Switching to a new smartphone or recovering data after a system reset always causes a slight panic, especially if it is a phone book. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices often face the situation when after installing a new one. SIM-Number cards don't automatically appear, but they're locked in the chip's memory. MIUI HyperOS, which prioritizes cloud storage or internal memory over an outdated standard SIM.
Fortunately, the process of importing data is as simple as possible for developers and takes only a few minutes if you know where to look for the settings you need. You don't need third-party apps or root rights - all the necessary tools are already built into the standard Contacts application. The main thing is not to panic and consistently follow the steps described in this manual to keep all the important connections.
In this article, we will discuss in detail not only the copying process itself, but also the possible errors that you may encounter. SIM-We'll use maps to explain the difference between storage formats and how to avoid future data loss, and it's critical to make sure that you don't start any manipulations. SIM-The card is correctly defined by the system and has a network signal.
Device preparation and verification SIM-map
Before you start transferring records, you need to make sure that the SIM card is physically working and working properly. Sometimes the system doesn't see the contacts simply because the chip isn't being read properly or damaged. Remove the tray with a paper clip, wipe the contacts. SIM-cards with a soft cloth and insert it back to the characteristic click.
After switching on, make sure that the operator signal appears in the status bar. SIM-maps, check if both are active if you plan to transfer data from each. → SIM-Maps and mobile networks to make sure activation sliders are green.
The standard MIUI shell call app is called Phone, and the contact book is managed by Contacts. That's where we'll work. Make sure you have internet access (Wi-Fi or mobile traffic), as the system can offer synchronization with Mi Account in the process, which is good practice for backup.
- 📱 Make sure that SIM-The card is inserted into the correct slot (usually Slot 1 is the main slot).
- 📶 Check for a stable cellular signal in the status bar.
- 🔋 Charge your phone to minimum. 20-30%, So that it doesn’t turn off during the work.
- 📲 Make sure the screen is unlocked and the phone is not in Do Not Disturb mode with full feature restriction.
☑️ Import readiness
Step-by-step algorithm for importing contacts
The process of copying numbers from the SIM card to the internal storage of the phone is performed through the contact management menu. the interface may vary slightly depending on the version of Android and the shell, but the logic of actions remains the same for all models of Xiaomi Mi, Redmi Note and Poco F series.
Open the Contacts app. In the upper right or lower right corner of the screen, find the menu button — usually three horizontal bars or three dots — and click on them to reveal the list of actions available. We are interested in the item "Import contacts" or "Contact management" → "Import with SIM-map".
The system will tell you to choose the source of the data. SIM-If you have two, choose the one you want to copy the numbers from (SIM 1 SIM 2) Next, you will need to specify the destination, the place where the data will be stored. It is recommended to choose "Phone" or, even better, your Google account, so that contacts do not disappear when you lose your device.
Once you've selected the source and the recipient, you'll see a list of all the numbers found on the SIM card, and you can select individual records or click "Select All." The final step is to click "Import" or "Copy" and it takes from a few seconds to a couple of minutes depending on the number of records.
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When choosing a save location, choose a Google account over your phone memory, which will automatically restore contacts on any new Android smartphone immediately after you enter your login and password.
Working with two SIM-cards and the choice of recipient
Xiaomi smartphone owners often use two numbers at the same time. When importing contacts, it is important not to get confused with which card you are copying data from. In the import menu, the system clearly separates sources: "SIM 1 (MTS)", "SIM 2 (Tele2)", etc. Be careful when choosing not to copy an empty card or duplicate records.
Special attention should be paid to the choice of the recipient of the data. If you choose "Phone", contacts will be saved in the local database of the device. This is convenient if you do not want to link numbers to accounts, but risky when resetting settings. Choosing a Google account or Mi Account provides synchronization.
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where after importing from the first card, the system does not suggest importing from the second, in which case you need to re-enter the "Import contacts" menu and select the second SIM card as the source, the process is repeated independently for each source.
| Parameter | Phone memory | Google account | Mi Account |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synchronization | No. | Automatic. | Automatic. |
| Risk of loss | High (on discharge) | Minimum | Minimum |
| Access to PC | No. | Yes (contacts.google.com) | Yes (i.mi.com) |
| Limit of records | Depends on memory. | Up to 50,000. | Up to 10,000. |
Problem Solving: Contacts are not copied or visible
Often, users are faced with a situation where after completing all the actions, the phone book is empty or the import process is interrupted, one of the common reasons is the storage format. Old SIM cards can store numbers in a format that requires extended access rights, or the records themselves are corrupted.
If the import was successful but you can't see the numbers, check the display filters. In the Contacts app, click on the menu and select Settings → Contact Filter. Make sure you tick All Contacts or select the storage you copied them to (e.g., Phone or Google).
Another problem is overflowing memory. SIM-If the SIM card contains more than 250-500 If you have a number (depending on the operator and the type of card), the process can be stalled, in which case you can try copying contacts in small groups if the interface allows you to select specific numbers, or use intermediate copying via Bluetooth to another phone.
⚠️ Note: If you receive an error message when importing, "Can't import contacts", try restarting your smartphone and repeating the procedure. SIM-mapping PIN-lock code that may prevent the system from reading data before entering the code.
Removal of duplicates after transfer
After copying the numbers from SIM-You may find that the phone book has duplicates, which happens if the numbers have already been stored in the phone's memory or synced from the cloud before, and duplicate records make it difficult to find and sloppy.
The MIUI and HyperOS shells have a built-in tool to combine takes. Go to Contacts → Menu (three dots) → Contact Management → Combine duplicate contacts. The system will automatically find matches by phone number or name and suggest combining them into one card.
You can also do this manually for selected important contacts. Open the contact card, click on the menu (three dots in the corner), and select "Merge with another contact." This is especially true if one person has multiple numbers and they are scattered across different cards with different names.
- 🔄 Use automatic connection to quickly clean the entire phone book.
- ✍️ Manually check important contacts so you don’t lose unique notes or addresses.
- 🗑️ Delete old records from SIM-cards after successful importation so as not to be confused in the future.
Why can contact names be cut off?
Export of contacts for backup
After successfully moving and putting order in the phone book, it is essential to back up the phone. SIM-It's a risk of losing it to a card or just in your phone's memory. The best way to secure your data is to export it to a.vcf file.
To do this, go to Contacts → Contact Management → Contact Export. Select the storage you want to export from (e.g. Phone or Google) and specify where the file is saved. The vCard file (.vcf) can be sent to your email, stored in the cloud or transferred to your computer.
It’s universal: you can open it on any smartphone (iPhone, Samsung, Huawei) and import your contacts back in a few seconds, and it’s the perfect way to migrate data when you change your device or switch to another operating system.
⚠️ Note: Do not store the contact export file (.vcf) only on the phone you made it from. If the device gets lost or breaks, you will lose both the file and contacts. Send the file to yourself on Telegram (Favorites), on Email or save it to Google Drive.
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Regularly exporting contacts to a.vcf file or syncing with a Google account is the only reliable way to ensure the safety of the phone book in case of any system failures.