Xiaomi with firmware without GMS).

3. synchronize via Mi Cloud (an alternative to Google)

For Xiaomi users who don’t want to use Google’s services, there is an alternative, Mi Cloud, which is a cloud service from Xiaomi that automatically backs up contacts, messages and other data, but it has limitations:

• 🌍 Contacts are stored only in the Xiaomi cloud (available only on devices with a linked Mi Account).
• 🔄 There is no automatic sync with other platforms (e.g. iPhone or Android without any other platforms). MIUI).
• 📶 Requires an active internet connection for backup.

To enable backup in Mi Cloud:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud.
2. Activate the slider next to Contacts.
3. Click Sync and wait for the process to be completed.

To check your saved contacts, go to i.mi.com and log in. Contacts will display all synchronized numbers. Please note that if you drop your phone or log out of your Mi Account, contacts from Mi Cloud will automatically be deleted from your device.

4. Transfer of contacts with SIM-Google maps

Many Xiaomi users still keep their contacts on the site. SIM-It's unreliable: SIM It can fail, and the memory capacity is limited (usually no more than 250 contacts) to move numbers from the SIM In Google, follow the following steps:

Method 1: Through the Contact Application

1. Open Contacts. → Contact management → Import/Export of contacts.
2. Select Import with SIM-map.
3. Please specify your Google account as the import target.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.

Method 2: Through system settings

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Import / Export → Import with SIM.
2. Select contacts for import (you can note everything).
3. Click Import and specify Google as a save location.

🔹 Check that SIM-card inserted

🔹 Make sure you're on SIM enough space (if you plan to export back)

🔹 Connect to Wi-Fi to speed up sync with Google

🔹 Make sure there is enough space on your Google account (15GB free)-->

After importation, we recommend removing the contact with SIM-To do this, go back to the Import/Export menu and select Delete from the Export menu. SIM.

5. Solving Contact Synchronization Problems

Sometimes synchronizing Xiaomi contacts with Google can fail, and let’s look at the common mistakes and how to fix them.

If none of these methods helped, try resetting the Contacts app settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Contacts.
2. Press Warehouse. → Clear the data.
3. Reboot your phone and reset the sync.

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Before resetting the Contacts app data, be sure to export all numbers to the VCF file - otherwise they will be lost!

6. Features for Chinese versions of Xiaomi (without Google)

Xiaomi smartphones designed for the Chinese market (for example, Redmi K60 or Xiaomi 13T Pro in the version for China), by default, no Google services, in which case you will have to use workarounds to synchronize contacts.

Method 1: Install Google Services manually

• 🔧 Download the Google Installer package (for example, from the APKMirror website).
• 📥 Install Google Account Manager, Google Services Framework and Google Play Services.
• 🔄 Reboot your phone and add a Google account in the settings.

Method 2: Use of alternative services

• 🌐 Export contacts to the file VCF Import them to iCloud (for iPhone users) or Yandex Contacts.
• 📧 Send the file. VCF mail to you and import through the web interface of the selected service.

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On the Chinese versions of Xiaomi, before installing Google services, turn off the application signature check in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times to unlock).

7.How to check where your contacts are stored

To make sure that contacts are saved to Google, not in the phone’s local memory or on the phone SIM-map, follow the following steps:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Slap any contact to open his card.
3. Look at the icon next to the name: 📱 Local Contact – Phone Icon. 🌐 Google Contact – Google Account icon (usually a round icon with the first letter of the mail). 📶 SIM-contact SIM-map.

You can also check this out in the web version of Google Contacts:

1. Go to contacts.google.com.
2. In the left menu, select Other Contacts, which will display all numbers that are not tied to your account.
3. If there are no contacts in the main list, then they are not synchronized.

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If you find that most contacts are stored locally, export them to Google or Mi Cloud immediately. Local contacts will disappear when you reset your phone to factory settings!

FAQ: Frequent questions about keeping Xiaomi contacts