How to create a group of contacts on Xiaomi: all the ways and nuances

Managing contacts on Xiaomi smartphones may seem like a simple task, but when it comes to creating groups, many users face unexpected difficulties. Unlike standard Android devices, the MIUI shell has its own features of organizing contacts - from hidden functions to synchronization restrictions. This article will help you understand how to properly create groups in the Contacts app, what methods work on different versions of the firmware, and why groups sometimes disappear after an update.

We will look not only at the basic functionality, but also at alternative ways to group contacts through Google Contacts, Mi Account, and solutions for cases where standard methods do not work. SIM-maps that MIUI It's different than other manufacturers, and if you want to clean up your phone book or optimize your messaging, this is the guide for you.

Why do contact groups on Xiaomi work differently?

The MIUI shell uses its own Contacts app (com.android.contacts package), which is different from the standard Android solution.

• 🔹 Dual Storage: Contacts can be stored locally, in Mi Account or Google Account, which affects the visibility of groups.
• 🔹 Limited Group Editor: In some versions MIUI (particularly 12-13) The group creation interface is hidden behind additional settings.
• 🔹 Problems with SIM-Contacts: groups for numbers saved on SIM-maps are created separately and are not synchronized with the cloud.
• 🔹 Region Dependence: Global and Chinese Versions MIUI set of functions may differ.

Also, after upgrading to MIUI 14/15, many users complain about the disappearance of previously created groups, which is due to a change in the sync policy: by default, groups are now linked to Mi Account, not to Google, which can cause conflicts when changing devices.

Method 1: Creating a Group through a Standard Contact Application

This is the basic method that works on most Xiaomi devices (Redmi, POCO, Black Shark) and is relevant for MIUI 12-15:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette on a green background).
2. Slip on three horizontal lines (☰) in the upper left corner to open the side menu.
3. Select Contact Management → Groups.
4. Click Create a Group (or the + icon in the upper right corner).
5. Enter the name of the group (e.g., “Work” or “Family”).
6. Select contacts to add by clicking on the mugs next to the names.
7. Save the group with the Ready button.

Important: If the Group item is not on the menu, then your version of MIUI uses a simplified interface, in which case try alternative methods (see next section).

Contacts saved to Mi Account or Google (not SIM)

The latest version of the Contacts app has been installed

Synchronization is enabled in account settings

Internet connection checked (for cloud groups)-->

Method 2: Alternative methods of group formation

If the standard method does not work, use one of these options:

Through Google Contacts

This method is universal and works even on older versions of MIUI:

1. Open contacts.google.com in your browser.
2. Sign in with the same account as on your phone.
3. In the left menu, select Create a Label (it’s the same as a group in Google).
4. Give the name to the tag and add the contacts.
5. On your phone, update sync in Settings → Accounts → Google → Contact Sync.

Through the Mi Cloud

For users who are connected to the Xiaomi ecosystem:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in to Mi Account.
2. Open the Contacts section.
3. Tap Group Management → To form a group.
4. Fill in the data and save it.
5. On the phone, update the data in Settings → Mi Account → Synchronization.

Table: Comparison of methods for group creation

Common Problems and Their Solutions

When working with groups on Xiaomi, users often encounter the following mistakes:

⚠️ Note: If contacts are not fully displayed after creating a group, check if they are duplicated in different accounts (Mi/Google/SIM). MIUI It can hide duplicates, which leads to the loss of contacts from groups.

• 🚫 Groups disappeared after update: Reset the Contacts app settings in Settings → Annexes → Contacts → Warehouse → Drop it.
• 🔄 Groups are not synced: Delete and re-add account in sync settings.
• 📵 You can’t add a contact to a group: Check if the contact is saved in the same account as the group (e.g., you can’t add a contact from the group). SIM Google).
• 🔍 Group appears blank: Update Contacts app via Play Market or Mi App Store.

POCO and Black Shark models may require additional setup: go to Settings → Special Features → Simplified Mode and turn it off – this sometimes blocks access to advanced contact features.

💡

If you send messages to groups frequently, consider using Mi Messages (built into MIUI) which supports sending SMS to multiple recipients simultaneously without creating a group in contacts.

How to manage groups after creation

So, starting a group is only half the battle, and here's how to use it effectively.

• 📝 Editing: Enter the group through Contacts → Groups, tap on it and choose Change.
• 🗑️ Delete: In the group menu, click Delete (note: this will only delete the group, contacts will remain).
• 🔗 Export/Import: Use Settings to back up groups → System system → Backup → Local backup (select Contacts»).
• 📤 Sharing: In Mi Cloud, you can share a group with other Xiaomi users through Group Settings → Share.

For mass distribution of messages to the group:

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Click on the pencil icon (new message).
3. In the recipient field, enter the name of the group - it will pull up as a list of contacts.
4. Send a message (to be delivered to each member of the group separately).

⚠️ Note: When you delete a group through Google Contacts, the tag will disappear from all devices synced to that account. MIUI) Removed from the current phone only.

Tips for optimizing contact work on Xiaomi

To avoid problems with groups in the future, follow these guidelines:

• 🔧 Keep all contacts in one place (either only in Google or only in Mi Account) to avoid conflicts.
• 🔄 Regular sync: Enable automatic sync in account settings.
• 📱 Backups: Export contacts to.vcf file periodically through Contacts → Settings → Exports.
• 🚀 Updates: Install the latest versions MIUI — In new firmware, many bugs with groups have been fixed.

For owners of POCO F5, Redmi Note 12 and other new models: check for the Smart Group feature in your contact settings. It automatically sorts contacts into categories (e.g., Frequent, Family) based on your call history.

💡

Use Google Contacts for cross-platform sync if you have multiple devices of different brands.Mi Cloud is only suitable for the Xiaomi ecosystem.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi contact groups