Xiaomi Poco: Why it matters and what mistakes 90% of users make
Xiaomi Poco smartphones based on MIUI firmware offer several ways to save contacts, but most users use only one – recording in the memory of the phone. This can lead to data loss when resetting, replacing the device or even trivial software updates. According to statistics from service centers, up to 30% of contact loss requests are associated with no backup or wrong choice of location.
In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of maintaining contacts on Poco. X3/X4/X5 Pro, Poco F3/F4/F5 And other models, from basic additions to the phone book to synchronization with cloud services, and we'll focus on common mistakes: why contacts disappear after flashing, how to avoid duplication when importing from the cloud. SIM-What to do if your phone doesn’t save numbers in your Google Account.
Spoiler: The most reliable way is a combination of local saving + But even here, there are nuances that you'll learn more about.
Method 1: Save contact directly to the MIUI phone book
The most obvious method is to add a contact through the standard Contacts app, but many users are unaware that by default MIUI stores the numbers in the device’s local memory, not in the Google or Mi Account account, which means that when you reset your phone, all contacts will be lost.
To add a new contact:
- Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
- Press the + button in the lower right corner.
- Choose where to keep contact: 📱 The device is only in the memory of the phone (not recommended as the main method). ☁️ Google syncs with your account (best option). 📋 SIM-Map - limited to 250 contacts, no photos.
Fill in the fields: name, phone number, additional data (mail, address, etc.).
Save.
⚠️ Warning: If you choose to save to your device and then enable sync with Google, old contacts won't automatically migrate. They'll have to be exported and imported manually.
Method 2: Synchronize your contacts with Google Account
Syncing with Google is the most reliable way, as contacts will be available on any device after you sign in, but on Xiaomi Poco, this feature sometimes does not work properly due to conflict with the branded Mi Account services.
To enable synchronization:
- Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
- Select your account (if not added, click Add Account).
- Activate the Contact Switch.
- Click More → Sync Now to start the process manually.
If the contacts are not synchronized:
- 🔄 Check your internet connection (synchronization only works via Wi-Fi or mobile data).
- 🔧 Make sure that in the settings → Annexes → Application management → Contacts allowed access to Google account.
- 📱 Restart your phone – sometimes helps when services are hanging.
💡
If contacts are duplicated after sync, open Contacts → Settings → Conjoin Contacts and choose Unite All. MIUI will automatically find and merge the repeating entries.
Method 3: Keeping Contacts on SIM-map
Retention on SIM-The card is convenient for quickly transferring contacts to another phone, but has serious limitations:
- 🚫 Maximum of 250 contacts (on some of them) SIM-cards up to 500).
- 📵 No way to save photos, email or additional fields.
- ⚠️ With frequent extraction SIM-Contact cards may be damaged.
To keep contact on the SIM:
- Open Contacts and select the contact you want.
- Click Edit → More (⋮) → Copy on SIM-map.
- Confirm the action.
For import from SIM-card:
- Go to Contacts. → Settings → Imports/Exports → Import with SIM-map.
- Choose where to import (device, Google or Mi Account).
- Confirm the import.
⚠️ Note: If you are importing contacts with SIM-The cards are in your phone's memory, not in your Google Account, and they'll be back on your device and disappear when you reset them!
Method 4: Export and import contacts via VCF file
The.vcf (vCard) format allows you to save all contacts to one file and transfer them to another phone or backup, which is useful before selling a phone, resetting your settings or switching to a new Poco model.
To export contacts:
- Open Contacts → Settings → Import / Export → Export to the device.
- Choose your contacts for export (you can note everything).
- Click Export and save the file to a convenient location (such as Downloads or the cloud).
For import:
- Copy the.vcf file to a new phone (e.g., via Google Drive or cable).
- Open Contacts → Settings → Import / Export → Import from the device.
- Select a file and confirm the import.
| Format | Advantages | Deficiencies |
|---|---|---|
| .vcf (vCard) | Stores all fields (photos, email, addresses), is compatible with any device | The file may be lost if you do not make a backup copy. |
| Google Account | Automatic synchronization, access from any device | Internet, possible conflicts with MIUI |
| SIM-map | Quick transfer to another phone without internet | Number limit, no additional fields |
Make a backup copy of contacts in VCF|Check sync with Google|Export contacts to SIM-map (optional)|Make sure the files are VCF cloud-stopped-->
Method 5: Using Mi Account to Back Up
Xiaomi offers its own cloud service, Mi Account, which can also store contacts.
- ☁️ Contacts are synced only between Xiaomi devices.
- 🔒 When you delete your Mi Account, all data is lost.
- 📱 Not all Poco models support this feature (e.g. Poco). F1 She may be absent).
To enable synchronization with Mi Account:
- Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Account.
- Sign in to your account (or create a new one).
- Activate the Contact Switch.
- Press Sync.
If you use both Google and Mi Account, you may experience duplicate contacts to avoid:
- Open Contacts → Settings → Display Contacts.
- Choose only one source (e.g. Google).
- Turn off the contact display from Mi Account if you don’t need it.