The transition to a new smartphone is always accompanied by a desire to quickly adjust its work for themselves, and the first thing every user wants to restore their phone book. For owners of the Xiaomi Redmi 9 model, this process may seem difficult only at first glance, but the MIUI operating system offers many built-in tools to simplify the task. Competent data transfer avoids the loss of important numbers and ensures continuity of communication immediately after unpacking the device.
There are several proven methods, each of which has its own advantages depending on where you're transferring data from. SIM-The choice of the specific method depends on the source of the data and the availability of access to the Internet or other device.
In this article, we will take a look at all the current import options so you can choose the most suitable one for your situation.We will look at the nuances of working with a Google account, the features of porting from an iPhone and recovering from backups. Understanding these processes will help you save time and avoid the typical mistakes of beginners.
Device preparation and backup
Before you start taking active data transfer actions, make sure your new Redmi 9 device is ready to go. Check the battery level first, as the process of synchronizing a large amount of data can require significant energy resources. Also make sure that the device is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network, especially if you plan to download contacts from cloud storage.
An important step is to clear the memory from the temporary files of previous installations, if the phone is not new, this will avoid conflicts when writing new data to the phone book. If you are switching from an old Android smartphone, it is recommended to check in advance where your numbers are stored: SIM-card, in the phone memory or in the provider's account.
⚠️ Before you start any manipulation of contacts, make sure you have an up-to-date copy of the data on your old device to avoid irretrievable loss of information in the event of a crash.
For users who value order, it is recommended to pre-sort numbers and remove duplicates on the old device, which will make the import process cleaner and eliminate the need to manually clean the phone book on the new Xiaomi.
☑️ Redmi 9 Preparation for Imports
Synchronization through Google account
The most modern and reliable way to restore a phone book is to use the Google Contacts cloud service, which is ideal if you have previously used an Android smartphone and allowed data synchronization. When you log in to your Redmi 9 account, the system will automatically prompt you to restore data from the cloud, which takes only a few minutes.
To start the process, you need to log into your phone's settings and select the account section, add the same email address that was used on the previous device, and after authorization, the system will request permission to synchronize the various types of data, among which you must select Contacts.
The download process is in the background, and you can watch the numbers gradually appear in the phone book. If the contacts did not appear immediately, you can force the update by going to the sync settings of a particular account and clicking the update button, which will cause the phone to re-query the current data from the servers of the corporation.
The advantage of this method is that your contacts will always be safe, even if you lose physical access to the contact. SIM-Contacts saved by Google are automatically updated on all devices where you log in to this acc, providing a single database for your smartphone, tablet and computer.
Transfer of contacts from SIM-card
The classic method, which is still relevant for many users, involves physical transfer. SIM-This method is good because it does not require the Internet and complex settings, but has restrictions on the amount of data stored and the length of the number. SIM-The card can store up to 250 contacts, but modern smartphones support much larger volumes.
Once you have the card installed, you need to open the standard Contacts or Phone app, and in the settings menu, which is often hidden under three dots or the menu button, you need to find Import/Export, and that's where you can copy the records from the SIM card to the phone's internal storage.
The system will suggest selecting the target storage, and here it is best to prefer a Google account or device memory, but not the device itself. SIM-Saving to a memory card often results in the shortened names or the loss of additional numbers if they were recorded on a single contact. Once confirmed, all records will be copied to the memory of the smartphone.
| Parameter | SIM-map | Google Account | Phone memory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limit of records | ~250 contacts | No restrictions. | Depends on memory. |
| Length of name | Limited. | Complete. | Complete. |
| Additional numbers | No. | Yes. | Yes. |
| Network dependency | Not required | Wi-Fi required | Not required |
It is important to note that after importation SIM-The map can be used as a backup, but it's not going to be the primary storage in 2026. Technology has gone far, and cloud solutions are providing immeasurably more connectivity.
Use of the Mi Mover app
For Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners, the developers have created a special utility app called Mi Mover, which allows you to transfer data from one Android device to another wirelessly at high speed. The app is pre-installed on Redmi 9, and for an old phone it can be downloaded from the Play Market.
