Changing your old mobile device to a new flagship or simply moving to the Xiaomi ecosystem is always accompanied by a desire to customize the device as quickly as possible, and one of the first and most important steps in this process is to save and transfer the phone book. Many users still store numbers directly on the SIM-a card that is a relic of the era of button phones, but at the same time creates risks of data loss.
Modern smartphones, including Redmi and Poco, offer powerful tools for data migration, but the process of importing from a physical medium can have its nuances. Incorrect execution of the procedure sometimes leads to duplication of records or, worse, to the complete disappearance of important numbers. In this guide, we will discuss in detail how to safely and correctly transfer contacts to Xiaomi using built-in system tools.
Before you start taking action, you need to make sure that your SIM-The card is physically correct and correctly defined by the device, and if you just inserted the card into a new device, it takes the system seconds or even minutes to read the memory structure of the media. Ignoring this point can lead to the error “Contacts not found”, although in fact the phone just did not have time to index the data.
It is also worth noting that the amount of memory SIM-The card is limited and often does not allow you to save numbers with long names or additional fields like email. When you transfer to Android, these features are expanded, but it is important to do this correctly so as not to lose some information when converting storage formats.
Preparation of SIM-card and compatibility check
The first step in any data migration process is to check the source material. SIM-A card from an old phone, make sure it's not damaged and the contacts are actually present. In some cases, especially after being used in devices from different manufacturers, the recording structure may be broken, which requires prior preparation.
Put it in. SIM-If the device supports two SIM cards, make sure you know which slot to play (SIM 1 SIM 2) a map with the right numbers is installed, which is critical for the next step, because the system will request a choice of data source.
After turning on the smartphone, wait for the full interface load MIUI Check if the network is in the status bar, and if the network is on, the device has successfully counted the card and is ready to work with its contents. PIN-code, if it has been previously installed.
⚠️ Attention: If yours SIM-The card is very old and has a non-standard cut-SIM size or has been cut by hand, there is a risk of it getting stuck in the tray or poor contact. In such cases, it is better to copy the contacts to another phone first, and then export them to the file for safe transfer.
Also make sure that the device has enough free space, although the contacts take up negligible space, but for the correct operation of the system and the creation of temporary synchronization files, the presence of at least 100-200 MB of free memory will not be superfluous.
Import contacts through the standard “Contacts” application
The main and most reliable way to transfer data is to use an embedded system application, often referred to as “Contacts” or “Phone” in Xiaomi shells, depending on the regional version of the firmware, which requires no third-party software installation and works even without an Internet connection.
To start, open the Contacts app on the home screen or in the Tools folder. In the upper right corner, you'll see a three-dot icon or gear, which is the settings and controls menu, and clicking on it will give you access to the advanced phone book features.
In the menu that opens, you'll find the item "Import and export contacts," and this is where all the tools for working with external media are concentrated. SIM-map.
Select the option “Import with” SIM-If the device has two SIM cards, the system will ask you to specify which data to read from, and then the scanning process will begin, which usually takes a few seconds.
Next, you'll see a list of all the numbers you find, you can select individual records or click "Select All" for mass copying, and as your destination, be sure to specify "Google Account" or "Phone", but don't leave them on SIM to complete the storage upgrade process.
☑️ Import algorithm
Using the Mi Mover app for full migration
If you're switching from another smartphone to Xiaomi, the company offers a specialized tool called Mi Mover. This app allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also photos, applications, system settings and even desktop layout. SIM-The map using this method will first need to read the data on the old device, if it is still available.
However, if the old phone is no longer available and the contacts are still on the SIM, Mi Mover can act as an intermediary: first, you import the contacts with the SIM into the memory of the current device (as described in the previous section), and then you can transfer them to the cloud or to another phone if necessary.
The advantage of using Xiaomi tools is deep integration with the system, the application can automatically recognize duplicates and combine contact cards if the same number is written under different names or from different sources.
Run the Mi Mover app through settings or find it in the tool folder. Select your device's role: "Sender" or "Receiver." To transfer data from the SIM to the cloud profile or internal memory of a new phone, first upload the data to the device's memory, and then use the app to structure it.
⚠️ Warning: Mi Mover requires both devices to connect to the same Wi-Fi network or create an access point.Make sure the screens of both smartphones are on and the app is not folded during the transfer process to avoid disconnection.
