Changing a smartphone is always stressful, with the risk of losing important data, and users are eager to save the phone book. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices often face features of the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, where standard procedures may differ from the usual Android. Import of contacts is a critical operation that requires care, since errors at this stage can lead to the loss of part of the numbers or the creation of duplicates.
Modern smartphones offer several ways to migrate data, but transfer directly from the physical to the physical. SIM-Maps remain one of the fastest and most reliable methods for those who have not used cloud services before, and unlike cloud sync, this method does not require internet access and works even if a Google account is not set up or temporarily unavailable. However, this method has its own technical nuances that must be taken into account for the correct display of names in the contact list.
In this article, we will discuss the process of transferring numbers in detail, paying special attention to the specifics of working with device memory and preventing common errors. You will learn why numbers are sometimes saved without names, how to avoid duplication of records and what format of data storage is most preferred for long-term use of the Xiaomi ecosystem.
Preparation of SIM-card and compatibility check
Before you start copying directly, you need to make sure that the physical and software compatibility of the media. Old SIM-SIM or Micro-SIM cards, cropped manually, can have damaged contacts or non-standard thickness, which will lead to read errors in the new smartphone slot. If the card was trimmed in an artisanal way, it is better to replace it first with the carrier, since unstable contact can interrupt the import process in the middle.
It is also important to understand the limitations of the SIM card chip itself. A standard SIM phone book has extremely limited memory and supports only one number per name, as well as a limited set of characters (usually only Latin or basic Cyrillic). Long names can be cropped, and additional numbers (mobile, work, home) for one contact will not be saved.
⚠️ Note: If your SIM card is very old (issued over 10 years ago), it may not support the SIM card. UTF-8 In this case, Russian letters may become unreadable symbols or question marks when imported.
To minimize the risks, it is recommended to check the display of contacts on another device in advance, if possible. Make sure that the SIM card slot in your Xiaomi clean and has no oxidation. Insert the card, wait for the network signal to appear, and only then proceed to the software part of the procedure.
Standard method of import through the “Contacts” application
The main and most correct way to transfer data is to use an embedded system application. In the shells of MIUI and HyperOS, it is often called simply Contacts or Phone, whose icon is an orange tube or a silhouette of a person. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of the firmware (Chinese or global), but the logic of actions remains the same.
To start the process, open the app and find the settings menu, which is usually hidden behind three dots in the corner of the screen or the gear icon. You'll need to find a data management item that can be called "Import and Export Contacts" or "Contact Organization," and that's where the feature that allows you to read data from a physical medium is hidden.
After selecting the source «SIM-The map will tell you where to go, and it's critical to choose the right option so that the data isn't lost, and there are three options that are most often offered: phone memory, Google account, or Mi Account. Choosing a Google account is the most preferred, as it guarantees the safety of data even in case of breakage or loss of the device itself.
If you choose Phone Memory, contacts will only be tied to that particular device. When settings are reset or broken, it will be harder to restore them, so syncing with Google's cloud is the only reliable way to back up. Once the selection is confirmed, the copying process will begin, which will take from a few seconds to a couple of minutes depending on the number of records.
☑️ Checklist before import
Using the Mi Mover app for migration
For users who switch to Xiaomi from another Android smartphone, the company has developed a special application Mi Mover, which allows you to transfer contacts, messages, photos and even system settings without using a computer or the Internet. SIM-Using Mi Mover is often more effective, as the app can pull contacts directly from the phone book of an old device, ignoring the limitations of the SIM card.
The process is this: on the new phone, you choose "I am the recipient," and on the old phone (no matter what brand) you download the app or use the built-in one, if it's also Xiaomi. QR-code or manual password entry, the list of transmitted data must (mark) the item "Contacts", the system automatically prompts you to move all records, including those stored on the SIM card of the old device, if they are displayed there.
The advantage of this method is that it retains the data structure: all numbers, photos, email addresses and notes are attached to one name, which is impossible to do with a simple copy from a SIM card. In addition, Mi Mover automatically detects duplicates and offers to combine them, which keeps the phone book clean.
