How to change the location of your contacts in Xiaomi: SIM, Google or Mi Cloud

Why it is important to keep your contacts in Xiaomi

Xiaomi smartphones offer several options for storing contacts: in the device memory, on the phone. SIM-In a map, in a Google account or in the Mi Cloud, choosing the wrong storage location can lead to data loss when resetting your settings, changing your phone, or even when you reinstall your firmware. For example, if all contacts are stored only in the memory of the smartphone, after a hard reset they will disappear irretrievably.

In addition, different storage methods affect synchronization between devices, Google contacts automatically pull up to a new phone when you log in to your account, and here's the data from the Internet. SIM-You'll have to move the cards manually, and in this article, we'll look at all the options available, the pros and cons, and we'll give you step-by-step instructions on how to change the storage location.

This is especially important for users who:

• 🔄 Change your smartphone and want to transfer contacts without loss
• 📱 Use multiple devices (such as a phone) + tablet) and need to be synchronized
• 🛡️ Worry about backing up important data
• 📶 Often reinstall firmware or experiment with custom ROM

Where to store contacts on Xiaomi: a comparison of options

Before you change storage, you need to understand what options are available and how they differ. - On Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi models, POCO Black Shark and Contacts can be saved in four locations:

Important: on new Xiaomi models (for example, Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro)+) By default, contacts are saved to a Google account if it is linked to a phone. On older devices (until 2020) often use storage in the memory of the phone.

If you use multiple devices (like a smartphone and a tablet), it's best to store contacts in Google or Mi Cloud. SIM-card or export to.vcf. And the memory of the phone is better left for temporary records.

How to transfer contacts from phone to phone SIM-map

Transfer of contacts to SIM-The card is relevant if you plan to change your smartphone or want to have a backup without being tied to cloud services. SIM-The card only stores basic data: name and phone number. Additional fields (email, address, birthday) will be lost.

Instructions for MIUI 12/13/14:

1. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
2. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Contact Management.
3. Go to Import/Export Contacts → Exports to SIM-map.
4. Select the contacts you want to move (or click Allocate).
5. Click Export and wait for the process to be completed.

In some models (for example, POCO F5 or Redmi K60) The path may be slightly different:

Contact → Settings (⚙️) → Import/Export → Export to SIM

⚠️ Note: If you have a dual-SIM phone, make sure you export contacts to that phone. SIM-The card you plan to use in your new device. SIM You can use the settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks.

After export, we recommend checking that the contacts are actually preserved on the SIM. For that:

• 📱 Put it in. SIM Use your second phone (or use your Xiaomi slot).
• 🔍 Open Contacts and select the contact display with SIM-map.
• ✅ Make sure all rooms are in place.

Transferring contacts to Google account: step-by-step instructions

Keeping contacts on a Google account is the most reliable way, because they automatically sync with Google servers and are available on any device, to transfer contacts from or from the phone’s memory. SIM-Maps on Google, follow the following steps:

First, make sure that your phone has a Google account:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
2. Select Google and log in to your account (or add a new one).
3. Activate the Contacts switch for synchronization.

We are now importing contacts:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Press three points (⋮) → Contact management → Import/Export of contacts.
3. Select a source (e.g., phone memory or SIM-map).
4. Specify your goal: Google (select your account if there are more than one).
5. Press Import and wait until it is completed.

After import, we recommend to force start synchronization:

Settings → Accounts and sync → Google → [Your account] → Sync now

⚠️ Note: If you are importing contacts with SIM-Google maps, some fields (such as contact photos or additional numbers) may not be ported, in which case you will have to manually edit the contacts through Google Contacts.

Advantages of this method:

• 🌐 Access contacts from any device via contacts.google.com.
• 🔄 Automatic synchronization when adding/deleting contacts.
• 📱 Easy transfer to a new smartphone (just log into a Google account).
• 🛡️ Backup without additional actions.

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If some contacts are duplicated after import, use the Google Contacts merge function: open the web version, click Other actions" →"Find and combine duplicates".

How to keep contacts in Mi Cloud and why it’s convenient

Mi Cloud is a cloud storage from Xiaomi that offers 5GB of free space, and is convenient for users who are actively using the Xiaomi ecosystem (for example, Mi Band, Mi Home or Mi Fit).

To move your contacts to Mi Cloud:

1. Make sure you are logged in to Xiaomi account: Settings → Xiaomi account.
2. Activate Contact Synchronization: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization of contacts.
3. Open Contacts. → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
4. Select a source (such as phone memory) and a target: Mi Cloud.
5. Confirm the import and wait until it is completed.

Check that the contacts are synchronized successfully:

• 🌐 Log in to i.mi.com from your PC or other device.
• 📋 Go to Contacts and make sure all data is in place.
• 📱 On another Xiaomi smartphone (if any) log in to the same account and check the display of contacts.

The difference between Mi Cloud and Google is:

⚠️ Note: If you delete your Xiaomi account from your phone, all contacts saved only in the Mi Cloud will be deleted from your device. To avoid loss, export them to the.vcf file before deleting your account.

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Mi Cloud is convenient for users of the Xiaomi ecosystem, but less versatile than Google. If you use devices of different brands, it is better to choose a Google account for storing contacts.

Export and import contacts via file VCF

The.vcf file (vCard) is a universal format for storing contacts. It can be used to back up, transfer to another phone or import to other services (for example, Outlook or Yandex.Mail). VCF clickable.

To export contacts to the file:

1. Open Contacts. → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
2. Select Export to file.
3. Specify which contacts to export (e.g. All contacts or only with the SIM-map).
4. Click Export and save the file to a convenient location (like Downloads or Google Drive).

The.vcf file can:

• 📤 Send by email or messenger (for example, Telegram or WhatsApp).
• 🖥️ Save to PC for backup.
• 📱 Import to another smartphone (including iPhone).
• ☁️ Upload to the cloud (Google Drive, Yandex.Disk).

To import contacts from the.vcf file:

1. Copy the file to your smartphone (for example, via Telegram or Explorer).
2. Open Contacts. → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
3. Select Import from the file and specify the path to.vcf.
4. Select an account to import (e.g. Google or Phone Memory).
5. Confirm the import.

Important: file VCF It can weigh a few megabytes if it has thousands of contacts with photos. Before sending an email, check the restrictions on the size of attachments (for example, in Gmail - up to 25 MB).

How to Change Storage Location for New Contacts

By default, new contacts on Xiaomi can be saved in the memory of the phone, on the phone. SIM-card (Google/Mi To change this behavior:

Method 1: Through Contact Settings

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Press three points (⋮) → Settings.
3. Select Save New Contacts in.
4. Please specify the account you need (e.g. Google or Google). SIM-map).

Method 2: Adding a new contact

1. Press + to create a new contact.
2. At the top of the screen, click on your current account (such as Phone Memory).
3. Select another account from the list.

On some firmware (e.g, MIUI Global for the European region may not have a saving option SIM-The map when you make the contact:

• 📱 First, keep contact in your phone memory.
• 🔄 Then export it to the SIM via Import/Export.

⚠️ Note: If you choose to keep new contacts on SIM-Make sure there's enough space on it. 1 CB, and the maximum limit is usually 200-250 contact.

Also note the default settings after a phone reset. For example, after a hard reset, Xiaomi can automatically save new contacts to the device's memory, even if you used Google before. Always check this setting after reinstalling the firmware.

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To quickly check where new contacts are saved, create a test record (for example, "Test 123") and see which account it appears in the contact list.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you move or change the location of the store contacts, Xiaomi users often face problems, and let's look at the most common and ways to solve them.

Problem 1: Contacts are not synced with Google

• 🔌 Check your internet connection (synchronization only works via Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 🔄 Go to Settings. → Accounts and synchronization → Google → [Your account and turn on the Contact Switch.
• 📱 Delete your Google account and add it again.
• 🛠️ Update the Contacts app via Google Play.

Problem 2: When importing with SIM-cards missing some contacts

• 📵 Make sure that SIM-The card is not damaged (try inserting it into another phone).
• 🔍 Check if the contact limit is exceeded. SIM (usually 200-250).
• 📝 Import contacts in portions (for example, 50 pieces each).
• 📱 Try to export contacts with SIM To another phone, and then transfer them to Xiaomi via.vcf file.

Problem 3: Duplicate contacts after importation

• 🧹 Manually delete duplicates in the Contacts app (click on the contact) → Edit → Delete).
• 🔄 Use the merge function in Google Contacts.
• 📱 Install a duplicate cleaning app (such as Simpler Contacts or Contacts Optimizer).

Problem 4: You can't keep contact with SIM-map

• 📱 Update the firmware MIUI Up to the latest version (in new versions, this feature can be returned).
• 🔧 Use a third-party application to work with SIM-contact (e.g. contact, SIM Contacts Manager).
• 📵 Export contacts to a.vcf file and then import them to another phone.

If none of these methods helped, try resetting the Contacts app settings:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Contacts → Storage → Clear data

⚠️ Attention: Clearing the Contacts app data will delete all local contacts (those stored in the phone's memory!

FAQ: Answers to popular questions