Owning a modern smartphone like the Xiaomi Redmi 9 involves the use of communication features, and over time, the phone book is overgrown with dozens or even hundreds of numbers. Chaotic record storage makes it difficult to find the right subscriber, especially when the same person is recorded multiple times from different locations. SIM-So, good data management is not just an aesthetic, it's a necessity for a device to work efficiently.
The MIUI operating system on board your gadget provides powerful tools to manage your call list, allowing you to structure information into categories. In this article, we will detail the process of combining records, creating thematic groups and cleaning the registry from duplicates, which will significantly simplify your life. You will learn to use built-in sorting algorithms, which are often undervalued by users.
Why you need to group and combine records
The main reason to get in the Redmi 9 phone book is because it's easy to get in touch, because when the numbers of relatives, colleagues or delivery services are distributed among logical groups, the search takes seconds, not minutes, of endlessly scrolling through the tape, and when you combine the takes, you don't know which number is up to date and which is not already in service.
Systematic storage also affects smart features such as voice dialing or automatic instant messenger responses. If three different contacts with the name Anna are recorded in a device’s memory, the AI may incorrectly prioritize a call. Synchronizing all data into a single record ensures that the history of calls and correspondence is collected in one place.
Another important aspect is security and backup: a single structured contact database is easier to save to the Google or Mi Cloud cloud, which saves data when a smartphone is lost or broken. Chaos in contacts often leads to the fact that when you move to a new phone, the user loses important numbers or gets a “porridge” from repeating names.
⚠️ Note: Before starting a mass editing or combining of records, we strongly advise you to make a backup copy of the phone book so that you do not accidentally delete important data during the merger process.
Preparation for working with the phone book
Before you start actively merging numbers, make sure you’re working with the right app. The Xiaomi Redmi 9 has Google’s Contacts app or MIUI’s own design installed by default, and the interface may be slightly different. It’s a good idea to open the app’s settings and check which accounts are synced so that changes are displayed everywhere.
It's important to understand the difference between on-premises storage and cloud storage. SIM-It can be difficult to merge with the map, internal memory and various mailboxes, and consolidating data sources is the first step to success. SIM-Maps in memory of your phone or directly to your Google account.
☑️ Preparation of contacts
Also worth looking at is the operating system version. In different Android updates and MIUI shells, menu layouts may change. If you don't find the options described, check for updates for system components in the GetApps store or Play Market. The current software ensures the stability of the algorithms for finding duplicates.
Automatic combination of duplicates on Redmi 9
The easiest and fastest way to clean up your messaging is to use the built-in auto-merge function. MIUI algorithms are smart enough to recognize the same names and numbers, even if they are written in different formats (such as with or without a city code).
Usually, the function is on the way: click on three dots or profile icons in the corner of the screen, then select Contact Management. In the option list that opens, you need to find the item "Combine Repeats." The system will scan the entire database and suggest a list of pairs or groups of records that can be combined.
You will be asked to review each group and confirm the merger, and the system will usually save all the numbers, addresses and photos in one card, removing only redundant headings, allowing you to quickly clear the list of dozens of extra lines without risking loss of information.
What to do if the automatic connection does not work?
After the procedure is completed, it is recommended to manually go through the list, since the algorithm can miss entries with typos in the names (for example, "Alexei" and "Alekei").
Manual creation and editing of contact groups
For those who prefer complete control over the data structure, manual group creation is available, especially for family, work, gym or customer sharing. To create a new group, open the Group tab in the contact app and click the add button (usually a plus in the circle).
Once you create a group, you have to fill it in with subscribers, so you can add contacts manually from a list, or you can select existing entries, and it's important to note that when you add a person to a group, your main profile is not copied, it's only labeled as a category, which means that changing the number on the main card will automatically update it in all groups.
- 📁 Open the Contacts app and go to the Groups tab".
- ➕ Click the "Create a Group" button and enter a title, such as "Work".
- 👥 Click Add Contacts and select the names you want from the phone book.
- 💾 Save the changes so that the group is active for calls and messages.
Group management allows you to not only structure calls, but also customize notifications. For example, you can set a unique tune for a Family group to hear an important call, even if the phone is in another room. On Redmi 9, these settings are available through long-term clicking on the group name.
Display setting and list filtering
Once you have combined duplicates and created groups, it makes sense to set up the display of the contact list for maximum comfort. In the application settings, you can choose the order of sorting by name or surname. For Russian-speaking users, it is often more convenient to sort by name, since in contacts we often write the name first.
It also has a feature that filters the contacts you see, so you can set the phone book to only show the contacts you're seeing from your phone, ignoring the records you're seeing. SIM-This is useful if you want to hide technical numbers or old records that are a shame to delete, but you don't have to see them in the general list.
The Favorites tab is a separate grouping that is always available, and by adding frequently used numbers to your favorites, you put them at the top of your contact list and on your desktop widget, which makes it easier to reach the most important people without going through alphabetical or group searches.
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Use the "Favorites" function for emergency services or close relatives contacts - this will allow you to make calls even from a locked screen (SOS function).
Comparison of Contact Management Methods
Different methods of organizing data have their advantages and disadvantages depending on the size of your phone book. For a small number of records (up to 50), manual editing is enough, whereas for thousands of contacts, automation is required. Understanding the differences will help you choose the optimal strategy.
The table below compares the basic approaches to managing contacts on Xiaomi Redmi 9:
| Method | Speed of operation | precision | Best application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic merger | Tall. | Medium | Primary base cleaning |
| Manual editing | Low. | Tall. | Accurate name setting |
| Creation of groups | Medium | Tall. | Structuring linkages |
| Third-party annexes | Depends on the software. | Variatively. | Complex analytics |
When you choose a method, consider that automated tools save time but require verification. Manual work is laborious, but gives you maximum control over each byte of information. Combining these approaches gives you the best result.
Solution and synchronization
Often, users encounter a problem when the combined contacts are “disconnected” again after synchronization, this happens if the data source (such as Gmail) contains old, separated records, in which case you need to go to the web version of the service (contacts.google.com), clean there, and then force the sync on the smartphone to be updated.
Another common problem is that the combined contacts don't have photos, so when you merge, you can choose the default photo or not at all, check the combined contact card and manually upload the image if you need to, so that the Caller ID works correctly. The visual identification of the caller is an important part of the modern interface.
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The main rule of synchronization: always check the “master copy” of contacts in the cloud service, as it takes precedence over the local memory of the phone.
If you notice that some contacts are not combined due to differences in spelling of names (for example, "OOO Vector" and "Vector LLC"), try renaming them manually, leading to a single standard, and run a rescan.
⚠️ Note: When syncing with multiple Google accounts, make sure you don’t create new duplicates by copying contacts from one account to another without first checking.