How to set up contacts in Xiaomi: a step-by-step guide to 2026

Xiaomi smartphones offer flexible tools for managing contacts, but many users face problems: duplicate records, data loss after a reset or lack of synchronization between devices, POCO Mi requires understanding accounts, cloud services, and embedded features MIUI. In this article, we will analyze all the ways of setting up - from basic imports to basic imports from the SIM-maps before fine synchronization with Google and Mi Account.

Feature of firmware MIUI It is a system that integrates closely with the Xiaomi ecosystem, which sometimes makes it difficult for users who are used to “pure” Android, for example, by default, the system can save new numbers to the phone’s local memory rather than to the cloud, which leads to their loss when replacing the device. We will show you how to avoid such situations and set up automatic backups.

It is also important to note that the settings may vary depending on the version. MIUI And the smartphone models, and the article shows the actual screenshots and menu paths for the MIUI 14/15 (2026 year), but the basic principles remain unchanged for most of the brand’s devices.

Basic Contact Settings: Accounts and Data Sources

Before you add or edit contacts, you need to understand where they are stored. Xiaomi has several storage sources available:

• 📱 Local phone memory – contacts are only stored on the device (risk of loss when resetting).
• ☁️ Google Account – sync through Google services (recommended for backups).
• 🔄 Mi Account – Xiaomi Cloud (useful for synchronization between brand devices).
• 📇 SIM-map - outdated method, limited in scope (maximum 250 contacts).

To check the current settings, go to Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Contacts. This shows all active sources. If you only see the phone, it means that the contacts are locally stored, and it's not safe.

How to add an account for synchronization:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
2. Click Add Account and select Google or Mi Account.
3. Enter the login details and enable contact synchronization in the account settings.

⚠️ Note: If you use multiple Google accounts, contacts may be duplicated. To avoid this, keep active sync for only one primary account.

Import and export of contacts: transfer of SIM, Android

Transferring contacts to the new Xiaomi smartphone is a common task. Let’s consider all possible scenarios:

2.1 Imports of c SIM-map

If your contacts are saved to SIM-Map (relevant to older phones), follow the following steps:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Contact Management → Imports/Exports → Import with SIM-map.
3. Select an account to save (Google or Mi Account is recommended).
4. Mark the contacts you need or click Select All.

Limitations: SIM-The card only stores names and phone numbers (no email, addresses or photos) after importing the original contacts to the SIM They can be removed from the same menu (remove from the menu). SIM).

2.2. Transfer from Android or iPhone

To transfer from another smartphone to Android:

• 📲 Method 1: Export contacts to.vcf file on old phone (via Contacts) → Export, then send it to Xiaomi via email or Mi Share and import.
• 🔗 Method 2: Sync your contacts with your Google Account on your old phone, then sign in to the same account on Xiaomi.
• 🍎 For iPhone: Use iCloud to export contacts to.vcf or set up sync with Google Contacts via iOS settings.

Check the current location of the contacts on your old phone

Create a backup copy (export to.vcf)

Make sure you add the right one to Xiaomi. Google/Mi Account

Disable sync with unnecessary accounts-->

Critical error: if the contacts are duplicated when importing, check the synchronization settings in Settings → Accounts. → Google → Contact synchronization: Often the problem is synchronization with multiple accounts at the same time.

3. synchronize contacts with Google and Mi Account

Automatic synchronization eliminates the need for manual data transfer, and at Xiaomi, it works through two main services:

How to check the synchronization status:

1. Open Contacts. → Settings (⚙️) → Contact management.
2. Check out the Accounts section here, which shows when the last sync was.
3. If the date is not updated, click Sync Now.

⚠️ Note: If you delete your Google or Mi Account from your phone, all contacts associated with it will also disappear from the device (but remain in the cloud.

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To speed up sync, connect to Wi-Fi and manually start the process in your account settings. Also check if traffic saving is enabled in your Settings. → Connections → Use of data

4. Backup and restoration of contacts

Losing contacts is one of the most frustrating problems. There are several ways to back up Xiaomi:

Automatic backup via Mi Cloud

Mi Cloud automatically backs up contacts, messages and other data to set it up:

1. Go to Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on the switch opposite Contact.
3. Click on Synchronization Settings and select the frequency (Auto is recommended).

How to Recover Contacts from Mi Cloud:

1. In the same menu (Mi Cloud) click Restore.
2. Select the backup date.
3. Confirm the recovery (contacts will merge with existing ones).

Manual export to.vcf file

This method is suitable for creating a local copy:

1. Open Contacts. → Settings (⚙️) → Contact management → Exports.
2. Select the account whose contacts you want to export.
3. Save the.vcf file to internal memory or SD-map.

You can copy the file to your computer or send it to an email. Use the Import function in the same menu to restore it.

5. Resolving common contact problems

Xiaomi users often encounter common mistakes when working with contacts, let’s analyze the most common of them:

Contacts are not displayed in the "Phone" appendix

If you do not see the saved numbers when calling, check:

• 🔍 Display source: Open Contacts → Settings → Display contacts and make sure that the account you want is selected (not just the phone").
• 🔄 Sync: Run it manually in your account settings.
• 📱 App cache: Clear the cache for apps Contacts and Phone in Settings → Annexes → Application management.

Duplicate contacts

Doubles occur when synchronized with multiple accounts to eliminate them:

1. Open Google Contacts in your browser (contacts.google.com).
2. In the left menu, select Duplicates and click Combine.
3. On the phone, update contacts through Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronize now.

Contacts are not retained after addition

If new contacts disappear after the reboot, they are likely to be stored in the wrong source.

• 📝 Save settings: When you add a contact, click on the Save in box and select Google or Mi Account.
• 🚫 Account Limitations: Make sure there is enough space on your Google account (free – 15GB).

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If the contact problem occurred after the update MIUI, Try resetting the Contacts app settings in Settings → Annexes → Contacts → Warehouse → Reset. It won't delete the contacts themselves, but it will return the standard display parameters.

Additional Features: Groups, Favorites and Widgets

MIUI It offers advanced contact tools that many users don’t use:

6.1 Establishment of contact groups

Groups help you find numbers quickly (e.g., Work, Family) to create a group:

1. Open Contacts → Groups → Create a Group
2. Set a name and add participants.
3. Groups are displayed in a separate section and can be used for mass mailings. SMS.

Selected contacts and quick access

To add contact to your favorites:

• Open the contact card and click on ⭐ top-right.
• Selected contacts are displayed on a separate tab in the Contacts app.
• On the main screen, you can add a Favorite Contacts widget for quick access.

Configuring the display of contacts

V MIUI You can change the format of the display of names and numbers:

1. Go to Contacts. → Settings → Name format.
2. Select the order: Name of Surname or Surname of Name.
3. In the Display Numbers section, set the format (e.g., with country code).

Hidden functions: B MIUI You can assign customized tunes to your contacts. Open your contact card, click Edit. → Call melody and select an audio file.

7.Security: How to protect contacts from loss or theft

Contacts contain sensitive information, so protecting them is as important as backing them up.

• 🔒 Backup Encryption: In Mi Cloud, data is encrypted, but for additional protection, use the password for the.vcf file (you can create an archive with a password via WinRAR or 7-Zip).
• 📱 Lockdown SIM-Cards: If the contacts are stored on SIM, set up PUK-code through operator settings.
• 🚨 Delete from lost phone: Find My Device (Xiaomi) can remotely erase data, including contacts.
• 🔄 Two-factor authentication: Enable 2FA Google Account and Mi Account to prevent unauthorized access.

How to check who has access to your contacts:

1. For Google Account: Go to Google Account myaccount.google.com/permissions and remove unnecessary applications.
2. For Mi Account: Check Active Sessions in Settings → Mi Account → Security → Device management.

⚠️ Note: If you sell or transfer a Xiaomi smartphone, it is not enough to manually delete contacts. → The phone. → Reset your settings and remove your device from your Mi Account at account.xiaomi.com.

8. Alternative applications for contact management

Built-in Appendix Contacts in MIUI functional, but some users prefer third-party solutions:

How to install a third-party application by default:

1. Install the selected application from the Play Market.
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Find the built-in Contacts app, click Open by default and reset the settings.
4. When you open your contacts, select the new app as your primary.

Third-party applications may conflict with MIUI, Especially if they are requesting access to SMS Check the compatibility reviews with your Xiaomi model before installing.

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If the call stops working after the alternative application has been installed, or SMS, Return the standard Contacts by default app and reboot your phone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up contacts in Xiaomi