Where are your contacts stored on Xiaomi and how to change the location of their storage: SIM, phone

Why it is important to choose the right location for the storage of contacts on Xiaomi smartphones

Have you ever lost all contacts after resetting your phone to factory settings? or found that numbers are duplicated across multiple accounts? These problems often arise from choosing the wrong location for contacts. On Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi and other devices). POCO) Default contacts can be saved to SIM-map, phone memory or Google account – and each option has its pros and cons.

For example, storage SIM-The map limits the number of entries (usually up to 250 contacts) and does not support profile photos, and saving in Google allows you to synchronize numbers between devices, but requires a stable Internet connection. In this article, we will discuss how to change the location of the saved contacts on Xiaomi for different versions. MIUI, What settings affect this process, and what to do if contacts suddenly disappear after changing the parameters.

This is especially important for users who:

• 🔄 Switch to a new smartphone and want to transfer contacts without loss;
• 📱 Use a few SIM-Google maps or accounts;
• ⚠️ Have faced duplicate contacts or their sudden disappearance;
• 🔧 They want to optimize the work of the phone, freeing memory from unnecessary data.

Where by default are saved contacts on Xiaomi: understand the settings

Before you change storage, you need to understand where the contacts are stored now. On Xiaomi smartphones, it depends on:

• 📱 Phone models (e.g. on Redmi Note 12 and Xiaomi) 13T settings may differ);
• 🔢 Versions MIUI (into MIUI The 14th menu looks different than the one in the MIUI 12);
• 🔄 Sync with Google or Mi Account settings.

To check the current storage location:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette).
2. Press three points (⋮) top-right → Contact management.
3. Select Import/Export or Settings (depending on version) MIUI).
4. See which accounts appear on the list (e.g, SIM 1, Phone, Google).

Note that if there are multiple accounts on the list, contacts can be shared among them, for example, some numbers are stored on the list. SIM-And some of them are in Google, and this often leads to duplicate records.

How to change the place of saving contacts on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

There are two ways to change the storage location: by adding a new contact or by moving an existing one.

Method 1: Selecting a storage location for a new contact

When you create a new contact, the system asks where to save it, and then you pick the right account.

1. Open the Contacts → Press + (Add Contact) app.
2. A drop-down list will appear at the top of the screen (for example, SIM 1, Phone, Google).
3. If you don't have the required account, click Account Management and add it.
4. Fill in the contact details and save it.

Method 2: Transfer existing contacts

If the contacts are already stored in one place, but you want to move them to another (for example, with the help of a new user). SIM-Google Maps, do the following:

1. Open Contacts. → three-point (⋮) → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
2. Select Export and specify your current storage location (e.g., Export, SIM 1).
3. Export contacts to the.vcf file (it will be stored in internal memory).
4. Return to Import/Export → Import and select the.vcf file by specifying a new account to store.

⚠️ Note: When transferring contacts with SIM-Some data (such as profile photos) may not be saved on Google maps, and make sure that there is enough space in the new account – Google has a limit of 25,000 contacts.

Frequent errors and problems when changing the location of the contact

Even following the instructions, users often face difficulties, and here are the most common problems and solutions.

1. Contacts are duplicated after transfer

This happens if the contacts are saved to multiple accounts at the same time.

• 🔍 Open Contacts. → three-point (⋮) → Contact management → Connecting contacts.
• 📊 The system will automatically find the duplicates and suggest that they be combined.
• 🗑️ If the duplicates are left, remove them manually (keep your finger in contact). → Delete).

2. Contacts are missing after the change of storage location

If the contacts have disappeared after the transfer, check:

• 🔄 Synchronization: Go to Settings → Accounts. → Google and enable contact sync.
• 📁 Exported data folder:.vcf file may have gone wrong. Check Download folder or MIUI.
• 🗑️ Recycle Bin: In some versions MIUI Remote contacts are placed in the cart and restored within 30 days.

⚠️ Note: If you have moved your contacts with SIM-You delete the cards and then you delete them from the card, you can't restore them!

3. You cannot select a Google account when adding a contact

If Google does not have a list of accounts:

1. Check if you have added your account to the system: Settings → Accounts. → Add an account.
2. Make sure that contact synchronization is enabled: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of contacts.
3. Update the Contacts app through Play Market.
4. If the problem persists, clear the app cache: Settings → Annexes → Contacts → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

💡

If you frequently switch between Xiaomi and other brands’ Android devices, use a Google account to store contacts, which ensures that they are available on any smartphone, even if you change manufacturers.

Features for different versions MIUI: 12, 13 and 14

The contact management interface varies depending on the firmware version, and here are the key differences:

MIUI 12 and older

In these versions, the Import/Export menu is located right in the main window of the Contacts app (three dots). → Contact management is also available here with the option to combine duplicates, which works stably.

MIUI 13

This version added automatic sync with Mi Cloud, but it needs to be included separately:

Settings → Accounts → Mi Account → Contact Synchronization

There is also a new section called Backup in the Contacts menu, where you can save all your data to the Xiaomi cloud.

MIUI 14 (and newer)

The interface is now more minimalist:

• 🔧 Import/Export option moved to Contact Settings (three points) → Settings → Contact management).
• 🔄 Automatic doubles pairing works better, but may require confirmation.
• 📱 Support for instant synchronization when adding a new contact (if mobile Internet is enabled).

⚠️ Attention: POCO-smartphone MIUI for POCO If you don't find the right option, try updating your firmware or using a universal method through export/import of a.vcf file.

💡

Starting with MIUI 13, Xiaomi is actively promoting its own cloud (Mi Cloud) for storing contacts. However, for reliability, we recommend duplication of important contacts in Google, this will protect data when changing devices or brands.

How to reserve contacts on Xiaomi: 3 reliable ways

Before any manipulation of contacts, make sure to back up. Here are three proven methods:

Method 1: Export to.vcf file

It's a universal format that all smartphones support.

1. Open Contacts → Three Points → Contact Management → Import/Export.
2. Select Export and specify an account (e.g. Phone or SIM 1).
3. The file will be stored in the phone’s memory and copied to your computer or to the cloud (e.g. Google Drive).

Method 2: Sync with Google

If your contacts are stored on Google, they are automatically backed up to check:

1. Go to contacts.google.com from your account.
2. Make sure all contacts are displayed.
3. In the settings of Google account, enable Automatic backup.

Method 3: Backup through Mi Cloud

For Xiaomi users, cloud storage is available:

1. Go to Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on Contact Sync.
3. Click Backup and select Contacts.

💡 Important: You can open a.vcf file on any device, even an iPhone or a computer, and it's the most universal way to back up if you don't trust cloud services.

What to do if contacts are not transferred or synchronized

Sometimes the transfer or synchronization process ends in error. Let's look at typical scenarios and their solutions.

Problem 1: Contacts are not exported to the file

If an error occurs in the export:

• 📱 Check the space available on your phone (need at least 100-200 MB).
• 🔄 Restart your phone and try again.
• 🗑️ Clear the cache of the Contacts app (Settings) → Annexes → Contacts → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• 📲 Try exporting contacts in parts (e.g. first the letter "A", then "B", etc.).

Problem 2: Contacts are not synced with Google

If changes in contacts are not displayed on other devices:

• 🔄 Enable manual synchronization: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronize now.
• 📶 Check your internet connection (synchronization only works via Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 🔧 Delete and re-add Google account in your phone settings.
• 📱 Update Google Play Contacts and Services in the Play Market.

Problem 3: When importing contacts, there is an error

If the.vcf file is not imported:

• 📄 Check the integrity of the file (open it on your computer through Notepad – it must contain readable text).
• 📱 Try importing the file on another device (e.g., on your computer via Google Contacts).
• 🔢 Break down the large.vcf file into smaller ones (you can use online services like vcfsplitter.com).

⚠️ Attention: If you are using POCO Launcher or third-party shells (like Nova Launcher), some contact management features may not be available. MIUI.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Contacts on Xiaomi