The transfer process starts with the application running on both devices, and on the new phone you choose the role of Receiver, and on the old phone you choose the role of Sender. QR-A code or manual search, after which a secure connection is formed, the user can only choose the type of data to be transmitted, ticking the item "Contacts».
The Mi Mover data transfer speed is much faster than Bluetooth, and it doesn't consume mobile Internet traffic. It can transfer not only phone numbers, but also call history, messages and even desktop icons, making it an indispensable tool for a full migration to a new platform.
What if the Mi Mover can’t see the device?
It is important to keep the transmission process on and keep the device screens on. Although the connection is stable, a sudden disconnection of one of the phones can lead to a synchronization error and the need to start the process again.
Transfer data from iPhone (iOS) to Redmi 9
iPhone owners who have decided to upgrade to the Xiaomi Redmi 9 also don’t have to worry about keeping their phone book safe. Apple and Xiaomi have built a way to seamlessly move contacts. The easiest way is to use the previously mentioned Mi Mover app, which has an iOS version.
To get started, you need to install the Mi Mover app on the iPhone from the App Store. Once you run it, you select the sender mode on the iPhone, and the recipient on Redmi 9. QR-The code from the Android smartphone screen initiates the connection process. In the list of transmitted data, you must select Contacts, after which you will start copying.
An alternative, but longer, way is to export contacts via iCloud. Go to iCloud settings on your iPhone and make sure that contacts sync is enabled. Then, on your computer, use your browser to log into iCloud.com, highlight all contacts and export them in vCard (.vcf) format.
⚠️ Note: When exporting via iCloud, make sure that the vCard file does not contain duplicates, as iOS and Android may interpret combined records differently, which will result in the appearance of twins in the phone book.
The resulting vCard file can be sent to you by mail or sent via messenger to a new phone. When you open this file on Redmi 9, the system automatically prompts you to import the contacts contained in it, a universal method that works with almost any device that supports the vCard standard.
Import from vCard and Bluetooth
The vCard format is a universal standard for sharing contact information between different platforms. If you have a file with the.vcf extension, you can import it to Redmi 9 in several ways, most often by email or via messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp.
When you receive a file through the messenger, you just click on it to open. Android recognizes the format and launches the import wizard. You will be asked to choose whether to save contacts: to your phone, SIM or Google account.
If the file is in the device's memory or on a memory card, you open the Contacts app, go to the import/export menu, and select "Import from storage." The system scans the device for vCard files and suggests you choose the one you want, which is convenient for mass transfer of contacts from an old phone, where you can pre-export the entire book into a single file.
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If you are transferring a vCard file over Bluetooth, make sure that visibility is enabled on the receiving device for all devices, otherwise the Redmi 9 phone may not see the file transfer request.
Using Bluetooth to transfer contacts or small groups is also possible directly from the contact menu. If you select the desired number, you can click Share and select Bluetooth. The receiving Redmi 9 will request confirmation of the file acceptance, after which the contact will be saved, which is convenient for fast transfer of several numbers between colleagues or friends.
Solving and managing duplicates
Once contacts are imported, users often face the problem of duplicate records, which occurs when the same contact is stored in both the phone’s memory and Google account, or when multiple imports from different sources are made, and MIUI has a built-in tool to combine such records, which is located in the contact management menu.
To clear the list, you need to open the Contacts app, click on the menu, and select Contact Organization or Contact Management, where you can use the Repeated Contacts Combination feature, and the system automatically finds the names and phone numbers and offers to combine them into one card, saving all available numbers and email addresses.
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where contacts are displayed but not edited, which means that they are saved in read-only mode, for example, with the help of a user. SIM-To be able to edit a number or add a photo, you need to copy such a contact to your phone or Google account memory through the “Copy Contact” function».
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Regularly checking the phone book for duplicates and incorrect entries helps maintain order and speeds up the search for the right subscriber in emergency situations.
Also worth paying attention to the formatting of numbers: when imported from foreign sources or old devices, numbers can be written without a country code. For the correct operation of messengers like WhatsApp or Viber, it is desirable that the numbers be written in an international format, starting with the plus and country code.