Setting up the display of contacts on Xiaomi

Xiaomi smartphones, which run on the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS, provide users with a wide range of options for customizing the interface. One of the most popular features is the personalization of the subscriber list, which we use daily. Often standard settings do not meet all the requirements: some do not like the font size, others are hindered by the lack of full-screen photos, and others are confused in the order of sorting names.

In this article, we will discuss in detail how to change the display of contacts on Xiaomi devices to make calls as convenient as possible. You will learn how to manage the appearance of records, adjust the priorities of display and solve common problems with synchronization or disappearance of numbers.

The Android phonebook interface may vary depending on the operating system version and regional firmware. However, the basic principles remain the same for most models, whether it is a budget Redmi or flagship Xiaomi. Understanding the logic of how system applications work will allow you to easily navigate the menu and make the necessary adjustments.

Main settings of the type and sorting of the list

The first thing to start with is the basics of list display. The standard interface offers a few sorting options that can dramatically change the usability of your search. To access these settings, you need to open the Phone or Contacts app and click on the three dots in the top right corner, selecting Settings.

In the menu that opens, you'll find a section that deals with the order of names, you can choose to sort by surname or by name, and for Russian-speaking users, "By name" is often more common, because in the phone book, we often search for people by this criterion, and there is also an option to display the surname before or after the name, which affects the visual perception of the list.

Another important parameter is the choice of the display source. In modern smartphones, contacts can be stored in different places: SIM-In the display settings, you can either uncheck specific sources to clear the list of duplicates or old entries.

Remember, the changes are immediate. If you choose to sort by surname, the list will be rebuilt automatically, which is especially useful for business users who may have hundreds of numbers in their phone book, and quick search becomes critical.

Changes in font size and interface style

Visual comfort is a key factor when using a smartphone, especially for people with visual impairments. The MIUI shell allows you to flexibly adjust the size of text throughout the system, including the phone book, and to do this, you need to go to the general settings of the system along the way Settings → Screen → Text Size.

The regulator slider allows you to choose from several presets, from "Little" to "Giant"; when you change this setting in real time, the font size in the contact list changes, making names and numbers more readable, and it's important to note that this affects the entire interface of the device, not just one application.

In addition to size, users are often interested in changing the style of the font, which allows you to download and use a third-party font in the Themes store, and once activated, all system inscriptions, including contacts, will be displayed with a new type, which not only improves readability, but also gives the device a unique look.

⚠️ Note: Some handwritten or decorative fonts may impair the readability of numbers and letters, leading to dialing errors. Use proven system fonts or specialized fonts for the visually impaired.

Also worth mentioning is the Read Mode or Paper Text feature, which can be activated in screen settings, and although it's designed to protect the eyes when reading books, turning it on changes the color gamut of the interface, which also affects the perception of the contact list, making it more contrasting or softer.

Set up a full-screen photo when calling

One of the most desirable features for many users is to display a full-screen photo of the caller. Standard Android settings often frame the photo or show it in a small window. On Xiaomi, the implementation of this feature depends on the version of the shell and the chosen theme.

To activate a full-screen photo, you need to make sure that the contact has a high-resolution image in the phone book. Small avatars will stretch and look bad! naturally. Go to the contact card, click on the camera icon and select the photo from the gallery, pre-cut it by square.

Then check the theme settings. Some standard MIUI themes don't support full-screen default, so you should go to the Themes app, select the current theme, and see if it has a full-screen photo option. If not, try downloading another theme that says it supports this feature.

Owners of smartphones with AMOLED-You can also use the "Always On Display" feature to see a photo of the caller even on the locked screen. → Lock screen → Always On Display, where you can choose the style of display notifications about calls.

Synchronization and management of contact sources

Chaos in the phone book often arises from mixing contacts from different sources. SIM-maps, from your Google account, from your Mi Cloud, even from messengers like Viber or Telegram, and to clean up your messaging, you need to configure your display filters properly.

Open the Contacts app, click on the menu (three bars or dots) and select Contacts to Display. Here you will see a list of all the accounts connected. You can only tick the main Google account to see a single, syncable database, and hide local copies or SIM-map.

Sync with the Mi Cloud also plays a major role. If you’re using the Xiaomi ecosystem, enabling sync will save backups and instantly transfer contacts when you change phone. Check status from Settings → Mi Account → Sync → Contacts.

Regular cleaning of duplicates is another important aspect: Contacts often has a built-in "Combine duplicates" feature that automatically finds duplicate entries and suggests that they be merged into one card, which helps to avoid a situation where one subscriber appears in the list twice with different numbers.

Solving the Disappearance of Contacts

Xiaomi users sometimes face an unpleasant situation where the contact list is empty or displayed incorrectly after a system update or reset, most often the problem lies in disabled sync or incorrect permissions for the application.

First, check the permissions of the Contacts app. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Contacts → Permissions. Make sure that phone, contacts and storage are allowed. Without these permissions, the app will not be able to download data from the system database.

The second step is to check the display filters, and sometimes, after an update, the default system hides contacts without numbers or contacts with certain types of devices. SIM-Go back to the display settings inside the app and make sure that you have selected All contacts".

If contacts are lost after resetting to factory settings, you need to re-enter your Google account. The recovery process can take anywhere from minutes to an hour depending on the number of records and Internet speed, do not turn off the screen or interrupt the sync process during this period.

Use of third-party applications and launchers

MIUI is powerful, but sometimes the built-in caller is not enough, and third-party apps from Google Play come to the rescue, which can completely replace the standard dialing and contact management interface.

Popular alternatives like Truecaller or Simple Contacts offer advanced sorting, spam blocking, and look customization capabilities, allowing you to create color-coded groups, change design themes regardless of the system theme, and customize complex display rules.

When you install a third-party application, the system will ask permission to use it by default for calls, which means that when you click on a number, a new application will open in any part of the system, which gives you full control over how you see and use your contacts.

⚠️ Warning: When installing third-party calling apps, be careful with permissions.Contacts and microphone access should only be given to proven programs with good reputations to avoid personal data leakage.

However, it’s worth remembering that third-party solutions can consume more battery life and work less consistently with Xiaomi’s branded features, such as recording conversations or integrating with Mi Drop.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

💡

The right setup for displaying contacts on Xiaomi is a balance between aesthetics, searchability and reliability of data storage via cloud synchronization.

💡

Export your contacts to a.vcf file regularly and save them to a computer or cloud storage other than Google to back up in case you block your account.