Owners of budget and mid-budget smartphones often face the need to transfer the phone book when changing devices. Xiaomi Redmi Note 7, despite its age, remains popular due to its reliable hardware, but the procedure for importing data in the MIUI shell has its own peculiarities. Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to simply insert a SIM card and the numbers will automatically appear in the list, but this is not always the case.
To get started, you need to make sure that your SIM card is working and physically compatible with the smartphone tray. Modern gadgets use the Nano-SIM format, so if you have an old card, you will need to replace it from the operator or use an adapter, although the latter is not recommended due to the risk of getting stuck. Before starting any data manipulation, it is important to realize that storing numbers directly on the carrier’s chip is a relic of the past, with serious limitations on the amount of memory and the number of characters in the name.
In this article, we’ll break down a step-by-step algorithm that allows you to safely re-enter all your records into your device’s memory or Google account. Using cloud storage is the most reliable way to save data, because if you lose or break your phone, you can restore your contact list in a couple of minutes on any new device. Below is a detailed analysis of the import process, as well as answers to frequently asked questions.
Preparation of the device and compatibility check
Before you start the software part of the procedure, you need to properly install the communication module in the device. Redmi Note 7 is equipped with a hybrid tray, which means the ability to install two SIM cards or one card and a microSD memory card at the same time. If you plan to use a flash drive to expand memory, make sure that the SIM card with contacts is installed in the correct slot, usually SIM 1, although modern versions of MIUI are able to read data from any active slot.
After you physically install the card, turn on your smartphone and wait for the system to fully load. Pay attention to the status bar: there should be signal level indicators and operator designation (for example, MTS, Beeline, Tele2). If the phone says "No SIM card" or "Insert SIM card", it may be the chip is contaminated or the tray is inserted before clicking, in which case import contacts will not be possible until the hardware problem is fixed.
⚠️ Warning: Never remove the SIM card tray when the phone is on if there is a data record or active call at that moment, although modern systems protect against this, the risk of damage to the file system or loss of unsaved changes to the phone book still exists.
Also make sure that the device has a password or graphical unlock key, which is an Android security requirement that sometimes blocks access to certain contact management features if the device is deemed “unsecured.” Also, check for free internal memory, although text data requires a minimum amount of it.
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Before you start the transfer, take a picture of the screen with a list of contacts on the SIM card (if there are few), or write down several key numbers on paper, which will be your insurance in case of a technical failure in the import process.
Navigating the MIUI interface and finding the import function
The MIUI shell installed on Xiaomi smartphones is significantly different from pure Android, which is often difficult for beginners. The standard calling app and the Contacts app here can be split or combined depending on the firmware version (Global or China). To get started, you need to find an icon with a phone handset or human silhouette, which is usually located on the home screen or in the Tools folder.
When you start the Contacts app, you look at the top of the screen, and in the top right or bottom corner (depending on the orientation of the interface), you have a menu of additional settings. In the classic version of MIUI, these are three horizontal or vertical dots, and you tap on this element and you open a drop-down menu where you hide all the important controls, including import and export.
In the menu that opens, you need to find an item that can be called "Import Contacts", "Contact Management" or simply "Import / Export." The interface can be adapted to Russian, so look for words related to data movement. If you do not see the desired item right away, it may be hidden in the "Settings" submenu inside the contacts application itself.
It’s worth noting that in some versions of the firmware, the path to the feature may be slightly different. For example, in the newer MIUI 12 and above updates, the menu logic has been reworked to unify with Android 10/11. If the standard path doesn’t work, try going to the general smartphone Settings, selecting the Apps section, finding Contacts and already there to look for management functions, although direct import from the SIM card is most often available through the phonebook interface.
Step-by-step instructions for copying data
Once you have found the management menu, select Import Contacts. The system will prompt you to select a data source. The list of available sources must include your SIM card, which can be displayed as"SIM 1","SIM 2" or simply"SIM-map. Select the desired source by clicking on the appropriate line.
The next step is to choose your destination, and it's critical to make no mistake, because it's what keeps your data safe in the future, and you'll be offered a few options:
- 📱 Phone – Contacts will only be stored in the device memory.
