How to export contacts from SIM-card to Xiaomi phone: all working methods

Transfer of contacts with SIM-Xiaomi smartphone cards are a challenge that every user faces when buying a new device or resetting settings. Despite the apparent simplicity, the process can cause difficulties: from lack of visibility SIM-Contacts in the phone book before import errors. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of transferring numbers, including hidden functions. MIUI, Workarounds for Old Models and Solving Typical Problems.

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO are all featured in MIUI’s own shell, which is updated regularly. The contact import algorithms in MIUI 14 and MIUI 15 are different from the older versions, so there are no universal instructions. We tested all the methods on devices from Xiaomi 11T Pro to the budget Redmi A2 to ensure that every step is up and running.

Important: Modern SIM-Cards (especially nano-SIMs) often have limited memory. 250-500 If your numbers don't show up on the import list, the problem may not be in the phone, but in the map itself. SIM elsewhere.

1. Standard import through the “Contacts” app

The most obvious way is to use the built-in Contacts app** (a human silhouette icon) which works on all Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12 and newer, but has nuances depending on the firmware version.

Open the app and follow the following steps:

• 📱 Slip along three horizontal lines (menu) in the upper left corner.
• 🔄 Select Contact Management → Import/Export of contacts.
• 📋 In the list of sources, click Import with SIM-map.
• ✅ Check the necessary contacts (or click Allocate) and confirm the import.

If the item Import from the SIM-card is missing, it means:

• 🚫 Yours. SIM-The card does not contain any saved contacts (check on another phone).
• 🔄 The app settings have disabled the display SIM-contact (see section 3).
• 📱 You have an outdated version. MIUI (Update your firmware or use alternative methods).

Check visibility. SIM-card in phone settings|

Make sure the contacts are on SIM (insert in another phone)|

Update the Contacts app in Google Play|

Close all background applications before importing-->

Where do imported contacts stay? By default, they are added to your Mi Account (if you are logged in) or to your phone's local memory. To change the save location, go to Settings → Sync → Default Account before importing and select Phone or Google.

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

If the Contacts app doesn’t display the import option, try using system settings, which is suitable for devices with MIUI 11-13, where the Contacts app interface is simplified.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Contacts → Storage.
2. Slip on Import/Export Contacts.
3. Select Import with SIM-maps and follow the clues.

On some models (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro) the path may be different:

Settings → Memory → Additional → Import of contacts

⚠️ Attention: On phones with two SIM-cards (Dual) SIM) Before importing, select the desired slot in the Settings menu → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Name. SIM-Otherwise, the system may try to import contacts from an empty map.

Sight adjustment SIM-Contacts (if not displayed)

Frequent problem: contacts are available SIM-It's a map, but the phone doesn't see them, and it's related to the display settings in the Contacts app:

Steps:

1. Open Contacts → Menu (three lines) → Settings
2. Go to Contact Management → Displayed Contacts.
3. Make sure that the contact display is enabled SIM-Cards (the slider must be active).
4. If you do not have an option, tap on Additional settings → Show SIM contacts.

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 12.5 Enhanced), the path is different:

Contacts → ⚙️ Settings → Contact Display → SIM- Map

MIUI 15|

MIUI 14|

MIUI 12.5|

Old version (11 or lower) |

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4.Export through third-party applications (if standard methods do not work)

If Xiaomi's built-in tools refuse to import contacts, use third-party utilities.We recommend two proven apps:

1. "SIM Contacts Backup" (free, no advertising):

• 📲 Download from Google Play.
• 🔍 Launch the application and select Import with SIM.
• 📋 Mark contacts and click Save to the phone.
• 🔄 The application will offer to export numbers to VCF-file or directly into the phone book.

2. "Copy My Data" (for transfer between devices):

• 📱 Install on both phones (old and new).
• 🔗 Connect to a single Wi-Fi network.
• 📤 On your old phone, select Send Contacts. → S SIM-map.
• 📥 On the new one, get the data.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party apps, turn off battery optimization for them in Xiaomi settings (Settings) → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start; otherwise, the import process may be interrupted.

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Before using third-party applications, create a backup of contacts on the SIM-This will protect the data from being lost in a crash.

Manual transfer through VCF-File (for experienced users)

This method is suitable if you not only need to import contacts, but also edit them before transferring them.

Steps:

1. Export contacts with SIM-.vcf: On an old phone: Contacts → Imports/Exports → Export to memory card (select format) VCF). Or use the app «SIM Contacts Backup for the creation of VCF.
2. Import to Xiaomi: Open the.vcf file from the Explorer, the system will suggest adding contacts. Or in the Contacts app, select Import/Export → Import from the file.

Critical: VCF files do not support Cyrillic characters in contact names on some versions of MIUI. If after importing the names are displayed instead of "???", rename the contacts in Latin before export.

6. Solving import problems

If contacts are not imported or are carried over with errors, check the following points:

If none of the methods worked, reset the settings of the Contacts app:

Settings → Applications → Contacts → Storage → Clear data

After resetting, restart the phone and repeat the import.

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On devices with MIUI 14+ importation SIM-The card can be hidden if there are two cards on the phone. SIM or select the desired slot in the settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about contact transfer