How to highlight all contacts on Xiaomi: a complete guide with pictures

Contact management on Xiaomi smartphones is a frequent question for users, especially when it comes to mass transactions. Unlike iOS or standard Android, the MIUI shell hides some functions behind non-obvious gestures or menus. For example, trying to allocate all contacts for transfer, backup or deletion can end up manually rummaging hundreds of records — if you do not know the secret combinations.

To make matters worse, Xiaomi regularly updates the Contacts interface, and what worked in MIUI 12 may disappear in MIUI 15, and new features (e.g., integration with Xiaomi Cloud) add alternative ways, and in this article we’ll look at all the current ways to highlight contacts, from standard to hidden, including methods for rootless devices.

Special attention will be paid to mass operations: how to copy all contacts on the Internet. SIM-map, export to.vcf, or delete duplicates in one click, and consider common errors that may cause features to fail (e.g. sync with Google Account or limitations). MIUI china-fix).

📊 What Xiaomi model do you use?
Redmi Note 12/13
POCO X5/X6
Xiaomi 13/14
Another Xiaomi model
Not Xiaomi.

1. Standard method: allocation through the "Contacts" application

The most obvious method is to use the built-in Contacts app (or Contacts in global firmware), but there are pitfalls: depending on the version of MIUI, the interface may differ, and some options are hidden behind long pressing.

To highlight all contacts:

  1. Open the Contacts app.
  2. Touch the badge «⋮» (three points) in upper right corner.
  3. Select Contact Management (or Manage Contacts in English).
  4. Click on the "selection" icon (square with a tick) in the top panel.
  5. In the menu that appears, select Allow.

⚠️ Note: In some firmware, the option to highlight everything only appears after you manually select at least one contact. If the button is inactive, first tap any contact, then repeat the steps.

After the separation, you will be able to:

  • 📤 Export contacts to.vcf file (for backup).
  • 🗑️ Delete all allocated records (without recovery capability!).
  • 📱 Copy on SIM-Card (if supported by your model).
  • 🔄 Combine duplicates (the feature is not available in all regions).

Check synchronization with Google/Account Xiaomi|Create a backup copy of contacts|Make sure there is free space on the device|Disable restrictions on Chinese firmware (if applicable)-->

Alternative method: through the Import/Export menu

If standard allocation doesn't work (e.g., because of customized firmware), you can go the export/import route, which is suitable for backing up all contacts or transferring them to another device.

Instructions:

  1. Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
  2. Choose Export to File (or Export to Storage).
  3. Specify the location of the storage (for example, internal memory → Download).
  4. Confirm the export – a contact.vcf file with all contacts will be created.

💡 Useful tip: You can open a.vcf file on your PC through Outlook, Google Contacts, or any contact manager, and it’s convenient for editing large lists (e.g. manually deleting duplicates).

⚠️ Note: In Chinese firmware (China) ROM) The export option can be blocked without being linked to the Xiaomi account. ADB.

What to do if the export does not work?
If the error "Failure to save file" appears during export, check: 1. Write rights: go to Settings → Annexes → Contacts → Rights. → Memory and enable resolution. 2. Free space: internal memory should be at least 100 KB (even for a small list of contacts). 3. Alternative path: try exporting to the local area. SD-card (if any). 4. Cache cleanup: in the Contacts app settings, clear the cache and try again.

3. Allocating contacts through Google Account (for synchronized contacts)

If your contacts are synced to your Google Account, you can manage them through a web interface — often more convenient than through an app on your phone — and it's suitable for mass editing, deleting duplicates, or exporting.

Step-by-step:

  1. Open your PC browser and go to https://contacts.google.com.
  2. Sign in with the same account as Xiaomi.
  3. In the left menu, select Export (or More → Export).
  4. Specify the format (Google CSV or vCard) and click Export.

Advantages of this method:

  • 🌐 It works on any device with Internet access.
  • 🔍 Allows you to filter contacts by labels, groups or date of addition.
  • 📊 Supports mass removal of duplicates through the Find and Combine Duplicates tool.
  • 🔄 Changes to the phone are automatically synchronized (if enabled in settings).

⚠️ Note: If you delete contacts through Google Contacts, they will disappear on your Xiaomi as well if sync is enabled!

4. Use of third-party applications (for advanced features)

Standard MIUI tools aren’t always convenient for large contact lists, and third-party apps from Google Play like:

  • Contacts+ – supports mass editing, dubbing and backup.
  • Simpler Contacts is a convenient interface for selecting contact groups.
  • My Contacts Backup is a company specializing in export/import of.vcf.

