How to combine duplicate contacts on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is one of the most popular smartphones of the brand, but even it is not immune to the problem of duplicate contacts. They appear after synchronization with multiple accounts (Google, Mi Account, WhatsApp), import from the company. SIM-Scattered on the phone, identical numbers make it difficult to find the right subscriber, take up space and spoil the experience of using the device.

In this article, you will find 5 working ways to connect contacts on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, from standard MIUI tools to third-party applications. We will analyze the nuances of each method, warn about possible errors and give tips on how to avoid re-appearance of duplicates. If you are tired of seeing 3-4 entries per person in the phone book, this is the guide for you.

Why do you see duplicate contacts on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro?

The problem of duplicate contacts is typical for all Android smartphones, but on Xiaomi devices it manifests itself more often due to the features of the MIUI firmware.

  • πŸ”„ Sync with multiple accounts, if you add a Google account, Mi Account and social media accounts to your phone (VK, Facebook, each of them can create a copy of their contacts.
  • πŸ“± Import with SIM-When you move numbers from an old phone, you often have repetitive entries, especially if you have already had contacts on Google.
  • ☁️ Restore from backup: When you reset or buy a new Xiaomi, recovering data from the backup can duplicate existing contacts.
  • πŸ€– Synchronization errors MIUI. Sometimes Xiaomi’s firmware mishandles changes to the phone book, creating β€œghost” copies.

On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, duplicates can appear even after the MIUI update if there were previously synchronization problems. For example, after switching from MIUI 11 to MIUI 12, many users complained about the β€œreproduction” of contacts in the Contacts app.

⚠️ Attention: Before joining contacts, check which accounts are synced. Go to Settings β†’ Accounts and sync and disable unnecessary sources (e.g. Mi Account if you only use Google) will prevent duplicates from appearing again.

πŸ“Š How often do you encounter duplicate contacts on Xiaomi?
It's always annoying!
Sometimes, after the synchronization
It used to be, it's not now.
Never noticed.

Method 1: Connecting contacts through the standard Contacts app

The easiest method is to use the built-in merger feature in the Contacts app from Xiaomi.It is available on all versions of MIUI (from 10 to 14) and does not require additional programs to be installed.

Instructions:

  1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette on the home screen).
  2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Contact Management.
  3. Go to Combine Contacts (or Find and Combine Doubles in new MIUI versions).
  4. The system will automatically find the repeating entries. Click Combine next to each take or select Combine all.
  5. Confirm the action by pressing Ready.

If the automatic search didn’t find all the takes, try manually:

  1. In the contact list, find a name with repeating numbers.
  2. Open the contact card and click Edit (pencil icon).
  3. At the top of the screen will appear the inscription "There are duplicate contacts - click on it."
  4. Select the records for the merger and confirm.

Make a backup copy of the phone book|Check the Internet connection|Disable synchronization with unnecessary accounts|Close background applications (WhatsApp, Telegram)-->

⚠️ Warning: Once combined, check if important data (such as additional numbers or addresses) is missing. MIUI Leaves only basic information, ignoring secondary fields.

Method 2: Using Google Contacts to Merge Duties

If you sync your contacts with a Google account, it’s more convenient to combine them through the web version of Google Contacts, which is suitable if the duplicates are due to a conflict between local and cloud records.

Step-by-step:

  1. Open your browser on your computer or phone and go to contacts.google.com.
  2. Sign in with the same account that is linked to the Redmi Note 8 Pro.
  3. In the left menu, select Doubles (or Combine and Fix β†’ Find Doubles).
  4. The system will show all the repeated contacts. Click Combine next to each or choose Combine all.
  5. Once completed, sync contacts on your phone: go to Settings β†’ Accounts β†’ Google β†’ Sync and update data.

Advantages of this method:

  • 🌐 It works on any device (even if the phone is broken or discharged).
  • πŸ” More accurate duplicate search compared to the built-in Xiaomi app.
  • πŸ“Š Allows you to edit contacts en masse (for example, add a prefix to numbers).
CombinationPlusesCons
Standard Annex ContactsNo need for the internet, fast.Maybe miss some takes.
Google Contacts (web)Precise merger, mass editingYou need to synchronize data after changes
Third-party annexesAdvanced features (e.g., search by numbers)Risk of data leakage when using unreliable programs

πŸ’‘

If you have duplicates left on your phone after you combine them in Google Contacts, try removing the Contacts app cache. Go to Settings β†’ Apps β†’ App Management β†’ Contacts β†’ Memory β†’ Clear the cache.

Method 3: Applications for cleaning contacts (Simpler Merge, Contacts Optimizer)

If the built-in tools don’t work, use third-party apps that offer advanced duplicate search algorithms and additional features (like backing up before a merger).

Top.-3 Proven applications for Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro:

  • πŸ“± Simpler Merge - simple interface, supports Russian language, free version with restrictions.
  • πŸ” Contacts Optimizer – finds duplicates even by partial coincidence of names, there is a function to restore remote contacts.
  • ☁️ Cleanup: Duplicate Contacts – works with Google, Outlook and local contacts, export to.vcf.

Instructions on the example of Simpler Merge:

  1. Install the app from Google Play (link: Simpler Merge).
  2. Start it and give access to the contacts.
  3. Click Scan - the program will find all the takes.
  4. Check the proposed merger options (you can edit manually).
  5. Press Combine and wait until it is completed.

⚠️ Note: Make sure to back up contacts before using third-party apps. Some programs (especially the little-known ones) can delete data instead of merging. Export contacts to.vcf via Settings β†’ Import/export of contacts.

How to distinguish a reliable application from a fraudulent one?
Reliable contact programs have: βœ… More than 100,000 installations on Google Play. βœ… Rating above 4.0 and fresh reviews (no older than 2-3 months). βœ… Privacy Policy on the Developer’s Website. ❌ Avoid applications that request access to SMS, Calls or geolocations – no need to merge contacts.

Method 4: Manually Combining Through Export and Import (for Power Users)

If automated methods didn't work, try the hard way: export contacts to a file, edit it manually, and import it back. It's time-consuming, but it guarantees 100% control over the process.

Step-by-step:

  1. Export contacts to.vcf file: Open Contacts β†’ Settings (βš™οΈ) β†’ Imports/exports β†’ Export to your device. Select an account (like Google or Phone) and save the file to your phone's memory.

contacts.vcf

USB-cable

Google Drive

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VS Code

BEGIN:VCARD

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BEGIN:VCARD...END:VCARD

  • In Contacts, select Import/Export β†’ Import from the device.
  • Specify the contacts.vcf file and select an account to save.

This method is suitable if you have:

  • πŸ“‚ Many takes with minor differences (for example, "Ivan Ivanov" and "Ivan Ivanov").
  • πŸ”§ All fields (extra phones, addresses, birthdays) must be saved).
  • πŸ–₯️ Access to a computer for easy editing.

πŸ’‘

Manual export/import is the only way to combine contacts if automatic tools do not see duplicates due to different record formats (e.g., "+7 999 123-45-67" and "89991234567").

Method 5: Reset the settings of the Contacts app (extreme case)

If none of the methods worked, the problem could be the failure of the Contacts database, in which case resetting it to factory settings will help.

Instructions:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Application Management.
  2. Find the Contacts (or Contacts) app and open its page.
  3. Click Memory β†’ Clear data and Clear cache.
  4. Return to the main menu of the application and select Reset (or Restore default settings).
  5. Reboot the phone.

After discharge:

  • Sync your contacts with Google or Mi Account.
  • Check if the doubles have reappeared (if so, a problem with your cloud account).
  • If necessary, re-unite through Google Contacts (method 2).

⚠️ Attention: Resetting the Contacts app will delete all local records (not synced to the cloud).Be sure to export the contacts to the.vcf file before the procedure.

