How to import contacts in Xiaomi Redmi 9: all ways with photos and videos

Transferring contacts to the new Xiaomi Redmi 9 smartphone is a challenge that every user faces after buying a device. Even if you are an experienced Xiaomi owner, the nuances of import may vary depending on the version MIUI (Redmi 9 installs MIUI 11/12 out of the box based on Android 10). In this article, we will analyze all the current methods: from classic copying from the SIM- card to syncing through Google Account or Mi Cloud, as well as solve typical errors like duplicate recordings or loss of photos of contacts.

The Redmi 9 feature is dual SIM- cards (Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM/microSD), which makes it harder to import if contacts are shared across multiple chips. We take this into account and show you how to combine all data into a single phone book, and you will also learn how to avoid loss of information when you reset or update your firmware — this is critical for devices with a total memory of 64/128 GB, where backups take up precious space.

Preparation for import: backup and compatibility check

Before you move contacts, make sure to back up your old device, which will protect you from data loss if something goes wrong. On Android smartphones, reservations are done through Settings → Google → Backup, on iPhone, via iCloud or iTunes.

Make sure that the format of the exported contacts is compatible with Redmi 9:

• 📱 Android: Supports.vcf (vCard) and sync via Google Account.
• 🍎 iPhone: Export contacts to.vcf via iCloud.com or use the Move to iOS app (but it only works when you first set up Redmi 9).
• 📇 SIM- Card: Redmi 9 reads contacts only in ADN format (standard for GSM). If your SIM is old, the data may not be imported.

⚠️ Warning: If you transfer contacts from your iPhone via Move to iOS, turn off Wi-Fi on Redmi 9 until the process is complete.

Check the free space on Redmi 9: importing a.vcf file from 1000+ contacts will require ~5-10 MB. If memory is not enough, delete unnecessary files or transfer them to a microSD (the device supports cards up to 512 GB).

2. Import contacts with SIM- cards on Xiaomi Redmi 9

The easiest but limited way is to copy the contacts directly from the SIM- card, which is suitable if you have few records (up to 250) and they are stored only on a chip. On the Redmi 9, the procedure takes no more than 2-3 minutes.

Instructions:

1. Insert the SIM- card into the SIM 1 slot or the SIM 2 slot (both positions are supported).
2. Open the Contacts app (Icon) 📞 mainscreen).
3. Tap on three points (⋮) in the upper right corner → select Settings → Import/Export contacts.
4. Press Import with SIM-maps and select the target SIM (if).
5. Tick the necessary contacts or click Select All → Import.
6. Specify where to save the data: in your phone account or Google Account (recommended for backup).

⚠️ Warning: Contacts with SIM- cards are imported without photos, additional fields (e.g. birthday or address) or groupings. If this data is critical, use other methods.

If the contacts are not displayed:

• 🔄 Reboot Redmi 9 and try again.
• 📶 Check if the SIM- card is inserted correctly (the chip must be deployed with the contacts down).
• 🛠️ Update the firmware: go to Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

3.Moving contacts from Android to Xiaomi Redmi 9

If you’re switching from another Android device (like Samsung, Huawei, or the old Xiaomi), you have 3 reliable ways to do this:

Method 1: Sync through Google Account

The most versatile method that stores all the data, including photos and notes, requires an Internet connection.

1. On your old phone: Settings → Accounts → Google → Contact Sync (turn on the slider).
2. On Redmi 9: Add the same Google Account to Settings → Accounts.
3. Enable sync: Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync → Contacts.
4. Wait until it is completed (it can take up to 10 minutes with slow internet).

Method 2: Export/import via.vcf file

Suitable if you don’t have internet access or want to select specific contacts to transfer.

1. On an old phone: export contacts to.vcf via Contacts → Settings → Export.
2. Flip the file to Redmi 9 via Bluetooth, USB- Cable or Cloud (e.g. Mi Cloud).
3. On Redmi 9: Open the.vcf file (the system will prompt you to import contacts automatically).