- ☁️ Google – Contacts are synced to your inbox.
- 📲 Mi Account – Using Xiaomi Cloud Service.
- 💾 File – backup in vCard format.
It is recommended to choose a Google account. This will provide automatic synchronization: if you lose your phone, new numbers added from another device (such as a tablet or computer) will automatically appear on the Redmi Note 7, and vice versa. The copying process takes from a few seconds to a couple of minutes, depending on the number of records.
☑️ Algorithm for Importing Contacts
When the operation is complete, the system will give a notification of successful import. If there were many contacts (more than 500), the process may take longer, and the phone may heat up slightly - this is normal for the processor when the data is actively written.
Comparison of Storage Methods: SIM Card vs. Cloud
Many users have been keeping numbers on a SIM card for years out of habit, without thinking about the technical limitations of this method. The SIM card has a very small built-in memory designed primarily to identify a subscriber in the operator's network, rather than storing databases. When transferring from a SIM card to a Xiaomi Redmi Note 7, you may experience long names being cropped or additional numbers being lost if they were tied to a single contact.
Unlike the older method, Google Contacts or Mi Cloud cloud storage is free of these limitations: You can add multiple phones, email addresses, physical address, photo and (notes) to a single contact, and cloud storage makes it easy to edit data from your computer via a browser, which is much more convenient than typing on a smartphone’s on-screen keyboard.
Let’s look at the main differences in the table below so you can finally decide on the choice of storage strategy:
| Characteristics | SIM card. | Phone memory | Google Account/Cloud |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact limit | 250-500 pcs. | Depends on memory. | Unlimited. |
| Photo preservation | No. | Yes. | Yes. |
| Length of name | Limited (often 10-15 characters) | Complete. | Complete. |
| Recovery | Only if you have a card. | Only if you have a phone. | From any device |
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Moving your contacts to a Google cloud account is the only way to guarantee 100% data security in the event of loss, theft or complete breakdown of your smartphone.
Solving Typical Import Problems
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, Redmi Note 7 users sometimes encounter errors. One of the most common problems is the lack of an "Import" item on the menu. This is often due to the fact that contact rights are not granted or the "Contacts" application is not working correctly. In this case, try to clear the app cache through the Settings menu → Apps → Contacts → Memory → Clear.
Another common situation is duplication of records, because the SIM card and the phone memory may have the same numbers, after importing, you will receive a list where the same person is listed twice. Android can combine duplicates, but sometimes you need to do this manually or through Google's special contact cleaning services.
⚠️ Note: If after importing, contact names appear as a set of numbers or incomprehensible characters, this indicates an encoding problem, which can occur when transferring from very old SIM cards, in which case manual name editing or the use of a third-party converter application may be required.
It is also possible that the phone simply does not see the SIM card. Make sure that the slot is activated in the mobile network settings. Sometimes it helps to reboot the device after installing the card. If the problem persists, wipe the SIM card contacts with soft dry cloth, as oxidation can prevent reading data.
What if your contacts are lost after the MIUI update?
Cleaning the SIM card after a successful transfer
Once you have made sure that all numbers are successfully copied to the memory of the smartphone or the cloud, it is recommended to clear the SIM card of records.This will free up space and prevent confusion in the future when you change your phone again. However, before doing so, be sure to check several random contacts in the new storage location, calling them or opening detailed information.
To delete records, go back to the Contact Management menu and select Delete Contacts or Contact Management. SIM-You can select all the records and delete them. Be very careful not to confuse the source of the deletion. If you accidentally choose to delete from a Google account instead of a SIM card, you will lose all the data without the possibility of recovery.
The process of cleaning the SIM card is also useful because old cards can have damaged memory sectors. Deleting and rewriting (if you suddenly have to go back to this method) can cause errors. So storing a master copy in the cloud and using the SIM card only as a key to access the network is the most modern and secure operation scheme.
Now your Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is fully configured and your phone book is safe, you are no longer dependent on physical media and can change your smartphone at any time, retaining all important connections.