Changing a mobile device, whether it’s switching from a button phone or another smartphone to Android, is always accompanied by the need to transfer personal information. The most critical element for most users is a phone book containing hundreds of numbers of relatives, colleagues and delivery services. Owners of budget but powerful models such as the Xiaomi Redmi 9 often face the question of how quickly and without loss to transfer this data to a new system.
Importation process in shell MIUI It is implemented quite flexibly, allowing you to work with different data sources: from good old-fashioned to old-fashioned. SIM-But despite the apparent simplicity, users often get confused about file formats or can't find the right button on the menu, and the right method depends solely on where your numbers are stored physically or virtually right now.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at all the ways you can transfer records, focusing on the nuances of working with.vcf backup files. You’ll learn how to avoid duplication of records and why syncing through a Google account is the most reliable way to save data in the long run.
Preparation for data transfer and verification of sources
Before embarking on active import action, you need to clearly identify the source of the data. If you go from a button phone, the numbers are most likely stored on the phone. SIM-In the case of replacing the smartphone on Android, the best option would be to use a cloud profile, which will eliminate data loss when the gadget breaks.
Make sure your Xiaomi Redmi 9 is installed SIM-It is also worth checking if there is free space in the internal memory, although this is rarely a problem for text files of contacts. A stable internet connection is only required if you plan to sync through your Google or Mi Cloud accounts.
If your contacts are on an old phone, it is recommended to make sure that they are intact in advance. Open the phone book on the old device and check if all numbers are displayed correctly. SIM-the main mass is in the internal memory, which requires a combined approach to transferring.
Import of contacts with SIM-Maps on Xiaomi Redmi 9
The most common scenario for users switching from button phones or older smartphones is to transfer data directly from the phone. SIM-This method is simple and does not require the Internet or third-party software. All the necessary tools are already built into the standard "Contact" application of the system. MIUI.
To start, open the standard Contacts or Phone app and go to the settings, which are usually hidden behind three dots in the top right corner or the gear icon, and find the item "Import and export contacts," and here the system will suggest you choose the direction of data transfer. You must select the option “Import from” SIM-map».
Once you select the source, the system will suggest you to determine the destination, where the numbers will be saved. The most sensible solution is to choose a Google acca-unt, as this will ensure automatic synchronization and data security in the cloud. If you choose Phone, contacts will only be linked to this particular Redmi 9 device.
☑️ Import algorithm with SIM
During the copying process, a warning may arise that some fields (e.g., email or second number) may not be supported by the format. SIM-It's normal, because SIM-After the procedure is completed, it is recommended to check several random numbers to make sure that they are written correctly and without trimming the numbers.
Recovery from the VCF backup file
The.vcf (vCard) format is the universal standard for sharing contact information. If you have a backup file from an old smartphone or downloaded from a mailbox, the import process on the Xiaomi Redmi 9 will take literally a few seconds.
First, you need to put the file in the phone's internal memory, and you can download it through your browser or transfer it via Bluetooth, USB-Once the file is in memory (usually in the Download or Download folder), open the Explorer or Files app».
Find the file you want with the.vcf extension and click on it. The system automatically recognizes the format and prompts you to open it using the Contacts app. Confirm the action. The preview window will open, where you will see the number of contacts found. Press the Import or OK button.
⚠️ Note: If the system offers to select an application when opening a file but does not offer Contacts, it is possible that the file is corrupted or has an incorrect extension.
Once the process is complete, all the entries will appear in the phone book. If the file contained contacts previously saved on a device with another operating system (e.g. iOS), some specific fields may appear differently, but the main numbers and names will be saved in full.
What to do if the file is not opened?
Synchronization through Google account
Google’s ecosystem provides the most reliable backup mechanism for Android devices. If your previous phone also ran Android, chances are your contacts are already saved in the cloud. To appear on Xiaomi Redmi 9, just add the same Google account to your system settings.
Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync. Click Add Account and select the Google logo. Enter the login and password from the account that was used on the old device. Once you have successfully logged in, the system will ask what data to sync. Make sure the switch opposite Contacts is activated.
Within minutes (depending on the number of records and the speed of the Internet), the phone book will fill in automatically. You can track progress in the same sync menu. Auto sync will work in the future: any new contact added to the phone will instantly fly to the cloud.
| Parameter | Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Google servers | The Basic Method for Android |
| Format | Proprietary Google + vCard | Supports photos and groups |
| Internet is required | Yes (Wi-Fi or mobile) | A stable channel is desirable |
| Risk of loss | Minimum | Data in the cloud |
If contacts don't show up right away, try opening the Contacts app, clicking on the menu, and selecting Settings → Accounts to Sync. You can force an update for a specific profile to run, which often solves the problem of data latency.
Transfer contacts from iPhone (iOS) to Redmi 9
The transition from Apple to Android requires a little more preparation, but it's also not that difficult. The main dataset on the iPhone is stored in iCloud. To move it, we need to first export data from the Apple cloud to a universal format that Xiaomi understands.
Take a computer or any browser on another device and go to icloud.com. Sign in with your Apple ID. Select Contacts. Select all records (on PC this is done by a Ctrl+A or Cmd+A key combination). In the lower left corner, click on the gear icon and select Export vCard.
The file is.vcf on your computer. Next, you need to transfer this file to Redmi. 9. It can be done through USB-cable by sending the file to itself Telegram/WhatsApp Or upload it to Google Drive. Once the file is in the phone's memory, follow the scheme described in the section on file recovery.
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Use the “Move to iOS” app backwards? No, to switch from iPhone to Android, it’s better to use manual export via iCloud or the “Mi Mover” app, which is often pre-installed on Xiaomi and has a special mode for iOS.
Alternatively, use the Mi Mover app, which can be pre-installed on Redmi 9. Select "I'm the recipient" mode, then "Other Android" or "iPhone." Follow the on-screen instructions to connect devices over the phone. QR-This is a method that allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also photos, videos and applications.
Solution: Duplicates and Import Mistakes
After mass import of contacts, users often face the problem of duplication of records, this occurs when the same number is stored and on the Internet. SIM-card, and in the phone's memory, or when you synchronize the same file again. MIUI It has a built-in tool to solve this problem.
Open the Contacts app, go to the settings, and find the item "Combine Repetitive Contacts." The system will analyze the phone book and suggest a list of pairs that are duplicates (the same name or number).
⚠️ Warning: Before mass contact combinations, make sure you have a fresh backup.Automatic merger may mistakenly combine namesakes with different numbers into one card, resulting in the loss of one of the numbers.
Another common problem is “krakozyabr” instead of letters in company names or names, which indicates a problem with encoding when exporting from an old phone (often encountered when switching from Nokia or Sony Ericsson buttons), in which case only manual editing of the most important contacts or using specialized encoding converters on a PC before downloading the file to the phone will help.
If the import is interrupted in the middle, don't panic. Most likely, some of the records have already hit the database. Check the phone book. If the records are smaller than expected, try breaking the large.vcf file into several smaller parts and importing them in turn. This reduces the load on the Redmi 9 processor and minimizes the risk of error.
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Regularly backing up.vcf and saving it to an external medium or the cloud is the only way to ensure that contacts are safe when a device changes or a system crashes.