How to import contacts with SIM-Xiaomi maps: The full guide

Changing a smartphone is often a quest, especially when you need to quickly move hundreds of phone numbers from an old device. Owners of new gadgets from Xiaomi, Redmi or Poco face the need to move the database from the old SIM card to the internal memory of Android.

Modern MIUI and HyperOS operating systems offer built-in tools for data migration that work steadily but require careful configuration. The process takes only a few minutes, but users often get confused in the interface or do not know exactly where the desired function is hidden after the first turn on, we will analyze all the nuances so that you do not lose any important number.

Before you start, make sure that the SIM card is physically installed in the device and recognized by the system. If you just inserted the chip, wait a couple of minutes before the network signal appears. Import of contacts is the first logical operation to perform before installing messengers and social networks.

Preparation of SIM-card and compatibility check

The first step should always be to check the physical condition of the media, because old SIM cards may have been cut by hand or damaged contacts, which sometimes leads to errors in the reading of data by the phone, make sure that the card tray is inserted before the click, and the system sees the operator.

It is important to understand the difference between storage formats. SIM cards have limited storage space and often crop long names or do not support additional fields like email addresses and photos. Contacts on a SIM card are essentially just a name and number, so you will have to add them after transfer.

If you use a dual-sim device, the system will suggest you choose the source of the data, carefully check which card to copy the information from, especially if the second SIM card is new or empty, and an error in choosing the source will lead to the fact that the process will not end.

Standard method of import through the Contacts app

The basic method of data transfer is built into the standard application, which is preinstalled on all Xiaomi smartphones. the interface may vary slightly depending on the version of the shell, but the logic of actions remains the same for all models.

To start, open the Contacts app (a yellow icon with a human silhouette) and in the upper right corner or lower menu, look for a three-dot icon or a gear that indicates settings, and that's where the subscriber list management function is hidden.

• 📱 Click on “Import/Export Contacts” in the settings menu that opens.
• 💾 Select the option “Import with” SIM-Cards (may be called Imports from the SIM 1" or «SIM 2»).
• ✅ Confirm the action by selecting “Import All” or ticking the required numbers.

Once you select your target account (local storage or Google), you start the copying process, and the speed depends on the number of records, but it usually takes no more than a minute. Importantly, don't remove the SIM card during the process, it can damage the file table of the media.

Import via System Settings menu

If a standard application doesn’t run or doesn’t work properly, you can use the Android System Settings menu, which is a deeper way to manage data at the system level without any possible bugs in the application interface.

Go to Settings → Applications → All apps. Find Contacts and Contact Storage. Clearing the cache of these services sometimes solves the problem if the import button is inactive. Then search in the settings for “Import.”

The system will suggest you choose a source, make sure you choose an internal storage or SIM card, rather than a third-party messenger like Viber or Telegram, which can also access contacts, and the right source ensures that the data is clean.

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Search in settings if you can't find the menu item you want manually, type the word "import" into the search bar from the top of the settings screen, and the system will open the window itself.

Using Mi Mover for Mass Transfer

For those who are switching from another Android smartphone, it is more convenient to use the proprietary utility Mi Mover. It allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also photos, applications and Wi-Fi settings over the wireless network.

Install the app on both devices. Select Receiver on the new phone, and Send Sender on the old phone. Scan QR-It's faster than copying through a SIM card, and it keeps the entire structure of the records.

Using the Mi Mover is especially important if you have an old phone with a broken screen but a touchscreen, as it is controlled from a new device, which saves the situation when physical access to the menu of the old device is difficult.

Problem Solving: Import button is inactive or hidden

A common problem with Xiaomi users is that they don't have an import button or it's gray, which is often because the phone didn't identify the SIM card as a source of contact data, but only as a communication module.

Sometimes the problem is permissions. Go to Settings → Apps → Contacts → Permissions. Make sure that phone and contacts are allowed. Without that system permission, the app won't be able to read data from the chip.

⚠️ If the phone says, “No contact is available.” SIM-While you know they’re there, try inserting the SIM card into another phone and exporting them to a.vcf file, then flipping the file to Xiaomi.

Another reason is that the phone's memory is crowded, and if the internal storage is full, the system has nowhere to write new records, and you can free up at least 100-200 MB of space and try again.

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If standard methods don’t work, use third-party apps from the Play Market, such as “Copy My Data” or “Super Backup,” which often bypass system limitations.

Synchronization with Google: Protection against data loss

After successful import, it is strongly recommended to set up sync with your Google account, which will save you from losing numbers in the event of a phone breakage or loss of a SIM card.

Open Settings → Accounts and Sync. Select your Google account and make sure the switch opposite Contact is active. Click Sync to send data to the cloud immediately.

• ☁️ Data is saved even when reset to factory settings.
• 🔄 Automatic update of changes on all devices.
• 🔒 Recovery from contacts.google.com from any computer.

Checking sync status regularly will help you avoid unpleasant surprises. If you see a sync error icon, try deleting and adding the account again.

⚠️ Note: Do not keep your contacts only on SIM-If you lose your card, you lose all the numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)