Switching to a new smartphone or simply replacing it SIM-The card often asks Xiaomi device owners to keep their phone book safe. The standard number transfer procedure can be confusing because of the shell features. MIUI Unlike many other manufacturers, Chinese engineers use a specific logic of working with the address book, which requires careful approach.
In this article, we'll look at all the ways you can import and export data, and you'll learn not only to port numbers, but also to back them up so that no important contact is lost when you change your device or reset your settings, and it'll take only a few minutes if you know where to click.
The main problem of users is that by default the phone often offers to save new numbers exactly on the phone. SIM-The card is limited and the functionality is minimal, and we'll fix this situation and move your data to a more secure storage, which will ensure that you sync with your account and access numbers even if you lose your physical media.
Preparation of the device and checking the storage format
Before you start active data movement, you need to make sure that SIM-The card is correctly defined by the system. Insert the chip into the slot and wait for the network icon to appear in the status bar. If you use a dual-sim device, note which card you plan to copy from, since Xiaomi allows you to manage them independently.
Modern Xiaomi smartphones tend to save all data to a Google account or Mi Cloud service by default. This is the most reliable method for restoring the caller list even after completely flashing the gadget. However, if your goal is to transfer from the old plastic to the phone, the algorithm of actions will be different.
⚠️ Attention: SIM-cards have limited memory and often do not support the retention of long names or additional fields (address, email.
To get started, open the standard Contacts app, which usually has an orange icon with a human silhouette. This is where all the phone book management tools are concentrated. Don't use third-party apps from the Play Market store for basic operations, as the system application has maximum access rights.
Step-by-step import of contacts from SIM-cards into phone memory
The process of transferring numbers from the physical media to the internal storage of the smartphone is a basic skill. In the MIUI interface, this feature is hidden in the settings menu, not on the home screen. To find it, click on three dots or three bars in the upper corner of the Contacts app screen.
In the menu that opens, select Import/Export Contacts. The system will request confirmation of action, as this is a transaction that affects the user.>
After selecting the source (SIM-The system will suggest you to choose your destination, it is recommended to choose a phone or, better yet, a Google account. If you choose the device memory, the contacts will be stored in the local smartphone database. This is faster than the cloud, but requires a separate backup procedure.
You can select individual records or click the select all in the top corner, and then you can start the copying process, which takes from a few seconds to a couple of minutes depending on the number of records.
⚠️ Note: Do not remove during the import process SIM-- the card and do not try to close the application forcefully.
Export contacts to VCF file for backup
Creating a backup copy in format VCF (vCard is a universal way to save the entire phone book, and you can send it to your own mail, save it to your messenger, or transfer it to your computer. VCF It is supported by all smartphones, regardless of the operation.>
☑️ Pre-export checklist
To create a copy, go to the Contact Import/Export menu within the Contacts app again. This time, select Export to Device Memory or Export to Storage. The system automatically generates a file, which is usually called contacts.vcf or has a name with a date of creation.
It is important to remember or check the path where the file was saved, usually the root directory of internal memory or the folder MIUI/backup, and you can find the file through the standard Explorer in the Documents or Internal Memory section.
Once a file is created, it is recommended to transfer it to a secure location immediately. You can send it via Bluetooth to another phone, upload it to a cloud drive or simply transfer it to your computer via a computer. USB-This ensures that even if your smartphone is completely broken, you still have the data.
Sync with Google and Mi Cloud account
The most modern and convenient way to store numbers is cloud synchronization. Xiaomi owners have two main options: Google services and its own Mi Account ecosystem. Using the cloud eliminates the need to manually create backup files.
To activate Google sync, go to Settings, search for Accounts and Sync. Select your Google account and make sure the switch opposite Contacts is activated, and then all new numbers will automatically fly to the cloud.
The alternative is Mi Cloud, which requires you to log in to Mi Account, and the advantage of this method is deep integration with the shell: you can restore contacts even when you initially set up a new Xiaomi phone, simply by entering a username and password.
⚠️ Note: When synchronizing with two clouds at the same time (Google and Mi Cloud), duplicate records may occur.
If you decide to switch to cloud storage completely, after successful synchronization, you can delete local copies or records from the cloud. SIM-It can tell you what contacts are where, using colored tags or signatures.
Using the Mi Mover application for data
For users who change one Xiaomi phone to another, the company has developed a special application Mi Mover, which allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also photos, applications and system settings without using the Internet.
Run the app on both devices. On the new phone, select I'm the recipient, and on the old phone, I'm the sender. Devices will connect via Wi-Fi Direct. In the data list, make sure to check Contacts.