How to copy contacts with Xiaomi SIM-maps: full guide

Switching to a new smartphone or recovering data after a system reset is always stressful, associated with the risk of losing important information. Owners of Xiaomi devices often face the need to transfer old records that have been stored on plastic for years. SIM-Unlike the iPhone, where the sync process is tightly tied to iCloud, the Android ecosystem and shell are the same. MIUI They offer more flexible, but sometimes confusing, tools for working with a phone book.

In this article, we will discuss in detail how Xiaomi can copy SIM contacts to the device’s internal memory or directly to Google account. The right storage location is critical, because if your phone breaks or your SIM is lost, all the numbers left on the plastic will be lost irrevocably. Modern smartphones make this process as fast and safe as possible using built-in import functions.

We will consider not only the standard algorithm of actions through the application "Contacts", but also touch upon the nuances of working with different versions. MIUI, And we also explain why storing rooms in the cloud is the preferred option for most users. POCO, But the logic of action remains the same for the entire line of devices.

Preparation of SIM-card and compatibility check

Before you start transferring data, you need to make sure that your SIM-Standard plastic cards such as Mini-SIM or Micro-SIM have built-in memory, limited to 250 records, which for a modern user can be critically small. If you use a new eSIM or a combined tray, make sure that the active profile supports reading the phone book.

Put it in. SIM-You can see the card in the slot of your Xiaomi smartphone and wait for the network to come along. The system should automatically recognize the media and offer basic settings, but we're interested in accessing the card memory. In some cases, if the card is very old or damaged, the phone may not see it, so visually inspecting the chip for scratches will not be a superfluous step before starting the procedure.

⚠️ Warning: Before starting any contact operations, make sure that the smartphone battery is at least 20% charged. interruption of the import process due to discharge can damage the phone book database.

It’s also worth checking how many records are stored on the card to keep the process going. If you have an old phone in stock, you can first swap the numbers from it to SIM, and then migrate it to the new Xiaomi, although this method is considered outdated due to the length of the contact name restrictions.

• 📱 Make sure that SIM-The card is set to the correct slot if there are two and is active for calls.
• 🔋 Check the battery level to avoid sudden shutdown.
• 👀 Visually inspect the chip SIM-Cards for severe scuffling or contamination.

Basic method of import through the Contacts app

The easiest and most reliable method, like Xiaomi to copy contacts with a SIM card, is built directly into the standard call management application. You do not need to download third-party software or connect your computer. Open the Contacts app (usually an orange icon with a human silhouette) and find in the upper or lower corner of the screen a menu represented by three dots or a gear settings.

In the menu that opens, select the item "Import / export contacts." The system will offer several options, among which we are interested in "Import from the Internet". SIM-Once you press the card, the smartphone will scan the plastic memory and give you a list of the numbers found. If the list is empty, it may be that the card does not contain records or they are saved in a format that is not readable for the current version of Android.

⚠️ Note: When importing with SIM-Contact names can be cut to the 15-20 The long composite names can be lost because of the technical limitations of the storage format on older chips.

Then the system will ask where you want to save your data, and it's important to choose the right target account, so if you choose Phone, the contacts will be linked to that device, and if you choose a Google account (e.g. user@gmail.com), all the numbers will instantly sync to the cloud and be accessed from any other device after login.

Once confirmed, the copying process will begin. On older models of phones with a lot of records, it can take anywhere from 10 to 30 seconds. Upon completion, you will see a notification of successful import, and new names will appear in your general phone book.

Selection of storage location: Phone, SIM or Google Account

One of the most important questions users have when deciding how to copy contacts with the Sim card in Xiaomi is where to store them. The choice of storage location determines the security of your data in the event of loss of a gadget. Storage on the device itself ("phone memory") is convenient if you never change your smartphones or do a reset, but this is the riskiest option.

Google’s account is the gold standard for Android users, and when you choose to do so, all data is encrypted and sent to the company’s servers. Even if your Xiaomi Mi falls into the water and stops turning on, you can buy any new Android smartphone, log in to your account, and in a couple of minutes, get your entire phone book back.

A comparison table of storage options will help you make an informed decision:

It is recommended to always choose sync with Google.This is not only secure, but also allows you to easily edit contacts from your computer through the Google Contacts site, add photos, email addresses and links to social networks, which is impossible to do when storing on SIM.

Alternative methods and use of Mi Cloud

Xiaomi's ecosystem offers its own alternative to Google, the Mi Cloud service. If you're an active user of the brand's devices, you may be more comfortable using the company's native cloud. You need to log into your Mi Account through your smartphone settings. The import process remains similar, but Mi Cloud is chosen as the target storage.

The advantage of using the Mi Cloud is deep integration with the MIUI shell. You can recover not only contacts, but also SMS, call log, notes and even placement of icons on the desktop when you move to a new Xiaomi phone. However, accessing this data from PCs or devices of other brands (for example, Samsung or iPhone) will require authorization through the i.mi.com web interface, which is less convenient than the usual Google interface.

There is also the option of importing through third-party file managers if contacts have previously been saved as a.vcf file. This file can be downloaded from the old cloud or retrieved via Bluetooth, put in the phone's memory and simply open it.

The use of.vcf files is especially important when moving thousands of numbers between different operating systems, for example, when switching from a button phone that does not support direct synchronization.

Solving Common Problems When Copying

Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users sometimes face technical difficulties, and one of the common problems is the error “Can not import contacts”, which can be due to a phone’s overcrowded memory or lack of free space in Google’s cloud storage if it is full of photos and documents.

Another common situation is duplication of records. SIM-The system may not recognize that the number «+7999..." and "8999..." are owned by the same person, and will create two different cards. To solve this problem, the Contacts app has a built-in tool called "Joint Duplicates" that automatically finds and merges repetitive entries.

⚠️ Note: Never delete the original recordings from the SIM-Make sure all numbers are correctly displayed on the phone, have full names and the correct formats.

If contacts were imported but displayed as “No Name” or with strange characters, the problem lies in the encoding or storage format on the SIM itself. In this case, only manual editing or re-importing with a different encoding option, if such an option is available in your firmware version, will help.

• 🔄 Check if there is free space in Google storage or on your device.
• 🔍 Use the “Combine Duplicates” function to clean the list.
• 📞 Make sure that SIM-card not blocked PIN-pre-importation code.

Cleanup SIM-cards after successful transfer

After you have figured out how to copy contacts with the Sim card in Xiaomi, and made sure that all numbers are intact and stored in the cloud, it is recommended to clear the memory itself. SIM-This will prevent confusion in the future when you insert this card into another phone and see old numbers again that may not be relevant anymore.

To clean up, go back to the Import/Export Contacts menu and select the option to Delete all Contacts with SIM-Cards" or "Contact management SIM». This operation is irreversible, so make sure the backup is done. SIM-The card is more stable and more quickly identified by the operator’s network when registering.

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Expert advice: Export your contacts to a.vcf file every six months and save them to your computer or send them to your messenger, which will create an additional “restore point” in case you block your Google account.

Regular data hygiene is a sign of a competent user, and by getting rid of excess digital garbage on the media, you reduce the risk of software conflicts and speed up the work of the directory when incoming calls from unknown numbers.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

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Main conclusion: Storage of contacts on SIM-For maximum security and convenience, always use sync with Google Account, which ensures the safety of data even if you lose your smartphone completely.