Xiaomi’s current smartphones run MIUI shells or the new HyperOS, which offer users enhanced personal data management capabilities. One basic but critical feature is keeping a phone book that allows you to not just store numbers, but also structure connections, add photos, assign tunes and organize contacts in groups. For new owners of Redmi and Poco devices, the process may seem obscure due to the localization of the interface and the integration of cloud services.
Unlike standard Android, where the algorithms of actions are often predictable, in Xiaomi firmware, the paths to settings can vary depending on the regional version of the firmware (Global, China, EEA). Creating a new contact is not just entering numbers, it is the first step to properly synchronize your Google or Mi Account. Proper settings at this stage will save you from data loss when changing your device or accidentally resetting settings.
In this guide, we will discuss in detail all available ways to add subscribers, features of working with the SIM-We'll look at how to avoid duplicates and why storing numbers in a phone's memory is a risky strategy in 2026. A deep understanding of these processes will allow you to maximize the potential of your gadget.
Basic algorithm for adding a subscriber through a standard application
The most obvious and frequently used method is to create a record directly through the Contacts or Phone app, and the interface of these programs in the MIUI and HyperOS shells has undergone significant changes, becoming more minimalistic, but retaining functional depth, and to start, you need to run an application that usually has a blue icon with a human silhouette or a phone handset.
Once you run an application, you have a creation button at the bottom of the screen or in the floating menu (depending on the version), and in the classic form, it's denoted by the + symbol or the word "Create." Clicking on this element opens the input form, where the system will ask you to fill in a number of fields, and it's important to immediately determine where the number will be saved, because it depends on its availability and security.
The data entry fields in Xiaomi are structured logically, but they allow you to add a lot of additional details. You can specify not only your name and number, but also your email address, physical address, job title, company, and even add a note, all of which will help smart algorithms sort and search.
- 📞 Name and surname are the main identifiers by which the search in the database is performed.
- 🔢 Phone number – a field that supports formats with country code and additional numbers.
- 📧 Email – a field often used to link to instant messengers and video calls.
- 🏢 Organization and Position – useful for business contacts and quick identification of the caller.
⚠️ Warning: When filling out a phone number manually, always use an international format (start with plus and country code, for example, the phone number is always in the international format, +7 or +This ensures the correct operation of messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) and the correct identification of the caller even in roaming.
By default, the system often offers to save contact in the memory of the phone or in the Mi Account. However, for maximum compatibility and data security, it is most reliable to choose a Google account, as this provides cross-platform synchronization with any other devices, including iPhones or phones from other brands on Android.
Once you have filled in all the necessary fields, you need to confirm the action. Depending on the version of the interface, the save button can be located in the upper right corner (check) or be a dedicated button at the bottom of the screen (Save). After clicking, the system will check the data for errors and write the information to the selected database.
☑️ Contact Creation Checklist
Deposit management: SIM-Map, Telephone or Cloud?
Choosing a location to save contact is a strategic decision that will affect how you manage your phone book in the future. Xiaomi devices have three main types of storage, each with its own technical limitations and advantages, and understanding the difference between them will help you avoid data loss when your smartphone breaks.
Storage for SIM-The card is considered an outdated method, but still in demand when switching from old push-button phones. SIM-The card is a very small amount of memory and a limit on the length of the number and name. 10-12 The additional fields (email, address) are not available, and if the card is damaged, all data will be lost irretrievably.
Phone memory (local storage) allows you to keep contacts with a full set of fields and high-resolution photos. However, local contacts are tied exclusively to a particular device. If you lose your phone or it fails, it will be impossible to restore numbers without prior backup, and these contacts are not automatically synchronized with other gadgets.
Cloud storage (Google Contacts or Mi Cloud) is the preferred option, and provides instant sync: add a number on your phone, which appears on your tablet and in the web version, and if you lose your device, just log in to your new gadget account, and the entire phone book will be restored automatically.
| Type of storage | Limit of name symbols | Synchronization | Risk of loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIM-map | 10-14 characters | Absent. | High (physical wear and tear) |
| Phone memory | No restrictions. | Only through the backup. | Medium (when broken) |
| Google Account | No restrictions. | Automatic. | Minimum |
| Mi Account. | No restrictions. | Automatic. | Minimum |
To switch the storage, you need to go to the default settings of the Contacts app. The path usually looks like this: three dots in the corner → Settings → Preferred Save Place. Here you can select the account that the system will offer first when you create a new record.
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Expert Tip: Periodically check your sync settings in the Accounts and Sync section of the Android General Settings. Make sure the slider opposite Contacts is active, or new entries may not be in the cloud.
Import of contacts with SIM-maps and other devices
When buying a new smartphone Xiaomi, Redmi or Poco users often face the need to transfer the old phone book. SIM-This is a standard procedure built into the Contact System application».
To start the process, you need to open the application and go to the management menu, depending on the version of MIUI, this can be a menu button (three dots) or a separate tab "Tools", in the list of available actions, you need to select "Import / Export contacts", the system will request permission to access the storage, which must be confirmed.
