How to transfer contacts from SIM-card to Xiaomi: all working ways

Transfer of contacts with SIM-Xiaomi smartphone cards seem like an easy task, but many users face unexpected difficulties. MIUI (12, 13, 14 or 15, phone models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T) Even the operator (MTS, Beeline, Tele2) may have different processes. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to import contacts, from the standard menu to workaround solutions for old ones. SIM-map.

We will focus on common errors: why the phone does not see contacts on SIM, how to circumvent the limit on the number of records (maximum 250 on most cards), and what to do if the Cyrillic characters disappear after transfer, and you will learn how to automatically sync contacts with Google Account or Mi Cloud, so that you never lose important numbers again.

If you have just bought a new Xiaomi or are recovering data after a reset, this guide will help you avoid losing contacts. SIM-cards (Dual) SIM) We have prepared a separate section with the nuances of the transfer.

1. Standard method: import through "Contacts"

The most obvious method is to use the built-in Contacts app (or Contacts in global firmware), which works on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 10 and later, including the latest versions of MIUI 15 on Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro+.

To move contacts:

1. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Contact Management.
3. Go to the Import/Export Contacts section.
4. Select Import with SIM-map.
5. Tell me which one. SIM-The card is saved contacts (if you have dual). SIM).
6. Tick the necessary contacts or click Select all.
7. Click Import and select the save location: Device or Google Account.

After importing the contacts will appear in the general list. If some numbers do not appear, check:

• 🔍 Format SIM-Older cards (Mini-SIM) can only store 100-250 contacts. Modern Nano-SIM supports up to 500.
• 📱 Application permissions: go to Settings → Annexes → Contacts → Permits and enable access to SIM-map.
• 🔄 Phone Reboot: Sometimes a simple reboot after insertion helps SIM-map.

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If you have Xiaomi with global firmware (for example, POCO F5), The name of the menu item may sound like an Import from SIM instead of importing SIM-map.

2. Alternative method: via the "Settings" of the phone

If the Contacts app doesn’t display the import option (such as on custom firmware or after a reset), try migrating contacts through system settings, which is suitable for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO on any version of MIUI.

Instructions:

1. Open the settings (cog icon).
2. Go to the Apps → Contacts → Storage.
3. Slip on Import/Export.
4. Select Import with SIM-map.
5. Follow the clues on the screen.

If this menu does not have an import option, then your firmware uses a different path, for example, on some models (Xiaomi Mi A3 with Android One), you need to go to:

Settings → Google → Backup → Import of contacts

3. Transferring contacts with SIM to Google Account

Keeping your contacts on Google Account is the most reliable way, as they are automatically synced to the cloud and will be available on any device, which is especially useful if you change phones frequently or use multiple gadgets (such as Xiaomi + tablet).

How to transfer your SIM contacts to Google:

1. Import SIM contacts to your phone (see first method).
2. Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management.
3. Select Export and save the file in.vcf format (to a memory card or internal memory).
4. Open Gmail or go to contacts.google.com.
5. Press Import and download the.vcf file.

After importing, turn on synchronization:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Select your account and turn on the Contacts switch.

Advantages of this method:

• ☁️ Cloud storage: contacts will not be lost when resetting your phone.
• 🔄 Autosynchronization: Changes to one device will affect all others.
• 📱 Cross-platform: Access from Android, iOS or via the web version.

4.Using Mi Cloud for Backup

If you don’t want to use a Google Account, Xiaomi offers its own cloud storage, Mi Cloud, which provides 5GB of space for free, enough to store contacts, photos and notes.

How to transfer SIM contacts to Mi Cloud:

1. Import SIM contacts to your phone (see Section 1).
2. Go to Settings → Mi Account (or Xiaomi Account on new models).
3. Turn on the synchronization of contacts by moving the slider to the right.
4. Wait until the process is completed (may take a few minutes).

To restore contacts on the new device:

1. Sign in to the same Mi Account.
2. Go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Contacts.
3. Press Sync.

✅ Make sure your phone is connected to Wi-Fi

✅ Make sure there is enough space on your Mi Account (minimum 100MB free)

✅ Turn off traffic savings in network settings

✅ Remember the password from the Mi Account (useful for recovery)

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An important nuance: if you use Xiaomi with global firmware (for example, POCO X6 Pro for the European market), instead of Mi Cloud, it can be called Xiaomi Cloud.

