How to save contacts from the SIM to the phone Xiaomi Redmi Note

The switch to the new Xiaomi Redmi Note is often accompanied by the need to move the phone book. SIM-It's a map that was standard practice in the age of push-button phones, but modern operating systems, including MIUI HyperOS offers much more flexible data management tools that you should not ignore.

It is important to understand that storing numbers on the SIM plastic has its limitations, for example, the inability to save multiple numbers for a single subscriber or add a photo. Modern Xiaomi smartphones allow you to automatically synchronize data with the Google cloud, which guarantees their safety even when you completely replace the device. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of importing and exporting, so you can choose the most convenient for yourself.

The process of transferring data to Redmi devices is as simple as possible by the interface developers, you don't need third-party programs or complex technical knowledge, just follow the step-by-step instructions, and your entire notebook will be in the memory of the phone in a matter of minutes.

Preparation of the device for data import

Before you start copying directly, you need to make sure that the SIM card is correctly installed in the tray of the device. Xiaomi Redmi Note models use a combined slot or a separate tray, so check that the card chip is directed in the right direction. Once the smartphone is turned on, the system must automatically determine the presence of a new communication module.

Make sure your device has a Google account activated, which is a critical step, because Google's cloud service is the primary contact store in the Android ecosystem. Without authorization, you won't be able to use auto-save and sync between devices.

It is also recommended to check the free space in internal memory. Although contacts take up a minimum of space, a crowded drive can cause system applications to crash, clear the cache or delete unnecessary files if the memory indicator is lit red.

β˜‘οΈ Pre-transfer check

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Import of contacts through the system application

The fastest way to move numbers is to use the built-in Contacts app, which has advanced functionality in the MIUI shell that is often hidden from the user's eyes. Open the app and find the settings menu, which is usually represented by three dots or a gear in the corner of the screen.

In the menu that opens, select the item "Import / export contacts". The system will offer several options, among which we are interested in "Import with a contact". SIM-Once you select this item, the phone will start scanning the chip for stored records.

Then you'll be asked to choose your destination, and it's important to make no mistake: choose your Google account or your Phone account, but not your SIM card, and copying from SIM to SIM doesn't make sense, because we want to move the data to a more secure storage.

⚠️ Note: If you select the option "Copy on" SIM-map, you may encounter a limit on the number of characters in the contact name. GSM Do not support long names or special symbols.

The copying process takes anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes, depending on the volume of the phone book, and do not turn off the screen or run resource-intensive games during the operation, so as not to interrupt the system process.

Use Google Contacts for Synchronization

An alternative and more modern method of managing records is the use of a specialized Google Contacts app, often pre-installed on the Xiaomi Redmi Note or available for download in the Play Market, a method preferred for those who want complete control over duplicates and data structure.

When you start the app, go to the "Manage" or "Settings" section. Here you will find the "Import Contacts with" function. SIM-The algorithm is similar to the system method, but the interface may be more understandable for users accustomed to pure Android.

The main advantage of this method is automatic merging of duplicates, so if you already have a contact "Mom" in your phone's memory, and the SIM has the number "Mom's Home", the system will offer to combine them into one card, which allows you to maintain order in the notebook without manual editing.

  • πŸ“± Open the Contacts app from Google.
  • βš™οΈ Click on the profile icon or settings menu.
  • πŸ“₯ Select the item "Import with" SIM-mapΒ».
  • βœ… Confirm the action and wait for the synchronization to end.
πŸ“Š Where do you usually keep your contacts?
Nana SIM-map
In the memory of the phone
Google account
Written in a notebook

Export contacts to a memory card or file

Sometimes you need to back up your phone book as a file, which is true when you sell a phone or switch to a different brand of device, and a.vcf file contains all your contact information, including photos and email addresses.

To create such a copy in the import / export menu, select the option β€œExport to.vcf file”. The system will suggest choosing a save path. It is recommended to save the file not only in internal memory, but also copy it to your computer or send it to your messenger.

Contacts.vcf is a universal standard that you can open on any smartphone, tablet or computer, and it is the most reliable way to ensure that your data is not lost even when cloud services fail.

The table below compares different storage methods so you can choose the best option for your situation:

Storage methodSymbolic limitSynchronizationReliability
SIM-mapLow (15-20)Absent.Low (risk of chip loss)
Phone memoryHigh-pitchedOnly with the backup.Medium (depending on the state of the device)
Google AccountNo restrictions.Automatic.High (cloud storage)
File.vcfNo restrictions.Hand-heldHigh (with a copy saved)

Solving typical transfer problems

Xiaomi users may face a number of challenges in importing, and it often happens that after copying, numbers are displayed but without names, or vice versa, names are available and numbers are not, due to the encoding or storage formats on the old SIM card.

If the phone says "Impossible to import" error, try removing the SIM card and inserting it again, and rebooting the device before starting the procedure helps, and in rare cases, the problem lies in a damaged contact system file that can be cleared through the application settings.

How to reset the settings of the Contacts application?
Go to Settings β†’ Apps β†’ All Apps β†’ Contacts β†’ Memory β†’ Clear. This won’t delete your numbers, but will reset the display settings and app cache.

Another common problem is duplication of records, and if you've imported contacts before and now you've done the same thing again, you may have two identical contacts, and use the "Combine" function in the contacts app to fix this situation.

⚠️ Note: When importing a large number of contacts (more than 500), the process can take up to 10 minutes.

Automatic synchronization setting

After successfully migrating numbers to Xiaomi Redmi Note, it is crucial to set up automatic sync, which will save you from having to repeat the import procedure in the future. To do this, go to the Google account settings and make sure that the slider opposite the Contacts item is activated.

MIUI also offers its own cloud service, Mi Cloud, which you can set up sync with two clouds at the same time, but this can lead to confusion, and you can choose one primary service, like Google, and use it as the only repository of truth.

You can check the sync status at any time, go to your account settings and click Sync. If you're set up correctly, you'll see the green tick and the time of your last successful operation.

  • ☁️ Open the β€œSettings” of the smartphone.
  • πŸ” Find the section "Accounts and synchronizationΒ».
  • πŸ‘€ Select your Google account.
  • βœ… Make sure the Contacts switch is on.

πŸ’‘

Use the Contact Filter function in the app to hide numbers from the app. SIM-This will remove visual noise and duplicates from your phone book.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What happens to contacts if I take out the SIM card after importing?
After successfully importing a phone or Google cloud into memory, contacts no longer depend on a physical SIM card. You can safely remove, replace or format the SIM card - all numbers will remain in the phone.
Can I keep my contacts straight from the SIM? SD-map?
Direct exports for SD-The card may not be in the standard menu. First, the contacts are copied to the device memory or the cloud, and then you can create a backup file (.vcf) and manually move it to the memory card through the file manager.
Why not all the contacts were copied from the SIM card?
Some older SIM cards have damaged memory cells or use a non-standard recording format, and some of the records may have been hidden by filtering settings. Try copying contacts in small groups.
Will the import of contacts take up a lot of memory?
No, contact text data is negligible, and even a few thousand photo records will take less than 100MB, which will not affect the performance of your Xiaomi Redmi Note.
How to delete contacts from the SIM card after transfer?
Delete contacts directly from the SIM card via the phone is difficult, because Android often does not give permission to write to this area, the easiest way to copy them to the phone, and then insert the SIM card into an old phone or a special reader, clear its memory.

πŸ’‘

Regularly checking the sync status with Google account is the best prevention of loss of important numbers when changing or breaking a smartphone.