How to set up contacts in a Xiaomi phone: from basic add-on to advanced synchronization

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI They offer flexible contact management tools, but many users face problems such as duplicate records, data loss after a reset or lack of sync with a Google account, POCO Xiaomi – from basic number addition to advanced features like combining duplicates or exporting to a.vcf file.

We will look at current methods for MIUI 14/15 (Including shells for HyperOS, we’ll take into account the features of working with Google Contacts and Mi Account, and give you backup recommendations. If you recently switched from an iPhone or other Android device, here you will find answers to typical questions: Why contacts are not displayed in messengers, how to transfer them from SIM-Maps or why some numbers are duplicated after system updates.

Basic operations: Adding, editing and deleting contacts

To add a new contact to Xiaomi, open the Contacts app (an icon with a human silhouette) and click on the icon «+» In the lower right corner, the system will tell you to choose where to save the number: SIM-Map, Google account or device (locally).

Important: If you choose to save on SIM-You will have a limit on the number of characters in your name (usually up to 14) and you will not be able to add additional fields such as email or address.

• 📱 Addition of contact: “Contacts» → «+» → fill in the fields (name, phone, email) → «Save».
• ✏️ Editing: Open contact → Click on the pencil in the top corner → make changes → «Save».
• 🗑️ Removal: Open contact → «More" (three dots) → «Delete» → confirm.
• 🔍 Search: Use the search bar at the top of the screen – the system searches by name, number and email.

If you frequently add contacts from calls, turn on the option “AutoSave”** in the settings of the Phone app. → Calls. → Auto-save contacts and activate the switch. Now, after the incoming/outgoing call, the system will prompt you to save the number.

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If you frequently call international numbers, please specify the country code in your contact settings (e.g, +7 for Russia) This will help to avoid problems with determining the number in messengers.

2. synchronize contacts with Google and Mi Account

One of the key functions MIUI It's synchronizing contacts with cloud services, allowing you to retrieve numbers after a phone drop or use them on other devices. Xiaomi has two basic synchronization options:

1. With a Google account, it is a universal method that works on any Android device.
2. With Mi Account, Xiaomi’s proprietary solution is useful if you only use the device of that brand.

To enable synchronization with Google:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Select your account (or add a new one).
3. Activate the switch next to the "Contacts" item**.
4. Click on Sync** (Wi-Fi connection may be required).

To sync with Mi Account:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Account.
2. Sign in to your account (or register).
3. Enable the “Contacts” option** and wait until the process is complete.

If you use both accounts at the same time, you may have duplicate contacts. To avoid this, select the main source for display in the Contacts settings: → Contact management → Display contacts from.

Import and export of contacts: transfer of SIM, iPhone or other Android

Transferring contacts from one device to another is a common task, and on Xiaomi, you can do this in a number of ways:

• 📁 S SIM-Cards: Put the card in the phone → Open "Contacts» → «More" (three dots) → «Imports/exports» → «Import with SIM-map».

For exporting contacts with Xiaomi:

1. Open the "Contact» → «More» → «Imports/exports».
2. Select “Export to Device” (for local file) or “Export to Device” SIM-map».
3. Please specify the contacts for export (you can choose all or only certain ones).
4. The file will be saved to Internal Storage → MIUI → Backup → AllBackup.

Check the vacant space on SIM-card (if you import it there)|Create a backup of current contacts|Make sure that.vcf files are not damaged.|Turn off background synchronization restrictions in battery settings-->

If there are errors when importing (for example, not all contacts are transferred), try:

• Break up a large.vcf file into several parts (you can use a PC).
• Use third-party apps like “Copy My Data” or “My Contacts Backup.”

4. Combination and removal of duplicate contacts

Contact duplicates are a common problem, especially after syncing with multiple accounts or importing from a user. SIM-In the cards. MIUI There is a built-in tool to combine them:

1. Open the "Contact» → «More» → «Contact management» → «Connecting contacts».
2. The system will automatically find possible duplicates. Click on the group of contacts to be combined.
3. Select the main contact (data from it will be prioritized) and click “Combine”**.

If the automatic connection does not work:

• Check that your contacts are saved in one account (for example, both on Google).
• Make sure the names and numbers match (even small differences in format can interfere with the amalgamation).
• Use third-party apps like “Simpler Merge” or “Contacts Optimizer.”

For mass removal of duplicates:

1. Export all contacts to the.vcf file.
2. Open a file on your PC using Google Contacts or Outlook – these services have tools to find duplicates.
3. After cleaning, import the file back to your phone.