🔹 Example of working with Contacts+:

  1. Install the app and give access to contacts.
  2. Go to Groups or All Contacts.
  3. Press and hold any contact, then select Select All in the top bar.
  4. Use the options Merge, Delete or Export.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (especially from unknown sources) may request excessive permissions. Check reviews and rankings on Google Play before installing. Avoid programs that require access to the app. SMS or calls to work with contacts.

💡

Before using a third-party app, turn off automatic contact sync in your account settings, which will prevent conflicts during mass editing.

5. Extended method: ADB-Teams for experienced users

If none of the above methods worked (e.g., on customized firmware or a limited-enabled device), you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting your phone to a PC and basic command-line knowledge.

🔹 Preparation:

  1. Turn on Developer Mode on Xiaomi: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and press 7 times.
  2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
  3. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.

🔹 Export of all contacts through ADB:

adb shell content query --uri content://com.android.contacts/data --where "mimetid=1" --projection "display_name,data1"

This command will display a list of all contacts with phone numbers. For a full export to.vcf, use:

adb shell content query --uri content://com.android.contacts/contacts --export /sdcard/contacts.vcf

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Before executing commands, back up your contacts through standard means or Xiaomi Cloud.

MethodDifficultyPC requiredSuitable for
Standard allocation in "Contacts"⭐❌ No.MIUI 12-15, all models
Exports through Import/Export⭐⭐❌ No.All firmware except China ROM
Google Contacts (web)⭐✅ Yes)Synchronized accounts
Party of annex⭐⭐❌ No.Extended management
ADB-team⭐⭐⭐✅ Yes.Advanced users

Frequent problems and their solutions

When working with contacts on Xiaomi, users encounter common mistakes, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

🔸 Problem: The “Spot All” button is inactive.

Decision:

  • Update the Contacts app via Google Play.
  • Clear the app cache in Settings → Apps → Contacts → Memory.
  • Check if you have Chinese firmware (China ROM) installed, as some features are limited.

🔸 Problem: Contacts are duplicated after syncing with Google or Xiaomi Cloud.

Decision:

  1. Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Combine duplicates.
  2. If you do not have the option, use Google Contacts in your browser (Search and combine duplicates).
  3. Turn off automatic sync for one of your accounts (e.g. Xiaomi Cloud if your primary account is Google).

🔸 Problem: You can not export contacts to SIM-map.

Decision:

  • Make sure that SIM-The card supports the storage of contacts (not all modern cards allow this).
  • Use the microSIM/nanoSIM adapter if contacts are not displayed.
  • Export contacts to.vcf and then import through another device (if you need to transfer to an old phone).

💡

If you work with contacts frequently, disable automatic sync with unnecessary accounts, which will prevent duplication and conflict in mass transactions.

Can I select contacts alphabetically (for example, only by the letter "A")?
Yes, in the standard Contacts app: Open the tab with the contact list. Scroll down to the right letter (like "A") on the sidebar. Click and hold any contact in this section, then select the others manually. For mass alphabetical selection, it's more convenient to use Google Contacts in your browser (there's a filter by the first letter).
How to Restore Remote Contacts on Xiaomi?
Recovery methods depend on where the contacts were stored: Google Account: Go to Google Contacts, select Cancel Changes (available within 30 days). Xiaomi Cloud: In the Contacts app, click ⋮ → Restore contacts (if sync was enabled). Local storage: No recovery is possible without backup. In the future, set up automatic backup to Settings → Accounts. → Xiaomi Cloud.
Why is an empty file created when exporting contacts?
Reasons and Solutions: No write rights: Check permissions for the Contacts app in Settings → Annexes → Contacts → Right. Path error: Specify for export the Download or Documents folder instead of the root directory. MIUI: Restart your phone and try again. If it doesn't work, upgrade your firmware.
Can you select contacts by group (e.g., only “Work”)?
Yes, for this: Open the Contacts app and go to the Group tab. Select the desired group (like Job) click on the highlight icon (square ticked) and select Select All in Group. If the groups don't show up, check if sync is enabled with Google or Xiaomi Cloud - local groups may not be saved after a phone reset.
How to transfer contacts from Xiaomi to iPhone?
Step-by-step: On Xiaomi, export contacts to.vcf file (see method) 2). Send the file to yourself by email or via Telegram/WhatsApp. On your iPhone, open the file and automatically add contacts to the Contacts app. Make sure contacts are synced with iCloud (Settings) → [Your name] → iCloud → Contacts). ⚠️ Important: Contact photos or additional fields (e.g., dates of birth) may be lost during the transfer.