Adding a contact to a Xiaomi smartphone seems like a simple task — until you encounter nuances. Some users get lost in a variety of ways (via the Contacts app, calls or Google account), others face sync errors, and still others can not understand why the saved number disappears after a reboot. This article will not just list the steps, but will analyze the unique features of MIUI that distinguish the process from other Android smartphones.
We analyzed the work of contacts on models of Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T older devices (including Redmi) 9A), to identify the general principles and pitfalls, for example, did you know that MIUI 14+ You have a function that automatically combines duplicates, but it only works when you sync with Google? SIM-Are the maps not displayed in some messengers? Answers to these and other questions.
1. Ways to add contact to Xiaomi: which one to choose?
Xiaomi smartphones have 4 basic ways to save a number, and each is suitable for different situations.
- 📱 Local Saving – the number will only be on this phone (suitable for temporary contacts).
- ☁️ Google sync – Contacts are automatically copied to the cloud and available on other devices.
- 📶 Retention on SIM-Map – is important for moving to a new phone without a Google account.
- 🔄 Import/export – transferring contacts from another device (e.g. iPhone).
The most reliable option is synchronization with Google, which protects against data loss when you reset your phone and allows you to restore contacts even after you change your device, but if you use MIUI without Google services (for example, in China), you will have to rely on local storage or Mi Account.
2. Step-by-step instructions: how to add contact through the Contacts app
This is the most obvious way, but even here there are nuances.
- Open the Contacts app** (an icon with a person’s silhouette on the home screen or in the app menu).
- Click the + button in the lower right corner, and in some versions of MIUI, it may be labeled New Contact.
"Save" in the upper right corner.
☑️ Checking before maintaining contact
⚠️ Note: If you keep the number on SIM-map, note that:
📌 Contacts with SIM do not support photos, multiple numbers per person or additional fields (email, address). 📌 When transferring SIM In another Chinese phone (e.g. Huawei without Google), contacts may not be displayed correctly due to encoding.
3. Quickly retain contact from call log
If you have an unknown number and want to save it in one click:
- Open the phone application** (telephone icon).
- Go to the tab "Journal"** (watch icon).
- Find the right number and tap it.
- Click Save (or Add to Contacts in older versions of MIUI).
🔹 Secret Lifehack: If you get a lot of calls from the same number but don't want to keep it in touch, add it to the Blacklist through the menu of that number in the magazine, so you block calls without clogging the phone book.
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MIUI 14+ has a Quick Contact Creation feature, which means you just press and hold a number in the call log to open the save window, which works even if the screen is locked (after unlocking).
4. Google Contact Synchronization: Why It Matters
Many Xiaomi users are faced with a problem: contacts disappear after a phone reset or flashing, this is due to the fact that the numbers are stored only locally. To avoid data loss, set up sync with your Google account:
- Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
- Turn on the switch opposite the "Contact"**.
- Click on Sync Now (or Sync Now in English).
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Contacts are not synchronized | Autosynchronization is disabled or the Internet is not available | Turn on mobile data/Wi-Fi and check your Google account settings |
| Duplicate contacts | One number is saved on both the phone and Google. | Use the function of Combine contacts in the “Contacts” application |
| Contacts disappear after MIUI update | Resetting settings when firmware | Always back up before updating (see Section 6) |
| No contact photos are displayed. | Photos saved only locally | Upload photos to Google Contacts via the web version of contacts.google.com |
⚠️ Note: If you use Mi Account instead of Google, please note that:
🔴 Synchronization with Mi Account is unstable in some regions (for example, in Russia after 2022 there may be restrictions). 🔴 Contacts saved in Mi Cloud are not transferred to devices of other brands (for example, Samsung or iPhone).
5. Maintaining contacts on SIM-map: when it is justified
Retention on SIM-This is an outdated, but sometimes useful, method:
- 🔄 You use your phone temporarily and don’t want to leave any traces in the cloud.
- 📱 Switch to a device without Google services (such as Huawei or Meizu).
- 🔋 The battery is dead and you are afraid of losing your number when you turn off.
To keep contact on the SIM:
- Open the Contacts app**.
- Press «+» → choose «SIM-map».
🔹 Limitations SIM-contact:
- 🚫 Maximum of 250 contacts (depending on operator).
- 🚫 There is no Cyrillic support in names on some SIM (particularly old).
- 🚫 Numbers are saved in format +79XXXXXXXXX spaceless.
How to transfer SIM contacts to your phone?
Import and export of contacts: transfer from another phone
If you switch to Xiaomi from another smartphone (like an iPhone or Samsung), you can transfer contacts without manual input.
| Source | Transfer method | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Android (Samsung, Honor etc.) | Google account | Sync your contacts with Google on your old phone, then sign in to the same account on Xiaomi |
| iPhone | iCloud → Google | Export your iCloud contacts in vCard format, then import them to Google Contacts |
| Any phone. | VCF file | On your old phone, export contacts to.vcf, transfer it to Xiaomi and import through Contacts → Import/Export |
| SIM-map | Direct imports | Insert SIM into Xiaomi and import contacts through the Contacts app settings |
🔹 Important: When transferring from iPhone, pay attention to the number format. Xiaomi may not recognize the numbers in 8 format (9XX) XXX-XX-XX — They need to be brought to an international level (+79XXXXXXXX).
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Before importing contacts, always check to see if they are duplicated with existing ones. MIUI has an automatic duplicate pairing feature, but it only works when synchronized with Google.
7. Problem Solving: Contacts are not saved, lost or not displayed
If you encounter errors when working with contacts, use this diagnostic table:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Contact is saved but not displayed in the list | Filtering error in the Contacts app | Open Contacts → Settings → Display Contacts and select all accounts |
| Numbers disappear after reboot | Contacts saved on a SIM that is not recognized | Transfer your SIM contacts to your phone or Google |
| You can't edit the contact. | Contact saved in a read-only account (e.g. corporate exchange) | Copy the contact to another account (Google or local) |
| Contact photos are not displayed | Photos are linked to local contact, not Google | Upload photos via contacts.google.com |
| Contacts are duplicated | One number is saved in multiple accounts (Google + device) | Use the “Unite” function in your contact settings |
⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI all contacts gone:
🛑 Don't panic - they might just turn off the display. Check: 1. Open "Contacts» → «Settings» → «Contact management. 2. Make sure all accounts (Google, device, SIM) 3. If the contacts were in Google, check the sync in Settings → Accounts. → Google.
8. Additional Chips: Groups, Favorites and Contact Widgets
MIUI offers some useful contact management features that many people don’t know about:
- 🌟 Favorite Contacts: Add frequently used numbers to your favorites for quick access. → Click on the star in the upper right corner.
- 👥 Contact Groups: Create Groups (e.g. Work, Family) through Contacts → Groups → It's convenient for mass messaging.
- 📱 Contact widget: Add the Contacts or Favorites widget to the home screen for quick access. → «Widgets» → pick out.
- 🔍 Search T9: In the Contacts app, you can search numbers by typing numbers on the keyboard (like old phones). 2-6-6-2.
🔹 Hidden function: B MIUI 14+ And you can actually scan your business cards right in the Contacts app:
- Open “Contacts” → press “+”**.
- Select "Scan your business card"**.
- Point the camera at the card – the data is automatically recognized and stored.
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If you call the same person frequently, add them to Favorites and set up a gesture for a quick call. For example, in MIUI, you can double-press the power button to call your favorite contact (Settings → Special Features → Quick Actions).