Switching to a new Xiaomi smartphone or replacing it SIM-Cards always involve the risk of losing important information, particularly the phone book. Many users still store numbers directly on the operator's chip, which was standard in the era of button phones, but in today's Android realities, this creates additional difficulties when migrating. MIUI It offers powerful data management tools, but automatic importation does not always work as expected, requiring manual intervention.
The process of copying numbers depends on the shell version and the model of the device, whether it is a budget Redmi or flagship Xiaomi. The main difference is the location of the menu and the presence of cloud services that can intercept the management of the address book. SIM-the system may not immediately offer to copy the data, leaving them "locked" on the old media.
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to transfer data, eliminating the use of third-party software, which often contains ads, you will learn how to properly import records through standard system tools, how to avoid duplicates, and why storing numbers in the cloud is more reliable than a physical chip.
Preparation of SIM-card and compatibility check
Before any manipulations are initiated, it is necessary to make sure that the initial SIM-The card is physically fit and correctly defined by the device. Old Mini-SIM cards or chips cut with scissors may be unreadable by new slots, leading to an import error. Put the card in your smartphone and wait for the network signal to appear in the status bar.
It's important to understand the difference between storing data. SIM-The card usually only retains the contact name and one phone number. Photos, additional numbers, email addresses and job records will be lost or cropped. Modern Xiaomi smartphones use the Android file system, which allows you to store advanced information.
⚠️ Note: Before importing, make sure that there is free space on the device's internal memory. Although the contacts take up a minimum of space, a crowded cache of the Contacts app can cause the copying process to fail.
Check the number of cells on the SIM card. The limit is usually 250 to 500 entries depending on the operator and the generation of the chip, and if there are more numbers, some of them may not be copied or copied with encoding errors.
Import contacts through the standard application
The fastest and most reliable way to transfer data is to use the built-in functionality of the MIUI shell. the Contacts app in Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones has a hidden but powerful import mechanism that does not require the installation of additional utilities from the Play Market store.
To start the process, open the Contacts app. Depending on the version of the interface (old or new), the interface may differ, but the logic of the actions remains the same. You need to find the settings menu, which is often hidden under a three-dot or gear button.
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If you don’t see the import button, try switching the contact display view to All Contacts, sometimes the menu is hidden when filtered.
The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- 📱 Open the Contacts app and click on the menu button (three dots or stripes).
- 📥 Select "Import Contacts" in the drop-down list.
- 💾 As a source, indicate your SIM-map, "SIM 1" or "SIM 2").
- 📂 Choose a destination account: it is recommended to choose a Google account or a “Phone”, but not the phone itself. SIM-map.
Once you've selected all the parameters, the system will request confirmation. Press OK or Import. It can take anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes, depending on the number of recordings, at which time the screen can blink or hang, which is the normal response of the system when you're actively recording data.
☑️ Control of imports
Working with duplicates and combining records
A common problem when moving numbers from one SIM to another or syncing to the cloud is the appearance of duplicates. If you previously saved some numbers in your phone memory or Google account, and now imported them from the same device. SIM-cards, there will be doubles in the list. MIUI It has a built-in tool to solve this problem.
To combine repeated contacts, go to the Contacts settings. Find Contact Organization or Tools. There's a "Joint Duplicates" feature available. The system will automatically analyze the database, find matches by phone number or name, and suggest that you merge them.
| Type of duplicate | Cause of the occurrence | Method of decision |
|---|---|---|
| Full duplicate | Name and number are the same. | Automatic merger |
| Different room formats | +7 vs. 8 at the start | Manual check before merger |
| Contacts with SIM and Phone | Impor from the map over the cloud | Remove duplicates function |
| Same names. | Different numbers with the same name | Don't combine (different people) |
Be careful when automatically combining if your book has full namesakes with different numbers, the system may mistakenly combine them into one card, always check the results of the algorithm, especially if you have many contacts with popular names like "Alexander" or "Service".
Use of Mi Cloud and Google Account
The most progressive method of working with a contact book is the refusal of storage on the SIM-Xiaomi's ecosystem offers Mi Cloud, which is deeply integrated into the system, but also works perfectly with Google Contacts, which allows you to restore numbers even if you completely lose or break your device.
To activate synchronization go to Settings -> Mi Account (or Google) Make sure the switch opposite the Contacts item is active. SIM-Maps (as described in the second section) will automatically upload to the cloud when you have an Internet connection.
What to do if the synchronization is not working?
The advantage of cloud storage is that you can edit from any device, you can go to contacts.google.com or i.mi.com from your computer, add a new number, and it will instantly appear on your phone. SIM-This card is completely devoid of functionality.
Solving problems with encoding and special symbols
When transferring contacts from the old SIM-Users often face the problem of "crackers" instead of Russian letters, they display incomprehensible characters or question marks. GSM 7-bit or specific encoding UCS2, Which Android can misinterpret.
If you're in this situation, standard import may not help. In this case, it's recommended to use an intermediate. SIM-card to another Android smartphone (preferably the same brand), export contacts to a.vcf file and transfer it to Xiaomi via Bluetooth or messenger.
- 📤 Export contacts on the intermediate device to the file.
- 📲 Transfer the contact.vcf file to your Xiaomi.
- 📥 Open the file on the new device and select import.
- ✅ The system itself recognizes the encoding of the file correctly.
In rare cases, changing the language of the system before you start importing it helps: switch the phone interface to English, import it, and then return Russian, and it forces the system to recalculate the encoding of the characters, which sometimes solves the problem of selecting names.
⚠️ Warning: Never try to edit miscoded contacts manually by adding spaces or changing characters.It is better to restore the original copy and try an alternative method of importing, otherwise you will permanently ruin the database.
Export and backup of data
After successful transfer of numbers from SIM-card to the phone, it is strongly recommended to create a backup copy. SIM-The card has the ability to fail, get lost or be blocked by the operator. The backup file ensures that you do not lose communication even in the event of complete death of the gadget.
You can create a copy through the same menu where you imported it. Select "Contact Export", specify the location of the save (internal memory or storage). SD-map) and file format. It is recommended to choose the format VCF, It is a universal standard and opens with almost any device, including iPhones and computers.
The frequency of backups depends on the activity of your phone. If you add new numbers all the time, export once a month. If the phone is only used for calls, just back up every six months or before resetting.
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The Golden Rule of Safety: SIM-A card is a temporary storage medium for identification on the network, not an archive of important data. Always keep an up-to-date copy of your contacts in the cloud or on an external drive.