How to copy numbers from SIM card to the phone Xiaomi 9

Changing a mobile device often becomes a stress test for the user, especially when it comes to saving the phone book accumulated over the years. Owners of the popular flagship Xiaomi Mi 9, running the MIUI shell, can encounter the non-obvious interface of the standard application Contacts, where the import button is not always striking at first glance. Proper data transfer is not just copying numbers, but ensuring their security and availability in the cloud, which is especially important in case of accidental breakdown of a gadget.

Modern smartphones offer multiple scenarios for working with a phone book, allowing you to flexibly manage storage sources, and you can choose to save your device locally, download from a plastic media, or sync through your Google account. Each of these methods has its advantages, but for a quick migration from the old phone, the most effective is often direct import from the phone. SIM-map.

In this article, we will take a look at all the available ways to transfer records, paying special attention to the nuances of the Android operating system on Xiaomi devices. We will look at the standard system tools, cloud synchronization capabilities and methods for solving common problems such as name cropping or lost numbers. Understanding these processes will allow you to easily configure a new device and be confident in the safety of important data.

Preparation of the device and compatibility check

Before embarking on active import action, it is necessary to ensure that the physical SIM-The card is correctly installed in the tray of your Xiaomi Mi 9. This smartphone supports two Nano-SIM SIM cards, and the system should see both of them without errors. If you just inserted a card, wait a few seconds before the network icons appear in the status bar, after which make sure the device does not require input. PIN-code to unlock access to contacts.

It is also important to check the amount of free memory, as older SIM cards have a limited storage capacity and often do not support long names or additional fields, such as email or addresses. When migrating to the Xiaomi Mi 9, these restrictions are removed, but the source data can be truncated even at the stage of writing to the card chip.

To successfully complete the operation, make sure that the Contacts or Phone application has the necessary permissions in the MIUI system. Sometimes an aggressive security policy or installed third-party launchers can block access to reading data from the SIM card.

Import contacts through the standard application

The main and most reliable way to migrate records is to use the built-in functionality of the MIUI shell. The interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version (Global or China), but the logic of actions remains the same: you will need to open the Contacts app, which is the default storage of all phone numbers, and find the management menu.

At the top of the screen or in the side menu (often indicated by three dots or stripes), you need to select "Import / Export contacts" and this is where the functionality for working with external media is hidden. SIM-If you have two SIM cards installed, Xiaomi Mi 9 will offer you to choose a specific card (SIM 1 SIM 2), which should be considered information.

Once the source is selected, the system will request confirmation of the action and specify where exactly to save the copied numbers. The best option is to choose a Google account or a Phone account to avoid duplication. The process takes from a few seconds to a couple of minutes, depending on the number of entries on the card, and when you complete, you will receive a notification of successful import, and all numbers will appear in the common.

Using Google Cloud Sync Sync

An alternative and often more convenient method is to pre-sync your contacts with Google services on an old device. If your previous phone was running Android, chances are the numbers are already saved in the cloud. To appear on the Xiaomi Mi 9, you just need to add the same account in the system settings section.

Go to Settings. → Accounts and sync, and select Google. Make sure the switch opposite Contacts is active. The system automatically pulls all stored records from the cloud into the memory of your new smartphone. SIM-cards and retains full names, avatars and additional fields that are often lost when stored on the SIM.

If automatic synchronization does not occur, you can use the web interface contacts.google.com. Through your computer or phone browser, you can upload contacts in.vcf format and then import this file through the Contacts app on Xiaomi. This gives you full control over the process and allows you to pre-clear the list of duplicates or unnecessary entries.

⚠️ Note: When syncing with Google, make sure you’re connected to a stable Wi-Fi network. Downloading a lot of data over the mobile internet can lead to unexpected traffic costs, especially if the phone book has photos of contacts.

Transfer via vCard file (.vcf)

The vCard format is a universal standard for sharing contact information between different platforms and devices. If direct import from the SIM card is impossible for some reason or does not work correctly, creating a backup file is a great solution. On the old device, export all contacts to the.vcf file and transfer it to the Xiaomi Mi 9 via Bluetooth, messenger or USB-cable.

After receiving the file on the new smartphone, just click on it. MIUI It automatically recognizes the format and suggests importing the records it contains, and it's one of the fastest ways to move thousands of numbers at a time, and the data structure is as complete as possible, unlike limited fields. SIM-map.

The vCard files are also convenient because they can be stored on a flash drive or in cloud storage as a backup. In the event of a phone being lost or reset to factory settings, it will take literally a few clicks to restore the phone book, making vCard the preferred method for users who frequently change devices or test different firmware.

Solving problems with encoding and cropping names

One of the most common problems when moving numbers from SIM-Cards for modern smartphones, including Xiaomi Mi 9, is a trimming of names before 10-15 This is a technical limitation of older SIM card chips, which can't physically store long lines of text, and unfortunately, it's impossible to recover cropped parts of names after import unless they've been stored somewhere else.

Another common problem is the appearance of “hot horns” instead of letters, especially if the transfer occurs between devices with different regional settings or encodings. In such cases, it is recommended to manually check important contacts and correct errors.

To combat duplicates, MIUI has a built-in unification tool, go to the contact settings and select "Combine Repetitive Contacts." The system will analyze the database, find matches by phone number, and suggest combining them into one card, saving all available fields, which helps keep the phone book clean and in order.

Working with Mi Mover for migration

For users who are switching to the Xiaomi Mi 9 from another Android smartphone or even an iPhone, the company has developed a special Mi Mover app, which allows you to flip not only contacts, but also messages, photos, Wi-Fi settings and even home screen layout, this is the most comprehensive approach to migration, eliminating the need for manual adjustment of each setting.

Run the app on both devices. On the new phone, select "I'm the recipient" and on the old one, "I'm the sender." Devices will connect over the Wi-Fi network you're creating, and you can select the "Contacts" category to transfer. The transfer speed is significantly faster than Bluetooth, and does not require an Internet connection.

Using Mi Mover is especially important if the old phone has contacts scattered across different sources (part on the SIM, part in memory, part in the cloud). the application automatically collects them all and carefully transfers them to the Xiaomi Mi 9, suggesting that duplicates are combined if necessary, which saves time and reduces the likelihood of human error.

💡

Before using Mi Mover, make sure both devices are enabled with GPS and contact permission, and it is also advisable that smartphone screens do not go out during the transmission of large amounts of data.

⚠️ Note: When you transfer data via Mi Mover from iOS devices (iPhone), some specific contact fields may not be supported or displayed incorrectly due to differences in the structure of the iOS and Android databases.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

💡

The most reliable way to keep your contacts is to sync regularly with your Google account, which protects your data from loss even if you lose it. SIM-card or smartphone breakdown.