Transfer of contacts with SIM-maps on Xiaomi Redmi 9T: step-by-step

Owning a new smartphone always starts with transferring personal information, and the most critical step is keeping the phone book. For owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9T, which runs on the MIUI shell, this process has its own nuances that differ from standard Android. Many users face confusion, as modern interfaces often hide direct import functions, forcing them to look for workarounds.

It is important to understand that the storage of the numbers is SIM-The map is an outdated method, limited by the number of characters in the name and the absence of additional fields, but if you just changed your device or lost access to cloud storage, the physical medium remains the only source of data. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to safely and correctly move records to Redmi memory. 9T, maintain the entire structure of contacts.

The procedure does not require root rights or third-party complex software, but requires careful consideration when choosing the target storage. An error during the import phase can lead to duplication of records or their complete loss when formatting the SIM card. Below is a detailed algorithm of actions relevant to current versions of the MIUI firmware.

Preparation of the device and compatibility check

Before you start manipulating the database, make sure that the SIM card is correctly defined by the system. Insert the media into the slot and wait for the network icons to appear in the status bar. Xiaomi Redmi 9T supports two SIM cards, so it is important to decide in advance which one will be copied from if there are two.

Go to the settings menu and check the status of the card. PIN-Make sure there is free space or at least a minimum amount of memory to read on the card, although modern cards usually have enough storage space to store several hundred numbers. Contacts on older SIM cards can be recorded in a format that does not support long names or Cyrillic, so manual editing may be required after importation.

⚠️ Warning: Before mass importation, we strongly advise you to back up your current phone book, even if it is empty, and this will protect you from accidental database mergers in the event of a software failure.

It's also worth checking the amount of free memory on your smartphone. Although text takes up little space, the system creates temporary files when you transfer it. If Redmi 9T memory is full, the process can end in error. Free up at least 50-100 MB if the storage is full.

Import through the standard Contacts app

The main and most reliable way to transfer data is built into the system application, which is installed by default on the Xiaomi Redmi 9T. It is called Contacts (yellow icon with a human silhouette). Open it and pay attention to the interface: at the top of the screen are often located tabs "Favorites", "Contacts" and "Groups".

To access hidden controls, click on the three dots in the top right corner of the screen (or the menu button depending on the version of MIUI). In the drop-down list, select "Import contacts." The system will suggest selecting a data source. Here it is critical to choose the right menu item.

In the list of sources, find and select SIM-card 1 SIM-card 2, depending on where your numbers are stored, and after you've selected, the system will scan the media, if there are records on the card, they will appear in the list to select, you can mark individual numbers or use the "Select all" button at the top of the screen.

• 📱 Click on “Import to” to select the target storage.
• ☁️ Select a Google account to automatically sync.
• 📂 Or select “Phone” to save data locally.
• ❌ Cancel the action if you chose the wrong SIM card.

Once confirmed, the copying process will begin. The duration of the operation depends on the number of records. Do not switch to other heavy applications at this point, so as not to interrupt the background writing process to the SQLite database used by Android.

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It is best to target a Google account rather than a Phone, which ensures that if Redmi 9T is lost or broken, your numbers will stay in the cloud and easily recover on any other device.

Alternative method through system settings

Sometimes the standard contact app may not work properly or be remote, and you can use Xiaomi's system settings, which is a deeper way to manage data at the system level. → Annexes → All applications.

In the list, find the Contacts system app (not to be confused with Contacts and Phone Book if they are shared in your firmware version). Click on it and select Storage. Here you can find the Contact Import button, which duplicates the main menu functionality but triggers the system dialog of selection.

This method is useful if the interface of the main contact screen has been changed by third-party launchers or design themes. The system always remains unchanged. Choose the source of the SIM and confirm the action. The process is identical to the one described above, but is launched through a different gateway.

⚠️ Note: When importing through system settings, make sure you don't confuse source and recipient.Import and Export buttons are often located nearby, and one incorrect tap can wipe data from the SIM card, replacing them with empty cells from the phone.

If you’re using a third-party shell, like a Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, the path through the settings remains the only stable option, as widgets may not display all of the management menus.

Synchronization with Google account

A modern smartphone like the Redmi 9T is closely integrated with the Google ecosystem, and once you have imported contacts into your phone’s memory or immediately into your account, you need to set up sync, which allows you to access numbers from any device, whether it’s a tablet, a computer or a new smartphone.

Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync. Find your Google account on the list. Make sure the switch opposite Contacts is activated. If it's already on, turn it off and on again to trigger a forced update.

Synchronization is a two-way process, and changes made on the phone will go to the cloud, and changes in the cloud (like adding a number from a computer) will appear on the phone, and this is the most reliable way to protect against data loss.

For complete certainty, you can go to contacts.google.com from your computer and check if your numbers show up there, and if they show up there, then the backup is successful and the data is safe.

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Ideal workflow: Import with SIM → Save it to Google. → Enable autosynchronization → Extract SIM-safe-card.

Resolving problems with coding and duplicates

A common problem when transferring from old SIM cards to new Xiaomi smartphones is the violation of the encoding of names. Instead of Cyrillic letters, question marks or cracosyabras can be displayed, this is due to the fact that the SIM card uses an old encoding table, incompatible with modern Unicode.

Unfortunately, it's hard to fix this automatically, you'll have to manually edit the most important contacts, open the contact, click "Change" and re-enter the name, and after saving it, the system will write it down in the correct format.

Another common problem is duplicates. When importing, you can create copies of existing numbers. Redmi 9T has a built-in tool to combat this. Go to the Contacts app, click three dots, and select "Combine Repetitive Contacts."

• 🔍 The system scans the database for the presence of the same numbers.
• 🔄 I will combine duplicates into one record.
• ✅ Keep all the linked numbers and emails in one card.
• 🗑️ Delete unnecessary blank records.

Cleaning your phone book regularly not only improves visual perception, but also speeds up search and dialing, and the contact database can grow over time if you don't remove the leftovers from your old SIM cards.

Using Mi Mover to Migration Data

If you are switching to Xiaomi Redmi 9T from another Android smartphone, it is more convenient to use the proprietary Mi Mover utility. It allows you to transfer contacts, messages, photos and applications without using a SIM card as an intermediate medium.

Install the app on both devices (on the new one it is preinstalled). Run it, select device status ("I am the sender" or "I am the recipient"). Scan it. QR-code for creating a secure Wi-Fi Direct communication channel.

In the data list for transfer, be sure to select Contacts. You can choose the source "From device memory" or "C" SIM-It's a method that's preferred because it immediately structures the data and links it to the account. MIUI Google.

⚠️ Note: When using Mi Mover, make sure that both phones are close to each other and that the screens do not go out during the transmission of large amounts of data.

Once the process is complete, the new device will create a full copy of the phone book of the old phone, including photos of subscribers and call history, if the appropriate option was selected.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)