How to allocate all contacts on Android Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

Managing a phone book on Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones often requires mass operations, especially when changing devices or putting order in records. Users often face the need to quickly copy or delete several numbers at once, but the standard interface sometimes hides the function of selecting all entries in one click. Understanding the nuances of the system application “Contacts” saves a significant amount of time.

In Android, which underlies the MIUI and HyperOS shells, the logic of group allocation may vary depending on the firmware version and the default data store. Google Contacts is most often responsible for synchronization and management, but older models can use the manufacturer's own design. Regardless of the type of interface, the algorithm remains similar, requiring only care when searching for the desired menu.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of mass allocation of numbers, consider the hidden functions of the menu and answer frequent questions that arise when working with the phone book, you will learn how to avoid data loss and correctly organize the process of transferring information between devices.

Contact management interfaces on Xiaomi

Before you start, it’s important to determine which app is running your phone book at the moment. On modern Xiaomi smartphones, most often a service from Google is pre-installed, which has its own design and button layout. However, in some regions or on older versions of MIUI, the contact and phone system application from the manufacturer itself can be activated.

The difference between the two is not just in appearance, but also in navigation paths. Google’s app interface is more minimal, and group management features are often placed at the top of the menu. Xiaomi’s system app may offer more detailed display settings, but sometimes hides the “Select All” button in the nested menus.

Regardless of the shell version, whether it is MIUI 12, MIUI 14 or the latest HyperOS, the principle of working with the database remains the same. The main thing is to find the right management menu, which is usually indicated by three points or a profile icon, synchronizing data in both cases ensures the safety of information in the cloud, which is a critical aspect before any mass operations.

Mass allocation through the Google Contacts app

The most common scenario for Xiaomi owners is to use Google Contacts, which is the most reliable method, since changes are immediately reflected in the cloud account. To start a group operation, you need to launch the application and go to the Contacts or Review tab if you have another one open.

Then you do a series of sequential actions. At the top of the screen, usually in the right corner, is your profile icon or Google account avatar, and clicking on it opens the context menu where the feature is hidden. In some versions of the interface, instead of an avatar, there may be a three-dot button or the words "Manage".

Once the Allocation mode is activated, all entries in the current list will be ticked, so if you want to select not all contacts, but only a specific group, you can use the Select Range function or simply manually uncheck the unnecessary positions after the Select All command, which allows you to flexibly manage the list before deleting or copying.

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Use the web version of Google Contacts (contacts.google.com) to work with very large listings – on a computer it is much easier and faster to do than on a touch screen of a smartphone.

Group management in the MIUI system application

If your Redmi or POCO smartphone uses a native Xiaomi app, the process may look different. It often uses long-press mechanics. You need to pinch your finger on the first entry in the list to activate the editing mode. The interface will change, the top toolbar will appear.

In the menu that appears, you should look for a button that says "More" or a three-dot icon, and that's where the "Select All" option is often hidden. In some versions of MIUI, this button is displayed directly on the control panel after a long press and indicated by a square with a tick or dotted.

⚠️ Note: When using the Xiaomi system application without being linked to a Google account, deleting contacts can lead to their irretrievable loss if a backup copy is not made to the user. SIM-map or in Mi Cloud.

After allocating the entire list, you can take actions: delete, copy or move. MIUI It also allows you to filter contacts before highlighting, for example, show only numbers from the SIM-card or only from the phone memory, which simplifies selective work with data.

Using the Web Version to Work with a Database

The most powerful tool to manage thousands of records is not in your phone, but in your browser. Google Contacts provides functionality that is not available in your mobile app. You just need to go to the site and log in under the same account as your Xiaomi smartphone.

On the left side of the screen is the navigation bar. At the top of the contact list, there's a checkbox that allows you to instantly highlight all the visible records. If you have more than 100 contacts, the first ones will pop up, "Select 100 contacts. Choose all 543?"

The web interface also allows you to conveniently combine duplicates, which is often found after transferring data from different devices. The "Combine and Correct" feature finds repetitive records and suggests gluing them together into a single card, saving all the numbers and email addresses, which makes cleaning the phone book as efficient as possible.

Export and transfer of allocated contacts

Once you have managed to highlight all the necessary records, the question arises: what to do with them? Most often, users tend to save a backup in.vcf. In the Google Contacts app, after all the records have been selected, you need to click again on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Export.

For maximum compatibility with all devices, including old button phones or other smartphones, it is better to choose the vCard format (versions 3.0 or 4.0), the file will be saved to the download folder or immediately prompt you to choose an application to send, for example, Telegram or mail.

The save path is usually /storage/emulated/0/Download/contacts.vcf

If you use the Xiaomi system app, the path is: Settings menu (three dots or gear) → Import and export contacts → Export to the device. Here you can also select all the records before starting the export process. The contact backup file has a.vcf extension and weighs very little, even with a thousand numbers it will take less than 1 MB.

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Regularly exporting contacts to a.vcf file is the best insurance against data loss when you reset your settings or break your smartphone.

Cleaning up duplicates and removing unnecessary records

Allocating all contacts is often used for radical cleaning or, conversely, for total removal before importing a new list. If your goal is to delete, be extremely careful. Once all the entries are highlighted in Google Contacts, the shopping cart icon appears, and clicking on it, you send all the numbers to the basket, where they will be stored for 30 days before final removal.

In the MIUI system application, deletion occurs immediately after confirmation. This creates the risk of accidental loss of important information. So it is always recommended to back up before a mass operation. The "Secret Everything → Delete" algorithm is useful when you want to completely clear the memory of the phone from old records, leaving only synchronized with Google.

⚠️ Note: Deleted contacts from the Google shopping cart are only restored within 30 days, and after this period, they can not be restored even through support.

There's also a Connect Connect function that automatically finds duplicates, and it doesn't require you to manually single out the entire list, because it works with the entire database at once» → «Combine and fix. It's a safe way to get your phone book in order without the risk of data loss.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)