Why didn’t the contact automatically re-establish?
You bought a new Xiaomi Redmi, you logged into your Google Account, but no contacts came up? This is a common problem that arises from mismatched sync settings.
If the old phone didn't have active sync with Google, the contacts just didn't get to the cloud.
Errors when you first log in to your account on the new Redmi, such as if you interrupted the setup process or missed the data recovery step.
On some MIUI firmware (especially Redmi Note 10/11/12), when you add multiple Google accounts, sync can hang on one of them.
Preparation: Checking backup in Google Contacts
Before you try to restore contacts on Xiaomi Redmi, make sure that they are in the cloud at all.
- Open a browser on any device and go to contacts.google.com.
- Sign in with the same account you used on your old phone.
- Check the contact list. If it's empty, it means that the sync has not worked before.
Critical detail: if there is no data in Google Contacts, but it is stored on the site SIM-You can't recover it from a map of an old phone using Google, so you can export/import through a file. VCF.
Step-by-step: Restore contacts on the new Redmi
If you have a backup on Google, follow this algorithm:
Step 1: Adding a Google Account (if not added)
On new Redmis (e.g. Redmi Note 13 Pro+ or POCO X6), you can add an account in two ways:
- 📱 Through the settings wizard: when you first turn on the phone, select "Recover data" → "Google and enter your login/password.
- ⚙️ Through Settings: Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Add an account → Google.
Step 2: Enabling Contact Synchronization
Even if you add an account, you can turn off sync to activate it.
- Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
- Choose your account (if there are several).
- Activate the slider opposite the "Contacts".
- Press More. → Synchronize now.
Account added and displayed in Settings
Contact slider on (green)
The contact list has old numbers.
There is no synchronization icon in the top panel (↻)
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Step 3: Check in the Contacts app
Sometimes contacts are synced but not displayed due to filters.In the Contacts app (icon) 📇) press:
- ☰ "All contacts" → Select Google from the drop-down menu (not Device or "SIM").
- 🔍 Search by name – sometimes contacts are hidden due to takeovers.
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If contacts are duplicated, go to contacts.google.com on PC, highlight everything (Ctrl+A) → “More” → “Find and combine duplicates”.
Problem Solving: Why are contacts not being restored?
If after all the manipulations, the contacts did not appear, check these nuances:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Contacts are on Google, but not on your phone. | Synchronization is blocked by the system | Delete your account and add again |
| The error is "Synchronization stopped" | Memory deficiency or failure MIUI | Clear the cache of the Contacts app (Settings → Applications → Application Management → Contacts → Clear the cache) |
| Contacts partially recovered | Filter by group in Google Contacts | At contacts.google.com, check if some groups are hidden. |
| When synchronizing, an error appears: "Server is not available" | Problems with the Internet or Google services | Check your network connection, try it later or use a VPN |
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI For Redmi (especially Chinese versions), Google sync may be limited.If none of the methods work, try updating the firmware through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
Alternative ways to restore contacts
If Google syncs don’t work, consider these options:
1.Export/import via VCF file
If the contacts are saved on an old phone (even without Google sync), they can be exported:
- 📲 On an old phone: Contacts → ☰ → Contact management → Exports/imports → Export to the device (contact.vcf file is saved).
- 📥 Transfer the file to the new Redmi (via Bluetooth, email or cloud) and import: Contacts → ☰ → Management → Import from the device.
2. Recovery via Mi Cloud (for Xiaomi owners)
If you used Mi Account on old Xiaomi, your contacts could be saved in Mi Cloud:
- Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Account.
- Turn on contact sync.
- Press Sync now.
What if Mi Cloud requires an old device to be confirmed?
How to avoid losing contacts in the future?
To avoid having to deal with missing contacts, set up automatic synchronization:
- 🔄 Enable autosynchronization in the settings of Google account (Settings) → Accounts. → Google → ☰ → Synchronization of the account → Autosynchronization of data).
- 📱 Use backups. MIUI: Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backup (saves contacts, SMS applications).
- ☁️ Configure Mi Cloud (even if you use Google): Duplication of data in two clouds increases reliability.
⚠️ Note: On Redmi with firmware for the Chinese market (without Google services), synchronization of contacts via Google is impossible. In this case, use Mi Cloud or third-party applications like Sync for Redmi (available from the Xiaomi App Store).
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The most reliable way is to combine Google sync with local backup in MIUI, which will protect data even when cloud services fail.