How to put contacts in alphabetical order on Xiaomi: setup and sorting

Xiaomi’s current smartphones, which are powered by MIUI shells and the new HyperOS, offer users many options for personalizing the interface. One of the basic but often questionable aspects is the organization of a phone book list. Many device owners face a situation where new entries appear at the bottom of the list or indiscriminately, making it difficult to find the right number in an emergency.

Fortunately, the built-in Contacts app has a flexible sorting functionality that allows you to organize the entire list in strict accordance with the alphabet. It's not just a matter of aesthetics, but an important part of the ergonomics of using a gadget. The right configuration of the display of names allows you to find the right data in seconds without scrolling through hundreds of records manually.

In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions necessary to enable alphabetic sorting, as well as related problems, such as duplicates or hidden contacts, which can interfere with the correct display of the list, you will learn how to manage the order of names and surnames to make the phone book as convenient as possible for you.

Basic configuration of sorting order in the application

Changing the order of the recordings in the standard Contacts app on Xiaomi devices is simple enough, but requires attention to menu details. First of all, you need to open the phone book application, which usually has a blue icon with a human silhouette. In the upper right corner of the screen, there is usually a three-dot button or a gear icon that indicates access to the application settings.

When you go to the menu, you'll find the section that's going to look like the list, which can be called "Sort Order," "Contact Display," or "Settings for a list." This is where you can choose the priority category by name or surname. In the Russian-speaking segment, the most relevant choice is sorting by name, because in our culture, it's common to search for a person by the first word in the record.

⚠️ Note: The Sort Setting Change applies to all contacts at once, including those synced to a Google or Mi Cloud account.

If you choose the right option, the system will instantly rebuild the list, and it's important to understand that this setting only affects the order of the rows, but it doesn't change the data inside the subscriber card. If the list remains chaotic after switching the order of the records, perhaps the problem lies in the format of saving names, as we'll talk about in the next sections.

Differences in MIUI and HyperOS interfaces

Xiaomi is gradually rolling out a new HyperOS operating shell to replace the usual MIUI. Although the basic functionality of the phone book remains similar, the visual layout of controls and menu items may differ significantly. In new versions of the shell, designers are striving for minimalism, hiding secondary settings in the submenu.

In current firmware versions, the path to sorting settings is often hidden deeper. Instead of directly accessing through three dots, a user may need to first click on their profile or avatar in the corner of the screen, then select “Display Settings.” HyperOS also has a smart grouping that automatically determines whether the entry is a person’s name or an organization’s name, and sorts them into different blocks.

For older models that don’t get upgraded to the new OS, the interface will remain classic. However, even in older versions of MIUI (like version 12 or 13), the logic remains the same: look for Sort in the general menu of parameters. If you can’t find the right switch, try searching through the phone’s settings by typing in “sort”.

• 📱 V MIUI 14 settings are in the menu "More» → «Settings» → «Sorting procedure».
• 🆕 HyperOS often requires you to click on a profile avatar to access list display options.
• 🔍 Searching for phone settings works better than manual search in deep shell menus.
• ⚙️ The visual style of items may change, but the essence of the function "Sorting by name / surname" is retained.

The Problem of Names and Surnames: Why Sorting Doesn't Work

Users often complain that even after they've got the alphabetical sorting enabled, the contacts are still not correctly positioned, and the most common reason is the name-writing format: If you type your full name in the Name field right away, or if you have a name in the Surname field, the sorting algorithm is confused, and the system sorts strictly by the first character of the field.

For example, if the contact is written as Ivanov Ivan, and the sorting is by name, it will stand on the letter "I." If the sorting by name, but in the name field is written "Ivanov Ivan", then the phone will look for him also on "I", but the neighbors on the list can be completely different. For the ideal order, you need to divide the fields: one write the name, the other - the name.

Correct format:


Name: Alexei




Name: Petrov





Incorrect format (for sorting):




Name: Alexei Petrov




Last name: (empty)

Also, you should pay attention to special symbols and numbers at the beginning of names. If a contact is called "1 Taxi" or "*Urgent contact", it can "flew" to the very beginning or end of the list, disrupting the alphabetic harmony. (cleaning) names from unnecessary characters - the key to the correct display.

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Use the “Contacts Unite” feature in your settings if one person has multiple entries with different names, which will improve the quality of sorting.

Synchronization and Impact of Cloud Services

Modern Xiaomi smartphones are closely integrated with cloud services. Most often contacts are stored in a Google or Mi Cloud account. It is important to understand that the sorting setting performed on the phone is local and only applies to the display on this particular device. When synchronized with the cloud, the order of the contacts can be reset or changed depending on the settings of the web version of the service.

If you notice that after you switch on sync or change your phone, the order of names has broken again, check the display settings in the Google Contacts web interface. There you can also set the priority of sorting: "By name" or "By last name." Changes made in the cloud usually apply to all connected devices after the next sync.

Particular attention should be paid to the contacts saved on the SIM-Older SIM cards have limited memory and often don't support first-name separation, keeping everything in one line, making sorting unpredictable. Experts strongly recommend copying all SIM card records to your phone or cloud memory for proper operation.

Use of third-party applications to manage the list

If Xiaomi’s standard Contacts app doesn’t seem functional enough or doesn’t allow you to implement the right sorting logic, you can always turn to alternatives.The Google Play store offers a variety of substitute apps that take over the management of the phone book.

Popular apps like Contacts+ or Truecaller allow you to sort contacts not only by alphabet, but also by call frequency, date of last contact, or even by geolocation, but it’s worth remembering that installing a third-party app requires it to be given broad permissions to access your personal data.

When using third-party software, the standard Contacts and Phone app may stop working as the primary ones. The system will suggest you select the default app for making calls. If you decide to go back to the standard solution, remember to reset the default app settings in the Android settings section.

Cleaning up doubles and hidden numbers

The presence of duplicate entries is another reason that the contact list may look disorganized: Duplicates often occur when you sync frequently from different devices or when you transfer data from an old phone. The MIUI and HyperOS shell has a built-in tool to combat this.

To clear the list, go to the contact settings and find "Combine duplicate contacts" or "Clear duplicates." The system will analyze the database, find entries with the same numbers or names, and suggest combining them into a single card, which will not only organize the list, but also free up space in memory.

• 🧹 Regular cleaning of duplicates speeds up the work of the application “Contacts».
• 🔗 Combining cards keeps the entire history of calls and messages in one place.
• 👁️ Hidden contacts can distort the total number of records, check the display filter.
• 📂 Grouping contacts helps to find the right numbers by category faster.

⚠️ Before a mass operation to merge or delete contacts, be sure to create a backup (export to file.vcf) so as not to lose important data in the event of an error.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Correct sorting of contacts is the result not only of setting up the application, but also of competent filling in the fields of name and surname when creating a new record.