Xiaomi Redmi Contacts: From Basic Parameters to Hidden MIUI Features

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 โ€œnakedโ€ 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 โ‹ฎ โ†’ Settings. Key options are available here:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Contact display: the choice between "All Contacts", "Numbers Only" or "Groups" is useful for business users.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Sorted by first name or surname (important for Western names like "John Smith" vs. "Smith John").
  • ๐Ÿ“‡ 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).

๐Ÿ“Š How do you usually keep your contacts?
Only on the phone.
Synchronizing with Google
Use it. SIM-map
Other

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:

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ Accounts and Synchronization.
  2. Select a Google or Mi Account (if you use Xiaomi services).
  3. Activate the Contacts switch and press Sync.

For SIM-The other way: Contacts โ†’ โ‹ฎ โ†’ Settings โ†’ Contact management SIM. Here we can:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Import contacts with SIM to the phone (recommended for backup).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Export selected contacts back to SIM (Useful when changing the phone).
  • ๐Ÿ—‘๏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)

-->

โš ๏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:

  1. Open Contacts. โ†’ โ‹ฎ โ†’ Contact management โ†’ Connecting contacts.
  2. The system will show you possible takes. Click on a couple of contacts, then Conjoin.
  3. For mass unification, use the Autounite option (available in newer versions of MIUI 14+).

If the doubles remain, check:

  • ๐Ÿ” Different number formats (e.g, +7 999 123-45-67 vs 89991234567).
  • ๐Ÿ“Œ Different accounts (one contact on Google, one in local phone memory).
  • ๐Ÿ“‡ Additional fields (for example, one contact has an email, the other does not).
What if MIUI doesn't find the doubles?
If automatic pairing doesn't work, export the contacts to a.vcf file, open it to your PC via Google Contacts or Outlook, where the duplicate search tools work more accurately. After cleaning, import back to Redmi.

To completely clean the base of garbage:

  1. Create a backup copy (Contacts) โ†’ โ‹ฎ โ†’ Imports/Exports โ†’ Export to file).
  2. Delete all contacts (Contact Management โ†’ Delete everything).
  3. 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).

  1. Open Contacts โ†’ Groups โ†’ Create a Group
  2. Select a name (such as โ€œWorkโ€) and select contacts to add.
  3. Click Ready โ€“ the group will appear in the main menu.

Features of working with groups on Redmi:

FunctionDescriptionLimitations
Display in the widgetYou can display a widget with contacts of a particular group on the main screenOnly in the widget Contacts 4ร—2
Mass distributionSending SMS/email to all members of the group at the same timeIt only works through third-party applications (e.g. Truecaller)
SynchronizationGroups are saved when synchronized with Google ContactsLocal groups (without linking to the account) are lost when resetting the phone
Color markersYou can assign a color to a group for visual separation.Available only in MIUI 14+

โš ๏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.

  1. Press and hold the empty space on the main screen.
  2. Select Widgets โ†’ Contacts.
  3. Drag the widget of the desired size (for example, 4ร—2 for 8 contacts).

Hidden settings of the widget:

  • ๐Ÿ”ง Long widget tap โ†’ Change. โ†’ selection of contacts for display.
  • ๐ŸŽจ V MIUI 15+ Widget design themes are available (transparent, dark, light).
  • ๐Ÿ“ž You can configure the action by pressing: a quick call or opening a contact card.

๐Ÿ’ก

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:

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ Lock screen โ†’ AOD settings.
  2. 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:

  • ๐Ÿ“ถ 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).
  • โšก 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.
  • ๐Ÿšซ Blacklist: Contacts โ†’ โ‹ฎ โ†’ Blacklist โ†’ Add numbers that will automatically block calls (without notifications).
  • ๐Ÿ” 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:

  1. Open the Remote app.
  2. Go to Devices โ†’ Add Device โ†’ Contact.
  3. Choose a contact and assign a remote control (for example, to quickly turn on the TV when a call from a particular person).

๐Ÿ’ก

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:

MethodHow do you do it?AdvantagesDeficiencies
Exports to.vcfContacts โ†’ โ‹ฎ โ†’ Imports/Exports โ†’ Export to fileUniversal format, works on any deviceManual file update
Synchronization with GoogleSettings โ†’ Accounts โ†’ Google โ†’ Contact SynchronizationAutomatic update, access from any deviceDemands the Internet.
Local backup of MIUISettings โ†’ About the phone โ†’ BackupIt also saves SMS and settings.The file takes up a lot of space.

For recovery:

  • ๐Ÿ“„ From.vcf: Contacts โ†’ โ‹ฎ โ†’ Imports/Exports โ†’ Import from the file.
  • โ˜๏ธ From Google: Enable sync in account settings.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Backup copy. MIUI: Settings โ†’ The phone. โ†’ Restore.

โš ๏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.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up contacts on Xiaomi Redmi

Why are contacts not displayed in the Phone app, but visible in Contacts?
It's related to the display settings. Go to Contacts. โ†’ โ‹ฎ โ†’ Settings โ†’ Display contacts and select All contacts or specify a specific account (Google, Mi Account, SIM). If the problem persists, clear the Contacts app cache in your phone settings.
How to transfer contacts from iPhone to Xiaomi Redmi?
The most reliable way: On iPhone, export contacts to iCloud (set up sync). On PC, open iCloud.com, select Contacts and export them to.vcf. Transfer the file to Redmi (via Google Drive, email or cable) and import through Contacts. โ†’ โ‹ฎ โ†’ Import/Export: Alternative: Use the Move to iOS app (works backwards for some models).
Can I hide individual contacts from MIUI searches?
Yes, but only through a workaround: Open the contact to edit. In the Name field, add a character (e.g., Ivan) before the name. Now, when you search the first letter, this contact will not appear (you need to enter the character). MIUI 15+ has the option Hidden contacts in the application settings, but it does not work.
How to adjust vibration for specific contacts?
MIUI allows you to assign unique signals and vibrations: Open contact and press Change. Choose Call Sound and Vibration. Set up a customized vibration pattern (such as short pulses for important contacts). For models with NFC (such as the Redmi Note 13 Pro+), you can assign automatic vibration activation when you bring the phone to the tag.
Why did the contact groups disappear after the MIUI update?
This is a known problem when switching to new versions of the shell. Solutions: Check sync with Google Contacts - groups can recover after re-syncing. If the groups were local, restore them from a backup (.vcf or MIUI backup). Create groups again and use cloud sync to prevent losses. In MIUI 14+, groups are stored in the Xiaomi cloud if sync with Mi Account is enabled.