How to Configure Contact Display on Xiaomi Redmi 9A: From Synchronization to Widgets

Xiaomi Redmi 9A is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its MIUI interface is not always intuitive, especially when it comes to working with contacts. Have you noticed that some numbers are duplicated and others disappear altogether from the phone book? Or want to bring your favorite contacts to the home screen, but do not know how? This article will help you understand all the nuances from basic synchronization to fine display settings.

We'll look not only at the standard features of the Contacts app, but also at the hidden features of MIUI that allow you to customize your display, such as how to turn off your WhatsApp or Telegram contact impressions if they clog the main list, or how to return deleted numbers through a backup, and also look at the common bugs that can cause contacts to "disappear" after a system update.

Important: instructions are relevant for Xiaomi Redmi 9A based on MIUI 12, 13 and 14 (including global and Chinese firmware versions).If you have a different model or custom firmware, some points may differ.

1. Contact sync: how to combine numbers from Google, SIM and MI Cloud

The first step to properly displaying contacts is synchronizing them. - Redmi's default 9A It can store numbers in three places: SIM-map, Google account and in MI Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud) If you don't configure it correctly, you'll get duplicates or data loss when you change your phone.

To avoid chaos:

• 🔄 Open "Settings» → «Accounts and syncs. Here you will see all the connected accounts (Google, Mi Account, other services).
• 📱 Select "Google» → your account → «Contact synchronization. Turn on the switch if it's off.
• ☁️ For MI Cloud Go to Mi Account → Synchronization → Contact and activate the option.
• 📞 To move the contacts with SIM-maps, open the "Contact" app» → «Contact management» → «Imports/Exports» → «Import with SIM-map».

⚠️ Note: If you sync your contacts with both Google and Google MI Cloud, there may be a duplicate conflict, and we recommend selecting one primary source (e.g. Google) and disabling sync in the other sources.

2. Display setting: sorting, grouping and filters

By default, MIUI shows all the contacts in the same list, but it's not always convenient. For example, if you have hundreds of numbers, finding the right one becomes a problem. Fortunately, there are sorting and filtering tools in the settings.

How to set up:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette on the home screen).
2. Tap on. ⋮ (three-point) → «Settings» → «Contact display».
3. In the "Sort" section, select: 🔤 By name (A-I or I-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A) 📅 By date of addition (new or old first)
4. In the section "Filters" can be hidden: 👥 Contacts without phone numbers 📱 Contacts from messengers (WhatsApp, Viber, etc.) 🏢 Corporate contacts (if work mail is connected)

💡 Useful advice: If you call the same person often, add them to "Favorites." → slip on ⭐ These numbers will be displayed in a separate tab in the Phone app».

3. Contact widgets on the main screen: quick access

To avoid opening the Contacts app every time you need to call, you can bring frequently used numbers to the home screen as a widget. Redmi 9A has several options available:

⚠️ Note: Contact widgets may not show up if you are using a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher or Apex). MIUI or install the widget through alternative methods (e.g., using an app «KWGT»).

On Redmi 9A, the Quick Dial widget supports a maximum of 4 contacts – a system restriction that cannot be circumvented without root rights.

4. Problem Solving: Why Contacts Are Not Displayed or Dubbed

A frequent complaint of Redmi 9A users is that contacts suddenly disappear or appear in multiple copies.

• 🔄 Synchronization conflict (Google and Google are simultaneously enabled) MI Cloud).
• 📱 Failure after update MIUI (Especially when switching from 12 to 13).
• 🗑️ Cleaning the cache of the Contacts app without a backup.
• 📵 Problems with SIM-card (if the contacts are stored on it).

How to fix it:

1. Check your sync settings (see Section 1). Disable any extra sources.
2. Resetting the settings of the “Contacts” application: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Contacts → Warehouse → Clear the data ⚠️ This will remove all local settings, but not the contacts themselves (if they are synced to the cloud).
3. Restore from backup: For Google: go to contacts.google.com, check for backup. For MI Cloud: Settings → Mi Account → Cloud → Data Recovery.

5.Move contacts from another phone to Redmi 9A

If you are switching to the Redmi 9A from another smartphone (such as an iPhone or Samsung), you can transfer contacts in several ways.

• ☁️ Through Google Account: On your old phone, export your contacts to Google Contacts. on Redmi 9A Add the same Google account and enable sync.
• 📱 Through SIM-map (if there are few contacts): Copy the contacts to SIM It's on an old phone. SIM redmi 9A Import them through Contacts. → Management → Import with SIM.
• 📧 Using.vcf: On an old phone, export contacts to a file (usually in Contact Settings). → Export. Flip the file to Redmi. 9A (via Bluetooth, email or via USB). Open the file – contacts will be added automatically.

💡 Useful tip: If you are transferring contacts from iPhone, use iCloud:

1. Export your contacts from iCloud to.vcf (via iCloud.com).
2. Import this file to Redmi 9A via Google Contacts.

💡

The most universal way to transfer is through a Google account, which works between any device and stores all information (photos, notes, groups).

6. Additional chips: groups, tags and integration with messengers

MIUI allows you not only to store contacts, but also to organize them with groups and tags, which is useful if you want to quickly find all your colleagues, friends or family members.

How to form a group:

1. Open Contacts → Groups → Create a Group.
2. Please specify a name (e.g., “work” or “family”).
3. Add participants from the contact list.

Now, when sending an SMS or email, you can select the entire group at once, instead of adding each contact individually.

Redmi 9A also supports integration with messengers:

• 💬 WhatsApp/Telegram: If you have a contact in these apps, next to his name, the messenger icon will appear in the phone book.
• 📧 Email: If an email is linked to a contact, it can be used to send a letter quickly via Gmail or Mi Mail.

⚠️ Note: If you disable messenger access to contacts in the privacy settings (Settings) → Confidentiality → Permits → Contacts, quick access icons will disappear.

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

Contacts are one of the most valuable pieces of data on a phone, and losing them can be a serious problem, especially if they include work numbers or important connections. Here's how to secure them on Redmi 9A:

• 🔐 Backup: Automatic: Enable sync with Google or MI Cloud (see section 1). Manual: export contacts to.vcf once a month (Contacts) → Management → Export) and save it on a PC or flash drive.
• 🛡️ Protection against theft: Enable locking SIM-maps (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Lockdown SIM-Set a password for the Contacts app (via Settings) → Confidentiality → Application lockdown).
• 🚫 Access Restriction: Disable contact permission for unnecessary applications (Settings) → Confidentiality → Permits. Use incognito mode in MIUI, Disguising Contacts When Transferring a Phone to Another Person.

The Xiaomi Redmi 9A has a hidden “Private Mode” feature that allows you to hide selected contacts from prying eyes. To activate it, go to Settings → Privacy → Private Mode and add contacts to a hidden list.

FAQ: Frequent questions about contacts at Redmi 9A