How to transfer contacts with SIM-Maps on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro

The switch to a new smartphone is always accompanied by a desire to quickly transfer all the important data, so as not to disturb the usual rhythm of life. Contacts are perhaps the most critical element, the loss of which can lead to serious communication problems. Owners of Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro often face the need to import records from an old SIM card, as many users store numbers there for years.

Modern Android operating systems, particularly the MIUI shell, provide built-in tools for migrating data without the need to install third-party software. The transfer process takes only a few minutes, but requires attention to detail to avoid duplication of records or loss of information. In this article, we will detail all the steps of importing and synchronizing your phone book.

Keeping numbers on a SIM card is considered obsolete due to limited memory and the risk of data loss if a chip breaks. Transferring contacts to a Google account or phone memory is a must for the security of your data. We will look not only at the copying process itself, but also at best practices for managing the phone book on Xiaomi devices.

Preparation of the device and checking the SIM card

Before you start active actions, you need to make sure that the SIM card is correctly installed in the slot of your Redmi Note 9 Pro. SIM-So it's important to know which one you're going to copy, and if you just pasted the card, wait a few minutes before you're fully logged in.

Make sure the phone has a screen unlock password, as some security features may require confirmation before accessing the SIM card data. Also check for free space in the device's memory, although the contacts take up a minimal amount, system processes may require a buffer zone.

⚠️ Note: If the SIM card has a non-standard cropping or damage to contacts, the phone may not recognize the notebook.

Contacts are handled using the standard Contacts or Phone app, which is pre-installed in MIUI. Make sure the application has the necessary permissions to read and write data, although they are activated by default.

Import contacts through the standard application

The basic method of data transfer is built directly into the contact management interface and does not require a computer connection. To start, open the Contacts app on your Redmi Note 9 Pro and navigate to the settings menu, which is usually hidden behind three dots or stripes in the corner of the screen.

In the menu that opens, you need to find the item Import / Export contacts. The system will suggest selecting a data source, in our case this will be the case. SIM-Once the source is selected, the phone will scan the chip's memory and display a list of records it found.

You can then store the numbers in your phone's internal memory or directly into your Google account. You should choose the second option for automatic synchronization. Press the confirmation button and wait for the process to finish, which can take from seconds to minutes depending on the number of records.

Use of the system settings menu

An alternative way to manage SIM card data is in the general settings of the Android operating system.This method can be useful if the standard contact app is not working properly or has been removed. Go to your Xiaomi Settings via the notification curtain or gear icon.

In the settings list, find the Apps section and select Application Settings. In the list, find the system application Contacts or Contact Store. Inside the application management menu, there may be an Import with button. SIM-A card that will run the same process as the first method.

Sometimes the path may vary depending on the version of MIUI. Some firmware features in Passwords and Security → Privacy → Special Permits. However, the classic path through the contact app remains the most stable and versatile for all models, including the Redmi Note 9 Pro.

If you can't find the items, search by settings, type the word "import" or "sim" into the search box, and the system will tell you the section you want, which is especially useful in updated versions of the shell, where the menu structure can change.

Synchronization with Google account

Once the contacts are copied from the SIM card, it is crucial to ensure that they are safe in the future, and the best solution is to link the phone book to a Google Account, which allows you to automatically restore numbers when you buy a new phone or reset your settings to the factory.

To set up sync, go to Settings → Accounts and Sync. Select your Google account from the list and make sure the switch opposite Contact is activated. The system will immediately start uploading data to the cloud storage.

Using cloud synchronization, you can edit contacts from your computer through a browser, which is much more convenient than typing long texts from a mobile screen. All changes will instantly affect your Redmi Note 9 Pro with the Internet.

Solving problems when copying

Users may experience a variety of errors in the process of transferring data, often when the phone sees the SIM card but does not find contacts on it, this may be due to the recording format or damage to the file system of the chip.

If an error message appears when you import, try restarting the device and repeating the procedure. It is also worth checking whether the SIM card memory is full of old entries that prevent the correct reading of new ones. In some cases, cleaning the Contacts app cache through the application settings menu helps.

⚠️ Note: When copying contacts with Cyrillic names on old SIM cards, you may lose encoding (the appearance of "cracker"); in this case, it is better to copy numbers without names, and then rename them manually.

Another common problem is the appearance of duplicates. Xiaomi has a built-in merging feature, but it doesn't always work perfectly.After importing, it's recommended to check the list for recurring numbers and combine them manually for convenience.

Export contacts to file for reserve

In addition to cloud sync, it is useful to have a local copy of the phone book in VCF format. This file can be saved to a microSD card or sent to yourself by email. In case of problems with your Google account, you can always restore data from the file.

To create a backup, go back to the Import/Export Contacts menu and select Export to Memory or Export to file.vcf. The system will prompt you to select a save location and file name. It is recommended to give files clear names with a date, for example, contacts_backup_2023.vcf.

Keeping these files is better not only on your phone, but also on your computer or external drive, which creates an additional layer of protection against technical failures, and periodically creating such backups is a sign of a competent user.

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Keep your contact backup file not only in your phone’s memory, but also send it to your email or upload it to Google Drive, Mi Cloud, to access it from any device.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Regular backup of contacts to the Google cloud is the only guaranteed way not to lose important numbers when changing or breaking a smartphone.