Method 3: Mi Mover application (only when first setup)

Mi Mover is Xiaomi’s proprietary tool for transferring data between devices, and only works when Redmi 9 is first turned on (after resetting).

1. At the setup stage, select Data Transfer → With Android.
2. Install Mi Mover on an old device from Google Play.
3. Scan the QR- code from the Redmi 9 screen and follow the instructions.

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If the contacts are duplicated after import, open Contacts → Settings → Merge contacts and select Automatic. The system will find and combine the repeated records.

4.Import contacts with iPhone on Xiaomi Redmi 9

Transferring data from iPhone to Android is often difficult due to Apple’s closed ecosystem.We’ll look at 2 working methods that are guaranteed to work on the Redmi 9.

Method 1: Through iCloud (recommended)

This method saves all contact fields, including photos and social media accounts.

1. On iPhone: Settings → [Your name] → iCloud and enable Contacts.
2. On your computer, open iCloud.com, log in and export contacts to.vcf:
3. Flip the file to Redmi 9 (e.g., Google Drive) and import it.

Method 2: Move to iOS (only when you first set up)

The official solution from Apple, but only works at the initial setup stage of Redmi 9.

1. On iPhone, install Move to iOS from the App Store.
2. On Redmi 9, when setting up, select Data Transfer → With iOS.
3. Enter the code from the Redmi 9 screen into the iPhone app.
4. Select Contacts and wait until it is completed (it can take up to 15 minutes).

⚠️ Warning: If your iPhone contacts display characters or cracosyabras after transfer, check the encoding of the.vcf file. Open it in the text editor: if you see characters like ÐаннÑе instead of Cyrillic, save the file in encoding UTF-8.

5. Import contacts from a.vcf or CSV file

.vcf (vCard) and.csv (Excel) are universal formats for storing contacts. Redmi 9 supports importing only.vcf, but.csv can be converted using online services (for example, ConvertCSV).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the.vcf file to Redmi 9 (for example, via Telegram or Explorer).
2. Open Contacts → Settings → Import / Export Contacts → Import from the file.
3. Select the.vcf file in your phone’s memory.
4. Please specify your target account (phone or Google).
5. Click Import and wait for the success notification.

If the file is large (more than 500 contacts), break it into pieces using SplitVCF. Redmi 9 can hang when processing bulky.vcf files.

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You can edit.vcf files manually in a notebook, for example, to delete duplicates or correct phone numbers, but the key is not to change the structure of the BEGIN:VCARD and END:VCARD fields.

6. synchronize contacts through Mi Cloud

Mi Cloud is a cloud storage service from Xiaomi that automatically backs up contacts, SMS and notes to use:

1. Register your Mi Account with Redmi 9 (Settings → Accounts → Mi Account).
2. Enable contact synchronization: Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Contacts (slider to the right).
3. If contacts were already in Mi Cloud (for example, from the previous Xiaomi), they will automatically download to Redmi 9.

Advantages of Mi Cloud:

• 🔄 Automatic backup (once a day when connecting to Wi-Fi).
• 📱 Access contacts from any Xiaomi device.
• 🔒 Data encryption (unlike Google, where contacts are stored in the open).

Limitations:

• 🚫 Does not sync contacts with photos (numbers and names only).
• 🌍 Requires an internet connection for initial download.

7. Solving problems when importing contacts

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, you can still get errors, and we've collected the typical problems and ways to fix them on Redmi 9:

If contacts are displayed but not saved after a reboot, check:

• 🔧 Sync settings (Settings → Accounts → Google/Mi Account).
• 📱 Storage folder: Contacts must be saved to a Phone Account or Google Account, not to SIM.
• 🔄 Firmware updates: MIUI 12.5+ patches for lost contacts.

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To avoid losing contacts when resetting settings, export them regularly to.vcf and save the file to the cloud (e.g. Google Drive or Yandex Drive).

FAQ: Frequent questions about importing contacts on Redmi 9