How to set up contacts on Xiaomi 8 Pro: from add to sync with Google

Xiaomi 8 Pro is a flagship smartphone with extensive contact management capabilities, but not all users know how to make the most of the built-in tools MIUI. From basic number addition to fine-tuning display and sync with cloud services, the system offers flexible solutions that often go unnoticed.

In this article, we will discuss not only standard operations (creating, editing, deleting contacts), but also hidden functions: how to combine duplicates automatically, configure quick access to frequently used numbers through the Contact Widget, or why some contacts are not displayed in instant messengers.

If you are faced with problems such as “contacts are not updated” or “numbers are displayed without names”, here you will find unique solutions for the problem. MIUI 14/15, All instructions are tested on current versions of the firmware and adapted for Xiaomi 8 Pro with its features (for example, support for two) SIM-map).

Basic operations: Adding, editing and deleting contacts

Let’s start with the basics of how to add a new contact to the Xiaomi 8 Pro. There are three main ways, and each of them is convenient in different situations:

• 📱 Through the "Contacts" application: open the application, click + In the lower right corner, fill in the fields, and you can specify a few numbers, an email, an address, and even add a note (useful for work contacts).
• 📞 From the call log: after incoming/outgoing call, click on the number → The system will automatically pull up the operator's data (if the number is registered in the database).
• 💬 From the report: SMS/MMS click on the sender number. → Create a contact or add to an existing one.

To edit an existing contact, open its card and click ✏️ Please note: in MIUI You can attach photos, ringtones, or even video (via the Multimedia field) to the contact, which is convenient for quickly identifying the caller.

Contact removal is done by swiping left by name in the list or through the menu. ⋮ → Important: If a contact is synced to Google or Mi Account, it will be deleted from all devices. To avoid this, turn off sync before deleting (more on this in section 4).

⚠️ Note: When you delete contacts (via Settings) → Contact management) the system does not request confirmation for each item.

Make a backup through Settings → Google → Backup

Check if contacts are duplicated (use the Unite feature)

Turn off sync if you plan to make local changes

Make sure that SIM-The card is not blocked (for contacts on the SIM)

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2. Managing contacts on SIM-card vs. telephone book

Xiaomi. 8 Pro contacts can be stored in three places: SIM-card, in the memory of the phone or in the cloud account (Google/Mi). Each option has pros and cons:

To move the contacts with SIM-Maps to your phone or cloud, go to Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Import with SIM-The system will suggest you to choose the target storage. We recommend using Google Account is a universal solution that works even when switching to smartphones from other brands.

If you use two of them SIM-maps, in Xiaomi 8 Pro you can link the contact to a specific line. SIM 1 SIM 2 in the Phone field. This is convenient for separating work and personal numbers.

Nana SIM-map

In the memory of the phone

On Google Account

In Mi Account.

I don't know. I don't use it.

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3. synchronize contacts with Google and Mi Account

Sync is a key feature that protects your contacts from loss. On the Xiaomi 8 Pro, it is set up in two steps:

1. Activating account sync: For Google: Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Google → [your email] → Sync contacts. For Mi Account: Settings → Mi Account → Synchronization → Contacts.

Selecting a primary account for new contacts

Go to Contacts. → ⋮ → Settings → Save new contacts in and select your preferred account (Google or Mi).

If the contacts are not synchronized, check:

• 🔄 Internet connection: synchronization only works when connected to the network.
• 🔒 Permits: c Settings → Annexes → Contacts → Permits must be included Contacts and Warehouse.
• ⏳ Last Sync Time: In your account settings, click Sync Now.

Unique feature MIUI: If you use both accounts (Google and Mi), the system can create duplicate contacts. To avoid this, turn on Auto Unification in the contact settings (Settings) → Contact management → Connecting contacts).

⚠️ Note: When you change your main account to save contacts (e.g. from Mi to Google), old contacts are not automatically transferred. → Imports/Exports.

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If the contacts are not restored after the phone is reset, check if the sync in the account settings is disabled. MIUI Resets these parameters to the factory.