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Check your contacts regularly for doubles (once in a week). 2-3 months, especially if you use multiple messengers or add new numbers frequently.

5. Contact display settings: groups, selected, sorting

The Contacts app on Xiaomi allows you to flexibly configure post displays, for example:

• 🌟 Add to your favorites: Open contact → Click on the star in the top corner, and these contacts will be displayed in a separate tab.
• 👥 Establishing teams: “Contacts» → «Groups» → «To form a group» → Add members, useful for work contacts or friends.
• 🔤 Replace sorting: “Settings» → «Contact display» → Choose “By name” or “By name».
• 📇 Set up the format of names: in the same settings, you can choose how to display names (for example, "Ivanov Ivan" or "Ivan Ivanov»).

If you frequently call certain contacts, add them to the home screen:

1. Press and hold the free space on the main screen.
2. Select "Widgets» → Find the contact widget (usually) 2×2 or 4×1).
3. Drag it to the screen and select contacts to display.

Business users can use the “Company Profile” feature** (available in some versions). MIUI):

• Create a separate profile with work contacts.
• Set up automatic disabling of notifications from personal contacts during business hours.

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If you use Xiaomi for work, turn on the “Contact Sharing” option in the app settings, which will hide personal numbers in your work profile.

6. Backup and restoration of contacts

Losing contacts is one of the worst situations. To avoid this, back up regularly. On Xiaomi, you can do this in a number of ways:

• ☁️ Cloud reservation: For Google Contacts: automatically synced when the option is enabled (see section 2). → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup → select "Contacts».
• 📱 Local reservation: Open "Contacts» → «More» → «Imports/exports» → «Backup. The file will be saved to MIUI/Backup/AllBackup and will have the extension.vcf or.bak.
• 💾 Third-party apps: “Super Backup” or “G Cloud Backup” allow you to backup with additional settings (for example, on a schedule).

To restore contacts from backup:

1. For cloud recovery: Sign in to your account (Google or Mi Account) and enable sync.
2. For local file: “Contacts» → «More» → «Imports/exports» → «Restore» → select the file.

⚠️ Warning: If you reset your phone to factory settings, add the Google or Mi Account that was used to sync first.

If the backup is damaged or not restored:

• Try opening a.vcf file on your PC via Google Contacts or Outlook.
• Use online services like this VCF Viewer to check file integrity.
• If a copy is lost in the cloud, check the cart in Google Contacts (stored for 30 days).

7. Solving common contact issues

Even after setting up correctly, Xiaomi users may face problems, and consider the typical cases and ways to solve them:

If your contacts are not synced with Google:

1. Check your Internet connection.
2. Make sure synchronization is enabled: Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Google → Contacts.
3. Delete your Google account and add it again.
4. Update Google Play Services to Google Play.

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi with custom firmware (like LineageOS), the standard Contacts app may not work properly. In this case, install an alternative app, such as Simple Contacts or Contapps».

To diagnose synchronization problems:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI and click 7 times on the line with the version to enable the developer mode.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and enable the "Sync Journal»**.
3. Check logs for errors (technical knowledge will be required).

8 Additional Features: Integration with Messengers and Smart Devices

Xiaomi contacts are not just for calls, they are integrated with other ecosystem functions.

• 💬 Messengers: WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber contacts are automatically pulled up if the numbers are saved in an international format (+7XXXXXXXXXX).
• 📞 Voice Assistant: Google Assistant or XiaoAI can call contacts via voice command (e.g., “Call Mommy” or “Call Mommy»).

To improve integration with messengers:

• Make sure that all available numbers (mobile, work) are indicated in the contact settings.
• Add a photo of the contact – it will be displayed in chats.
• Use tags (such as “Family,” “Work”) for quick filtering.

To set up voice commands:

1. Open Google Assistant (or XiaoAI for Chinese firmware).
2. Go to the settings. → «Voice match» → «Contacts».
3. Add nicknames for frequently used contacts (such as "home" for parents).

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If you use Mi Band, you can set up call notifications from specific contacts in the Mi Fit app, even if the phone is silent.

For owners of smart devices Xiaomi:

• In the Mi Home app, you can create scenarios where a call from a specific contact will turn on a smart lamp or send a notification to Mi. TV.
• Set up “Secure Contacts” in Mi Home Security – these people will be able to receive alerts from your security system.

FAQ: Frequent questions about contacts on Xiaomi