How to import contacts from SIM-card to Xiaomi phone: all ways

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-contact in the telephone book before import errors MIUI. In this article, we will discuss all current methods of transfer, including hidden shell functions, and also tell you how to avoid data loss when duplicate records.

The feature of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phones is that the manufacturer often changes the location of the import menu in new versions of MIUI. For example, in MIUI 14 the path to the contact settings is different from MIUI 12, and in some regional firmware the import option is completely hidden. We tested all methods on current models (2023-2026) and collected universal instructions that work even on low-end devices like the Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5.

It is important to bear in mind that SIM-Cards have a limit on the number of contacts (usually up to 250 records), and do not support fields such as email or addresses. SIM, Check them for duplicates before importing - this will save time for subsequent cleaning of the phone book.

Preparation for import: what to do before transfer

Before you start importing, follow a few mandatory steps to avoid typical problems, such as empty fields in imported contacts or duplicate records.

First, make sure that your SIM-The card is correctly installed in the tray. on Xiaomi devices with a hybrid slot (for example, Xiaomi). 13T Or the Redmi Note 11 Pro.+) SIM must be in the slot SIM1, so SIM2 Sometimes it doesn't support reading contacts. You can check this in the Settings menu. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.

Second, open the Contacts app and check if contacts are displayed with SIM-the cards in the Devices section or SIM. If they are not, then the card is not recognized - try to restart the phone or clear the cache of the Contacts app in the settings.

• 📱 Check the slot SIM-Cards: Make sure the card is inserted into SIM1 (hybrid-model).
• 🔍 Update. MIUI: In older versions (below). MIUI 12.5) There may be no import options.
• 📝 Export backup: Keep contacts with SIM to your computer via Outlook or Google Contacts (in case of a crash).
• 🚫 Remove duplicates: If SIM You already have copies of your contacts from Google or Mi Account, and the import will create chaos.

⚠️ Note: If you use a dual-SIM adapter (two nano-SIMs in one slot), importing contacts may not work. SIM straight-up SIM1.

Method 1: Standard import through the Contacts app

The easiest method is to use the built-in Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette on a green background), which works on all Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12 and later, including the Redmi 10C, POCO F5 and Xiaomi 13 Lite.

Instructions:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) top-right → Select Contact Management.
3. Go to Import/Export Contacts → Import from SIM-card.
4. Select SIM1 or SIM2 (depending on the slot) and confirm the import.
5. Wait until the process is complete. Contacts will appear in the Device or Phone section.

If the item Imports with SIM-No map, so your version is missing. MIUI In this case, try alternative methods from the following sections.

Make sure that the SIM is in the SIM1 slot

Update the Contacts app on Google Play

Clear the app cache (Settings → Applications → Contacts → Storage)

Check the visibility of contacts in the section «SIM»-->

Method 2: Import via “Phone Settings”

In some firmware (for example, MIUI 13 Global or MIUI 14 EEA) Import option is hidden in system settings. This method is suitable for devices where the Contacts app does not display SIM-contact.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find and select Contacts (or Contacts in English firmware).
3. Slip it on the vault. → Management → Import with SIM-map.
4. Select your target account to save (e.g., Device or Google).
5. Confirm the import and wait for notification of successful completion.

If this route is not available in your MIUI version, try an alternative route:

Settings → Memory → Files → Settings (⚙️) → Contact Import

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI for Russia (e.g. Redmi) 12C or POCO M5) If you don't find an option, check for system updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

Method 3: Using Google Contacts to Import

If standard methods don’t work, you can transfer your SIM contacts to your Google Account and then sync them to your phone, a universal approach that works for any Xiaomi device, including the Xiaomi Pad 6 or Redmi K60.

Instructions:

1. Install Google Contacts from Play Market (unless preinstalled).
2. Open the application and tap on the profile icon in the upper right corner → Import.
3. Choose. SIM-Card as a source and confirm the import.
4. Contacts will be saved to your Google Account. Now enable sync in your phone settings: Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google → Sync Contacts

Important: This method avoids duplication because Google automatically combines the same contacts, but if SIM numbers are stored in a non-standard format (such as with spaces or characters), they may not appear correctly in Google Contacts.

Method 4: Third-party applications for import

If the built-in MIUI tools don't work, you can use third-party utilities, and we've tested several applications and recommend the following:

• 📲 Sim Contacts Backup: Exporting Contacts with SIM It's a.vcf file, which you can import into your phone book.
• 🔄 Copy My Data: Transfers Device-to-Device Contacts over Wi-Fi, including Data from the Internet SIM. Useful when switching from iPhone or other Android.
• 🧹 Contacts Optimizer: Besides importing, clears duplicates and fixes room formats.Paid, but there's a trial period.

Example of import via Sim Contacts Backup:

1. Install an app from the Play Market.
2. Start it and select Import from SIM.
3. Save contacts to.vcf file for internal memory.
4. Open the file through the standard Contacts app and confirm the import.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party applications, disable access to contacts for unnecessary programs in Settings → Annexes → Permits → Contacts. This will prevent data leakage.

💡

If after importing contacts are displayed without names (numbers only), check the encoding SIM-Insert it into another phone (such as a Samsung or an iPhone) and export the contacts from there to a.vcf file.

Solving the Problem: Why Contacts Are Not Imported

If none of these methods worked, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔌 SIM-Card not recognized: Check the slot, try another SIM Or reboot your phone. On some models, for example, POCO X3 Pro) helps reset network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings
• 📱 Outdated firmware: On MIUI 10 and below import may not work. Update the system or use Google Contacts.
• 🔒 Operator restrictions: Some SIM-cards (e.g. Tele2 or Iota) block the reading of contacts.
• 📵 Damaged data on SIM: If the contacts are displayed as empty or with hieroglyphics, SIM-The card is damaged. Try reading it on another device.

If the contacts are imported but not displayed in the phone book:

1. Check if the display of contacts from the device is enabled: Contacts → ⋮ → Display contacts → The device
2. Make sure that contacts are not hidden by a filter (for example, only Google Contacts are displayed).
3. Restart your phone – sometimes the Contacts app cache doesn’t update right away.

Backup of contacts after import

After successfully migrating your SIM contacts to Xiaomi, make sure to back up your data, which will protect you from being lost when you reset your settings, break your phone, or get stolen.

Methods of backup:

• ☁️ Google Account: Enable automatic sync: Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Google → Synchronize contacts
• 📱 Mi Account: Xiaomi offers its own cloud storage. Activate it in: Settings → Mi Account → Synchronization → Contacts
• 💾 Local Backup: Export contacts to.vcf file via Contacts: Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Exports

Critical recommendation: Store a backup in three places — on your phone, in the cloud (Google or Mi Account) and on a physical medium (for example, on a flash drive or computer), this rule is called 3-2-1 and is used to protect against data loss.

💡

Don't just rely on SIM-map. SIM has a limited lifespan (5-10 years) and can fail at any time, especially with frequent shifts between devices.

FAQ: Frequent questions about importing contacts on Xiaomi