How to transfer contacts with SIM-Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: 3 Proven Ways

Transfer of contacts with SIM-The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 maps are a challenge that every new smartphone owner or user who decides to upgrade their device faces, and despite the apparent simplicity, the process has nuances, from the number of entries to the problems with encoding Cyrillic characters. In this article, we will discuss all the current import methods, including standard tools. MIUI and workarounds for complex cases.

The Redmi Note 9 (M2003J15SC/M2003J15SS) features a MIUI 12+ shell that integrates the contact menu with Google and Xiaomi services, which makes syncing easier, but can confuse users who are used to “pure” Android. We tested all methods on MIUI 14 and HyperOS firmware, the instructions are relevant for both options.

Important: If you are using a double SIM-map SIM), The system may ask you to specify which slot to import data from. SIM-old-style maps (up to) 4G) Often limited to 250 contacts per card, this is a hardware limitation that can’t be circumvented by software.

Preparation for import: what to do before transfer

Before starting the procedure, follow a few mandatory steps to avoid data loss or errors:

• 📱 Check the version. MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI. Version 12.5 is recommended for stable operation+.
• 🔋 Battery charge: make sure the charge level is above 30%. interruption of the process due to discharge can cause data damage to the battery. SIM.
• 📶 Operator network: temporarily disconnect mobile Internet (In-plane mode) if you use 2 SIM — This will prevent failures when reading the map.
• 🔍 Check the contacts on SIM: Some operators (e.g. Beeline) keep numbers in format +7XXXXXXXXXX, and others (MTS) like 8XXXXXXXXXX. This will affect the display after importation.

If you plan to migrate contacts to the Redmi Note 9 Pro or Note 9S, note that these models support App Cloning (Settings → Apps → App Cloning).

⚠️ Attention: If yours SIM-The card was issued before 2010 and can use an outdated contact storage standard (ETSI GSM In this case, the names in Cyrillic will appear as???????. The solution is to use the method of exporting through a computer (section 4).

Method 1: Standard import through the "Contacts" application

This is the simplest method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones with a MIUI shell. Instructions are relevant for the versions of the application "Contacts" 12.1.4 and later:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette on the home screen).
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select "Contact Management".
3. Go to the section "Import / Export contacts".
4. Select "Import with" SIM-If you have two cards. SIM, system will select a slot (SIM 1 SIM 2).
5. Check the contacts you want to transfer (or click "Select All") and confirm the import.
6. Contacts will appear under "Device" or "Phone" (depending on the version of MIUI).

After importing, check duplicates: in the same Contact Management menu, select Find and Combine Duplicates, which is especially important if you have previously synced contacts with Google or other accounts.

Method 2: Import through system settings (alternative method)

If the Contacts app does not display the import option (this happens after resetting), use the system menu:

1. Open Settings → Memory → Import / Export.
2. Select "Import with" SIM-map".
3. Specify your target account to save: 📱 "Device" - contacts will only be saved on the phone (without synchronization). ☁️ "Google – Contacts are synced with your Google account. 🔗 "Xiaomi" - contacts will be linked to the Mi Account (authentication will be required).

Confirm the import and wait for the notification of completion.

The advantage of this is that you can link your contacts to a cloud service right away, for example, if you choose Google, they will automatically appear on all devices where you are logged in under the same account, but keep in mind that syncing can take up to 10 minutes depending on the speed of the Internet.

⚠️ Note: When choosing a Xiaomi account, make sure you have the “Contact Sync” feature enabled in Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Contacts. Without that, data won't be stored in the cloud.

Method 3: Exporting SIM contacts to a computer and importing via VCF

This method is suitable for users who have:

• 🔠 Contacts to SIM are displayed in hieroglyphics (problem with encoding).
• 📴 SIM-The card is damaged and the phone is not reading it stably.
• 🖥️ You need to make a backup copy of contacts in the.vcf file.

You'll need:

• Computer with Windows/macOS.
• USB-cable (preferably original from Xiaomi).
• Programme Mi PC Suite (download from the official website) or ADB-driver.

Step 1: Connecting your phone to your PC

1. Turn on the developer mode on the phone: go to Settings → About the phone and 7 times tap on the "Version" MIUI".
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate “Debugging by USB”.
3. Connect Redmi Note 9 to your computer and select File Transfer mode.

Step 2: Exporting contacts with SIM

If Mi PC Suite doesn't recognize SIM-map, use the map ADB-team:

adb shell


content query --uri content://com.android.contacts/simcontacts --where "sim_id=1"

This command will display a list of contacts with SIM 1. To export them to contacts.vcf, do:

adb pull /storage/emulated/0/Download/contacts.vcf C:\Contacts\

Step 3: Import VCF to your phone

1. Copy the contacts.vcf file to your phone’s memory (for example, to your Download folder).
2. Open the "Contact" appendix" → ⋮ → "Contact management" → "Imports/Exports".
3. Select "Import from.vcf" and specify the path to the downloaded file.

Solving problems when importing contacts

Even if you follow the instructions, Redmi Note 9 users may encounter errors, and consider the typical cases and ways to fix them:

Problem 1: Contacts are not displayed after importation

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔄 Display not selected: open "Contacts" → ⋮ → "Displayed contacts" and include the tick opposite "Device" or "SIM".
• 📵 Synchronization failure: go to Settings → Accounts. → Google and turn off/enable contact sync.
• 🗑️ Cache of the application: clear the cache of "Contacts" in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Contacts → Clear the cache.

Problem 2: Contact names are displayed as "????"

This is due to incompatibility of the coding SIM-Solutions:

• 🔤 Use Method 3 (Export via PC) – it automatically converts the encoding.
• 📞 Manually edit contacts after import: open each, correct the name and save.
• 🔄 Replace. SIM-New card (according to the operator). USIM support UTF-8.

Problem 3: “Can’t import contacts” error

Most often it occurs due to:

• 🔒 Blocked. SIM: Check if the phone asks for a PIN code when it is turned on.
• 📶 Bad contact: Remove SIM, Rub it with a dry cloth and insert it back in.
• 🔄 Outdated firmware: Update MIUI Up to the latest version in Settings → Updating the system.

💡

If you lose contact photos after importing, check your sync settings in Google Photos. Sometimes the images are linked to your Google account, not your local contacts. To recover them, open Google Photos → Albums → Contacts and turn on the "Show Contact Photos" option.

Additional tips for working with contacts on Xiaomi

To manage contacts effectively on the Redmi Note 9, use these tips:

• 🔄 Automatic synchronization: Enable it in Settings → Accounts. → Google → Contact syncs, new numbers will automatically be saved to the cloud.
• 📂 Contact Grouping: You can create groups in the Contacts app (e.g. Work, Family). → "Change" → select a group.
• 🔍 Quick search: in MIUI You can say, "OK, Google, call your mom," and the system will find a contact by name.
• 📱 Backup: Export contacts to.vcf file regularly (once a month). → Memory. → Exports of contacts.

If you travel frequently, check out the "International Room Format" feature in your phone settings, which automatically adds a country prefix (+7 for Russia) while saving new contacts, making it easier to dial abroad.

💡

On the Redmi Note 9 with MIUI 14+, contacts can be imported not only from SIM, but also directly from SMS messages. To do this, open the Messages app, find an SMS with a number, tap on it and select Save to Contacts.

FAQ: Frequent questions about importing contacts