How to set up contacts on Xiaomi Mi 8: a complete guide with expert tips

Xiaomi Mi 8, released in 2018, is still a popular smartphone due to its powerful “iron” and flexible firmware MIUI. However, many users face problems when setting up contacts: duplicate records, data loss after a reset or incorrect synchronization with accounts. In this article, we will analyze all the nuances of working with the phone book on the Mi 8 - from the basic addition of numbers to hidden functions and solving typical errors.

Feature Xiaomi Mi 8 – support for several sources of contacts: local memory, Google account, Mi Account and even SIM-This gives you flexibility, but it also makes it harder to set up, so if you sync wrong, for example, the same contact can be displayed in the phone book twice, from Google Contacts and from local storage, and we'll show you how to avoid this chaos and optimize your address book.

Preparation: Verification MIUI and accounts

Before setting up contacts, make sure that your Xiaomi Mi 8 has the current version installed. MIUI. Outdated firmware (below) MIUI 12) may not support modern synchronization functions. You can check the version in the Settings menu → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

Also critical is the presence of linked accounts:

• 🔄 Google account – needed for synchronization of contacts with the cloud and backup.
• 📱 Mi Account – allows you to restore contacts when you change your Xiaomi device.
• 📶 SIM-Card – can store a limited number of contacts (up to 250), but does not support photos and additional fields.

⚠️ Note: If you have previously used a smartphone on Android 8.0 (as is the case with the Mi 8 when you buy), after upgrading to the new device. MIUI 14 local contacts can go off. Always back up before upgrading!

To avoid data loss, perform a preliminary check:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Settings → Contact management.
3. Check which accounts are connected in the Display Contacts section.

Adding and editing contacts

The basic procedure for adding contact to the Xiaomi Mi 8 is standard for MIUI, But there are some nuances, like when you create a record through the Phone app, the default contact is saved to the Google account if it's tied:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Press. + (plus-plus icon at the bottom of the screen.
3. At the top of the contact creation screen, tap on the Save in: [Account] field.
4. Select the source you want: Device (locally), Google, or SIM-map.

To edit an existing contact:

• 🔍 Find the right entry in the list and tap it.
• 📝 Click Edit (Pencil icon).
• 🖼️ To add a photo, tap on the avatar and select From the gallery or Take a picture.
• 🔗 To link multiple numbers or email, use the Add field button.

⚠️ Note: When editing the contact saved on SIM-You can’t add a photo or additional fields (such as a birthday) to the card, transfer such contact to Google or local storage.

Synchronization of contacts with Google and Mi Account

Syncing with a Google account is the most reliable way to back up contacts. On the Xiaomi Mi 8, it turns on like this:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
2. Select your Google account.
3. Activate the switch opposite Contact.
4. For Forced Synchronization, press More → Sync Now.

For Mi Account, the process is similar:

• 🔄 In the same menu, select Mi Account and sync.
• 📱 Turn on contact synchronization.
• ⚡ Note: Mi Cloud may conflict with Google Contacts if both accounts are active, in which case, disable sync on one of the services.

A critical feature of the Xiaomi Mi 8: when reset to factory settings, contacts from the Mi Account are restored only if the phone was tied to the same region (China/Global version).

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If contacts are not synced, check the date and time settings on your phone. An incorrect time zone or automatic time updates disabled can block sync with Google.

Import and export of contacts

Transfer contacts from another device to Xiaomi Mi 8 can be done in several ways, the most versatile is through the file.vcf (vCard).

1. Copy a contact file (e.g. contacts.vcf) to your phone (in internal memory or on the phone). SD-map).
2. Open the Contacts app.
3. Tap it on three points (⋮) → Settings → Import/Export of contacts → File-based import.
4. Select the.vcf file and specify an account to save (e.g. Google).

For exporting contacts to the file:

• 📤 In the same menu, select Export to file.
• 📌 Specify which contacts to export (all or only from a particular account).
• 💾 Save the file to a convenient location (we recommend it to the cloud or PC).

