Where to look for contacts in Xiaomi phone: all ways to access the phone book

Have you bought a new Xiaomi smartphone or upgraded your MIUI firmware but can't find where your contacts are stored? Or accidentally deleted an important number and don't know how to restore it? This problem is familiar to many users - the MIUI interface changes regularly, and the standard Contacts app sometimes hides in unexpected places.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to access the phone book on Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO — From basic methods to hidden functions, you will learn where to look for contacts in different versions. MIUI, How to transfer them to SIM-Map or Google Account, and what to do if the numbers are missing after resetting settings. Particular attention will be paid to the unique feature of Xiaomi – synchronization of contacts through Mi Account, which other manufacturers do not have.

1. the standard application “Contacts” in MIUI: where to look and how to open

The most obvious way is to use the built-in Contacts app, but it depends on the MIUI version and the smartphone model, and this is where it's usually hidden:

• 📱 On the home screen: an icon with a human silhouette (most often green or blue) if it's not, check the Google or Tools folder».
• 🔍 Search: Swipe down the home screen and type Contacts in the search bar. The system will show all matches, including duplicate applications (e.g. Google Contacts).
• ☎ From the phone app: Open the phone, click on three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Contacts».
• 📁 In the menu of all applications: swipe up from the bottom of the screen, find the folder “Connection” or “Communications».

If the Contacts icon disappeared after the update, try resetting the launcher settings: press the empty space on the home screen → Settings → Reset. This will return the standard icon layout.

Important: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13T or POCO F5), the Contacts app may be called People or Address Book.

2. Contacts in Google Account: How to find and sync

If you use a Google Account, your contacts are automatically synced to the cloud to find them:

1. Open the Google Contacts app (if not, download from the Play Market).
2. Sign in under the same account as on your smartphone.
3. All saved numbers will be displayed in the list, and can be edited, exported or restored from the basket (stored for 30 days).

To enable synchronization on Xiaomi:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Select your account and activate the Contacts switch.
3. Click on Sync (Wi-Fi connection may be required).

The advantage of this method is that contacts will be available on any device with the same Google Account, even if the smartphone breaks. However, be careful - when you delete a contact on the phone, it will disappear in the cloud (if sync is enabled).

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If contacts are duplicated after syncing with Google, use the “Merge” function in the Contacts app (three points → Contact Management → Unite).

Contacts to SIM-map: how to view and transfer

Many users keep numbers on the old-fashioned SIM-To see them, to see them:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Press three points (⋮) → «Contact management» → «Imports/Exports».
3. Select "Import with" SIM-The system will show all the saved numbers.

To transfer SIM contacts to your phone:

1. In the same menu "Import / Export" select "Import from SIM-card".
2. Mark the contacts you want (or click “Select All”).
3. Specify where to save: to Google Account, Mi Account or locally to the device.

Limitations SIM-map:

• ⚠️ Keep a limited number of characters in a name (often only 10-15 characters).
• ⚠️ Do not support photos, postal addresses or additional fields.
• ⚠️ When moving to a new one SIM numbers may be duplicated.

If you use eSIM (like Xiaomi 13 Lite), contacts are not stored on it – only in the phone’s memory or the cloud.

4.Contacts in Mi Account: a unique feature of Xiaomi

Xiaomi offers its own cloud-based storage for contacts, the Mi Account.This is handy if you change the brand’s smartphones frequently or don’t want to depend on Google.

To enable synchronization:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Account.
2. Enter your Xiaomi account details (or sign up).
3. Activate the “Contacts” switch and press “Sync”.

Advantages of Mi Account:

• 🔄 Automatic backup when changing Xiaomi phone.
• 📱 Access to contacts via the web version of account.xiaomi.com (Cloud section»).
• 🛡️ Additional protection: Two-factor authentication can be configured.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Contacts are not synced with other brands (such as Samsung or iPhone).
• ⚠️ When you delete your Mi Account, all data is permanently erased.

5. How to Restore Remote Contacts on Xiaomi

Did you accidentally erase an important number? Don't panic -- there are a few ways to get it back:

The most reliable method is that if you have synced with Google or Mi Account enabled, log into the corresponding account from your computer and check the cart. Google Contacts has a Cancel Changes feature for the last 30 days.

⚠️ Note: If you reset your phone to factory settings without a backup, the chances of getting your contacts back are minimal. In this case, try contacting previous interlocutors via WhatsApp, Telegram – there is often a history of chats with numbers.

6. Hidden contacts and duplicates: how to manage

Sometimes contacts are hidden because of the display settings or duplicated after synchronization.

How to show hidden contacts:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Press three points (⋮) → «Settings» → «Display contacts».
3. Select “All Contacts” instead of “Numbers Only”.

How to remove duplicates:

• In the same Settings menu, select “Merge Contacts”.
• The system will automatically find possible duplicates and offer to combine them.
• Use Google Contacts for manual control – there are more flexible tools available.

If you’re using MIUI 14 or HyperOS, a new Group feature has been introduced in your contact settings, allowing you to sort numbers by category (e.g., Work, Family), making it easier to search.

🔹 Make a backup copy of the Google/Mi Account

🔹 Export contacts to file VCF (Settings → Exports)

🔹 Check duplicates manually

🔹 Remove unnecessary groups (e.g., “Advertising")

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7. Transfer contacts to the new smartphone Xiaomi

When buying a new phone Xiaomi to transfer contacts in several ways:

Method 1: Mi Account (the fastest)

1. On your old phone, enable contact sync with Mi Account (see section 4).
2. On the new phone, log in to the same Xiaomi account.
3. Contacts will automatically be downloaded within 5-10 minutes.

Method 2: Through Google Account

1. On your old phone, check that your contacts are synced to Google.
2. On the new phone, add the same Google account and enable sync.

Method 3: Through the VCF file

1. On your old phone, export contacts: Contacts» → ⋮ → «Imports/Exports» → «Export to file».
2. Transfer the file (usually contacts.vcf) to your new phone via Bluetooth, Email, or the cloud.
3. On the new phone, import the file: “Contacts» → ⋮ → «Imports/Exports» → «Import from the file».

Method 4: Through SIM-card if there are few contacts)

1. Export contacts to SIM on your old phone.
2. Insert the SIM into the new phone and import the data.

If you have a POCO or Redmi with custom firmware, check before the penosom if the sync settings have reset. Sometimes after the TWRP firmware, the contacts fly off, in which case only the backup will help.

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Use at least two ways to back up your contacts (e.g. Google) + Mi Account or VCF-file + SIM). This will protect you from data loss in case of phone crash or sync error.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi contacts