Losing contacts on a Xiaomi Redmi smartphone is one of the most frustrating situations a user can face. Whether itβs accidental deletion, factory reset or a system failure, recovering important phone numbers is often a priority. Fortunately, owners of Redmi devices (be it Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Redmi 10 or older models) have several reliable ways to recover lost data.
In this article, we will analyze all current methods of restoring contacts - from standard functions. MIUI Before using third-party tools, you will learn how to restore numbers through Google Account, Mi Cloud cloud, backups to your home. SIM-And also, how to avoid losing contacts in the future by setting up automatic backups.
Important: The effectiveness of each method depends on whether synchronization functions were enabled before deleting contacts. If you have never set up a backup, the chances of recovery are reduced, but not zero β read on!
1. Restore contacts through Google Account
The most reliable way to return remote contacts is to sync with your Google Account, and if you have enabled this feature on your Redmi, all numbers are automatically saved to the Google cloud and can be restored in a few clicks.
To check and restore contacts:
- π± Open the Contacts app on your Redmi.
- π Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Contact Management β Imports/Exports β Re-establish contacts.
- βοΈ Select Google as your source and log in if required.
- π Specify the backup date (usually several options are available in the last 30 days).
If there is no date on the list, try to restore contacts through the web version of Google Contacts:
- Go to contacts.google.com from your computer or phone.
- In the left menu, select Cancel Changes.
- Specify the time period for which you want to roll back contacts (up to 30 days ago).
β οΈ Note: If you added new contacts after removing the old ones, you will have to re-enter them β rollback will return the state to the selected date.
2.Use Mi Cloud for Recovery
Xiaomi offers its own cloud storage, Mi Cloud, which automatically saves contacts if the feature is activated.
- π Go to Settings. β Mi Account. β Mi Cloud.
- π Sign in if you are not already logged in.
- π₯ Find the Contacts section and click Sync or Restore.
- β³ Wait until the process is complete (may take a few minutes depending on the number of contacts you have).
If sync is disabled, check if there are backups in the Mi Cloud:
- Go to i.mi.com.
- Select Cloud β Backup copies.
- View the available backups and select the right one (pay attention to the date of creation).
| Recovery method | Preliminary adjustment is required | Maximum shelf life of the backup | Recovery speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Account | Yes (synchronization should be enabled) | 30 days | Quickly (1-5 minutes) |
| Mi Cloud | Yes (backup to the cloud) | Depends on the settings (up to 6 months) | Average (5-15 minutes) |
| SIM-map | Not (if the contacts are saved on SIM) | No restrictions. | Slowly (manual input) |
| Third-party applications (such as Dr.Fone) | No (but root is required for deep scanning) | Depends on the app. | Long (20-60 minutes) |
β οΈ Note: If you reset your phone to factory settings and do not remember the data from the Mi Account, recovery through Mi Cloud will not be possible without unlocking the device.
Re-establishment of contacts with SIM-map
If your contacts have been retained SIM-The card (rather than the phone's memory) can be easily imported back, a method that is suitable for older Redmi models that support the storage of numbers on the phone. SIM.
Instructions:
- π± Open the Contacts app.
- π Press three points. β Contact management β Imports/Exports β Import with SIM-map.
- π Choose where to save imported contacts (e.g. Google Account or Device).
- β Confirm the import and wait until it is completed.
Please note:
- π On modern Redmi (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro or newer) SIM-cards often do not support the storage of contacts, only calls and calls SMS.
- π’ Number of contacts SIM limited (usually) 200-250 number).
- π Names and numbers SIM stored without additional fields (e.g. email or address).
βοΈ Preparation for recovery from SIM-map
4.Recovery through MIUI backup
MIUI has a built-in local backup function that can save contacts to internal memory or SD-If you've ever created a backup through Settings β Additionally. β Backup and reset, follow the instructions:
Steps to recover:
- Go to Settings β Additional β Backup and Reset β Local Backup.
- Select the last backup (pay attention to the date of creation).
- Click Restore and select Contacts from the list of available data.
- Confirm the recovery and wait for the process to be completed (the phone may restart).
Important nuances:
- π Local backups are stored in a folder MIUI/backup/AllBackup internal memory or SD-map.
- π If the backup is encrypted, you will need to enter the password set when creating a backup copy.
- π± On some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) Local backup may not be available β in this case, use other methods.
What if the backup is damaged?
5.Programs for Recovery of Remote Contacts
If the standard methods didn't work, you can use third-party utilities.
- π οΈ Dr.Fone (Wondershare) β Restores contacts even without root rights (but with restrictions).
- π EaseUS MobiSaver supports internal memory scanning and SD-map.
- π± GT Recovery β a free application with a simple interface (requires root for deep scanning).
The general algorithm of work with such programs:
- Install the application on your computer or phone.
- Connect Redmi to your PC (if you are using the desktop version).
- Select the data type for recovery (Contacts).
- Run the scan and wait for the results.
- Save the contacts found in a convenient format (VCF, CSV or directly into the phone book).
β οΈ Note: When using programs without root rights (without superuser rights), the restored contacts may be incomplete (for example, without names or additional fields.
To increase the chances of success:
- π΅ Do not save new data to your phone after deleting contacts (this can overwrite deleted files).
- π Charge your phone at least 50% before scanning.
- π‘ Use the original. USB-cable for connecting to a PC (cheap cables can cause data transmission errors).
π‘
If you are reconnecting via PC, pre-disable sync with Google and Mi Cloud to avoid data conflicts.
6. Manual input and alternative methods
If the automatic methods don't work, you have manual repair, which is a time-consuming process, but sometimes the only one possible.
Ways to facilitate manual input:
- π§ Check mailboxes (Gmail, Mail.ru, etc.) β often the senderβs phone numbers are stored in the letters.
- π¬ Look at the history of the messages in SMS/MMS or messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber).
- π Export contacts from social networks (Facebook, VK, Instagram β Many of them allow you to upload a list of friends with phone numbers.
- π¨οΈ If you have printouts or screenshots of your phone book, use text recognition apps (like Google Lens).
To speed up the process:
- Create a table in Google Sheets or Excel with columns: Name, Phone, Note.
- Fill it out as you recover data from multiple sources.
- Import the finished file to Google Contacts via Import (CSV and VCF formats are supported).
π‘
Even if you have re-established contacts, set up automatic backups in Google and Mi Cloud right away to avoid future losses.
7 How to Prevent Loss of Contact in the Future
The best way to combat data loss is to prevent it. Set the following parameters on your Redmi:
Mandatory settings for backup:
- βοΈ Google Contacts: Settings β Accounts. β Google β Synchronization of the account β Contacts (on.).
- π± Mi Cloud: Settings β Mi Account. β Mi Cloud β Contacts (on.) β Autosynchronization.
- π Local Backup: Make a Weekly Backup Through Settings β Additionally. β Backup and reset.
- πΎ Export to File: Export contacts to file once a month VCF (via Contact β Management β Exports) and keep them on SD-map.
Additional security measures:
- π Use Reset Protection: C Settings β Password and security enable confirmation before reset to factory settings.
- π² Install third-party contact managers (such as Simpler Contacts or Contacts)+), which offer advanced backup functions.
- π§ Set up a forwarding. SMS email β this will help to save numbers from messages.
If you change your phones frequently or reset your settings, consider using cross-platform services:
- π Google Contacts β syncs with any Android device.
- π iCloud β if you are planning to switch to iPhone.
- π Nextcloud or OwnCloud β for self-storage.