How to avoid reappearance of duplicates on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro

Connecting contacts is half the battle, so that the problem doesn't come back, follow these tips:

  • πŸ”— Turn off unnecessary synchronization. Go to Settings. β†’ Accounts and sync and leave only one contact source (e.g. Google).
  • πŸ“΄ Do not import contacts with SIM-If you already have cards on your phone, use them. SIM Only for the most important numbers to be stored.
  • ☁️ Check Google Contacts regularly for duplicates (every 2-3 months).
  • πŸ“± Update. MIUI. In new versions of the firmware Xiaomi improve algorithms for finding repeating contacts.
  • 🚫 Avoid cleaners like Clean Master – they often ruin your contact database.

If you frequently add new numbers via WhatsApp or Telegram, set up automatic saves to only one account, for example, on WhatsApp this is done as follows:

  1. Open a chat with the right person.
  2. Press three points. β†’ More. β†’ Add in contact.
  3. Select an account to save (e.g. Google).

πŸ’‘

Create a shortcut to quickly access Google Contacts on the home screen. To do this, keep your finger in the free space of the screen β†’ Widgets β†’ Google β†’ Contacts. So you can quickly check duplicates without running your browser.

Frequent mistakes and how to fix them

When combining contacts on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro users often face typical problems.

Problem.Reason.Decision
After the merger, some numbers were missing.The app left only the "main" number, ignoring the additional number.Restore contacts from backup and combine manually
The doubles appear again after synchronization.The conflict between Google and Mi AccountTurn off Mi Account sync in settings
Automatic connection in Contacts does not workApp cache failureClear cache and app data Contacts
Apps from Play Market do not find duplicatesContacts are stored in a non-standard format (for example, Cyrillic names)Use manual export/import (method 4)

If after all the manipulations, the doubles continue to appear, check:

  • πŸ”„ Sync settings in Google account (maybe automatic addition of contacts from Gmail enabled).
  • πŸ“± Application rights – some messengers (e.g. Viber) can create their own copies of contacts.
  • πŸ”§ Version MIUI β€” on old firmware (below) MIUI 12) contact bugs are more common.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can I connect contacts without losing data (photos, birthdays)?
Yes, but you need to use the right method: When you merge through Google Contacts or the standard Contacts app, all data will be saved if you choose the "main" contact with full information. Third-party applications (for example, Contacts Optimizer) allow you to manually choose which fields to leave. Before combining, always check what data will be lost - the system shows a preview of changes.
Why did the MIUI updates come back?
This is a well-known problem for Xiaomi. Causes: The update resets sync settings and turns on all accounts (Google, Mi Account, SIM). The new version of MIUI changes the structure of the contact database, leading to conflicts. Solution: after the update, go to Settings β†’ Accounts and sync and disable unnecessary contact sources. Then repeat the association via Google Contacts.
How to connect contacts if they are saved SIM-map and google?
Follow this algorithm: Export contacts with SIM-telephone card (Contacts) β†’ Imports/exports β†’ Import with SIM). Sync Google Contacts with Your Phone (Settings) β†’ Accounts. β†’ Google β†’ Synchronize. Use Google Contacts (mode 2) to merge duplicates. Delete contacts with SIM-cards to avoid re-importation.Do not import contacts directly from SIM Google – this often leads to duplicates due to different number formats.
Is it safe to use third-party apps to connect contacts?
Yes, if you choose high-ranking, proven programs from Google Play, the risks are minimal if: You back up your contacts before using the app, the program does not ask for unnecessary permissions (for example, access to SMS or geolocation). You use applications from this list: Simpler Merge, Contacts Optimizer, Cleanup. Avoid programs with suspicious reviews or requiring payment for basic features.
What if all contacts have disappeared after the merger?
Don't panic - data can be restored: Check if sync is enabled with Google (Settings β†’ Accounts β†’ Google β†’ Contact Sync). If contacts were in the cloud, they will recover after sync. If you made a backup (.vcf), import it back (Contacts β†’ Import / Export β†’ Import from the device). In extreme cases, use the recovery function in Google Contacts (on the left β†’ Cancel changes). If contacts are lost after using a third-party application, check its settings - some programs create a separate folder with backups.