Why do you have duplicate contacts on the Poco X3 Pro and how to fix it?
Owners of Xiaomi Poco X3 Pros often face the problem of duplicate contacts โ especially after synchronization with multiple accounts (Google, Mi Account, SIM-map) or transferring data from an old phone. Causes vary from failures in the MIUI For example, when importing from a.vcf file, the system can create copies instead of updating existing records.
In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods for connecting contacts, from built-in MIUI tools to manual cleaning through Google Contacts. We will pay special attention to the nuances of the Poco X3 Pro with MIUI 12.5-14 firmware, where the contact menu interface is different from standard Android.
Important: on the Poco X3 Pro with MIUI 13+, the automatic contact pairing function is unstable โ in 30% of cases manual fine-tuning is required through the web version of Google Contacts.
Method 1: Automatically connect via the Contacts app
The fastest method is to use the built-in MIUI tool. It is available in the standard Contacts app, but its location depends on the firmware version:
- Open the Contacts app (an icon with a personโs silhouette).
- Tap it on three points (โฎ) top-right โ Select Contact Management (or Settings in) MIUI 14).
- Scroll down to the Duplicate Contacts section (in some versions, Combine Contacts).
- Click Combine All or select duplicates manually, ticking.
The system will suggest confirming the combination. Once completed, check the result: sometimes there are โinvisibleโ duplicates (for example, contacts with different numbers but the same name).
Dubbs with different sources (SIM vs Google)
Contacts without phone numbers
Records with the same names but different data (for example, "Ivan Ivanov" and "Ivan Ivanov (work)")
Sync with Mi Account (can create copies)-->
โ ๏ธ Note: If contact photos are missing after the merger, check the synchronization settings in Settings โ Accounts. โ Google โ Synchronization of contacts. MIUI 13+ Sometimes the rights to access media files are reset.
Method 2: Manually linking through Google Contacts (web version)
The built-in MIUI tool doesnโt always handle duplicates, especially if theyโre linked to different accounts, and Google Contacts in the browser will help you in this case:
- Go to contacts.google.com and log in with the same account as you do on your phone.
- In the left menu, select Doubly (or Combine and Fix).
- The system will show all the duplicates found. Click Combine for each or choose Combine all.
- Once completed, update your contacts on your phone: Settings โ Accounts โ Google โ Sync.
The advantage of this method is that it can be selectively combined, for example, if you have two numbers for the same person (working and personal), you can leave them separately, but link them in the same record.
| Method | Advantages | Deficiencies | Implementation time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auto-unification at MIUI | Quick, no PC required. | Doesn't always find all the takes. | 1-2 minutes |
| Google Contacts (web) | Precise management, working with any duplicates | We need Internet access. | 5-15 minutes |
| Exports/imports.vcf | Complete control of data | Risk of data loss in case of error | 10-20 minutes |
I only use the built-in app.
Synchronize with Google Contacts
I'm moving on. SIM-map
Other-->
Method 3: Export and import contacts via.vcf file
If automatic pairing doesnโt work, you can export all contacts, clean your phone, and import data again.This method is suitable for the Poco X3 Pro with a large number of takes (100+):
- Export contacts: Contacts โ โฎ โ Contact management โ Imports/Exports โ Export to the device. The file will be saved as contacts.vcf.
- Connect your phone to your PC and copy the file. Open it in a text editor (like Notepad++) or a dedicated service (like VCF Tools).
- Remove duplicate entries manually or using tools like Duplicate Contacts Remover (available on Google Play).
- Delete all contacts on your phone: Contacts โ โฎ โ Contact management โ Delete everything (select the source โ Device or Google).
- Import the cleaned file: Import/Export โ Import from the device.
This requires caution: make sure to back up the original.vcf file. If contact photos disappear after import, check the DCIM/.thumbnails folder on your phone - sometimes MIUI saves them separately.
What if contacts are not displayed after import?
Method 4: Using Third-Party Applications
If the built-in tools don't work, try specialized utilities. Poco X3 Pro will work:
- ๐ฑ Duplicate Contacts (from Simpler Apps) โ scans all sources (including WhatsApp and Viber) and offers preview integration.
- ๐ Contacts Optimizer โ removes empty records and duplicates, supports backup.
- ๐ Sync.ME not only combines contacts, but also enriches them with data from social networks (requires registration).
Before using third-party applications:
- Check Permits: The application must have access to Contacts and Warehouse.
- Create a backup through Settings โ Additional โ Backup and Reset.
- Turn off battery optimization for the application: Settings โ Battery โ Battery Optimization โ Select the application โ No restrictions.
โ ๏ธ Note: Some applications (such as Truecaller) can create their own contacts duplicates. After use, delete them or turn off automatic sync in the settings.
Method 5: Synchronize with a single source (how to avoid duplicates in the future)
To prevent duplicate contacts from appearing again, set up Poco X3 Pro to work with one main source.
- Go to Settings. โ Accounts and keep active sync for Google only (disable Mi Account and SIM-map).
- In the "Contacts" app, click โฎ โ Settings โ Display contacts and select only Google.
- Turn off automatic importation with SIM-maps: Settings โ SIM-maps and mobile networks โ Import with SIM-map โ Turn it off.
If you use WhatsApp or Telegram, set them up to save your contacts on Google:
- ๐ฒ WhatsApp: โฎ โ Settings โ Contacts โ Keep in โ Choose Google.
- ๐ฌ In Telegram: Contacts are synced automatically to the phone book, but you can manually export them through Settings โ Contacts โ Exports.
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If you often switch between SIM-Use the Dual Apps app in the MIUI (Settings โ Annexes โ Dual Apps: It allows you to create a separate profile for messengers with specific reference to the specific application. SIM, avoiding conflict of contact.
Problem Solving: Contacts are not merged or disappear
Sometimes, after the combination, there are errors. Here are the typical situations and their solutions for the Poco X3 Pro:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Contacts are not automatically combined | MIUI version conflict or damaged cache | Clear the cache of the Contacts app and restart the phone |
| After the merger, photos disappeared | Resetting access rights to media files | Go to Settings โ Applications โ Permissions โ Storage and enable access for Contacts |
| The doubles appear again after synchronization. | The conflict between Google and Mi Account | Turn off contact sync in Mi Account (Settings โ Accounts โ Mi Account โ Sync) |
| No contact with the contact with SIM-map | MIUI restrictions on reading SIM | Use a third-party app like SIM Contacts to import |
If none of the methods helped, reset the settings of the Contacts app:
- Go to Settings โ Applications โ Application Management โ Contacts.
- Click Storage โ Clear your data (this will delete all local contacts, but keep them synced with Google).
- Restart your phone and wait for the sync to re-run.
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On the Poco X3 Pro with MIUI 14+, before resetting the Contacts app data, be sure to turn off MIUI Optimization in the battery settings, otherwise the system may block background synchronization.