How to save contacts on Xiaomi Redmi: all ways with pros and cons

Losing contacts on a Xiaomi Redmi smartphone is one of the most frustrating situations a user can face, and the reasons are different: accidental deletion, factory resets, device breakdown or even theft. According to service centers, up to 30% of data recovery requests are due to the loss of a phone book. Fortunately, MIUI offers several built-in backup tools, and also supports third-party services like Google Contacts.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to save contacts on Redmi, including cloud services, exporting to the Internet. SIM-card, backup through MIUI Backup and manual export to the file. We will pay special attention to nuances: for example, why not all contacts are transferred to the file. SIM, How to avoid duplicates when syncing with Google, and what to do if the smartphone does not turn on. 13C, and also for lines POCO base MIUI.

1.Save contacts to the Xiaomi cloud (Mi Cloud)

The easiest and most reliable way to do this is to use the built-in Mi Cloud storage, which automatically syncs contacts, photos, notes and even SMS (when you turn on the appropriate options), the main advantage is that the data is tied to a Xiaomi account, so it can be restored on any device of the brand after authorization.

To enable synchronization:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud.
• ☁️ Find the Contacts section and move the slider to the right.
• 🔄 Click Sync (if the option is inactive, check your internet connection).
• 🔒 Make sure that the top of the screen displays status Synchronized.

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If you have two Xiaomi accounts (for example, personal and work), contacts will be duplicated. To avoid confusion, set the main account in the sync settings.

Cons of the method:

• ⚠️ The Mi Cloud only provides 5GB for free – if you store photos there, there may not be enough space.
• 🌍 Xiaomi servers are located in China, so sync speed depends on your region.
• 🔄 When changing the device to a non--Xiaomi (For example, on Samsung, contacts from the Mi Cloud will not be automatically transferred.

Export of contacts to SIM-map

Save to SIM is a classic method that works even without the Internet, but it has serious limitations.

⚠️ Attention: SIM-The card only stores the name and number (no email, addresses or photos of contacts), and the limit on the number of records is usually 250-500 contacts, depending on the operator.

Export instructions:

1. 📇 Open the Contacts app (phone handset icon).
2. ⚙️ Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Exports to SIM-map.
3. 📋 Choose contacts for export (you can mark all or only the necessary ones).
4. 💾 Confirm the action and wait for notification of successful preservation.

To later import contacts with SIM:

• 🔄 Go to the same Import/Export section, but select Import with SIM-map.
• 📲 Specify where to save contacts: to Google account, device or Mi Cloud.

3. Synchronize with Google Contacts

If you use Google services (such as Gmail or YouTube), synchronizing your contacts with your Google Account is the best option.

• 🌐 Access contacts from any device (including PCs via contacts.google.com).
• 🔄 Automatic backup when connecting to Wi-Fi.
• 📱 Easy transfer to other smartphones (including not available)-Xiaomi).

How to turn on synchronization:

1. 📱 Go to Settings. → Accounts and synchronization → Google.
2. 🔑 Select your account (if not, add through Add Account).
3. 🔄 Activate the slider opposite Contact.
4. 📲 Return to the Contacts app, click on three dots → Settings → Imports/Exports → Synchronize with Google.

To check if the contacts are still there:

• 🌐 Open contacts.google.com in your browser.
• 🔍 Make sure all numbers are displayed (if not, click More). → Cancel Changes to Restore).

Synchronization enabled in Google account settings|Contacts are displayed at contacts.google.com|No duplicates (if any, combine them manually)|The device is connected to the Internet-->

4. backup through MIUI Backup

MIUI Backup is a built-in tool to create a full copy of data, including contacts, messages, photos and settings. You can save a backup copy to your device or to the Mi Cloud. Less method: the file takes up a lot of space (from 500 MB), and it can not be opened on a PC without special programs.

Step-by-step:

1. 📱 Open the Settings. → The phone. → Backup and reset → Local backups.
2. 🔧 Click Create a Backup and select Contacts (you can note other data too).
3. 💾 Specify the location of the storage: Internal memory or Mi Cloud (both options are recommended).
4. ⏳ Wait for the process to be completed (may take 5-15 minutes).

To restore contacts from backup:

• 🔄 Go to Local Backup → Restore.
• 📅 Select the desired backup date.
• 📋 Mark Contacts and click Restore.

⚠️ Note: When restoring the MIUI Backup existing contacts will be overwritten. If you need to add only part of the numbers, use manual export/import.

5. Manual export of contacts to VCF file

VCF (or vCard) is a universal standard for storing contacts, and a file with the.vcf extension can be opened on any device, mailed or saved to a flash drive, which is a good method if you want to have a physical copy of a phone book.

How to export:

1. 📇 Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to file.
2. 📄 Choose the format VCF (if offered).
3. 📂 Specify a folder to save (for example, Downloads or Documents).
4. 💾 Name the file (for example, contacts_backup_2026.vcf) and confirm.

To import VCF back:

• 📎 Go to Import/Export → File-based import.
• 📂 Select the saved.vcf file.
• 📲 Specify an account to save (e.g. Device or Google).

6.What to do if the smartphone is not turned on?

If Redmi doesn’t respond to the power button, but you urgently need to save contacts, there are a few ways to do this:

Option 1: Connect to a PC in Recovery Mode

• 🔌 Connect your phone to your computer through USB.
• 🔘 Press the power button. + Volume up 10 seconds to enter Recovery Mode.
• 🖥️ On PC, use the Mi program PC Suite (download from the official website) to extract data.

Option 2: Extraction SIM-map

• 📶 If the contacts were retained on SIM, Remove it and paste it into another phone.
• 📱 Import numbers through the Contact Menu → Import with SIM.

Option 3: Contacting the service centre

If the phone is physically damaged (for example, after a fall or water hit), do not try to turn it on yourself. Xiaomi service center can extract data using special equipment (service called "Data Recovery"), the cost is from 1,500 to 5 000 rubles, depending on the complexity.

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If the smartphone does not turn on, but reacts to charging (the indicator burns), try to press the power button for 30 seconds - sometimes this helps to get out of the "hang" state.

7 How to avoid losing contact in the future?

To avoid losing your number, follow these rules:

• ☁️ Enable automatic sync with Mi Cloud and Google Contacts (both options can be used at the same time).
• 📅 Make backups once a month in a month MIUI backup or export VCF.
• 📱 Store contacts in the cloud, not on your device (in your contact settings, select Save new contacts in: Google or Mi Cloud).
• 🔄 Check synchronization after the update MIUI — Sometimes resets occur due to firmware errors.

Also useful:

• 📧 Export. VCF-File on email – so you will have a copy in the mail.
• 💾 Use two clouds: for example, Mi Cloud for quick access and Google Contacts for versatility.
• 📱 Install a backup app like Super Backup & Restore (available on Google Play).

FAQ: Frequent questions about keeping contacts on Redmi