How to add contact to Xiaomi phone: all ways + hidden chips MIUI

Adding a contact to Xiaomi’s phone book seems like a simple task – until you run into the nuances MIUI. Depending on the model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11) and firmware versions may differ: somewhere the “Create Contact” button is hidden in the menu, and somewhere the system suggests saving the number automatically after a call. SIM-card, contact may "disappear" after resetting settings.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to add contacts on Xiaomi smartphones, including hidden features. MIUI 14/15 (For example, quick preservation of the history of calls or import of SIM-We'll also look at some common mistakes -- why contacts don't show up on WhatsApp, duplicate or sync between devices. If you're just switching from an iPhone or Samsung, you'll find comparisons to other systems here.

1. Standard method: through the "Contacts" application

The most obvious method is to use the built-in Contacts app (an icon with a human silhouette on a green background) preinstalled on all Xiaomi smartphones and supports saving both local memory and cloud accounts.

1. Open the Contacts app (if you don’t find it, check the Tools folder or swipe down the home screen and type the name in the search).
2. Click on the + icon in the lower right corner (or the New Contact button in older versions of MIUI).
3. Choose where to keep contact: 📱 Device - only in the memory of the phone (not synchronized). ☁️ Google – Link to your Google account (recommended for backup). 📶 SIM-map - retained on SIM (Restriction: name and number only, no photo/mail).

Name.

Phone.

+7

E-mail

Address

Birthday

Ready.

Save.

⚠️ Note: If you choose to save on SIM-card, the contact will not be visible in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) and will not sync with other devices.

Select the correct account (Google/Mi Account)

Country code in the phone number

At least the name is filled in (otherwise the contact will not remain)

SIM Only mode is disabled in the contact settings (if you need to save to the phone)

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2.A quick addition to call history

You don't have to open the Contacts app to save a number, and if you've got a call or you've made an outgoing call, you can add a subscriber directly from the log:

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Go to the Journal tab (or Recent in MIUI 15).
3. Find the number in the list and click on it.
4. In the window that opens, tap on the Save (or Add to Contacts) button.
5. Select an account to save (as in the first method) and fill in the data.

💡 Hidden chip MIUI: If you click and hold a number in the call log, you'll see a context menu with the option to Copy a number or Blacklist, which is convenient if you need to quickly block spam.

💡

In MIUI 14+, you can save contact right during the call - swipe up the call screen and click Save.

3. Save contact from SMS or messenger

If you receive a message from an unknown number, you can add it to the phone book directly from the Messages app:

1. Open the Messages app and find the dialog with the desired number.
2. Slip on the avatar or number at the top of the screen.
3. In the window that opens, select Add to Contacts.
4. Fill in the data and save it (similar to the first method).

4.Import of contacts with SIM-card or other phone

If you switched to Xiaomi from another smartphone or want to move contacts from the SIM-Cards, use the import function:

1. Open Contacts. → press three points (⋮) top-right → Contact management.
2. Choose Import/Export → Import with SIM-Cards (or Import from vCard file, if you transfer from the iPhone/Android).
3. Tag the contacts you need or click Select All → Import.
4. Select an account to save (Google recommends).

For porting from the iPhone:

1. On iPhone, export your contacts to a.vcf file (via iCloud or email).
2. Send the file to Xiaomi (by email, Telegram or cable).
3. Open the file on Xiaomi and the system will prompt you to import contacts.

5. synchronize contacts with Google and Mi Account

To avoid getting lost when you reset your phone or switch to a new device, set up sync:

1. Go to Settings. → Accounts.
2. Select Google or Mi Account (depending on your preferred cloud).
3. Turn on the contact sync switch.
4. Click Sync Now to start the process manually.

🔹 What is the difference between Google and Mi Account?

• ☁️ Google: 🌍 Available on any Android device. 🔄 Sync with Gmail and other Google services.
• 📱 Mi Account: 🔒 It only works on Xiaomi devices. 📊 You can set up a backup. SMS and call logs.

⚠️ Note: If you turn off sync with Google, contacts stored in that account will disappear from the phone book after you delete your account or reset your phone!

Google

Mi Account (Xiaomi)

I only save it to my phone/SIM.

I don't know what that is.

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6. Problem Solving: Contacts are not saved or displayed

Sometimes users experience the added contacts disappearing or not appearing in instant messengers, and here are the typical reasons and solutions:

Problem 1: Contact saved but not displayed on WhatsApp/Telegram

🔹 Reason: The number is saved without a country code (e.g. 9123456789 instead of a country code). +79123456789).

🔹 Solution: Edit the contact and add the country prefix. In Russia, it's +7, in Kazakhstan — +7 or +8, in Ukraine — +380.

Problem 2: Contacts are duplicated

🔹 Reason: The same contact is saved in Google, Mi Account, and on the Internet. SIM-map.

🔹 Solution: Go to Contacts → Management → Combine contacts and select duplicates for merger.

Problem 3: You can't edit the contact

🔹 Reason: Contact is saved to SIM-map (only name and number are available).

🔹 Solution: Export contact with SIM into Google/Mi Account, then delete the original with SIM.

💡

Always check the format of the number when saving! Messengers and banking applications often do not recognize numbers without a country code (+7 for Russia).

7 Hidden MIUI functions for contact management

MIUI offers some non-obvious contact management features that make life easier:

• 🔍 Search T9: In the Contacts app, you can type in a name on a digital keyboard (like in old phones). For example, for Anna, type in the name. 2-6-6-2.
• 📞 Quick dial: In the Phone app, hold the number on the keyboard to see the saved contacts starting with this letter.
• 👤 Contact Groups: You can create groups (e.g., Work, Family) and send messages to everyone at once. → Groups → To form a group.
• 🔕 Blacklist: To block spam calls, open contact → More. → Add to the blacklist.

💡 Business Users' Business Features: B MIUI 15, Priority Contacts, and if you add a person to this list, they'll call even in "Do Not Disturb" mode. → Priority → Add.

FAQ: Frequent questions about contacts on Xiaomi