How to transfer contacts with SIM-Xiaomi Redmi 9 Pro cards: full guide

Buying a new smartphone like the Xiaomi Redmi 9 Pro is always accompanied by a desire to start its full operation faster, but this process is often overshadowed by the need to transfer personal data. The most critical information for most users remains phone numbers, the loss of which can paralyze business and personal communication. Fortunately, the MIUI ecosystem on which the device’s shell is based offers several efficient and time-tested ways to migrate data.

In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods for importing records from the SIM card storage into your device’s internal memory, not only the standard system tools, but also the alternatives in case automatic importing does not work correctly, and understanding these processes will allow you to protect your data from accidental loss when you change your device or reset your settings.

Before you start the action, you need to make sure that the SIM card with saved numbers is correctly installed in the slot and is determined by the system. If you just inserted a new communication module, wait for the network icons at the top of the screen before starting the copying procedures. Ignoring this step can lead to a data reading error, since the system takes time to initialize the communication module.

Preparation of the device and SIM card for import

The first step in the process of transferring contacts to the Redmi 9 Pro is to physically check the installation of the SIM card. Make sure the tray is inserted before the click, and the gold pins of the chip have no visible contamination or oxides.The system must correctly display the name of the carrier and signal level, indicating the readiness of the module to exchange data with the internal storage of the phone.

Next, check the status of the contact store itself. Modern versions of MIUI use synchronization with Google account by default, but when working with the SIM card, we turn to the local buffer. It is recommended to free up some space in internal memory in advance, although the contacts take up a minimum of space, this will eliminate software failures when creating temporary files during the import procedure.

⚠️ Warning: Before starting mass copying, make sure that the SIM card does have saved numbers.Many modern carriers don't store contacts on the chip by default, writing them straight to the phone's memory or cloud.

It’s also worth checking your Xiaomi battery’s battery power, and while the import process isn’t energy intensive, suddenly turning off the device when you write data to the system database can damage your address book file. The optimal charge level for any system operations is considered to be higher. 30-40%.

If you use a dual-sim device, note which SIM card you are planning to import. Redmi 9 Pro supports two modules at the same time, and the system should clearly understand the source of the data. In some cases, with an active second SIM card with empty storage, contacts may not be determined, so temporarily turn off the second slot in the settings if you have difficulties determining the source.

Standard method of import through the Contacts app

The easiest and most direct way to migrate recordings is to use the built-in functionality of the Contacts app, which requires no third-party software installation and works at the system API level, which guarantees high compatibility. To start, open the standard Contacts or Phone app and go to the settings menu, which is usually hidden under three dots or a gear in the corner of the screen.

In the menu that opens, you need to find the contact management item. Depending on the version of the MIUI shell, it can be called Import Contacts, Contact Management or Contact Management. Choose the import option, and the system will prompt you to choose a data source. Your SIM card should be on the list of available sources, often designated as SIM 1 or SIM 2.

Once you select a SIM card, the system will scan the available records, you will see a list of numbers that you can select all at once or mark only the necessary ones, and the final step will be to choose your destination — specify “Phone” or, more preferably, your Google account to ensure automatic synchronization in the future.

The copying process takes seconds, even if the SIM card has a few dozen numbers stored. Once the operation is complete, the system will notify you of the successful import, and all entries will appear in the general address book.

Using Mi Mover to migrate to the fullest

If you're switching from an old smartphone to a Xiaomi Redmi 9 Pro, it makes sense to use the specialized Mi Mover tool. This app is pre-installed on the system and allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also photos, apps and settings. Run the application on both devices, select the role of "Sender" on the old phone and "Recipient" on the new one.

The uniqueness of this method is the ability to transfer contacts directly from the memory of the old phone, bypassing the intermediate saving to the SIM card. This is especially true, since SIM cards have a limit on the length of the contact name and often crop long names or do not support additional fields such as email or address.

The connection of the devices uses a local Wi-Fi network created by the new phone, and the data rate in this case is much higher than through Bluetooth or a SIM card. QR-You can select the Contacts category and start the process, which will end with a complete cloning of your address book in a new format.

Importantly, Mi Mover automatically distributes imported contacts according to the default settings on the new device. If the Redmi 9 Pro is logged in to a Google account, all the transferred numbers will automatically go to cloud storage, which is an option for data security.

Working with VCF and Bluetooth files

In situations where direct import from the SIM card is impossible or the SIM card has a non-standard format, the file format comes to the rescue. VCF (This universal format allows you to export contacts in the form of one or more files, which can then be transferred to Xiaomi via Bluetooth, messengers or other means. USB-cable.

To use this method, you first need to export contacts from the old device or extract them from the SIM card on the intermediate gadget to the VCF file. The resulting file is transferred to Redmi 9 Pro. After receiving the file, it is enough to simply open it - the system automatically recognizes the format and offers to import the entries contained in it into the phone book.

This method is especially useful when switching from push-button phones or devices based on legacy OSes that do not have cloud synchronization. The VCF file acts as a reliable digital medium that can be saved to a computer or flash drive as a backup. For Xiaomi, importing from VCF is a regular feature and does not require root rights.

Synchronization with Google account

The most modern and reliable way to manage contacts is to stop storing them on a SIM card in favor of cloud services. If you have previously used an Android smartphone, your contacts are likely already saved in Google Contacts. Just add your account to the Redmi 9 Pro settings and enable sync.

To activate, go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google. Make sure the switch opposite Contacts is activated. The system automatically pulls all saved numbers from the cloud and integrates them into the phone book, a method that allows you to restore contacts even in the event of a complete loss or breakdown of the device.

⚠️ Note: When synchronization is enabled, duplicate entries may occur if contacts have already been imported from the SIM card manually. Use the "Combine Duplicates" function in the Contacts app to clean the list.

The advantage of working through a Google account is that you can edit contacts from your computer via a web interface, so you can conveniently group numbers, add photos and refine details that will then instantly display on your Xiaomi, making your phone book a powerful communication tool, not just a list of numbers.

Solutions to Import Problems

During the data transfer process, users of Xiaomi Redmi 9 Pro may face a number of typical problems, such as the system may not see the SIM card or display contacts in the form of incomprehensible characters, often due to encoding or damage to the file structure of the SIM card, in which cases, rebooting the device with the SIM card installed helps.

If contacts are imported but displayed incorrectly (such as names are cropped), the problem lies in the limitations of the SIM card itself, in which case manual editing of cards or re-importing through a VCF file that removes the string length restrictions will help.

Another common problem is that you can't choose a place to save when you import it. In newer versions of MIUI, the system can force you to offer saving only in a Google account. This is normal behavior aimed at improving the security of user data. If you're critical to save data in your phone's memory, select the option "Phone" or "Device" in the list of available storage.

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Tip: Regularly back up your contacts in VCF format and save them to Google Drive or computer. This will take a couple of seconds, but will save you in a critical situation.

Modern smartphones like the Redmi 9 Pro have huge data structuring capabilities that are not implemented when storing numbers on a SIM chip.

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Using Google Cloud Sync instead of Storing SIM-The card guarantees the safety of the numbers in case of any breakage or loss of the device.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)