However, if the old phone is lost, sold or not turned on, and the only storage location is a physical SIM card, then this method will not work. In this case, we return to the classic import through the system menu described above.
Solving problems with coding and duplicates
One of the most common problems after a transfer is the appearance of “krakozyabr” instead of names or the loss of some characters.This is due to the differences in encoding between the old device (or SIM card) and the new Xiaomi smartphone. SIM cards often use outdated character tables that do not support the full Russian alphabet layout or special characters.
To remedy this, you can try changing the system language before importing. Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Language and input and temporarily set English. After the import procedure, return Russian. Sometimes this helps the system interpret the data bytes correctly. If the names are still displayed incorrectly, the only way out is manual editing or using third-party contact management applications.
⚠️ Warning: Don’t be in a hurry to delete the contacts from the SIM card immediately after import. Make sure that all numbers are saved correctly and displayed in the phone book of the new device.
The duplicate problem arises when you import contacts that have already been synced from a Google account before, which can result in one person having two or three cards with the same name. Xiaomi has a built-in tool to combat this. Go to the Contacts app, click on the menu (three dots) and select Contact Organization → Combine Duplicates.
It is also worth checking whether contacts in the format of “Name 1”, “Name 2” are not stored without reference to the number, which sometimes happens when SIM reads fail.
Comparison of methods of storage of contacts
Understanding where your numbers are physically located after the transfer helps to avoid many problems in the future. There are three main storage locations, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, and choosing the right one affects the speed of the phone book and the ability to recover data.
Below is a comparison table that will help you determine the priority storage method for your use case:
| Parameter | SIM's memory | Phone memory | Google account/Mi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limit of symbols in a name | Restricted (often 10-15) | No restrictions. | No restrictions. |
| Number of rooms | One in name. | Multiple | Multiple |
| Photo preservation | Impossible. | Maybe. | Maybe. |
| Risk of loss | High (if card breaks) | Medium (when resetting the phone) | Low (cloud) |
| Synchronization | Absent. | Local. | Automatic. |
As the table shows, SIM storage is the most archaic and least functional method. Xiaomi’s modern smartphones use powerful SQLite databases that store vast amounts of contact information, including call history, instant messenger correspondence, and social profiles.
Why is SIM card not suitable for modern smartphones?
Alternative methods and third-party applications
If standard MIUI tools don't work for some reason (e.g., a system error or the Contacts app crashes), you can use trusted third-party solutions. One of the most reliable tools is the Copy My Data or Super Backup app. These programs have extended access rights and can force data from the SIM card, bypassing standard system restrictions.
For advanced users who are not afraid to work with file managers, there is a method of manual export through the file system, although it is more applicable to backup existing contacts rather than importing from SIM. However, using a file manager like MT Manager or a standard Explorer, you can find a contact database file (usually has an extension.db) and try to restore it from a backup if the import failed.
Another option is to use a PC. Connecting your phone to your computer in file transfer mode can help you access your system folders, but without root permissions, it's almost impossible because of Android's security constraints. So for the average user, SIM card → System application → Google Contacts remains the gold standard.
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Use contacts.google.com to quickly edit contacts from your computer, which is much more convenient than editing hundreds of records with your finger on your smartphone screen.
Synchronization setting after transfer
After successfully importing contacts from a SIM card to a Xiaomi phone, it is crucial to set up automatic sync, which ensures that in the future you do not have to repeat the copying procedure manually.
To do this, go to Settings → Accounts and Sync. Find your Google account, click on it and make sure the switch opposite the Contacts item is green. If sync is disabled, new numbers you manually added will only be saved locally and may disappear when you reset.
You should also set up your contact display. In the Contacts app, click on your display settings and select All Contacts or your Google account specifically. This will hide your system numbers and duplicates, making your phonebook clean and easy to find. Regularly checking the cloud through your browser will help make sure that all data is flown correctly to the server.
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The Principle of Digital Hygienist: SIM-The map is only a transport for the room, not a storage place. Always save data to the Google or Mi Cloud cloud immediately after transfer.