How to upload contacts from Google to Xiaomi Redmi

The switch to a new smartphone, whether it’s a fresh Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 or a budget Poco, is always accompanied by a desire to quickly customize the device for yourself. The most critical element is the preservation of the phone book, because losing the numbers of friends, colleagues or delivery services can be a real disaster. Fortunately, the Android ecosystem and Google services offer a reliable backup mechanism that allows you to instantly transfer all records to a new device.

However, users of MIUI and HyperOS often encounter nuances that distinguish the shell Xiaomi from pure Android. Sometimes after entering the username and password, contacts do not appear immediately, or the system suggests saving them to the cloud manufacturer Mi Cloud, ignoring the Google account. In this article, we will discuss not only the standard synchronization procedure, but also ways to force upload data, as well as solving typical errors that can be encountered in the process.

Understanding how synchronization works between the search giant's servers and your gadget will help avoid duplication of records and data loss in the future.We'll look at how system components like Google Contacts and the built-in MIUI app work so you can manage your phone book with maximum efficiency.

Preparing a Google account and checking backup

Before you start setting up the new Xiaomi Redmi, you need to make sure that your data is actually stored in the cloud. Often users believe that sync works automatically, but in fact it could have been disabled on an old device or interrupted due to network errors. Verifying the availability of a backup is the first and most important step, which takes only a couple of minutes.

And the best way to do that is to use a computer or any other device with a browser, and you have to go to the official Google Contacts website and log in to the same account you plan to use on your smartphone, and if you see all your numbers there, the data is safe and ready to be moved.

• 📂 Open your browser and go to contacts.google.com.
• 🔐 Enter your login and password from your Google account.
• 👁️ Visually check for all important numbers on the list.
• 🔄 Pay attention to the date of the last update in the side menu.

If you find that the list is empty or does not contain all numbers, then the old phone did not automatically sync, in which case you first need to download contacts on the old device or import them from the.vcf file manually to create an up-to-date backup.

⚠️ Note: If you use multiple Google accounts, make sure you check the one that will be the main one on your new Redmi.

Basic synchronization settings on Xiaomi Redmi

The process of uploading contacts to Xiaomi devices begins with adding an account to the system. MIUI shell has its own account logic, which may differ from stock Android. Once the smartphone is turned on first or resets, the system will prompt you to log into your Google account. If you missed this step, it is easy to perform later through settings.

You need to open the settings menu and find the account section, depending on the firmware version, this item may be called Accounts and Sync, or be located inside the password and security menu, and that's where the handshake takes place between the phone and the company's servers.

Once you add an account, the default system can only suggest synchronizing your email or calendar, and you need to manually activate the slider opposite the Contact point, which will trigger a background process where the phone downloads all the records from the cloud and displays them in the phone book.

It is important to note that the initial loading of a large number (for example, more than 500 records) can take some time and require a stable Wi-Fi connection.

Import via the Google Contacts app

In some cases, standard system synchronization may not work properly or be hidden by the manufacturer’s settings, and in such situations, the native Google Contacts app, which is often pre-installed on Xiaomi or available for download through the Play Market, is considered the most reliable method, as it eliminates possible conflicts of the MIUI interface.

When you launch the app, you'll see an interface that's completely managed by Google services. There's no separation between local and cloud contacts as you see it in Xiaomi. All the changes made here are guaranteed to be saved in the cloud.

• 📲 Open the Contacts app (the icon with the man from Google).
• ⚙️ Click on the profile avatar in the upper right corner.
• 🔄 Select Contact Synchronization Settings.
• ✅ Make sure the switch is active and ticks against the correct account.

If contacts are still not displayed, try the app menu (three bars or dots) to find the option Settings -> Import. Here you can choose the source.vcf or Device if you previously saved numbers locally. However, to download from Google, it is easy to provide an active Internet connection.

Managing Contact Display in MIUI and HyperOS

One of the most common issues Redmi owners face is when contacts are loaded but not visible in the call list.This is due to display filters built into Xiaomi's shell.The default system can only show contacts saved in the Mi Cloud or in the device's memory, ignoring Google.

To fix this, open the Contacts app (standard yellow or white from Xiaomi). In the upper right corner, look for the filter button (usually three dots or funnel icon). In the Display Contacts menu that opens, select All Contacts or specifically specify your Google account.

It's also worth checking which account is set to save new numbers by default, and if you create a new contact and it doesn't fly to the cloud, you've selected Phone storage, and you can change that in the contact app settings by finding your Account for new contacts and selecting your Gmail.

Getting filters right will save you the confusion of having the same number displayed twice: once as a local copy and a second time as a record from the cloud. HyperOS takes steps toward unification, but manually checking those settings is still relevant for all models.

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The main reason for the disappearance of contacts on Xiaomi is the wrong display filter in the Phonebook app, not data loss.

Solving duplicate problems and combining records

When changing devices frequently or using different synchronization methods (for example, through the use of a different device). SIM-The same person can be listed as "Ivan," "Ivan Ivanov" and "Ivan (Work)" in the Xiaomi phone book, not only clutters the list, but also interferes with the work of the smart search and number detector.

Fortunately, Google has a powerful toolkit to combat this, with the Google Contacts app or web interface having an automatic merge feature, analyzing phone numbers, email addresses and names, suggesting that matching profiles be combined.

For manual cleaning on the Redmi smartphone, follow the following steps:

• 🧹 Open the Contacts app.
• 🛠️ Go to Tools or Contact Management.
• 🔗 Select the item Combine duplicates.
• ✅ Confirm the action for all the pairs offered or select specific ones manually.

Once the procedure is complete, it is recommended to check the sync again, make sure that the combined record is saved and correctly displayed on all devices where you use this account, which ensures that the next time you change your phone, you do not have to repeat this operation.

⚠️ Note: When connecting contacts, the system usually stores all available fields (different numbers, email addresses) in one card. However, before a mass operation, it is always useful to have a fresh backup in case of an algorithm error.

Export and import via VCF file: alternative method

Sometimes cloud sync may not be available due to Internet problems, blockages or technical failures on the server side. In such cases, the good old method of transferring data through a.vcf file comes to the rescue. This universal format is supported by absolutely all smartphones, including Xiaomi, Samsung, iPhone and button phones.

The method is to create a single file containing your entire phone book, which is then transferred to the new device, and you can export contacts from your Google account via your computer (on the Contacts website in the Export menu) or through an app on your old phone. The received file is transmitted via Bluetooth, messenger or USB-cable.

On Xiaomi Redmi, the import process looks like this:

Settings → Applications → Contacts → Import / Export Contacts → Import from the.vcf file

Once you have selected the file, the system will suggest you choose a save location, and it is critical to choose your Google account, rather than your phone's memory or the storage of your phone. SIM-So you can have a card so you don't have to have a data loss problem again in the future when your device breaks down, and if you save it to your phone's memory, it's not going to be protected by cloud synchronization.

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Save the contact backup file (.vcf) not only on your phone, but also send it to your email or cloud storage (Google Drive, Yandex.Disk) as additional insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)