What does "Contact list is being updated" mean on my Redmi phone, and why can't I access my contacts?

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Accepted Answer

This message means your Contacts app is syncing with cloud accounts (Google, Mi Cloud) or rebuilding its internal index. Usually it finishes on its own, but sometimes the process gets stuck—especially if you have many contacts or a slow internet connection.
Quick Fixes (Try in Order)

Restart your phone. This often resolves temporary sync issues.
Go to Contacts > Menu (3 dots) > Settings > More > Rebuild Index Data. Wait for the process to complete—this can take 15-20+ minutes depending on how many contacts you have.
Check Settings > Accounts and verify that Google and Mi Cloud sync are enabled. Toggle sync off and back on if needed.
Go to Settings > Apps > Contacts > Storage > Clear Data, then restart your phone. (Backup your contacts first if possible.)

If Issues Persist
Ensure your Contacts app has permission to access your contacts and storage. Update both your system software and Contacts app to the latest version. If the problem continues, remove and re-add your Google or Mi Account, or contact Xiaomi support.
This issue affects most Redmi and Xiaomi phones running MIUI, not just the Redmi 5S.RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.

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