4. Problem Solving: Contacts are not displayed, duplicated or updated

Users of Xiaomi 8 Pro often face typical problems in the work of contacts.

Problem 1: Contacts are not displayed in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram)

The reason is usually because of visibility settings.

1. Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Settings → Display contacts.
2. Make sure all accounts are selected (Google, Mi, SIM), number-plate.
3. In the messenger itself (such as WhatsApp) check permission to access contacts: → Annexes → WhatsApp → Permits → Contacts.

Problem 2: Duplicate contacts

MIUI Offers a built-in tool to combine duplicates:

1. Go to Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Connecting contacts.
2. The system will automatically find possible duplicates. Click Consolidate for each option.
3. To prevent new duplicates, enable the Automatic Unification option in the settings.

Problem 3: Contacts are not updated after editing

This is a problem in a synchronization conflict.

1. Turn off sync for a problem account (Google or Mi).
2. Delete the Contacts application data via Settings → Annexes → Contacts → Warehouse → Clear the data.
3. Turn on the synchronization back and wait for the process to be completed.

5. Advanced features: Groups, widgets and fast access

Xiaomi 8 Pro allows you not only to store contacts, but also to organize them for easy use.

Contact groups

Groups help you find numbers quickly, such as work, family or other groups. VIP. How to do this:

1. Open Contacts → Groups → Create a Group
2. Set a name and add participants.
3. To send a message to the whole group, click on its name. → ⋮ → Send a message.

Contact widget on the main screen

For quick access to frequently used numbers, add a widget:

1. Click and hold the empty space on the home screen → Widgets.
2. Find the contact widget (options available) 2×2, 4×1 etc.).
3. Drag it on the screen and set up the contacts displayed.

Voice dialing and commands

Using Google Assistant or Mi AI You can call contacts in voice:

• 🎤 Activate the assistant with the phrase “OK, Google” or hold the Home button.
• Say, “Call [contact name] on mobile” or “Write a message [name].”
• If the contact has several numbers, specify: "for work" or "for personal".

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Use contact groups for mass mailings – this will save time when sending notifications or invitations.

6. Backup and transfer contacts to a new phone

Switching to a new smartphone or resetting the Xiaomi 8 Pro to factory settings doesn’t have to mean losing contacts.

Method 1: Export to a VCF file

File. VCF (vCard – a universal format for transferring contacts:

1. Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to the vault.
2. Select your account (or all contacts) and confirm your export.
3. The file is saved in the Internal Storage → MIUI → backup → Contacts folder.

Method 2: Sync with Google

If your contacts are synced to Google, they will automatically load onto the new phone when you log in to your account.

1. Go to contacts.google.com from your computer.
2. Make sure all contacts are displayed in the web version.
3. On the new phone, turn on sync (see section 3).

Method 3: Migration through the Mi Cloud

For users of the Xiaomi ecosystem:

1. On an old phone: Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup → Contacts.
2. On a new phone: Log in to the same Mi Account and recover data from the cloud.

⚠️ Note: When transferring contacts through VCF-If the file is encoding the file, if the names use Cyrillic characters, choose the format. UTF-8, Or else "crank-fish" is possible".

7.Security: How to protect contacts from outsiders

Contacts often contain sensitive information, and there are several ways to protect them on the Xiaomi 8 Pro:

Hiding contact

To hide the individual contacts from prying eyes:

1. Open contact. → ⋮ → Hide contact.
2. Hidden contacts will only be available after entering the password (configured in Settings). → Confidentiality → Application lockdown).

Blocking the "Contact" application

Disable access to contacts without authorization:

1. Go to Settings. → Lockdown and protection → Application lockdown.
2. Select Contacts and set a password or fingerprint.

Restricting access to other applications

Some apps (such as social media or games) request access to contacts to limit this:

1. Open Settings → Privacy → Application permissions → Contacts.
2. Disable access for unnecessary applications.

Additional advice: In Settings → Google → Managing a Google Account → Personal data and confidentiality → Contact settings can be turned off by Offer Contacts so that Google doesn’t use your address book for advertising or recommendations.

Frequently asked questions