Xiaomi Redmi smartphones based on the proprietary shell MIUI offer flexible tools for managing contacts, but many users face problems: duplicate recordings, lack of synchronization with accounts or uncomfortable display in the phone book. Unlike โnakedโ Android, it implements unique features from automatic contact pairing to hidden widget settings.
This article will not just list the standard steps, but will reveal undocumented opportunities. MIUI 14/15, For example, they can link contacts to specific SIM-We're going to take a step-by-step setup for Redmi Note models. 10 redmi 13 Pro, taking into account the features of the latest updates 2026 year-end.
1. Basic setting up of the phone book: the first steps
Before diving into the finer settings, make sure the basic contact settings are set up correctly. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person's silhouette) and go to โฎ โ Settings. Key options are available here:
- ๐ฑ Contact display: the choice between "All Contacts", "Numbers Only" or "Groups" is useful for business users.
- ๐ Sorted by first name or surname (important for Western names like "John Smith" vs. "Smith John").
- ๐ Name format: setting the order of display (name) + surname).
Pay special attention to the item Import / Export - here you can transfer contacts with the SIM-card or backup copy of.vcf. MIUI automatically offers to combine duplicates when importing, but sometimes skips records with minor differences (e.g, "+7" vs "8" in the room).
2. synchronize contacts with accounts: Google, Mi and SIM
One of the common problems with Redmi is to de-synchronize the contacts between accounts, and to avoid data loss, set up automatic sync:
- Go to Settings โ Accounts and Synchronization.
- Select a Google or Mi Account (if you use Xiaomi services).
- Activate the Contacts switch and press Sync.
For SIM-The other way: Contacts โ โฎ โ Settings โ Contact management SIM. Here we can:
- ๐ฑ Import contacts with SIM to the phone (recommended for backup).
- ๐ Export selected contacts back to SIM (Useful when changing the phone).
- ๐๏ธ Delete all contacts with SIM (Carefully - the operation is irreversible!).
Google Account is Active and Active
Contact synchronization is enabled in account settings
Checked for absence of duplicates after importation
Backup of contacts (.vcf)
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โ ๏ธ Attention: When using two SIM-cards SIM) The default contacts are tied to SIM1. To change this, when editing the contact, click on the number and select the desired one. SIM drop-down.
3. Combination and removal of duplicate contacts
MIUI automatically searches for duplicates, but often skips records with minor differences, to manually combine contacts:
- Open Contacts. โ โฎ โ Contact management โ Connecting contacts.
- The system will show you possible takes. Click on a couple of contacts, then Conjoin.
- For mass unification, use the Autounite option (available in newer versions of MIUI 14+).
If the doubles remain, check:
- ๐ Different number formats (e.g, +7 999 123-45-67 vs 89991234567).
- ๐ Different accounts (one contact on Google, one in local phone memory).
- ๐ Additional fields (for example, one contact has an email, the other does not).
What if MIUI doesn't find the doubles?
To completely clean the base of garbage:
- Create a backup copy (Contacts) โ โฎ โ Imports/Exports โ Export to file).
- Delete all contacts (Contact Management โ Delete everything).
- Import the cleaned file back.
Grouping of contacts: personal, working, VIP
The grouping function in MIUI is useful for dividing contacts into categories (family, colleagues, clients).
- Open Contacts โ Groups โ Create a Group
- Select a name (such as โWorkโ) and select contacts to add.
- Click Ready โ the group will appear in the main menu.
Features of working with groups on Redmi:
| Function | Description | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Display in the widget | You can display a widget with contacts of a particular group on the main screen | Only in the widget Contacts 4ร2 |
| Mass distribution | Sending SMS/email to all members of the group at the same time | It only works through third-party applications (e.g. Truecaller) |
| Synchronization | Groups are saved when synchronized with Google Contacts | Local groups (without linking to the account) are lost when resetting the phone |
| Color markers | You can assign a color to a group for visual separation. | Available only in MIUI 14+ |
โ ๏ธ Note: Groups created in Google Contacts may not appear in the standard Contacts app on Redmi.To fix this, update the app via Google Play or use the web version of Google Contacts.
5. Configure the contact widget on the home screen
Contact widgets on Redmi allow you to quickly call frequently used numbers.
- Press and hold the empty space on the main screen.
- Select Widgets โ Contacts.
- Drag the widget of the desired size (for example, 4ร2 for 8 contacts).
Hidden settings of the widget:
- ๐ง Long widget tap โ Change. โ selection of contacts for display.
- ๐จ V MIUI 15+ Widget design themes are available (transparent, dark, light).
- ๐ You can configure the action by pressing: a quick call or opening a contact card.
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If the contact widget doesn't update after adding a new number, restart your phone or delete/add the widget again. This involves caching data in MIUI.
For models with Always-On Display (e.g. Redmi K60), you can display your favorite contacts on the locked screen:
- Go to Settings โ Lock screen โ AOD settings.
- Enable Contacts and select up to 5 numbers.
6. Hidden features: SIM binding, fast dial, blacklist
MIUI hides a few useful options that are not obvious at first glance:
- ๐ถ Linking contacts to SIM-map: when editing the number, you can choose from which SIM It will be the default call, useful for users with two SIMs (e.g. personal and work).
- โก Quick dial: in the Phone app, go to the Set tab and hold the number (e.g., 2 for letters) ABC) โ A list of contacts will appear whose names begin with these letters.
- ๐ซ Blacklist: Contacts โ โฎ โ Blacklist โ Add numbers that will automatically block calls (without notifications).
- ๐ Search T9: On the keyboard, enter the first letters of the name (for example, 4663 for "Home") - the system will find matches.
For models with IR-A blaster (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) You can link contacts to the remotes:
- Open the Remote app.
- Go to Devices โ Add Device โ Contact.
- Choose a contact and assign a remote control (for example, to quickly turn on the TV when a call from a particular person).
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Linking contacts to SIM-maps and quick-setting T9 โ uniqueness MIUI, It makes it easier to work with two numbers and speeds up search in a large phone book.
7. Backup and restoration of contacts
Losing contacts is one of the most frustrating situations. MIUI offers 3 ways to back up:
| Method | How do you do it? | Advantages | Deficiencies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exports to.vcf | Contacts โ โฎ โ Imports/Exports โ Export to file | Universal format, works on any device | Manual file update |
| Synchronization with Google | Settings โ Accounts โ Google โ Contact Synchronization | Automatic update, access from any device | Demands the Internet. |
| Local backup of MIUI | Settings โ About the phone โ Backup | It also saves SMS and settings. | The file takes up a lot of space. |
For recovery:
- ๐ From.vcf: Contacts โ โฎ โ Imports/Exports โ Import from the file.
- โ๏ธ From Google: Enable sync in account settings.
- ๐ Backup copy. MIUI: Settings โ The phone. โ Restore.
โ ๏ธ Note: When recovering from backup MIUI contacts can be duplicated if they already exist in the phone book. Before restoring, export your current contacts to.vcf for manual checks.