Xiaomi’s current smartphones, which run on the shell of MIUI or HyperOS, offer users advanced tools for managing personal data. However, switching from other operating systems or using new models often raises questions among owners, especially regarding the preservation of phone numbers. The correct organization of the phone book is not just a list of numbers, but the foundation for the work of messengers, calls and smart features of the device.
The process of adding records may seem trivial, but there are nuances in Xiaomi’s ecosystem that are important to consider for data security, such as where you choose to store information affects whether you can recover information when you lose your gadget. In this article, we’ll take a look at all the available ways to enter data, from manual input to automatic import from cloud services.
We will consider how to avoid duplication of records, why you should abandon the storage of numbers on the Internet. SIM-Understanding these processes will allow you to effectively manage communications and not lose important information in the event of a machine failure or replacement with a new model.
Manual creation of a new entry in the Contacts app
The most obvious and frequently used method is to create a subscriber card manually through a standard app. First, you need to open the Contacts or Phone system app, which usually has a green icon with a human silhouette or handset. At the bottom of the screen or in the right corner (depending on the MIUI version), there is a button to create a new record, often denoted by the plus icon.
Once you click, you will open a form where you can fill in the fields: name, surname, phone number and, if necessary, additional data like email or address. The critical point is to choose an account to save. The system will offer several options: local phone storage, Google account or Mi Account. Choosing a cloud service ensures that when you reset your settings, your data will not disappear.
If you want to add a photo, just tap the circle at the top of the form and select the image from the gallery, which will help visualize the caller and make using your smartphone more convenient. After filling in all the fields, click the Save button or the tick in the corner of the screen to make the recording appear in the general database.
⚠️ Note: If you choose Phone or Local Storage, your contacts will be tied exclusively to that physical device. If the motherboard breaks or the memory is completely cleaned, it will be impossible to restore them without prior backup.
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Always choose to save to your Google or Mi Cloud account when creating important contacts to ensure they are instantly synced to the cloud.
Adding multiple numbers for one person is also easy, and you can add another number to your contact card by pressing the appropriate button, which is convenient when you need to separate work and personal lines or add a landline phone from your office.
Import contacts from SIM-cards on Xiaomi
Many users when switching to the new Xiaomi face the need to move numbers from the old one. SIM-Despite the limited amount of SIM memory and the lack of ability to save additional fields (addresses, photos), this method remains popular for rapid migration of base numbers. SIM-card in the smartphone slot and wait for the definition of the network.
Open the Contacts app and go to the settings menu, which is usually hidden under three dots or bars in the corner of the screen. Find the Contact Import and Export section. In this menu, you will be asked to select a data source. SIM-map.
☑️ Pre-import checks
The system will show you a list of numbers found on the chip, you can select individual records or mark all at once, then choose destination, where the data will be copied, and it is strongly recommended to choose a Google account rather than internal memory to avoid data loss in the future.
| Parameter | SIM-map | Google Account | Phone memory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limit of symbols in a name | Limited (often circumcised) | No restrictions. | No restrictions. |
| Photo preservation | Impossible. | Maybe. | Maybe. |
| Risk of loss | High (when chip damage occurs) | Minimum (cloud) | Medium (when the phone breaks) |
| Number of fields | Name and number only | Email, address, notes | Email, address, notes |
The copying process takes from a few seconds to a couple of minutes, depending on the number of records, and once completed, the system will notify you of the success. SIM-The card will remain unchanged, they are simply copied into the memory of the smartphone.
Synchronization through Google account
The most reliable and modern way to manage a phone book is synchronization with Google services, which allows you to automatically transfer all contacts when you first log in to a new Xiaomi device, and if you have previously used Android, your numbers may already be in the cloud and you do not need to add them again.
To check sync status, go to Settings on your smartphone, then select Accounts and Sync. Find your Google account in the list and make sure the switch opposite Contacts is activated. If the slider is off, turn it on and the device will immediately start downloading data from the cloud.
Adding a new contact through this method happens automatically in the background. When you create a new record and select Google as your save location, it is sent to the company's servers almost instantly, which means that you will access the number from any device: a tablet, computer or other phone where you log in to the same acca.
To manage contacts in more detail, you can use the web interface contacts.google.com. There is a powerful tool for finding duplicates, combining cards and mass editing. Changes made on the site will instantly affect your Xiaomi with an Internet connection.
⚠️ Note: When you delete a contact on one device with sync enabled, it will automatically delete from all other gadgets associated with this account.
It is important to check for duplicates periodically, as when you change devices often or import from different sources, the same record can be created several times. Xiaomi’s system is able to find similar names itself, but manual control through the Google web interface gives the best result.
Imports from VCF and other sources
Often, a database of numbers is received from a friend, colleague, or uploaded from an old phone as a file with the.vcf extension, a format that is the universal standard for sharing contact information and is supported by all modern smartphones, including Xiaomi, Samsung and iPhone.
You don't need any special applications to import this file. You just need to transfer the file to your smartphone in any convenient way: via messenger (Telegram, WhatsApp), via email or via Bluetooth. Once you download the file to your device's memory, just click on it. The system automatically recognizes the format and prompts you to open it using the Contacts app.
A preview window will open, where you will see how many contacts are found in the file, and you will see the Import button, and you will click on it and start the process of adding all the records from the file to the previously selected directory (usually the default Google account), the entire process takes seconds even for large books with thousands of numbers.
What to do if the file is not opened?
Similarly, you can import data from other cloud services if you go from, for example, an iPhone (iCloud) or a button phone. In iCloud, you can export all contacts to a VCF file via the web version, and then upload it to Xiaomi according to the scheme described above.
This method is also convenient for backups: By periodically exporting your contacts to a VCF file and storing it on a computer or flash drive, you create a lifeline in case of a Google account being blocked or sync server problems.
Working with duplicates and combining records
When you actively use different methods of adding contacts (import with SIM, synchronization, manual input), inevitably there is a problem of duplication: the phone book can appear two Ivans with the same numbers or one contact divided into two cards with different data.
Modern versions of the MIUI and HyperOS have a smart pairing feature built in, so if you find two cards with the same phone number or similar name, the system can suggest that they be combined automatically, you will see a notification or a special button in the contact interface.
If the automation didn't work, you can manually merge contacts. Open one of the duplicate cards, click on the menu (three dots) and select the option to Combine or Link contacts. Then specify the second card to join the first one, which results in one entry containing all the numbers, addresses and photos from both sources.
It’s also helpful to regularly audit your phone book, removing old, unnecessary numbers and fixing names errors makes it easier to find the right subscriber. Some users use third-party apps to clean up duplicates, but Xiaomi and Google Contacts’ built-in tools are just as secure and secure for privacy.
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Regularly combining duplicates not only saves space, but also prevents confusion when calling and sending messages, making communication more efficient.
Display setting and list filtering
Once you have added contacts to your Xiaomi phone, it is important to set them up correctly. It happens that numbers are saved but not visible in the general list. This often happens if you have filtered for certain groups or accounts. To see all the records, open the Contacts app, go to the settings and find the Displayed Contacts.
Here you can select the All Contacts option so that the list includes numbers from all connected sources: SIM, Google, Mi Account and phone memory. If you want to see only a certain group (for example, Favorites or Colleagues), select the appropriate filter, which is especially convenient for separating workspace from personal space.
Another useful feature is sorting. You can adjust the order of display by name or last name, and you can also choose which part of the name to start sorting. For Russian-speaking users, standard sorting by name is usually the most convenient. These settings apply to the entire phone book and make navigation through the list more predictable.
⚠️ Note: If you have hidden your contact with SIM-Maps in the display settings, they won't disappear from the device, but they won't be visible in the list and participate in the search. To see them again, return the tick opposite the source «SIM».
Keep in mind that the quality of the caller names depends on how you wrote them down. Using a single format (for example, always with country code +7 or 8) will help the system better identify incoming calls and substitute the correct names even when calling from abroad or via Internet telephony.