How to Make Groups in Xiaomi Phone Book: 3 Ways to Make MIUI 12–14

The phone book on Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi and POCO models) allows you to not only store contacts, but also structure them using groups, a useful feature for separating work, personal or project contacts. However, many users find that the option of creating groups is hidden in non-obvious menus or not at all in some versions of MIUI firmware. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to create and manage contact groups, including nuances for different versions of the shell and device models.

It is important to understand that the functionality of the groups depends on the version of the Contacts application and the type of account (local or Google/Mi Account). For example, in MIUI 14 the interface is different from MIUI 12, and synchronized contacts can have limitations. We will look at universal methods that work on most devices, as well as alternative solutions for cases where standard tools are not available.

Why Contact Groups May Not Show Up in Xiaomi

Before we get to the instructions, let’s look at the common reasons why the option of groups may be hidden or unavailable:

• 📱 Version. MIUI Below 12: In old firmware (e.g, MIUI 11 and earlier) the function of the groups has been simplified or moved to other sections.
• 🔄 Google Sync: Contacts imported from a Google account can be managed via the web interface of contacts.google.com, not through the Xiaomi app.
• 📲 Lightweight version of the Contacts app: On some models (e.g. Redmi Go or budget models) POCO) A simplified version is installed without support for groups.
• 🔧 Restrictions of regional firmware: Global (Global) and Chinese (China) versions MIUI may differ in the set of functions.

If you don’t see the group option in the menu, first check the MIUI version in the settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version). Also make sure you use the standard Contacts app, not a third-party one (like Truecaller or Simpler Contacts).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with firmware MIUI For example, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G) post-update MIUI Contact group 14 may be called Labels (English version). This is not a mistake, just a renamed functionality.

Method 1: Creating Groups through the Standard Contacts app

This is the main method that works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12-14. Instructions are relevant for models Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5, Xiaomi 11T/12/13 and others with original firmware.

Steps to create a new group:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette on a green background).
2. Tap on three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Contact Management (or Manage Contacts in English).
3. In the menu that opens, find the Groups section (or the Tags in the newer versions). If it doesn't, go to Method 2.
4. Click Create a Group (or the + sign in the lower right corner).
5. Enter the group name (e.g., Work, Family, Friends) and click Ready.
6. Now add contacts to the group: open any contact → click Edit → scroll down to the “Group” field and mark the ones you need.

Now, when you make a new contact, you can immediately Assign it to the group, and to view all the contacts in the group, go back to the Group section and tap on the group name.

Is the standard “Contacts” application open (not third-party)

Is there a “Group” or “Tag” section in the management menu?

Are your contacts synced with Mi Account or Google (this may block editing)

Is the Contacts app updated to the latest version on Google Play?-->

Method 2: Using Google Contacts to Manage Groups

If your Xiaomi doesn’t have a group section in the standard app, but contacts are synced to your Google account, you can manage groups via the web version of contacts.google.com.This method is universal and works even on older versions of MIUI.

Instructions:

1. Open your browser on your phone or computer and go to contacts.google.com. Sign in with the same Google account as you do on your smartphone.
2. In the left menu, select Tags (formerly called Groups).
3. Click Create a Label and enter a title (e.g., “Colleagues”).
4. Tick the contacts you want and click on the tag icon in the top bar. Select the group you created.
5. Wait for sync (usually takes 1-5 minutes) and then the groups will appear in the Contacts app on Xiaomi.

The advantage of this is cross-platform: groups will be available on all devices where you are logged in under the same Google account, but there is a downside: if you turn off sync with Google, the groups will disappear from the phone book.

⚠️ Note: If you create groups through Google Contacts but they don’t appear in the Contacts app on Xiaomi, check your sync settings: → Accounts. → Google → Contact sync. Make sure the option is on.

Method 3: Using third-party applications to manage groups

If none of the above methods worked (for example, on custom firmware devices or very old Xiaomi models), you can use third-party applications.

• 📇 Simpler Contacts: A lightweight app with support for groups, tags and quick search. MIUI 10-12 where standard groups are not available.
• 🔍 Truecaller: In addition to identifying spam calls, it allows you to create groups and assign contacts tags.
• 📊 Contacts+: Advanced contact manager with cloud sync and group support. There are premium features, but the basic functionality is free.

Example of group settings in Simpler Contacts:

1. Install the app from Google Play and give access to contacts.
2. Open the side menu (swipe from right to left) and select Groups.
3. Click + and create a new group (e.g. VIP clients).
4. Add contacts to the group through the edit menu of each contact.

Third-party apps often offer additional chips, such as massively adding contacts to groups or exporting groups to.csv. However, remember that sharing data with third parties always carries privacy risks.

The standard “Contacts” from Xiaomi

Google Contacts

Truecaller

Simpler Contacts or Other Third Party Contacts

I don't use bands.-->

How to move contacts between groups or remove a group

Managing existing groups in Xiaomi is intuitive, but there are a few nuances to be aware of:

Transfer of contacts between groups:

1. Open the Contacts app and go to the Group section.
2. Select the group from which you want to transfer the contact.
3. Slip on the contact, then click Edit.
4. Scroll to the "Group" field and uncheck the current group, then mark the new one.

Removal of the group:

1. Go to Contact Management. → Groups.
2. Slip on the group you want to remove and hold on to its name for 2-3 seconds.
3. In the menu that appears, select Delete the group.
4. Contacts from the group will not be deleted – they will remain in the phone book, but will lose their link to the group.

If the group is not deleted, check if it is synced with a Google or Mi Account account, in which case it can only be deleted through the web interface of the corresponding service.

Table: Comparison of methods of creating groups in Xiaomi

If you want simplicity and reliability, use a standard app or Google Contacts, and if you want advanced users who need additional features (such as mass editing), third-party solutions will be suitable.

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If you often work with contact groups, create a shortcut for quick access: add the Contacts widget to the home screen and select Groups option in the widget settings.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When working with contact groups on Xiaomi, users encounter common mistakes, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

• 🔴 Groups are not saved after rebooting: Check if the power saving mode for the Contacts app is turned on (Settings) → Battery → Also make sure that contacts are saved to Mi Account or Google, not just on the Internet. SIM-map.
• 🔴 No Groups from Google Show: Update Contacts app in Google Play and restart sync (Settings) → Accounts. → Google → Synchronize now).
• 🔴 It is impossible to create a group on MIUI 11: Update the firmware to MIUI 12 or use Google Contacts (Type 2).
• 🔴 Contacts are duplicated when synchronized: This happens if one contact is saved both locally and in Google. To fix, combine duplicates manually or use the tool Combine contacts in the app menu.

If the problem is not resolved, try resetting the Contacts app settings (Settings → Apps → Contacts → Storage → Clear Data).Be sure to back up your contacts via Import/Export in the management menu before doing so!

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Before any manipulation of contacts (reset, update MIUI, change firmware) export them to the.vcf file. This will allow you to quickly recover data in the event of a failure.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions