Smartphone owners Xiaomi i Redmi often face a situation where it is necessary to restrict access to personal data or transfer information to another device without duplicating records. By default, the system is configured to automatically save all new numbers to cloud storage, be it services or its own ecosystem. This is convenient for restoring data if a gadget is lost, but may cause concern for users who value privacy or want to store the database of numbers exclusively in the phone’s memory. Android configured to automatically save all new numbers to cloud storage, be it services Google or your own ecosystem Mi Cloud. This is convenient for data recovery if a gadget is lost, but may cause concern for users who value privacy or want to store a database of numbers exclusively in the phone’s memory.
The process of deactivating this function is not complicated, however, the interface of the shell MIUI or the new one HyperOS has its own characteristics that can confuse an untrained user. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the possible ways to stop data exchange, look at the differences between accounts and answer common questions that arise when managing call lists.
Why limit data transfer to the cloud
Contact synchronization is a two-way process of exchanging information between your device and the server. Many users do not realize that when a new number is created, it is instantly sent to remote corporate servers. Disabling this function allows you to completely control the physical location of your data.
The main reason why people are looking for a way to stop this process is the desire to protect themselves from leaks. If your account is hacked, attackers will have access to your entire phone book. In addition, when selling a smartphone or transferring it to relatives, there is often a need to clean the device without affecting the data in the cloud, or vice versa - not to download old records from the cloud to the new device.
It is also worth noting the savings in traffic and battery power. Although modern algorithms work efficiently, constant background data traffic still consumes system resources. For devices with limited RAM or weak network signal, this may be a factor affecting overall performance.
⚠️ Warning: Before you stop syncing completely, make sure you have an up-to-date backup of your contacts elsewhere, such as offloaded to a file .vcf on your computer or saved to your SIM card.
Managing synchronization through Mi Account settings
Ecosystem Xiaomi is deeply integrated into the operating system, so the first step is to check the manufacturer’s own account settings. This is where the option to save numbers is most often activated by default. To access these options, you must open the main device settings menu.
The top of the settings screen usually displays the user profile with the associated Mi Account. By clicking on it, you will be taken to the cloud services management menu. Here is a list of all types of data that the phone sends to servers Mi Cloud. We are interested in the item responsible for the phone book.
The switch opposite the desired item should be set to inactive. The system may ask you to confirm the action or warn you that new contacts will not be saved to the cloud. This is a standard security procedure to prevent accidental data loss.
If you use multiple SIM cards, check the settings for each of them, as in some firmware versions the settings may be duplicated or take precedence depending on the default card selected.
It is important to understand the difference between completely disabling the service and stopping synchronization of a specific type of data. You can continue to use Mi Cloud to store photos or notes, while completely isolating your contact list from the Internet. This flexible setting allows you to optimize the use of space without losing the functionality of other applications.
Disabling synchronization through a Google account
In addition to branded services Xiaomi, on any device running Android an account is active Google. This is a fundamental layer of the system that also synchronizes contacts by default. Even if you have disabled Mi Cloud, numbers may go to servers Googleif you do not change the appropriate settings.
To manage this process, you should go to the settings section dedicated to accounts. The path may differ slightly depending on the version of the shell, but the logic remains the same: you need to find the section responsible for managing users and passwords.
Having selected your main account Google from the list, you will see the synchronization menu. All services associated with this profile are displayed here: calendar, mail, disk and, of course, contacts. You need to find the corresponding item and deactivate the slider.
- 📱 Open
Settingsyour smartphone. - 🔍 Go to section
Accounts and synchronizationorPasswords and security. - 📧 Select your account Google from the proposed list.
- 🚫 Uncheck or turn the switch next to the item
Contact.
After completing these steps, the system will stop automatically uploading new records. However, old contacts that have already been uploaded to the cloud before will remain there. Removing them requires separate actions through the web interface or application if your goal is to completely clear the deleted copy.
⚠️ Attention: The settings interface in the shells MIUI 12, MIUI 13, MIUI 14 and the new HyperOS may differ in the location of menu items. If you do not find the “Accounts” section, use the search in the settings by entering the word “Google”.
Setting up saving new contacts by default
Disabling synchronization solves the problem of data transfer, but does not tell the phone exactly where to save new numbers. If you don't change the default settings, the system may continue to prompt you to save to cloud profiles, which creates confusion. It is critical to set the storage priority.
To do this, you need to go to the standard Contacts or Phone application. In the upper right corner there is usually a menu with three dots or a settings icon. In this section, we look for the item responsible for the storage location of new records.
Select the “Phone” or “Device” option. This ensures that all new numbers that you enter manually or receive from subscribers will be recorded exclusively in the internal memory of the smartphone, bypassing any cloud services.
Contacts application → Settings (three dots) → Display/storage settings → Default save location → PhoneThis setting is especially relevant for corporate devices or phones that are used temporarily. This eliminates the risk of accidentally transferring business contacts to employees' personal cloud storage.
☑️ Checking storage settings
Deleting already synchronized data
Simply turning off synchronization does not delete the data that has already entered the cloud. If your goal is privacy, you need to clean up the remote copies. This can be done either through the web interface or directly from the phone using special cleaning functions.
In the account settings Mi or Google there is often a “Delete data from the cloud” function or the ability to manage content through the browser. When you delete contacts from the cloud, they may also disappear from your phone if synchronization is active at that moment. Therefore, the procedure must be strict.
First, make sure that important information is saved locally. Then disable syncing as described in the previous sections. Only after this can you safely delete data from the cloud storage without fear that it will be lost from the device.
| Action | Result for the phone | Result for the cloud | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disable synchronization | Contacts remain | Contacts remain | No |
| Delete from the cloud (with active synchronization) | Contacts are deleted | Contacts are deleted | High |
| Removal from the cloud (after synchronization is turned off) | Contacts remain | Contacts are deleted | Low |
| Reset phone settings | Contacts are deleted (if not in the cloud) | Contacts remain | Medium |
For users Google there is a convenient web interface contacts.google.comwhere you can bulk select and delete records. For Xiaomi similar functionality is available on the portal i.mi.com. Using a computer for these purposes is often more convenient due to the large screen and precise mouse control.
What happens if you delete your account completely?
If you delete your Google or Mi account from your phone settings, all data associated with this account (mail, contacts, calendars) will disappear from the device. However, they will remain on the company’s servers and will be available when you log in again from other devices.
Possible problems and solutions
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where contacts continue to “come back” or are not saved where needed. This may be due to data caching or the way third-party calling applications work that ignore system settings.
One of the common problems is duplicate entries. When you turn off sync without clearing the cloud, and then turn it back on (even accidentally), the system may create duplicates as it tries to merge the local and cloud databases. In such cases, the “Merge Duplicates” function built into the contacts application helps.
It is also worth checking the application permissions. Some messengers (for example Telegram or Viber) have their own contact synchronization settings that work independently of the system ones. They must be disabled separately in the settings of the applications themselves.
⚠️ Attention: Interfaces and names of menu items may change with software updates. If you cannot find the described item, use the search inside the settings or refer to the official documentation for your version MIUI.
The main safety rule: always first make a local backup (export to a file), and only then change the synchronization settings or delete data from the cloud.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will my contacts disappear from my phone if I turn off synchronization?
No, turning off synchronization only stops the exchange of data between the phone and the server. All contacts that are already saved in the device memory will remain in place. You will be able to see them, edit and call them as usual.
Is it possible to sync contacts with only one account?
Yes, this is standard practice. You can leave synchronization turned on for your account Google and turn it off for Mi Account, or vice versa. The system allows you to flexibly manage each type of account independently of each other.
Where are contacts stored if I chose to save to a SIM card?
Contacts on a SIM card are stored directly on the card chip. Their number is limited (usually up to 250 entries), and they do not support extended information (photos, multiple numbers, addresses). This method is outdated, but reliable when changing your phone.
How to find out where exactly the new number was saved?
Open the “Contacts” application, find the desired subscriber and click on it. At the top of the contact card or in the details, the storage will be indicated: “Phone”, “Google”, “Mi Account” or “SIM”. If the cloud is indicated there, it means that synchronization for this type of account is active.
Is it safe to store contacts only in the phone memory?
This is safe from a privacy point of view, since the data does not leave the device. However, this carries the risk of losing information if the phone is broken, stolen, or reset. It is recommended to periodically make a manual backup copy to a file and save it to a computer or flash drive.