Xiaomi’s current MIUI or HyperOS smartphones offer users powerful data management tools, but sometimes basic features require manual tuning. Moving your phone book to Google’s cloud isn’t just a backup, it’s a necessary measure to quickly migrate to a new gadget. If you’ve just purchased a device or decided to abandon the Mi Cloud service in favor of the Android ecosystem, you’ll need a clear algorithm of actions.
Owners often face a situation where numbers are stored in the memory of the phone or on the phone. SIM-This creates the risk of data loss when the device breaks or flashes over the phone, and the transfer process is frightening only at first glance, but the Android system allows you to migrate in a few clicks. We will analyze all the nuances, including working with doubles and hidden synchronization settings.
Before you start, make sure your Google account is active and added to the system. Without authorization, any manipulation of cloud storage will not be possible. Also check for a stable Internet connection, as transferring a list of names and numbers can take time with a large amount of data. Below is a detailed guide to help clean up the phone book.
Preparing a Google account and checking your settings
The first step is to verify your account, and often people forget that multiple profiles may be logged in on your device, and the sync is not going to the right one. Go to Settings and find Accounts and Sync, and it shows all the connected services, including Google.
If your email address is not listed, you need to add it. Click Add Account, select a search engine logo, and enter a password login. It is important that you enter your password in a secure system window, not in the browser, to avoid phishing. Once you have successfully logged in, the system will prompt you to select the data for synchronization.
Make sure the switch opposite the Contacts button is activated. In some versions of MIUI, this option can be disabled by default to save traffic. Activation will trigger the background process of exchanging data between the device and the server.
⚠️ Note: If you use two-factor authentication, you may need to create a special application password to log in to your account at some system layers, although modern versions of Android usually support standard sign-in via a pop-up window.
Transfer contacts from the phone memory and SIM-map
If your numbers are already stored in the device’s memory but not tied to the cloud, they should be exported or moved. Open the standard Contacts or Phone app and go to the control menu. Find Import/Export Contacts or Contact Management.
Here, they'll be asked to choose the source of the data. SIM-Select the option “Import with the card” SIM-The system will ask where to save the data, and it's critical to choose your Google account, not your phone or your Mi Account, to provide automatic backups in the future.
To transfer your local phone book, select "Import from storage" or "Copy contacts." Once you select the source, the system will suggest a target folder. Specify your Gmail address. The process will take from a few seconds to a couple of minutes depending on the number of records.
- 📲 Open the Contacts app and click on three dots or menu icons.
- 📂 Select “Contact Management» → «Import/Export contacts».
- ☁️ Specify the source (SIM or Memory) and the Google Account.
- ✅ Confirm the operation and wait for notification of success.
☑️ Checklist before transfer
Automatic synchronization in MIUI and HyperOS
After the initial transfer, you need to set up automatic data updates to ensure that any new number you add is instantly in the cloud. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
In the list of services, look for Contacts and make sure the slider is on. Advanced sync settings can set the refresh rate, although a phone book typically uses a push notification that updates data instantly when a network appears.
HyperOS can offer data from multiple sources to be combined. If the system offers “Joint Duplicates” or “Sync with Mi Cloud”, read the terms carefully. You can leave sync with Mi Cloud off if your goal is to fully migrate to the Google ecosystem.
What to do if the synchronization is suspended?
Solving duplicate problems and combining records
A common problem with migration is the appearance of double records, which occurs when the same contact is maintained and the same person is not connected. SIM-Google Contacts has a built-in tool to solve this problem that works more efficiently than standard Xiaomi tools.
Open your browser on your computer or phone and go to contacts.google.com. From the menu on the left, select Merge & fix. The system will automatically find similar entries and prompt them to merge.
You can review each offer and confirm the merger manually, or select the "Combine All" option, which is irreversible, so it's recommended to pre-export the backup. Once cleaned on the server, the changes will automatically fit into your Xiaomi smartphone.
| Type of problem | Cause of occurrence | Method of decision |
|---|---|---|
| Duplication of names | Saving in different sources (SIM + Phone) | The “Combine” Tool in Google Contacts |
| Absence of photo | Photos saved locally, not in the cloud | Editing the contact and re-addition of photos |
| Different room formats | Improper import from different devices | Manual editing or use of input masks |
| Contacts without a name | Import only numbers with SIM | Dial-up or search in messengers for identification |
Use Google Contacts instead of MIUI
Xiaomi's standard Contacts app is functional but sometimes runs slower or has redundant advertising in free versions.The alternative is to install the official Google Contacts app from the Play Market store.
Once installed, open the app and allow access to data. It automatically picks up all the entries from your account. The interface is more minimal, and search is faster thanks to Google algorithms. It is also guaranteed that it will not delete or hide data from the cloud.
To make the app your primary caller, go to Settings → Apps → App Settings (or “Default Apps”). Find “Phone” or “Contacts” and select Google. Now, when dialing, the searcher interface will open.
💡
Install the Google Contacts widget on your desktop for quick search, which allows you to find the right person by simply starting to type a name without opening the app itself.
Frequent synchronization errors and ways to fix them
Sometimes the data exchange is interrupted. One of the common reasons is that Google is overcrowded, with a 15GB limit for email, photos and contacts, and although contacts take up little space, overflow syncs can get up.
Another reason is the wrong date and time on the device: If the clock is lagging or in a hurry, Google's security server blocks the connection, considering it potentially dangerous.
There may also be problems with energy saving: MIUI aggressively unloads the background processes, go to the battery settings, find Contacts and Google Play Services, and set up No Limits mode, which will prevent the system from killing the synchronization process.
⚠️ Note: If you reset your network or account settings, any local changes that don't sync will be lost. Always check for Sync status before taking radical action.
💡
Stable synchronization depends not only on the Internet, but also on MIUI energy saving settings, which often block the background operation of Google services.