How to save contacts in memory of Xiaomi phone: all methods + instructions for MIUI

Keeping contacts directly in the memory of Xiaomi smartphone is a critical procedure for those who want to avoid data loss when changing. SIM-You can reset your card, or you can switch to a new phone, as opposed to storing it on a new phone. SIM-map (where everything fits) 200-300 or sync with Google Account (requires the Internet), local storage in the memory of the device guarantees access to numbers even without a network. MIUI This process is hidden in non-obvious menus, and after updates, the interface often changes.

In this article, you will find the latest ways for all modern firmware versions (from MIUI 12 to MIUI 15), including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13 and others.

• 🔄 How to transfer contacts with SIM-card in memory of the phone (with saving photos and additional fields)
• 📱 How to export/import contacts via.vcf file (for backup)
• ☁️ How to save local memory from synchronization with Mi Account or Google
• ⚠️ Common mistakes that cause contacts to disappear after resetting

The focus is on the hidden MIUI function, which is forced storage for new contacts that the manufacturer does not advertise, which avoids automatic synchronization with the cloud if you only need contacts in the phone’s memory.

1. how to transfer contacts from SIM-Xiaomi cards

The most common scenario is the migration of contacts with the SIM-I've got a card for the internal drive. MIUI This process involves two steps: copying and changing the default storage location. SIM.

Instructions for MIUI 14/15 (relevant to Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Xiaomi 13 Lite and other models 2023-2026):

1. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) top-right → Select Contact Management.
3. Go to Import/Export Contacts → Import from SIM-card.
4. Select the contacts you need (or click Allocate) → Import.
5. In the list of save locations, select Phone (or Local Memory in older versions).

After importing, check the result: open any contact → scroll down to the Warehouse field. It should indicate Phone, not SIM1/SIM2.

Is the name and number safe?|Have additional fields (email, address) been moved)|Contact photos not cut off|The storage area is indicated as "Phone"-->

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F4) After importation, the contacts are duplicated and remain on the SIM, To avoid confusion, delete duplicates through Contact Management. → Combining and correcting.

2. How to change storage location for new contacts

By default. MIUI - save new contacts in Google Account (if linked) or on SIM-To force them into the memory of the phone, you need to change the settings:

Steps for MIUI 13-15:

1. Open Contacts. → three-point (⋮) → Settings.
2. Select Save New Contacts in (or Default Store in older versions).
3. Please enter your phone (or local memory).
4. Confirm the choice – now all new numbers will be saved only in the memory of the device.

If this item is not on the menu, then your version of MIUI is blocking manual storage change, in which case use a workaround:

• 📌 Create a new contact manually.
• 📌 In the form of an addendum, tap on the Warehouse field (usually under the room field).
• 📌 Select your phone and save it.

3. Export and import contacts via.vcf file

The.vcf file (vCard) is a universal format for backing up contacts, which can be saved to a computer, flash drive or cloud, and then restored to any device. In MIUI, export is available even without root rights.

Export of contacts:

1. Launch Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
2. Select Export to File → Mark Contacts (or click Allow).
3. Specify the location of the save (for example, internal memory → Download) and confirm.
4. File with a name contacts_YYYYMMDD.vcf will appear in the selected folder.

Import from the file:

1. Copy the.vcf file into your phone’s memory (for example, via Explorer or USB).
2. In Contacts, go to Import/Export → Import from the file.
3. Select the file → specify the storage location (Phone) → confirm.

⚠️ Note: If you import contacts from.vcf to your phone’s memory and then sync with your Google Account, they are automatically duplicated to the cloud. To avoid this, turn off sync contacts in your account settings before importing.

4. Save contacts via Mi Account (an alternative to Google)

Xiaomi offers its own cloud storage, the Mi Account, which synchronizes contacts between the brand’s devices. Unlike Google, there are no restrictions on the number of records, but there are nuances with privacy.

How to enable synchronization with Mi Account:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Account.
2. Make sure you are logged in (if not, log in to your account).
3. Activate the Contact Synchronization switch.
4. Get back in touch. → ⋮ → Settings → Sync and select Mi Account as your primary storage.

Advantages of Mi Account:

• 🔐 Data is encrypted during transmission.
• 📱 Automatic contact recovery when changing Xiaomi phone.
• 🌍 It works in regions where Google services are blocked (for example, in China).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Contacts are not available on devices of other brands (for example, on iPhone or Samsung).
• ❌ There is no web interface for managing records (unlike Google Contacts).

💡

If you use both Google and Mi Account, disable the sync of contacts in one of the accounts to avoid duplicates. To do this, go to Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync and deactivate Contacts.

5. Backup of contacts via MIUI Backup

The built-in MIUI Backup allows you to create a full copy of your contacts (along with photos and call history) and restore it even after you reset your phone, which is more reliable than exporting to.vcf, because it stores all the metadata.

How to make a backup:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Click Backup → select Contacts (you can also add messages, notes).
3. Specify the location of the storage (internal memory or SD-map) and confirm.
4. Wait until the file is completed and it will appear in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder.

How to restore:

1. In the same menu (Local Backup) click Restore.
2. Select the right backup → mark Contacts → Restore.
3. Wait a few minutes, the data will return to its original state.

⚠️ Attention: Backup files MIUI If you restore a backup from the Redmi Note 10 to the Xiaomi 13, some of the data may not be transferred.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Xiaomi users often experience contact errors, and here are the most common cases and ways to fix them:

If contacts are not imported with SIM:

• 📵 Check that SIM-card inserted SIM1 (Some models only read the contacts from the first slot).
• 📵 Restart your phone – sometimes helps with reading errors.
• 📵 Use a microSIM adapter if contacts are not readable with nanoSIM.

If the contacts are not stored in the phone memory:

• 🔧 Check if your internal memory is full (at least 100MB of free space is required).
• 🔧 Update the Contacts app via Play Market or App Gallery.
• 🔧 Reset the application settings: Settings → Annexes → Contacts → Warehouse → Clear the data (Warning: This will remove all unsynchronized contacts!).

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If you plan to reset your phone to factory settings, be sure to back up contacts in at least two formats:.vcf (for versatility) and MIUI Backup (for full recovery).

7. Alternative methods: third-party applications

If standard MIUI tools don't work, you can use third-party software, which offers advanced features like mass editing, dedublication, and cloud backup.

Top.-3 contact-management applications:

1. Contacts Optimizer 🔹 Can transfer contacts between storage facilities (SIM ↔ Phone. ↔ Google). 🔹 Automatically finds and combines duplicates. 🔹 Exports to.vcf,.csv,.xls. ⚠️ Requires permission to access contacts and storage.
2. Simpler Contacts 🔹 Minimalist interface with support for dark theme. 🔹 Grouping contacts by label (e.g., "Work", "Family"). 🔹 Backup to Dropbox/Google Drive. ⚠️ In the free version, the restriction on 50 contact.
3. My Contacts Backup 🔹 Sends backup to email automatically on schedule. 🔹 Maintains recovery on iPhone/Android. 🔹 No advertising. ⚠️ No photos of your contacts.

Before installing third-party apps, check their reputation in the Play Market (ratings must be at least 4.5) and read security reviews. Some programs (especially from unknown sources) can steal contact data.

💡

Before using a third-party contact backup app, disable autosynchronization with Google/Mi Account.This will prevent conflicts during recovery.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions