Changing a mobile device or switching to an Android platform after a button phone often puts the user in front of the phone book. Xiaomi smartphone owners running MIUI or HyperOS shells may find themselves in a situation where all numbers are saved to an old SIM card. The standard import procedure in these devices has its own features, different from the “pure” Android.
Ignoring the correct transfer can lead to the fact that important numbers will be lost when you extract the card or cropped due to the limitations of the SIM storage format. Modern smartphones allow not only to copy data, but also automatically synchronize them with the cloud storage, ensuring the safety of information even when the device is completely broken. Below we will discuss a step-by-step algorithm for safely moving records.
Preparation of SIM card and compatibility check
Before you start technical manipulations in the menu of the smartphone, you need to make sure the physical integrity and compatibility of the media. Old SIM cards can have a memory limit, often not exceeding 250 entries, and a limited set of characters for contact names. If your card was cut from the Mini-SIM format to Nano-SIM, make sure that the chip is not damaged and sits tightly in the tray of a Redmi or Poco device.
Insert the SIM card into the slot and wait for the network icon to appear. The system must automatically read the data from the chip. In some cases, if the card is very old, the phone may suggest formatting it or reporting a read error. In this situation, it is better to use the adapter and read the data through another device, since forced formatting through Settings can erase all the numbers without the possibility of recovery.
- 📱 Make sure the SIM card is active and displays the operator’s network.
- 💾 Check if there is room in the phone’s memory to receive new records.
- 🔋 Charge your smartphone to at least 40% to avoid a sudden shutdown during surgery.
It is important to understand that the format of the SIM card’s contact storage is outdated and does not support additional fields such as email, addresses or photos, so porting to your phone is a must for full use of the contacts features in the Xiaomi ecosystem.
Standard method of import through the Contacts app
The main and most reliable way to migrate data is to use the built-in Contacts app. The interface of the MIUI and HyperOS shells may differ slightly visually, but the logic of the work remains the same for all models, including the Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12 and the budget C series.
Open the Contacts app on your desktop or in the Tools folder. In the top right corner of the screen, find the three-dot icon or gear that represents the settings menu. In the list that opens, select Import/Export Contacts, which is where the key functions of managing the phone book are hidden.
☑️ Pre-import checks
The system will request permission to access the storage or contacts if you are doing it for the first time. Once confirmed, you will see a menu with options. SIM-The smartphone will offer to choose an account to save: it is recommended to choose a Google account or a Phone account, but not the phone itself. SIM-map to avoid the copy cycle.
The screen will show a list of all the numbers found on the chip, you can select individual records or click the "Select All" button at the top of the screen, and once the selection is confirmed, the copying process will begin, which usually takes a few seconds, and when the operation is completed, you will see a notification of successful import.
⚠️ Note: When copying, long names may be cut to 10-15 symbols due to format limitations SIM. Check important contacts after transfer.
Import through system settings of the device
If a standard application doesn’t work or is not available for some reason, you can use Android’s deep system settings.This method is useful when the Contacts interface is modified by a third-party theme or launcher. It provides direct access to account management and data storage.
Go to the main smartphone settings menu. Find the Apps or All Apps section. From the list, find the Contacts and Phone system app (names may vary from firmware version to version). From the app menu, select Storage or Memory.
There may not be a direct import button, but often the contact management menu (if it is in the general settings) has the right functionality available. Alternative path: Settings → passwords and security → privacy → special permissions → contacts. However, the most direct path through the settings is often hidden. Use a search by settings: type the word “import” in the settings search bar, and the system will suggest the desired menu item.
| Access method | The way is on the menu | Probability of success |
|---|---|---|
| Through the app | Contacts → Menu → Import / Export | 99% |
| Through settings search | Settings → Search for “import” | 90% |
| Through Google Contacts | Settings → Google → Contacts | 50% (depending on version) |
Using a system search for settings is the fastest way to find the desired function in the confusing menu of modern firmware. Just type in a request, and the smartphone will redirect you to the desired section.
Use Google Contacts for Synchronization
The most modern and reliable way to work with a phone book is to link to a Google account, and it's not just transferring, it's creating a live copy of your number database, which is automatically restored when you change your phone or reset your settings. SIM-Google Cloud has no restrictions on the length of the name and number of characters.
To start, make sure your Google account is added to your smartphone. Then open Google’s Contacts app (a blue icon with a human silhouette), which is often pre-installed on Xiaomi’s global versions. From the menu on the left, select Settings» → «Import. The system will tell you to choose the source: choose yours. SIM-map.