Have you ever wondered where exactly on your Xiaomi everything saved is stored phone numbers? It turns out that contacts are not just “hanging in the air” - they are recorded in specific files inside the system Android, and in several places at the same time. If you need to transfer them to another phone, make a backup copy, or just understand how synchronization with Google Account or Mi Cloudworks, this article will help you understand all the nuances.

On smartphones Xiaomi (especially under control MIUI 14/15) contacts can be stored in three main sources: device internal memory, Xiaomi cloud (Mi Cloud) and Google account. At the same time, physical data files are hidden deep in system folders, where you cannot look without root access or special tools. We will show you how to find these files, what formats they have, and what to do if the contactsSuddenly disappeared after resetting the settings.

It is important to understand: even if you did not enable synchronization, the contacts are still stored somewhere - they are simply not duplicated in the cloud. And if the phone is stolen or broken, the chances of getting the numbers back depend on where they were originally saved. Next, we will analyze each storage option in detail, with instructions for different versions. MIUI.

Physical storage of contacts in the internal memory of Xiaomi

By default, all contacts that you add manually (without linking to an account) are saved in Android database under the name contacts2.db. This file is located in a protected system folder and access to it is limited. Here is the exact path:

/data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db

Please note: the folder /data/data/ is not accessible without root access or special utilities like ADB. Even file managers like Mi File Explorer or Total Commander will not show its contents without additional settings. If you urgently need to copy this file (for example, before resetting the phone), you will have to use workarounds.

Inside contacts2.db not only a list of numbers is stored, but also all related information: names, email addresses, birthdays, attached photos and even call history (if it is tied to a contact). The file format is SQLite, so for viewing you will need special software like DB Browser for SQLite or online converters.

⚠️ Attention: an attempt to manually edit contacts2.db without a backup may lead to the loss of all contacts. The system MIUI does not always correctly restore the database after changes.
  • 📁 Main path: /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db —all local contacts are located here.
  • 🔄 Cache and temporary files: in the folder /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/cache/ thumbnails of photos of contacts can be stored.
  • 📱 Alternative path for older versions of MIUI: /data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts.db (valid for devices up to 2018).
📊 Where do you usually store contacts?
Only in the phone memory
I synchronize with Google
I use Mi Cloud
I export to a VCF file
I don’t know

How to access contact files without root access

If you do not have root access, but need to urgently copy contacts, there are several legal methods. The simplest is to use the built-in functions MIUI to export.

Open the application Contact, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Manage contacts → Import/Export → Export to file. The system will offer to save contacts in .vcf (vCard) format - this file can be transferred to another phone or computer. By default, it is saved in the folder Download (Downloads).

If exporting through the menu does not work (for example, due to a crash), try an alternative method using ADB (Android Debug Bridge). To do this:

  1. Enable USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About phone → Version MIUI - press 7 times, then return to Advanced → For developers).
  2. Connect your phone to the PC and run the command: 
    adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db
  3. If an access error appears, use the command with superuser rights (an unlocked bootloader is required): 
    adb shell su -c "cp /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db /sdcard/"
⚠️ Attention: commands ADB may not work on the latest versions MIUI due to stricter security policies. In this case, the only option left is to export through the menu or synchronize with the cloud.

☑️ Export contacts via ADB

Done: 0 / 4

Cloud storage: Mi Cloud vs Google Account

Most users Xiaomi they don’t even suspect that their contacts are automatically synchronized with the Mi Cloud cloud service from the company. This feature is enabled by default when you first set up your phone if you are logged in Mi Account. You can check its status in the menu:

Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Mi Account → Contact synchronization

Unlike Googlewhere contacts are stored in account @gmail.com, Mi Cloud linked to your Mi Account (usually this is an address @xiaomi.com or phone number). The main differences between the two services:

Option Mi Cloud (Xiaomi) Google Contacts
Automatic synchronization Enabled by default Requires manual activation
Access from PC Via i.mi.com Via contacts.google.com
Storage format Closed (no export to SQL) Can be exported to CSV/VCF
Recovery after reset Automatically when logging into Mi Account Requires manual synchronization

If you you use both services at the same time, this may occur duplicate conflict. For example, the same contact will be displayed twice: once from Mi Cloud, the second - from Google. To avoid this, disable synchronization in one of your accounts or merge duplicates manually through the app Contact (option Merge contacts).

💡

If after resetting the phone the contacts are not restored, check which account was the main one during the last synchronization. Often users confuse Mi Cloud and Google, which is why data is lost.

Where are contacts backed up in MIUI

MIUI has a built-in backup function that creates archives with contacts, messages and other data. These backups are stored in the folder:

/MIUI/Backup/AllBackup/

Backup files have an extension .bak and are encrypted, so it is impossible to view their contents without restoring them on the phone. To create a backup manually:

  1. Go to Settings → Advanced → Backup and reset → Local backup.
  2. Select Contact and press Backup.
  3. The finished file will appear in a folder /MIUI/Backup/AllBackup/ with the type name backup_20260515_123456.bak.

Important: these backups are tied to a specific device. If you transfer the file to another phone Xiaomi, you can only restore the data through the official recovery menu. For other brands (for example, Samsung or Pixel), such a backup will be useless.

An alternative way is to use third-party applications like Super Backup & Restore or Swift Backup. They allow you to create backup copies of contacts in .vcf or .xmlformat, which can then be opened on any device.