5 Problem Solving: Why Xiaomi Doesn't See Contacts on SIM

Sometimes Xiaomi smartphone does not display contacts saved on the SIM-And we'll look at the main causes and ways to eliminate them.

Reason 1: SIM-The card does not support the storage of contacts

Modern Nano-SIMs from some carriers (e.g. Yota or virtual carriers like Tinkoff Mobile) may not have a contact storage feature.

• 📱 Put it in. SIM In a different phone (such as an old Samsung or Nokia).
• 🔍 Try to view the contacts through the menu. SIM-map.

Reason 2: Contacts are kept in the wrong format

Older phones (until 2010) kept contacts in ADN format, which is not always correctly read by modern smartphones.

1. Use a Nano-SIM adapter and insert it into your old phone.
2. Export your contacts to the.vcf file.
3. Transfer the file to Xiaomi and import through Contacts.

Reason 3: MIUI restrictions on working with SIM

Some of the features (especially Chinese versions) MIUI Xiaomi 12S Ultra or Redmi K50) access SIM-Contacts are blocked because of security policies:

1. Install a third-party application to work with SIM, such as SIM Contacts Manager from Google Play.
2. Provide permission to access contacts and SIM-map.
3. Import contacts through this app.

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If your Xiaomi can’t see contacts on SIM, check the card on another phone first. 30% of the time, the problem is with the SIM itself, not the smartphone.

6. Transfer of contacts with SIM Xiaomi SIM-cards (Dual) SIM)

Owners of smartphones with support for two SIM-cards (Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 Dual SIM) often face confusion: how to understand which SIM the contacts are saved to, and how to transfer them correctly.

Algorithm of action:

1. Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
2. In the list. SIM-Select the one you want to transfer contacts to (for example, SIM 1 (MTS) or SIM 2 (Tele2)).
3. Import contacts to your phone or cloud.

If you want to transfer your contacts to SIM 1 on SIM 2:

1. Import them to your phone first.
2. Then export to the second SIM through the same Import/Export section.

Important: on some models (POCO F4 GT, Xiaomi 12T) export SIM-Only 200 slots are available, even if the card supports more.

7. Backup of contacts before perenosom

Before any manipulation of contacts, make sure to create a backup copy, which will save you from losing data if something goes wrong (for example, the phone freezes during import or import). SIM-map will be damaged).

Methods of backup:

• 📱 Export to.vcf: through Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Export. Save the file to a memory card or to the cloud.
• ☁️ Synchronization with Google/Mi Cloud: Enable autosynchronization (see section) 3).
• 💾 Third-party apps: Super Backup or Contacts Backup from Google Play.

How to restore contacts from backup:

1. If you have a.vcf file, open your contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Import and select the file.
2. If you use the cloud, just sync the data (see section 4).

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The.vcf file can be opened on your computer via Google Contacts or Outlook, which is convenient if you need to edit the numbers before the perenosom.

8. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When you migrate your SIM contacts to Xiaomi, you're going to have a typical problem, and we've collected some of the most common and ways to solve them.

Mistake 1: Contacts are imported without names (numbers only)

This happens if the names are stored in an incorrect encoding (e.g., Cyrillic is displayed as???).

• Use the SIM Card app from Google Play to manually copy.
• Transfer contacts to an old phone and then export to.vcf.

Mistake 2: Not all contacts are transferred

Possible causes:

• 📵 Limitation SIM-Cards: Check the contact limit (see table in Section 6).
• 🔌 Unstable connection: do not remove when importing SIM-map.
• 📱 Application crash: Restart Contacts or restart phone.

Error 3: Some numbers are missing after importation

This can happen if the contacts on the SIM were saved in FDN format.

1. Put the SIM in another phone.
2. Check if the contacts are displayed in the section FDN (usually SIM-map).
3. Copy them into regular contacts and repeat the import.

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi with root rights or custom firmware (like LineageOS), standard import may not work. SIM Toolkit or SIM Manager from Google Play.

⚠️ Note: Some operators (for example, MTS or Beeline) block access to contacts on the Internet. SIM menu USSD-If the contacts disappear after dialing such a command, they can only be restored through the operator.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions