How to create a group of contacts in Xiaomi: full instructions with pictures and nuances

Contact groups on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones are a convenient way to organize your connections into categories: colleagues, family, friends or projects. Instead of looking for the right contact in a long list every time, you can send a message or call the entire group at once, but not all users know that this feature is hidden in the standard Contacts app and requires the right setup.

In this article, we’ll explore not only basic group creation, but also the hidden capabilities of MIUI/HyperOS, which allow you to automate your messaging, sync your groups with your Google Account, and even use them in Mi Home for smart notifications, and you’ll also learn why groups sometimes disappear after you update your system and how to avoid them.

If you are using a smartphone on MIUI 14/15 or the new HyperOS, the instruction is suitable for all models - from the budget Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. The main condition: the device must be installed standard Contacts application (non-third-party analogues like Truecaller or Google Contacts).

1.Preparation: Verification of the Application Contacts

Before creating groups, make sure you have an up-to-date version of the Contacts app installed. In older versions (before 2022), the interface was different and some features may not be available.

To check the version:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find in the list Contacts (an icon with a person’s silhouette).
3. Scroll down to the version block.

Google Play

App Store

If there are no updates but the version is below the required, try resetting the app settings:

Settings → Applications → Contacts → Storage → Clear data

⚠️ Warning: Cleaning up the data will remove all unsynchronized contacts! pre-export them to the VCF file via the Contacts menu → Settings → Import/Export.

2. Step-by-step creation of a contact group

Now, to the main thing, open the Contacts app (the little man icon on the home screen or in the app menu) and follow up depending on the MIUI/HyperOS version, but the general logic is:

Step 1. Click on the three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Group Management (or Groups in HyperOS).

Step 2. In the window that opens, tap the Create a Group button (+ icon).

Step 3. Fill in the fields:

• 📌 The name of the group is, for example, "Work", "Family", "Football Team".
• 🔄 Sync – Select an account (Xiaomi, Google or local) that the group will sync with.
• 👥 Members – Add contacts from the list (you can use search).

Step 4: Click Ready or Save. The group will appear in the main contact list and will be available for quick messaging.

Version of the Contacts application checked

Sync with Google/Xiaomi account enabled

All necessary contacts are added to the phone book

Backup of contacts created (optional)-->

3. How to add contact to an existing group

If you've created a group and you forgot to include someone, you don't have to delete it and start over.

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Find the right contact and tap it.
3. Press Edit (pencil icon).
4. Scroll down to the Group block and tick the necessary ones.

Alternatively, through the group management menu:

1. Go to Contact → ⋮ → Group Management.
2. Select the desired group and click Edit.
3. Slip on Add Members and mark contacts.

HyperOS (2026) introduced a smart add-on feature: if you frequently call or text a person with a group, the system will prompt you to add it automatically.

Contacts → Settings → Smart offers → Auto Add to Groups

4. Sending messages to the contact group

One of the main reasons for creating groups is the ability to quickly send SMS or messages to Messenger/WhatsApp. Here’s how it works in the standard Messages app:

Method 1. Through the group menu:

• 📱 Open Messages (an envelope icon).
• 🔍 Click on the search icon (magnifying glass) and enter the group name.
• 💬 Select a group from the drop-down list and write a message.

Method 2. From the Contact Application:

• 👥 Open a group in Contacts → Group Management.
• 📩 Click on the message icon (envelope) in the upper right corner.
• 🖊️ Enter the text and send it to all participants.

⚠️ Warning: When you send SMS, each recipient will receive a separate message (not a group chat!) To create a real group chat, use WhatsApp, Telegram or Mi Chat (if installed).

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If the group does not appear in the Messages app, check if the contacts are saved in the same account (Google or Xiaomi) as the group.

5. Synchronize groups with Google and other services

By default, the contact groups on Xiaomi are saved locally or in your Mi Account. But if you want them to be available on other devices (for example, on a tablet or in the web version of Google Contacts), you need to enable sync with Google Account.

How to turn on synchronization:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
2. Select your Google Account.
3. Activate the switch opposite Contact.
4. Back to Contacts → Settings → Sync and select Google as your primary account for groups.

Challenges and solutions:

If you use Microsoft Outlook or other services, export groups to a.vcf file and import them to the right account.

Contacts → Settings → Import / Export → Export to file

Removal and editing of groups

To change the name of the group or its composition:

1. Open Contacts → Group Management.
2. Slip on the desired group and select Edit.
3. Make changes and save.

To remove the group:

1. Press the group in the list (in HyperOS - swipe to the left).
2. Choose Delete and confirm the action.

⚠️ Warning: Deleting a group doesn't delete the contacts themselves, only the category binding. But if the group was synced to Google, it will disappear from the web version of Google Contacts!

If the group is not removed, check:

• 🔒 Are there any restrictions on corporate MDM (if the phone is working)?
• 📱 Is the Contacts app (Settings → Permissions) Rights Enough?
• 🔄 Is there a synchronization happening (wait 5-10 minutes).

Backup and recovery of groups

Contact groups, like the contacts themselves, can be lost after a phone reset, firmware update, or crash. To avoid this, backups are created regularly.

Reservation methods:

• 🖥️ Through MIUI Cloud: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup. Select Contacts and start the process.
• 📄 Export to file VCF: Contacts → Settings → Import/Export → Export to device. The file will be saved in the Download folder.
• ☁️ Google Account: If groups are synced to Google, they are automatically backed up in the cloud.

Recovery from backup:

1. For MIUI Cloud: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Restore.
2. For.vcf: Contacts → Settings → Import / Export → Import from the device.

8. Hidden Chips of Contact Groups on Xiaomi

Few people know, but the contact groups on Xiaomi can be used not only for sending SMS.

1.Smart Notifications in Mi Home

If you have Xiaomi Smart Home devices (such as smart lights or cameras), you can set up alerts for the entire group, such as a Yeelight light when a call from a Family member flashes.

1. Open Mi Home → Profile → Notification settings.
2. Select Contact Groups and assign each group its own script.

2. Automatic mailing on schedule

With the Automation app (included in MIUI 14+), you can set up sending messages to the group at a given time, such as reminding the team to meet each Monday at 9:00.

Automation → Create a rule → Select a “Time” trigger → Send SMS action → Select a group

3. Quick access via widget

Add the Contacts widget to the home screen to open frequently used groups with one tap:

1. Click the empty space on the main screen.
2. Select Widgets → Contacts.
3. Drag the Group widget onto the screen and set up the groups displayed.

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Contact groups on Xiaomi support up to 500 members in one group, and if you need more, break your contacts into multiple groups or use enterprise solutions (e.g. Microsoft Teams).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)