How to change the name of a contact on Xiaomi: all the ways MIUI

Changing the contact name on Xiaomi smartphones seems like an easy task, but users often face non-obvious nuances. MIUI, Source of contact (Google account, Mi Account or other) SIM-This guide covers all current ways of editing names in 2026, including solutions for cases where standard methods do not work.

Xiaomi has a unique feature: duplicate contacts from different sources, for example, the same number can be stored simultaneously in the phone’s memory, Google account and on the phone. SIM-This leads to confusion: you change the name in one place, and in another it stays the same, and we'll figure out how to identify the source of the contact and edit it correctly so that the change applies globally.

Preparation: Identify the source of contact

Before you change your name, you need to know where the contact is stored, and the algorithm of actions depends on it.

• 📱 Local contacts – saved only in the phone’s memory (shown as “On the device” in the Contacts app)
• ☁️ Google Contacts – synced with Google account (icon) 🔄 near-name)
• 📶 SIM-Contacts – recorded on physical SIM-map (marked with the chip icon)
• 🔵 Mi Accounts – linked to Xiaomi account (shortly encountered, usually on older versions) MIUI)

To check the source:

1. Open the Contacts app (Icon) 👤)
2. Find the right contact and tap it.
3. At the top of the screen will appear a label with the source (for example, "Google" or "Google "SIM 1")
4. If there is no mark, it is a local contact.

Important: if the contact is duplicated (for example, there is both in Google and on the Internet). SIM-After editing one source, the second one will remain unchanged, in which case you either need to delete the take or edit both options separately.

Method 1: Change the name in the standard application Contacts

This is a one-stop method for most Xiaomi models (from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14) and is suitable for contacts saved on the device or in the Mi Account:

1. Open the Contacts app (if it is not on the home screen, search through the swipe search down)
2. Find a contact through the search bar or scroll list
3. Tap on the contact, then click the Edit button (image icon) ✏️ top-right)
4. In the Name field, enter a new name. Use the space to separate the name and surname or click Add the surname
5. Click Ready or Save (depending on version) MIUI)

On some firmware (e.g, MIUI 13 for global version) after saving, a sync notification may appear. If you use Mi Account, the changes will apply to all devices associated with that account.

⚠️ Warning: If the old name comes back after saving, check your sync settings. Maybe another account (like Google) overwrites local changes. → Accounts for editing time.

Method 2: Editing Google Contacts

Contacts synced to Google are edited differently, the changes will apply to all devices where you are logged in to that account. MIUI 12-14:

1. Open Contacts and find the right contact
2. If an icon is visible at the top of the screen 🔄 The word “Google” is a Google contact.
3. Tap Edit, make changes to the Name field
4. Click Save. The system will prompt you to sync changes with Google servers.

An alternative way is through the web interface:

1. Go to contacts.google.com from any device
2. Sign in with the same account as Xiaomi
3. Find a contact, click on it and select Edit (Icon) ✏️)
4. Change your name and save it. The sync with your phone will happen automatically during the next few days. 1-2 minute

⚠️ Note: If you have changed your name through Google Contacts, but Xiaomi displays the old one, check if sync is disabled. → Accounts. → Google → Sync your account and turn on the Contacts switch.

Method 3: Change of name to SIM-map

SIM-The contacts are edited separately from the others:

• 📛 The name may contain only Latin letters and numbers (Cyrillic is not supported)
• 📏 Name length limited 14-20 Symbols (depending on the operator)
• 🔄 Changes are not synchronized with the cloud

Instructions for MIUI 14:

1. Open Contacts and go to the tab. SIM (or select the source "SIM 1/SIM 2" filtered)
2. Find a contact and tap it.
3. Click Edit (on some firmware, the button is hidden under the ⋮ → Change)
4. Enter a new name in Latin (for example, Ivan Petrov instead of Ivan Petrov)
5. Save the changes. The system can request PIN2-code (default 0000 or 1234)

If you often call this number, it is better to transfer the contact with the phone. SIM-Google maps or local memory:

1. Open contact on SIM-map
2. Press. ⋮ → Export (or copy to...)
3. Select your target account (Google or Device)
4. Confirm the transfer. Now the contact can be edited without restriction.

Challenges and solutions

Even after editing correctly, Xiaomi users face typical problems:

1.The name goes back to the previous version

The reason: synchronization conflict between multiple accounts (e.g., Google and Mi Account overwrite each other).

Decision:

• 🔧 Turn off automatic synchronization in Settings → Accounts for all services except the required
• 📱 Remove duplicate contact from an unnecessary source
• ☁️ Manually run synchronization after editing (Settings) → Accounts. → Google → Synchronize)

2. You cannot change your name (the "Edit" button is inactive)

Causes and solutions:

• 🔒 Contact is protected from changes (e.g., system contact for emergency calls). Solution: cannot be edited.
• 📵 Contact is from an app (like WhatsApp or Viber) Solution: change the name in the messenger itself.
• 🛠️ Choke in the Contacts.Solution: Clear the app cache in Settings → Annexes → Contacts → Memory. → Clear the cache.

💡

If the edit button is gray, try long-pressing the contact in the list. MIUI This creates a context menu with additional options.

3. Changes are not displayed in other applications

After editing, the name may remain old in:

• 📞 Call log - update the list with a swipe down or restart the Phone app
• 💬 Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) — they cache contacts. Solution: update contacts in the messenger settings or reinstall the application
• 🚗 Android Auto – sync your contacts again in your connection settings

Mass editing of names

If you want to change the names of dozens of contacts (e.g., bring them to a single format), manual editing will take hours.

Method 1: Google Contacts on PC

The most convenient method for mass editing:

1. Open contacts.google.com on your computer
2. Make the necessary contacts tick on the left
3. Click on the icon. ✏️ in the top panel and select Edit fields
4. In the drop-down menu, specify which field to change (for example, "Name")
5. Enter a new value and apply the changes to all selected contacts

Method 2: Export/import through CSV

For advanced users:

1. Export contacts to.csv file via Settings → System system → Imports/exports → Export to file
2. Open the file in Excel or Google Sheets
3. Edit columns with names (usually Given Name and Family Name)
4. Save the file and import back by choosing a replacement for existing contacts

⚠️ Note: When importing from CSV All existing contacts in the selected account will be replaced by data from the file. → System system → Backup.

Backup before editing

Before massive changes, it is recommended to create a backup of contacts.

1. Go to Settings. → The phone. → Backup (on the basis of the MIUI 14 Ways may be different: Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset)
2. Select Local Backup or Cloud Backup (for Mi Account)
3. Make sure the box is next to the contact
4. Click Create a backup and wait until it is completed.

For Google contacts, backup is created automatically, but you can export them manually:

1. Open contacts.google.com
2. On the left menu, select Export.
3. Specify the format (Google) CSV or vCard) and click Export
4. Save the file to your computer or the cloud

💡

Backup contacts take less than 1MB, but saves you hours of operation when you crash. Store the backup in two places: on your phone and in the cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions