How to import contacts with SIM on Xiaomi Redmi phone

Switching to a new smartphone or simply replacing a device often puts users in a position to quickly migrate data, and the most critical element for most Xiaomi and Redmi owners is the phone book, which is equivalent to digital isolation. Fortunately, the Android ecosystem, and in particular the shell MIUI, Provides flexible tools for managing records, allowing you to easily transfer information from the old one SIM-map.

The import process does not require a computer connection or third-party software installation, as all the necessary functions are built into the system application “Contacts”. However, many users have difficulty finding the desired menu item or do not understand the difference between storing numbers on a map and in the cloud. In this material, we will analyze each step in detail so that you can be sure of the safety of your data.

Before you start, make sure your SIM-The card is mounted in a slot that supports reading the phone book (usually slot 1 if the card is one).It is also worth checking that the card is not physically damaged, as old contacts can be recorded with encoding errors. Importing contacts is the first procedure that should be performed immediately after the new device is turned on.

Preparation of SIM-card and compatibility check

Before you start transferring, you need to make sure that the card does have records. Modern smartphones often automatically offer imports when you first install the card, but you should not rely on automation. SIM-Cards may have a limit on the number of characters in the name or no support for Cyrillic, which will lead to the appearance of “cracker” instead of names.

If you use a dual-sim machine, the system can request a source, and in this case, it is important to choose the slot where the card with the old numbers is located, and the wrong choice will lead to an empty list of imported data and a waste of time. Slot check is a key step for owners of devices with two physical SIM.

⚠️ Note: If you don't see the numbers on the new phone after you extract the card from the old phone, it's possible that they were stored in the device's memory rather than on the card chip.

Also consider the technical limit of memory itself. SIM-It usually holds 250 to 500 records, and the storage format is extremely primitive: often only one number per name and a limited number of characters in the contact name.

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Before you start importing, take a photo of the screen with a list of contacts on your old phone – this will be your insurance in case of a transfer failure.

Step-by-step instructions for import through the Contacts app

The main way to transfer data is through the standard application, which is preinstalled on all Redmi smartphones. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the logic of actions remains the same for all models. First, open the Contacts app (yellow tube) on the desktop.

Then you need to go to the settings menu of this particular app, not the general settings of the phone. To do this, tap the three dots in the upper right corner or look for the Settings button (cogs) at the bottom of the screen if you have the classic menu mode. In the list that opens, look for Import / Export contacts.

Once you have selected a source (SIM 1 or SIM 2), you will be asked to choose your destination, and it is critical to make no mistake, because it depends on the further security of your data: choose your phone for local storage or, much better, your Google account or Mi Account for cloud sync.

Press the "Import" button and wait until the process is complete. The smartphone can beep or show a notification of success. If there are many records, the process can take several seconds. Once completed, a report on the number of successfully added and missed contacts will appear on the screen.

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Choosing cloud storage (Google or Mi Cloud) when importing ensures that when you lose your phone, the numbers will not be lost, unlike storage in the device memory.

Import via system settings and menus SIM-map

An alternative way to get to the portability feature is through the general settings of the Android operating system.This method can be useful if the Contacts app is not working correctly or has been removed. → System and device → SIM-maps and mobile networks.

In this section, find the "Settings" item SIM-maps" or just choose an active card. MIUI, This way, you can have a button called "Import contacts" that duplicates the functionality of the application, but sometimes it works more stable when dealing with system errors of reading the map.

If the settings are on the menu SIM-There is no direct import button, the system can redirect you to the standard contact app described in the previous section.This is normal behavior of the Xiaomi shell, as developers seek to unify the management of the phone book in one place.

It is important to note that when working through system settings, you can also control the display of numbers. Make sure that the contact filter does not have a “phone only” restriction, otherwise, the records just imported with the SIM can be hidden from the user’s eyes.

Selection of storage location: Phone, SIM or Cloud

When the system asks where to save imported data, the user is faced with a choice on which the convenience of later life depends. SIM-The card is considered an outdated method due to format limitations, but it provides compatibility with any, even the most ancient phones.

Saving your phone in memory allows you to use all the features of Android: add photos, multiple numbers, email addresses and social networks to one contact, but if the device breaks or resets, this data will be irretrievably lost if you do not make a backup.

The most modern and reliable option is synchronization with cloud services.Google account or Mi Cloud

⚠️ Note: When you store contacts only in your phone’s memory, regularly backing up your contacts via Mi Cloud or Google One is a mandatory security procedure.

Solution: Doubles and missing names

A common problem after importation is the appearance of duplicates, when the same contact is displayed twice: one with SIM, the other from the cloud or memory. Xiaomi smartphones have a built-in tool to solve this problem. Go to Contacts, click on three dots and select Clear duplicates.

So the system will suggest combining similar records or removing repetitive ones, and be careful when you combine them, because sometimes the algorithm can go wrong and glue together contacts of different people with similar names, and you'd better go through the process manually if there's not thousands of records.

If the names of contacts are displayed incorrectly (question marks or hieroglyphs), this is a problem of encoding. SIM-In this case, only manual editing or re-importing with the correct encoding, if such an option is available in your version, will help. MIUI.

Another common situation is that contacts were imported but not displayed in the call list. Check the display settings in the Contacts app. Click three dots, select Display Settings, and make sure that the check box is next to All Contacts or the account you saved them to.

Synchronization and backup of data

After successful importation of the SIM-It is essential to set up automatic sync so you never have to manually transfer again. For your Google account, go to Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Google and make sure the slider opposite the “Contact” is active.

For users of the Xiaomi ecosystem, synchronization via Mi Cloud is available. This method is especially convenient for owners of several devices of the brand, as it allows you to instantly transfer contacts between tablets and Redmi phones. Go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud and enable contact synchronization.

Regularly creating local backups will also be useful. In the Contacts app -> Settings -> Import/Export, select Export to Storage. The system will create a.vcf file that can be saved to your computer or sent to your messenger as an archive copy.

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The contact backup file (.vcf) weighs very little and takes up a minimum of space, so it should be periodically sent to your favorites in Telegram or by mail.