It is important to understand that Mi Mover cannot read data directly from the SIM-So the classic path through the contact menu remains the basic one for working with the physical media.
Sync with Google Account as a Modern Standard
The most reliable way to store contacts in the Android ecosystem is sync with Google. SIM-maps, cloud account has no restrictions on the number of characters in the name, allows you to add photos, addresses and link several numbers to one person.
When you import contacts with SIM-Choose your Google account as your target storage, which ensures that if you lose, steal or break your Xiaomi smartphone, your entire phone book will be instantly restored to any new device just by logging in to your account.
You can check sync status in your system settings. Go to Accounts and Sync, select your Google account, and make sure the switch opposite Contacts is active. If there is an error icon, check your Internet connection.
| Parameter | SIM-map | Google Account | Phone memory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limit of symbols in a name | Restricted (often 10-15) | No restrictions. | No restrictions. |
| Photo preservation | Impossible. | Supported | Supported |
| Access from other devices | Only physically. | From anywhere in the world. | Only on this device. |
| Risk of loss in case of breakdown | Low (if card is intact) | Absent. | High-pitched |
Using cloud synchronization also allows you to manage contacts via a computer.You can go to contacts.google.com, edit numbers, delete duplicates, or restore deleted records from a shopping cart that stores data for up to 30 days.
What to do if your contacts are not synchronized?
Solution: Duplicates and name coding
When transferring contacts with SIM-Users often face the problem of incorrectly selecting names instead of letters, which can display question marks or cracosyabras. This is due to the differences in text encoding between old phones and the new Android file system.
To remedy this, you can use the “Combine Duplicates” feature in the contact app, which will ask you to find entries with the same numbers and combine them into one card, saving all the available data, especially if you have previously imported some of the numbers manually.
If the encoding problem affects all names at once, try changing the input language or system language, importing and then returning the settings back, in some cases exporting contacts to a.vcf file, editing file encoding on your computer, and re-importing.
Another common problem is the appearance of "read-only" contacts, which happens if you try to edit a record that is left on the site. SIM-So, the solution is one: make sure you copy it to the device or to the cloud, and then you can delete the original from the SIM.
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Use Google Contacts to clean your phone book, it automatically finds duplicates and suggests combining them, and allows you to delete contacts en masse without names or with incorrect numbers.
Export and backup to VCF file
Beyond cloud sync, there is the “gold standard” of contact backups, the.vcf (vCard) file, which is supported by almost any device, be it an iPhone, Samsung or Xiaomi, and can be saved to a memory card, sent via messenger or uploaded to a cloud drive.
To create such a backup after importing with SIM, go back to the Import and Export menu in the Contacts app. Select Export to file.vcf. The system will suggest selecting an account (if there are several) and a place to save. It is recommended to save the file not only in internal memory, but also to copy it to an external medium or send it to your favorites on Telegram or WhatsApp.
The.vcf file is convenient because it contains not only the number and name, but also the entire structure of the record: addresses, birthdays, notes and emails. When you import this file to a new Xiaomi phone, all fields will be allocated to the corresponding cells automatically.
⚠️ Note: Contact backup files may contain personal information. Do not send them to public chats or store them on public resources without a password. The best place to store is your personal, secure Google Drive or Mi Cloud account.
Regularly creating such backups before any system manipulation, resetting or flashing the device is a good digital hygiene practice.It takes less than a minute, but can save hours of time to reconnect in the event of a failure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I transfer contacts if the phone screen is broken?
Where is it better to keep contacts: on the phone or in the account?
Why did the photos of the contacts disappear after the transfer?
How to remove all contacts from SIM-post-mortem?
Does Xiaomi support the import of contacts via Bluetooth?
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The ideal strategy for keeping contacts is to store a master copy in the Google cloud, duplicate in a.vcf file on an external medium and free up completely. SIM-maps from data storage.
Completing the process, it is worth saying that the transition to data storage in the cloud services Xiaomi and Google eliminates many compatibility problems. SIM-The card should remain a subscriber ID in the operator's network, not an archive of important personal data. Following these steps, you will protect yourself from loss of connections and gain full control of your phone book.
Now that your contacts have been successfully migrated and saved, you can start further customizing the interface, installing the necessary applications and personalizing MIUI to your needs. Xiaomi devices offer extensive customization options that make using a smartphone really comfortable.