Creating contact groups on Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi, POCO and Mi models) makes it easier to manage your address book: you can send messages to multiple people at once, quickly find colleagues or friends by category, and synchronize groups with your Google or Mi Account. However, in the latest versions of MIUI (14 and later), the contact grouping function has become less obvious – it has been moved to the depth of settings or completely removed from the main interface. In this article, we will discuss current ways to create groups, including workarounds for new firmware.
It is important to understand that the group management capabilities depend on the version of MIUI and the Contacts app used. For example, in Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 14, group operations are available through the web version of Google Contacts, and on Redmi Note 12 with MIUI 13 - directly in the mobile application. We will consider all options, including synchronization with the cloud and export/import groups through.vcf files.
1. Method: through the standard Contacts app (MIUI 12–14)
If your Xiaomi has MIUI 12-14 firmware installed, the contact group is created through the built-in Contacts app. The interface may vary slightly depending on the model, but the general logic is maintained.
- Open the Contacts app** (an icon with a human silhouette).
- Tap it on three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select “Contact Management» → «Groups».
If you don't have Groups** on the menu, your version of MIUI uses a simplified interface, so move on to the second way.
☑️ What to check before creating a group
⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X5 Pro groups are created only for contacts saved in a Google account. SIM-card or phone memory may not support grouping.
2. Method: via Google Contacts (for MIUI 14 and later)
In the latest versions of MIUI (starting with 14), the group function in the Contacts mobile app is often missing.
- Open your browser on your phone or computer and go to contacts.google.com.
- Sign in with the same Google account that is linked to your Xiaomi.
- In the left menu, select “Create label” (or “Create label” in English).
The group will then be available in the Contacts mobile app on your Xiaomi (sync may be required). To force the data to be updated, go to Settings → Accounts → Google → Contact Sync and tap Sync.**
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If the group doesn't appear on the phone, try deleting and re-addling your Google account in Xiaomi's settings.This often solves sync issues.
| Method | Supported versions of MIUI | Types of contacts | Synchronization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard "Contacts" appendix | MIUI 12–13 | Local, Google, Mi Account | Not required |
| Google Contacts (web) | Anybody. | Only Google. | Required. |
| Exports/imports.vcf | Anybody. | All types | Hand-held |
3. Method: Export and import groups via.vcf file
If the first two methods didn’t work (e.g., on Xiaomi 14 Ultra with HyperOS), you can create a group on another device (or in Google Contacts), export it to a.vcf file, and then import it to Xiaomi.
- Select the export format "vCard (for iOS)" and click "Export".
Once imported, the group will appear in your address book, and this method is universal and works even on custom firmware.
What happens if the group is duplicated after import?
4. Group management: Adding, deleting, sending messages
It's half the battle to start a group. Let's look at how to use it.
- 📱 Add Contact to the Group: Open Contact → slip "Edit» → Select “Groups” and select the necessary.
On Xiaomi with MIUI 14+, sending SMS to a group directly may not work – in this case, use messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram), where there is a group chat function.
5. Problem Solving: The group is not saved or displayed
If the group disappears after the reboot or doesn’t sync, try the following steps:
- 🔄 Forced Synchronization: Open Settings → Accounts. → Google, turn off and re-enable contact sync.
- 📲 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Contacts → Storage and click "Clear Cache»**.
- 🔧 Reset application settings: In the same Contacts settings, select Reset Settings** (contact data will not be deleted).
- 🌐 Account Check: Make sure the group is created under the same Google account as the one used on the phone.
⚠️ Note: Some HyperOS firmware (e.g. Xiaomi 14) can only display contact groups in the web version of Google Contacts, not in the mobile app.
6. Alternative methods: applications for contact management
If Xiaomi’s built-in tools don’t suit you, consider third-party apps:
- 📇 Contacts+: It allows you to create groups, add notes to contacts, and sync data to the cloud.
- 🔗 Simpler Contacts: Minimalist app with tag support and quick search.
- 📊 Truecaller: In addition to identifying numbers, it can group contacts into categories (for example, Spam, Business»).
Before installing, check the app’s permissions – some request access to SMS or call log, which may be redundant for simple contact grouping.
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The side of the app may conflict with the built-in Contacts from Xiaomi. If the groups stop showing after installing, go back to the standard app or reset it.
7. synchronize groups between Xiaomi devices
If you have multiple Xiaomi devices (such as a smartphone and tablet), contact groups can be synced via Mi Account or Google Account.
- On both devices, sign in to the same account (Google or Mi).
- Enable contact synchronization in your account settings.
- If groups are created through Google Contacts, they will automatically reach all devices with that account.
- To sync through Mi Account, go to Settings → Mi Account → Sync and activate the Contacts option**.
Note: Groups created through Mi Account may not appear on devices from other brands (such as Samsung or iPhone).