Set up contacts on Xiaomi: from synchronization to backup

Contacts on Xiaomi smartphones are not just a list of phone numbers, but a full ecosystem integrated with Mi Account, Google services and third-party messengers. Incorrect configuration can lead to data loss when resetting your phone, duplicate records or problems with displaying names in calls. In this article, we will examine all the nuances from basic synchronization to hidden functions of the Contacts application, which the manufacturer does not advertise.

Features of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO — Two parallel contact storage systems: local (in the phone’s memory) and cloud (via Mi Cloud or Google Contacts) if not configured correctly, after updating MIUI If you change your device, you risk losing important numbers, and we'll show you how to avoid common errors and optimize your address book.

1. Basic setup of the “Contacts” app on Xiaomi

By default, all Xiaomi smartphones have a standard Contacts app (an icon with a human silhouette on a green background), and its functionality is broader than it seems: it has not only a list of numbers, but also a call log, a blacklist, and tools to combine duplicates. The first thing you need to do is check the basic parameters.

Open the app and tap the three-point menu in the top right corner. Select Settings, which are the key options:

• 🔹 Contact Display: Choose which accounts to show (e.g., Google only or Mi Account) and by default display anything that creates chaos.
• 🔹 Sorting: by name or surname. For Russian users, the option "Name" is more convenient. → Surname».
• 🔹 Number format: if the contacts are displayed in an international format (+7 XXX XXX-XX-XX), Enable the option “Local format».

Please note the section Import / Export - here you can transfer contacts with the SIM-card or backup. On devices with MIUI 14 and the new import function of the SIM It only works for numbers in format. +7, without spaces or dashes, if your contacts are recorded differently (e.g, 8-9XX-XXX-XX-XX), You will need to edit them manually or use third-party apps like Sim Contacts Manager.

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If contacts don’t show up after importing, check to see if they’re hidden in the display settings, and users often accidentally turn off the contact display from a particular account.

2. synchronize contacts with Mi Account and Google

Xiaomi users’ main problem is that they are duplicated because of simultaneous synchronization with Mi Cloud and Google. To avoid this, choose one primary account to store data.

Synchronization with Mi Account (Mi Cloud)

This method is convenient if you use other Xiaomi devices (for example, Mi Notebook laptop or Mi Pad tablet).

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account.
2. In the Sync section, activate the switch opposite Contact.
3. Wait until the process is complete (it can take up to 5 minutes with a large number of records).

The advantage of this method is that it automatically backs up when you change your phone, but there's a caveat: Mi Cloud doesn't always handle Cyrillic characters in your names correctly. If you have contacts with surnames in Russian, you'd better use Google Contacts.

2.2 Synchronization through Google Account

This is a versatile way for users who often change devices from different brands to customize:

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Select your account and enable Contact Sync.
3. For forced synchronization, tap the three-point menu in the upper right corner and select Sync Now.

If the contacts are not synchronized, check:

• 🔌 Internet connection (synchronization only works via Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 🔄 Free space in Google account (when the limit is exceeded, synchronization is blocked).
• 🛠️ Updates to Google Contacts in Play Market.

3. Combination and removal of duplicate contacts

Duplicates appear when the same contact is saved in multiple accounts (for example, in Mi Cloud and on the Internet). SIM-(b) or when imported from different sources. MIUI There is a built-in tool to combine them:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Tap the three-point menu. → Contact management → Connecting contacts.
3. The system will automatically find possible duplicates and offer to combine them.

If the automatic connection does not work:

• 🔍 Check if the contacts are different in small details (for example, one room has a space, and another – not).
• 📝 Manually edit the records so that the names and numbers coincide completely.
• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary duplicates through long-pressed contact → Delete.

Use third-party apps like Contacts Optimizer or Simpler Merge to massively remove duplicates, and they analyze the address book deeper than the standard tool. MIUI, They even find duplicates with partial matches.

Make a backup copy (export to VCF)

Check synchronization with the cloud

Combine the obvious duplicates manually

Delete unnecessary entries (e.g. old numbers)

Check the display after cleaning

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4. Backup and restoration of contacts

Loss of contacts is one of the most common problems when resetting your phone or updating. MIUI. To avoid this, backups are created regularly. MIUI There are two ways:

Export to file VCF

The.vcf (vCard) format is a universal standard for storing contacts.

1. Open Contacts → Settings → Import / Export → Export to file.
2. Select an account (such as a phone or Google).
3. Specify the save path (we recommend choosing Internal Memory → Download for easy access).

You can copy the file to your computer or upload it to the cloud (e.g. Google Drive or Yandex Disk). Use the Import from the file option in the same menu to import.

4.2. backup via Mi Cloud

If you use Mi Account, backup is done automatically when sync is enabled, but for security, we recommend you create a separate copy:

1. Go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup.
2. Select Contacts and click Backup.
3. Wait until the process is complete (time depends on the number of contacts).

For recovery:

1. In the same menu, select Restore.
2. Specify the date of the backup.
3. Confirm the recovery (the data will be rewritten!).

5. Hidden functions of the “Contacts” application

Annex Contacts in MIUI It has some useful but hidden features that you can activate through settings or special gestures.

Quick dialing is especially useful, for example, if you only remember the last digits of a number (e.g.,...5678), type them on the keyboard in the Contacts app, and the system will show all matches, even if the contact is saved without a name.

Another little-known possibility is to attach notes to a contact, open a person's profile, tap Edit, and scroll down to the Notes field, where you can store additional information (such as your address, hobby, or details of your last conversation).

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The "Black List" function in MIUI Not only does it block calls, but it also SMS But it doesn't work for messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) -- they need separate settings.

6. Solving common contact issues

Even after setting up correctly, Xiaomi users face typical problems: contacts don’t show up, disappear after updating or duplicate.

6.1 Contacts are not displayed in calls

If only a number is shown instead of a name when calling, check:

• 🔧 Display settings in the Contacts app (possibly disabled for a particular account).
• 📱 Synchronization with Mi Cloud/Google (Sometimes a forced renewal is required).
• 🛠️ Phone app cache (clean it in application settings).

If the problem persists, try resetting the Contacts app settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Contacts.
2. Select Warehouse. → Reset the settings.
3. Reboot the phone.

6.2 Contacts disappeared after update MIUI

This is a common problem when switching to a new firmware version.

• 🔄 Resetting synchronization with the cloud.
• 📱 Conflict between local and cloud data.
• 🛠️ Error in the work of the application Contacts.

Decision:

1. Check if synchronization is included in Settings → Accounts.
2. If the contacts were in Mi Cloud, log in to your Xiaomi account and wait for the automatic download.
3. If you have used a Google Account, open contacts.google.com on your computer and check if the data is stored there.
4. In extreme cases, restore contacts from backup (Section 4).

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After the update MIUI Contacts are displayed without photos, try to clear the cache of the Contacts and Gallery app. Often the problem is related to the violation of the links between profiles and images.

Duplicate contacts after importation

If you have imported contacts with SIM-map or file VCF, and they are duplicated with existing records, use an algorithm:

1. Export all contacts to the file VCF (section 4.1).
2. Remove all contacts from your phone (via Settings) → Contact management → Delete everything).
3. Import contacts back from the file VCF.
4. Use the function of combining duplicates (section 3).

If the duplicates are still there, check if they are saved to different accounts (for example, part in Google, part in Mi Cloud), in which case, transfer all contacts to one account and turn off sync for the second.

7. Integration of contacts with messengers and social networks

Xiaomi smartphones allow you to link contacts with profiles in WhatsApp, Telegram, VK It's convenient for quick chat access, but it can create chaos if you don't configure it properly.

To link a social network account:

1. Open the contact profile in the Contacts app.
2. Tapnite Edit → Add a field → Social media.
3. Select a service (such as WhatsApp or WhatsApp) VK) and enter a nickname or profile link.

And then you click on the contact, you'll see a quick go to the messenger button in the call list: MIUI It doesn't automatically sync avatars from social media, so to keep your contact photos up to date, you'll have to manually install them or use third-party apps like Sync.ME.

For WhatsApp and Telegram, there is a separate setting:

• 🔹 On WhatsApp: Open Settings → Account. → Contacts and enable the option “Show contacts».
• 🔹 In Telegram: Go to Settings → Confidentiality → Contact and allow synchronization.

If after linking social networks in contacts appeared extra fields (for example, old numbers from the VK), edit them manually or use the function of combining takes (section 3).

8.Security: How to protect contacts from leakage

Contacts contain sensitive information, so protecting them is as important as protecting photos or messages. Xiaomi smartphones have several layers of protection:

Encryption of backup copies

If you back up contacts in a file VCF, They're stored in the open, and they can be read by anyone who can access the file, to protect the data:

• 🔐 Use archivers with a password (for example, 7-Zip or WinRAR) for file encryption VCF.
• 📁 Keep backups in secure cloud services (e.g. Proton Drive or NordLocker).
• 🔑 Don't send the file. VCF by email or messengers without encryption.

8.2. Blocking access to contacts

V MIUI You can restrict access to contacts for individual applications:

1. Go to Settings. → Confidentiality → Application authorizations → Contacts.
2. View the list of applications with access to the address book.
3. Disable permissions for suspicious or unnecessary programs.

You can also completely block the Contacts application with a password:

1. Install a locking app (such as Xiaomi’s AppLock).
2. Add Contacts to the list of blocked applications.
3. Set up. PIN-code or fingerprint to unlock.

Protection against phishing

Fraudsters often use contact leaks to send out emails SMS or calling on behalf of acquaintances to minimize the risks:

• 🛡️ Do not keep in contact with suspicious numbers (e.g., starting at the +375, +372 – Popular codes for fraudulent calls).
• 🔍 Check your contact list regularly for unfamiliar records.
• 📵 Use the Blacklist function to block spammers (Section 5).

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V MIUI There's a hidden "Safe Contact Mode" feature that disables the number display for all applications except the standard call module## → "Phone information" → "Safe regime".

FAQ: Frequent questions about contacts on Xiaomi