Contact Editing in Xiaomi: From Basic Editing to Hidden Features MIUI

Editing contacts on Xiaomi smartphones only seems like a simple task – until you encounter duplicates after syncing with Google Account, missing numbers after the update. MIUI In this article, we'll look at not only basic actions (how to change a number or a photo), but also hidden functions like combining duplicates automatically, exporting contacts into a single, single, single, single, single, and single. CSV backups and solve common problems, from synchronization failures to recovering deleted records.

Feature MIUI The interface of the application “Contacts” has changed dramatically: in versions before MIUI 12 editing was available via swipe to the left, and starting with MIUI 13 – long-pressed. Also on devices with HyperOS (for example, Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro)+) The contact combination algorithm works differently than on the old Redmi. 9A. We have taken into account all these nuances and collected relevant instructions for all modern firmware.

If you are looking for a way to massively edit contacts (e.g. add a prefix) +7 to all numbers, or you want to hide individual records from your messaging search, you can find solutions here, too. And for those of you who have switched from your iPhone, we've separately explained how to move your contacts without loss and why. MIUI Sometimes, it is “divided” into several contacts.

Basic editing: how to change name, number or photo

So, to start with a simple one: modifying the basic contact data. MIUI This can be done in two ways: through the Contacts app itself or through Google Contacts (if sync is enabled.

To edit the contact locally (only on the phone):

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette on a green background).
2. Find the right contact through search or scroll through the list.
3. Click on the record, then tap on the pencil icon (✏️) top-right. 💡If there is no pencil icon, press the contact for a long time and select “Edit” in the menu that appears.
4. Make changes: 📞 Phone numbers: tap the number to change it or add a new one (button «+» near-field). 👤 Name/surname: The “Name” and “Family” fields can be changed in the display settings (more on this below). 📧 Email and Addresses: Add the "Add field" button» → Select the data type. 🖼️ Photo: Click on the avatar → Select “Photos”, “Gallery” or “Delete».

Ready.

MIUI

If the contact is synced with a Google Account, the changes will automatically apply to all devices where you are logged in to edit only to Google (for example, if the local entry is duplicated):

1. Open contacts.google.com in your browser.
2. Find the contact and click on it.
3. In the upper right corner, click "More» (⋮) → «Edit».
4. Make changes and save.

To combine the duplicates automatically:

1. Open Contacts. → press three points (⋮) top-right.
2. Select Contact Management → Combine and Fix.
3. The system will show you a list of possible takes. Click Combine all or select specific pairs.
4. Confirm the action.

If the automatic connection didn’t work or you want to manually link the records:

1. Open one of the duplicate contacts.
2. Press "More» (⋮) → Tie up.
3. Select the second contact from the list.
4. Confirm the union.

⚠️ Note: After combining all data (numbers, email, notes) will be stored, but the photo of the contact can be reset if one of the records was not.

If you want to share previously connected contacts:

1. Open a joint contact.
2. Press "More» (⋮) → Disconnect.
3. Choose which information to leave in the current record and which to transfer to the new one.

Mass editing: changing formats, prefixes, categories

If you need to change multiple contacts at the same time (for example, add a country code). +7 to all numbers or change the format of names, the standard Contacts app doesn't have this feature:

Method 1: Exports → editing in Excel → import

1. Export Contacts: Open Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Import/Export. Select Export in file → Specify your account (e.g. Google or Local Contacts) and the file will be saved as.vcf (vCard) in the Download folder.
2. Convert to CSV: Use an online service like this VCF to CSV. Download the.vcf file and download the resulting.csv.
3. Edit in Excel: Open a file in Excel or Google Sheets. Find a column with phone numbers and add a prefix +7 through function =CONCATENATE("+7", A2). To change the format of names, change the columns "Name" and "Family».

Import back.

• Convert. CSV back VCF (for example, through CSV to VCF).
• In Contacts, select Import from the file and specify the path to the edited.vcf.

Method 2: Third-party applications

For mass editing, it is convenient to use:

• 📱 Contacts+ (There is a function of group change of prefixes).
• 📱 Simpler Contacts (allows you to add tags and categories en masse).
• 🖥️ MyPhoneExplorer (for editing via PC).

⚠️ Attention: In the mass import of contacts MIUI It can create duplicates if the.vcf file has entries with the same names but different numbers.

Create a backup copy of your contacts|Check the.vcf file for duplicates|Turn off sync with Google while editing|Import contacts to the local, not to the account-->

Hidden functions: changing the format of the display, groups, notes

MIUI It offers some non-obvious contact-handling opportunities that many users miss:

1. Change the format of the display of names

By default. MIUI It shows contacts in the form of "Family Name" to change to "Family Name" (relevant for business correspondence):

1. Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Settings.
2. Select the name format.
3. Please specify the order: "Family, Name" or "Family name".