What to do if the backup is damaged?

If the .bak file cannot be restored, try renaming it to .zip and extracting the contents via archiver Sometimes there is unencrypted data in JSON or XML format inside.

Contacts in a SIM card: an outdated but working method

Despite the fact that storing contacts on SIM card in 2026 is considered archaic, some users still use this method. On Xiaomi SIM contacts are displayed in a separate application tab Contact, but physically they are not stored in the phone's memory, but on the card itself.

This method has serious limitations:

  • 📵 Quantity limit: on one SIM Usually no more than 250 contacts fit.
  • 🔤 Only name and number: You cannot save a photo, email or additional fields.
  • ⚠️ Risk of loss: If the SIM card is damaged, contacts cannot be restored.

To transfer contacts from SIM to phone memory:

  1. Open the application Contact.
  2. Go to the tab SIM (if it exists).
  3. Click on three dots → Import/Export → Import from SIM card.
  4. Select where to save contacts: to Device, Google or Mi Account.

Modern nano-SIM i eSIM often do not support storing contacts at all, so this method is gradually becoming a thing of the past. If you need a reliable solution, it is better to use cloud synchronization.

💡

SIM card is the most unreliable way to store contacts. Use it only as a temporary solution or for emergency number transfer.

What to do if contacts are missing after an update or reset

One ​​of the most common problems on Xiaomi — disappearance of contacts after an update MIUI or reset to factory settings. The reasons may be different:

  • 🔄 Synchronization failure: if synchronization with was not enabled before the reset Mi Cloud or Google.
  • 📱 Migration error: during an update MIUI sometimes access rights to the database get lost.
  • 🗑️ Deleting system files: if you cleaned your phone via Settings → Storage → Cleaning and accidentally deleted application data Contact.

Here is the algorithm for recovery:

  1. Check cloud accounts:
  2. Restore from a local backup:
    • Check the folder /MIUI/Backup/AllBackup/ for files .bak.
    • Use the menu Settings → Advanced → Backup and reset → Restore.
  • Use third-party utilities:
    • Applications like Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver can scan the phone's memory for deleted contacts (root required).
      • ⚠️ Attention: if you reset your phone to factory settings without backup and did not use cloud synchronization, the chances of getting your contacts back are minimal. In this case, only contacting a service center will help (but even there they do not guarantee results).

      On Xiaomi devices with Qualcomm processors (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+), recovery via EDL mode (Emergency Download Mode) sometimes helps, but this requires special equipment and may void the warranty.

      How to transfer contacts from one Xiaomi to another

      If you bought a new phone Xiaomi and want to transfer contacts from the old one, you have several options. The simplest is to use Mi Mover, the built-in application for data migration. It copies not only contacts, but also messages, photos and even some settings.

      To transfer contacts via Mi Mover:

      1. Install the application on both phones (if it is not there by default).
      2. On the old phone, select Send, on the new one - Receive.
      3. Connect to the same Wi-Fi network or use an access point.
      4. Select Contact in the list of data to transfer and confirm the transfer.

    If Mi Mover does not work (for example, due to different versions MIUI), use alternative methods:

    • 📤 Export to VCF: on the old phone, export contacts to a file .vcf, and on the new one, import it via Contacts → Management → Import.
    • ☁️ Synchronization via Google: if contacts are linked to Google Account, they will automatically be loaded onto the new phone when you log in.
    • 🔗 Bluetooth or NFC: some models Xiaomi support transfer of contacts via MIUI Quick Share (analogous to AirDrop).

      • If you transfer contacts to a phone of another brand (for example, Samsung or iPhone), the easiest way is to use Google Contacts as an intermediate option. Export the data to your account Googleand then synchronize it on a new device.

      FAQ: Frequently asked questions about storing contacts on Xiaomi

      Is it possible to restore contacts if the phone does not turn on?

      Yes, but only if synchronization with Mi Cloud or Googlewas previously enabled. In this case, sign in to your account on another device and export your contacts. If there was no synchronization, only repairing the phone with data extraction via EDL mode or chip-off (expensive and not always possible).

      Why are contacts duplicated in the phone?

      This happens due to simultaneous synchronization with Mi Cloud and Google. To remove duplicates, open Contacts → Manage → Merge contacts and follow the instructions. You can also disable synchronization in one of your accounts.

      Where are contact photos stored?

      Contact photos can be stored in two places:

      1. Inside the database contacts2.db (in binary format).
      2. In the cache folder: /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/cache/ (thumbnails).

      To extract photos, the easiest way is to export contacts to the format .vcf - some apps (for example, VCF Viewer) are able to extract images from such files.

      Is it possible to edit contacts2.db manually?

      Technically yes, but it is extremely risky. The database has a complex structure with many relationships between tables. Any editing error may result in the loss of all contacts. If you need to change data en masse, it is better to use specialized utilities like Contact Editor (requires root).

      How to transfer contacts from Xiaomi to iPhone?

      The most reliable way:

      1. Export contacts to Xiaomi to file .vcf.
      2. Send the file to iPhone via email or cloud (for example, iCloud Drive).
      3. To iPhone open the file - the system will offer to add contacts to Apple Contacts.

      Alternative: synchronize contacts with Google Account to Xiaomi, then add the same account to iPhone via Settings → Contacts → Accounts.