Next, you should select the source of the data. In our case, it is "Import with the data". SIM-The system will scan the map and give you a list of the records found. You can select specific numbers or select the option "Select all." Once you confirm the selection, the system will offer a target storage - be sure to choose your Google or Mi Account so that you do not store the data on the site. SIM.
- 📥 Import with SIM-cards – transfer of numbers from a plastic card to the memory of a smartphone.
- 📤 Exports to SIM-card – backup on the card (not recommended due to limits).
- 📁 Import from a file.vcf – recovery from a previously created file.
- 💾 Export to file.vcf – creating a backup copy in the memory of the device.
If you are switching from another Android smartphone, it is more convenient to use the import function from the.vcf file. On the old device, you need to export contacts to the file, transfer this file to the new Xiaomi (via Bluetooth, Mi Drop or cable) and open it. The system automatically recognizes the format and prompts you to add all entries to the phone book.
⚠️ Note: When importing a large number of contacts (more than 500) with SIM-Do not close the application or lock the smartphone screen until the operation is complete to avoid corruption (damage) of the contact database.
There is also the option of importing through third-party accounts, such as Exchange or corporate servers, by adding the appropriate account to the general Android settings, and then the contacts will be automatically pulled up when sync is enabled.
What to do if the import is frozen?
Grouping and mass messaging
HyperOS and MIUI not only store contacts, but also manage them effectively through grouping, especially for separating personal, work and business contacts, and make it easier to navigate the phone book and allow for mass actions such as sending SMS messages.
To create a new group, go to the Group tab in the Contacts app. Click the Add-on button (usually + or Create a Group) and you will be prompted to enter the group name (e.g., Family, Work, Sports Hall) and optionally assign a unique ring to all members of that group, which will help you instantly understand who is calling without even looking at the screen.
Once you create a group, you can add contacts to it in two ways: by selecting from an existing phone book or by creating new entries immediately within the group. When you add an existing contact, the system simply creates a link to it, so the same person can be in several groups at the same time (for example, Friends and Football), this does not create duplicates, but only adds a category tag.
One of the most useful features is that you can send messages to the whole group at once, and when you create a new message in the standard MIUI Messaging app or a third-party messenger, when you select a recipient, you will see the groups you have created. When you select the Colleagues group, you can send one message that all the list members will receive.
Group management also includes the ability to edit, rename, or delete a category altogether, and when a group is deleted, the contacts themselves are not removed from the phone book, they are simply deprived of belonging to the category, a safe operation that will not lead to data loss.
Customization of avatars and card personalization
Visual identification of the caller is an important part of the user experience at Xiaomi. Installing a photo on the contact allows you to instantly recognize the interlocutor, especially when the phone is upside down or in your pocket (in Always On Display mode). Modern versions of MIUI allow you to install not only static photos, but also live wallpaper for contacts (depending on the model).
To add a photo, open the contact card and click on the camera icon or circle with the silhouette of a person at the top of the screen. The system will suggest select an image from the gallery or take a new photo. Once you select the photo, it can be cropped, shifted and scaled so that the face of the interlocutor is in the center of the circle, since only the central part of the image is visible when the call is in.
In addition to photography, personalization includes customizing a customized melody. In the contact card, find the Melody field (or Rington) and click on it, you will open a list of system sounds or files stored in the device's memory. You can select any song from your music library.
- 🖼️ Photo – the main image displayed when calling and in the contact list.
- 🎵 Melody – a unique sound for a particular subscriber.
- 📳 Vibrosignal – Vibration pattern that can be customized separately for important contacts.
- 🔊 Loudness of the call – the ability to increase the volume for selected numbers.
You can also configure modes in the contact card, such as Autoresponse or Conversation Record (if supported by region and firmware version), to do this, there can be a separate settings menu in the contact card, available through three points.
⚠️ Note: When you set the photo to contact, try to use images in 1:1 (square) or portrait orientation. Landscape photos will be cut at the edges, and the face of the interlocutor may be outside the visible area when the incoming call.
Solution: duplicates and missing numbers
In the process of active use of Xiaomi smartphone users often face the problem of duplicate contacts, this occurs when the same number is stored in different storages (for example, once on the phone). SIM, other times on Google, or when a person is listed under different names. MIUI It has a built-in tool to deal with this.
To combine duplicates, go to the contact settings and select “Combine duplicates” (or “Clear duplicate contacts”). The system will analyze the database, find matches by phone numbers or names, and suggest combining them into one card, while storing all data: photos, mail and notes from all the combined records are summarized.
Sometimes users complain that contacts are lost after a system update or reset. 90% of the time, they are still there, but simply hidden by a display filter. In the Contacts app, click three dots → Contact Filter (or Display Contacts) and make sure that the All Contacts check box is ticked or all your accounts are selected.
If contacts are deleted, they can be restored from the Google account basket, by going to contacts.google.com from your computer, going to the Recycle Bin menu, and recovering deleted records from the last 30 days, which may not be available on the phone itself depending on the version of the app.
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Main conclusion: Regular cleaning of duplicates and use of a single cloud storage (Google/Mi) — The guarantee of order in the phone book and the security of your data.