2. Establishment of contact groups

Groups allow you to quickly send messages to multiple people or hide unnecessary contacts from search, to create a group:

1. In Contacts, press ⋮ → Contact management → Groups.
2. Click Create a Group → Enter a name (e.g., “work” or “family»).
3. Add participants by ticking the necessary contacts.

3. Adding notes and special fields

Each contact can be attached to:

• 📝 Notes (e.g., “Call only after 18:00»).
• 🎂 Birthday (will be displayed on the calendar).
• 🏠 Address (for navigation in Google Maps).
• 🔗 Links to social networks (Telegram, WhatsApp, etc.).

To add a note:

1. Open contact → click “Edit”.
2. Scroll down to the "Additional" block» → Select "Add field» → «Note».

4. Hiding contacts from search

If you want certain contacts not to appear in a search (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) but to remain in the phone book:

1. Open contact. → «Edit».
2. In the name field, add the symbol. (dot) or (emphasis added) to the beginning.
3. Save the changes.

This contact will no longer appear in search results by name, but will remain available in the full list.

💡

Contact groups in MIUI Local groups (without account binding) will be deleted after the phone is reset.

Contact synchronization: how to avoid losses when changing your phone

One of the main problems when switching to the new Xiaomi is the loss of contacts.

• 🔄 No synchronization with Google Account.
• 📱 Keeping contacts only on SIM-map (limited to 250 records).
• 🔄 Failure to transfer via Mi Mover.

To set up a reliable synchronization:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
2. Choose Google. → Turn on the switch next to the contact.
3. Click on Google. → Synchronize now.

If the contacts are kept on SIM-map:

1. Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
2. Select Import with SIM-map → Please provide an account to save (Google recommends).

⚠️ Note: Contacts saved only for SIM-maps that are not displayed in instant messengers (such as WhatsApp or Viber) and transfer them to Google Account or local phone memory.

If you change your phone:

1. On the old device, export contacts to the.vcf file (instruction above).
2. Transfer the file to your new phone (via Mi Mover, Google Drive, or cable).
3. On the new Xiaomi, import the file through Contacts → ⋮ → Imports/Exports → File-based import.

Restore Remote Contacts

If you accidentally delete a contact, it can be restored within 30 days (if it was synced with Google).

1. Open contacts.google.com in your browser.
2. In the left menu, select Cancel Changes.
3. Specify the time range (e.g., “Last 7 days”) and click Confirm.

If the contact was local (not synchronized):

• Check the Corrupted folder in the Contacts app (sometimes deleted records get there).
• Use data recovery software such as Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver (root rights required).

⚠️ Note: Once a contact is deleted from your Google Account, it disappears from all devices that synced, and if you accidentally deleted it, you need to restore it within 30 days, otherwise it will be deleted permanently.

If you use Mi Account to sync:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Account.
2. Turn off contact sync.
3. Turn it on again, sometimes it helps you recover lost records.

Typical Contact Problems in the MIUI

Let’s look at the most common mistakes and their solutions:

1. Contacts are not displayed on WhatsApp/Telegram

Reason: Contacts are retained on SIM-Map or Local Memory, but not synced to Google.

Decision:

• Move your contacts to Google Account (instruction above).
• Check that the messenger settings have access to contacts (Settings) → Annexes → Permits).

2.Duplicate contacts after update MIUI

The reason: sync failure between Google and Mi Account.

Decision:

• Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Combining and correcting.
• Turn off sync with Mi Account (Settings) → Accounts and synchronization if you do not use it.

3. Contact cannot be edited (Save button is inactive)

Reason: Contact is saved for read-only purposes (e.g., from an Exchange corporate account).

Decision:

• Copy the contact: Open it. → ⋮ → Exports → Keep it as new.
• If you are in contact with Exchange, contact your account administrator for editing rights.

4. Contact photos are reset after synchronization

Reason: Conflict between the local and cloud versions of the contact.

Decision:

• Open contact. → click on the photo → Select “Install from Gallery” and upload the image again.
• Turn off sync with Mi Account if you only use Google.

5. Contacts are displayed in hieroglyphics

Cause: Coding failure when importing from.vcf or SIM-map.

Decision:

• Export contacts to.vcf, open the file in the text editor and check the encoding (should be the case). UTF-8).
• Import the file again by manually selecting the encoding (if the application supports this option).

💡

If the contact problem occurred after the update MIUI — Try clearing the cache of the Contacts app (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Contacts → Clear the cache).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi contacts