Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones offer many options for managing personal information, but standard settings are often confusing. SIM-This is a map that limits functionality and memory, and many users find that when they create a new record, the storage selection field is hidden or incorrectly installed.
Changing the priority recording location is critical to the security of your data. If you decide to change your device or reset your settings, numbers stored locally on SIM can be lost or trimmed due to the character limit. Properly configuring the contact store on Xiaomi Redmi ensures they sync to the cloud and are available from any gadget.
In this article, we will detail how to forcefully change the default location, migrate old records, and avoid common errors when working with the phone book. You will learn how to manage your device's databases using built-in MIUI or HyperOS shell tools.
Why it is important to choose the right storage
The location where your friends and colleagues’ data will be physically stored affects their availability and integrity. SIM-The card has a very limited amount of memory and often does not support the retention of long names or multiple numbers for one person. Unlike it, a Google account or internal memory of a smartphone allows you to add photos, addresses, email and social networks.
The main reason for switching to cloud or internal storage is the ability to restore data. If you lose your phone or it goes down, the numbers associated with your Google account will instantly appear on the new device after you enter your login. SIM-The card requires manual export and import, which takes time.
⚠️ Note: When transferring data from SIM-Old records may be duplicated before large-scale operations to change settings, it is recommended to make a backup copy.
In addition, modern spam detection algorithms and number identifiers only work correctly when contacts are in the device’s memory or the cloud. Using an outdated SIM storage format deprives you of protection from fraudulent calls, since the system can not quickly verify the database.
Where are your contacts currently stored?
Before you change anything, you need to understand the current state of affairs. MIUI It can store records in three main places: SIM-map, internal phone memory (local) or Google account, and you can determine the source of a particular record by opening a detailed view of the number.
Often, users are unaware that part of their address book is in one place and part is in another, leading to search confusion and synchronization problems. To check your current status, open the standard Contacts app and go to the display settings.
In the contact list, look at the top of the screen or the filter menu, which usually tells you which database you're viewing at the moment, and if you see the division into Device, SIM, and Google, you have disparate data that you need to combine.
How to Change the Default Reservation Location
The most important step is to set the priority. By default, Xiaomi often chooses to choose the right one. SIM-You can use a map or local storage to ignore the cloud, and to change that behavior, you can go to the contact app settings. Open the Contacts app on your Redmi.
In the upper right corner or in the menu (three dots/strips), find the "Settings" item. We're interested in a section that might be called "Display Contacts" or "Default Storage." In some firmware versions, this item is hidden inside the "Import and Export" menu.
☑️ Setting up the priority of conservation
Select your Google account as your primary account, and now every time you create a new record, the system will automatically prompt you to save the number to the cloud, which will provide instant synchronization. SIM-maps, settings are applied globally for all incoming calls and new records.
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If you don’t see the storage selection point in the settings, try removing your Google account from the system and adding it again, allowing contacts to sync beforehand.
Transfer of contacts with SIM-phone-card
If your numbers are already on the SIM, changing the default settings won't automatically move them. You have to do the import procedure. This is a standard operation that takes a few seconds even with a lot of records. Go to the Contacts app and select the settings menu.
Find the section Import and export contacts. In the menu that opens, select the option "Import from" SIM-The system will suggest you choose destination, where the data will be copied. Select your Google account or Phone if you do not use the cloud.
| Parameter | SIM-map | Google Account | Phone memory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limit of symbols in a name | Restricted (10-15) | No restrictions. | No restrictions. |
| Number of rooms | Usually 1. | Unlimitedly. | Unlimitedly. |
| Photo of contact | No. | There is. | There is. |
| Synchronization | No. | Automatic. | Only on the device. |
Once confirmed, the system will copy all the records. SIM-The card is not deleted unless you select the appropriate cleaning option, and it is recommended that after successfully importing and checking for all numbers, clean up. SIM-map to avoid duplication in the future.
Solving problems with duplicates and synchronization
When you change your storage location, you often have a duplicate problem. You can have the same person listed three times: as a SIM post, as a local post, and as a Gmail post. Xiaomi has a built-in tool to solve this problem, but it doesn't always work perfectly.
To combine the records, open the contact app, click on the menu, and select "Contact Organization" or "Duplicate Combination." The system will prompt you to automatically find matches by phone number or name. You can agree to an automatic merger or select pairs manually.
⚠️ Note: Automatically combining the system may mistakenly glue different people with the same names (e.g., two "Alexanders"). Always check the result before final confirmation.
If sync is not working and new contacts are not appearing on other devices, check your account settings. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google. Make sure there is an active switch opposite Contacts. Sometimes manual syncing through the account menu helps.
What to do if your contacts are lost after the update?
Use of third-party applications for management
The standard MIUI tools are functional, but sometimes limited, and for advanced users, there are aggregator applications like Contacts+ or Google Contacts (a separate application) that allow you to flexibly manage databases, create groups and filters.
When you install a third-party application, the system will ask permission to access contacts, and once installed, you can make the new application the main one for dialing and storing records, especially for older Redmi models, where the standard shell can run slowly.
However, using third-party synchronizers requires caution: two programs trying to write changes to the database at the same time can create a version conflict. The best practice is to use only one active synchronization service (usually Google) and one main directory.
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The main principle of data security is to store contacts exclusively in a Google cloud account, which guarantees their safety in case of any breakage of the phone.