Alternative methods of import:

• 📱 S SIM-maps: Settings → Imports/Exports → Import with SIM. Note that with SIM Only names and numbers are transferred.
• ☁️ Through Mi Mover: If you are switching from another Xiaomi smartphone, use the built-in Mi Mover app (available in Settings) → Additionally).

⚠️ Note: When importing contacts from your iPhone through a.vcf file, profile photos may not be transferred. Use Google Contacts as an intermediate storage for full portability.

Resolving Typical Contact Problems

Xiaomi Mi 8 users often face the following mistakes:

Duplicate contacts

Reason: Simultaneous synchronization with Google and Mi Account.

1. Open Contacts → Settings → Contact Management.
2. Choose to Join Contacts.
3. The system will automatically find the duplicates and offer to combine them.

2 Contacts are not displayed

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔍 Hidden contacts: check the filters in the Contacts app (funnel icon) ⚙️).
• 🔄 Disabled synchronization: enable it in the account settings.
• 📱 Application Failure: Clear Contact Cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Contacts → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

3. Google Sync Error

If your contacts are not synced with your Google account:

• 🔌 Check your internet connection (synchronization only works via Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 🔄 Delete your account and add it again: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Delete the account.
• 📱 Update Google Contacts App through Play Market.

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If the contacts are still out of sync after all the manipulations, try using a third-party app, such as Contacts Sync Fix from the Play Market, which force syncs and fixes errors.

Backup and restoration

Backup contacts on Xiaomi Mi 8 can save data when reset, breakage or stealing your phone.

1. Through a Google account

The most reliable method is automatic sync with Google Contacts, to make sure that the backup is created:

1. Go to contacts.google.com from your computer.
2. Sign in with the same account as on your phone.
3. Check if all contacts are displayed.

2.Local backup via MIUI

Xiaomi offers a built-in backup tool:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
• 💾 Select Local Backups.
• 🔄 Enter the data for the backup (be sure to mark Contacts).
• 📁 The backup file will be saved in the folder MIUI/backup/AllBackup.

⚠️ Attention: Local backup through MIUI It's not encrypted, if you save it to SD-If you are using a map or transmitting data over the network, the data may be accessed by third parties. For privacy, use Google Contacts or third-party encrypted apps.

3. Re-establishment of contacts after discharge

If you have reset Xiaomi Mi 8 to factory settings, restore contacts can be as follows:

• 🔄 When you first turn on your phone, log in to the Google account or Mi Account to which your contacts were linked.
• 📱 If you used a local backup MIUI, Copy the.bak file into the folder MIUI/backup/AllBackup and restore through Settings → Additionally. → Recovery.
• 💾 To recover from the.vcf file, follow the instructions in the Contact Import section».

Hidden functions and life hacks

Xiaomi Mi 8 on the MIUI It offers several hidden opportunities to work with contacts that many people are unaware of:

Grouping of contacts

You can create groups (e.g., Work, Family) for quick access to:

• 👥 Open Contacts. → Groups → To form a group.
• 📌 Add members and give the group a unique name.
• 🔔 For the group, you can adjust the overall ringtone or vibration.

2.Fast dial

Quick dial allows you to assign digital shortcuts for frequently used contacts:

• 📞 Open the contact and tap again. → Quick set.
• 🔢 Assign a number (for example, 1 for spouse, 2 for work).
• 📱 Now in the Phone app hold this number for a quick call.

3.The blacklist

To block unwanted calls:

• 🚫 Open Contacts. → Settings → Blacklist.
• 📱 Add numbers manually or from the call log.
• 🔔 Enable the option to block messages to block and SMS.

4. Display of contacts on the lock screen

On the Mi 8, you can display your favorite contacts on the lock screen for quick access:

• 🔒 Go to Settings. → Lock screen → Labels.
• 📱 Select Contacts and enter up to 5 frequently used numbers.
• 📞 Now, when swiping to the right, these contacts will be displayed on the locked screen.

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On the Xiaomi Mi 8, you can set up separate ringtones for contact groups, such as a quiet signal for work and a loud one for family. → Groups → Group settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about contacts on Xiaomi Mi 8