How to import contacts with SIM-Xiaomi phone cards: full guide

Transfer of contacts with SIM-Xiaomi cards are a challenge that every user faces when buying a new device or changing operator. Despite the apparent simplicity, the process can cause difficulties, from the absence of a menu item to errors in reading the map. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to import contacts for Redmi phones, POCO and the Mi line on the base MIUI 12, 13 and 14, and how to avoid data loss during the transfer.

Xiaomi’s feature is that the manufacturer regularly updates the interface. MIUI, And we've taken these nuances into account and prepared universal instructions that work on most models, from the budget Redmi Note 10 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Pro. SIM-The card or import is interrupted with an error.

Important: Before starting the transfer, make sure your SIM-The card supports the storage of contacts (usually mini-SIM or micro-SIM cards of the old model). Modern Nano-SIM often do not have memory for contacts, and operators have ceased to offer the service of recording them.

1.Preparation for import of contacts: what to check

Before you start the transfer, follow a few mandatory steps to avoid common mistakes, such as empty list of contacts after importing or duplicate records.

First, make sure that SIM-The card is correctly installed in the tray. on Xiaomi models with a hybrid slot (for example, Redmi). 9A or POCO X3 Pro) Slot 1 should occupy the card, which is the one that supports the contact. Put the card down with the gold contacts and wait for the network signal to appear.

Check if the contacts are still in place. SIM-For this purpose:

• 📱 Insert the card in your old phone (if you have it on hand).
• 🔍 Open the Contacts app and select a filter SIM.
• 📋 Make sure all the entries are displayed. If the list is empty, the contacts are stored in your phone's memory or Google account.

If you don’t have an old phone, use it. USSD-check-in:

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From the menu that opens, select Phone Information → SIM → Read contacts. If the option is inactive, your card does not support contact storage.

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 12, POCO F5 and Xiaomi 13T.

Step instructions:

1. Open the Contacts app (if it isn’t on the home screen, search through App Search).
2. Tap on three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Settings.
3. Scroll down to Contact Management and click Import/Export Contacts.
4. Select Import from SIM-card (on some models the item may be called Copy with SIM).
5. Tick the necessary contacts or click Select all.
6. Specify your target account to save: Device (local memory) or Google (cloud sync).
7. Confirm the import with the OK button.

Important: If not all contacts are displayed in the list, try extracting and re-inserting. SIM-Card – sometimes the reading is not the first time.

Make sure that SIM-map

Check for SIM contacts via old phone

Close all background applications (especially messengers)

Connect to Wi-Fi for sync with Google (if necessary)

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3. Method 2: Import via the “Settings of the Phone”

If the standard method didn’t work (for example, there is no import point on the menu), try an alternative way through system settings, which is especially relevant for custom firmware devices or Xiaomi for the global market (for example, the model with the prefix Global in the title).

Step-by-step:

1. Open the settings (cog icon).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. Find the contact list and tap on it.
4. Choose Memory. → Imports/Exports.
5. Press Import with SIM-maps and follow the system's prompts.

In some models (for example, POCO X4 Pro) path may be different: Settings → Google → Synchronization settings → Imports SIM-contact.

If this method did not work, the reason may be:

• 🚫 Lack of support – modern Nano-SIMs often don’t have a memory to contact.
• 🔄 Format incompatibility – Older cards use encoding that they don’t recognize MIUI.
• 🛠️ Contact damage - physical wear and tear SIM-map.

Method 3: Manual transfer via VCF file (for power users)

If the automatic methods do not work, you can export contacts with the SIM-The card is to.vcf on another phone and then import it to Xiaomi.This is a universal and suitable for any model, including the Redmi. A2 Xiaomi 12 Lite.

Instructions:

1. Exports on old phone: Open Contacts → Settings → Import/Export: Select Export to Memory Card or Save as VCF-Specify the location of the save (for example, Downloads) and confirm.
2. File transfer to Xiaomi: Connect Xiaomi to your computer or use a messenger (like Telegram) to transfer the file. Copy the contacts.vcf file to your phone's memory.

Imports to Xiaomi:

• Open the Contacts app → Settings → Imports/Exports.
• Select Import from the VCF file and specify the path to the downloaded file.

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Before resetting your Contacts settings, be sure to export your current entries to a VCF file or sync them to your Google account. Recover remote contacts without a backup is impossible!

6. How to avoid future contact loss

Transfer of contacts with SIM-So, for a secure storage, we recommend using cloud sync or regular backups:

Sync with your Google account:

• 🔄 Open the Settings. → Accounts and synchronization → Google.
• 📱 Turn on the contact switch.
• 🔒 All contacts will be automatically saved to your Google account and restored when you change your phone.

Local backup:

• 📄 In the Contacts app, select Settings → Imports/Exports → Exports to memory card.
• 💾 Save the contacts.vcf file to a secure location (e.g., a computer or cloud).

Use of MI Cloud (for Xiaomi users):

• ☁️ Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account → MI Cloud.
• 📱 Enable Contact Synchronization.
• 🔐 Make sure you have enough space in the cloud (free 5GB).