How to transfer contacts with SIM-Maps to Xiaomi Phone: The Complete Guide

Transfer of contacts with SIM-Xiaomi smartphone cards are a challenge that every new owner of the device faces, and despite their apparent simplicity, the process can cause complications from the lack of visibility of contacts in the phone book to errors in importing. In this article, we will analyze all current methods of transfer – from standard functions. MIUI Up to workarounds for old models.

The feature of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phones is the customized MIUI shell, which sometimes hides obvious options. For example, in some versions, the contact import points are hidden in the contact management submenu, rather than in the main phonebook interface, we took these nuances into account and prepared instructions that work on MIUI 12-15, including the latest updates in 2026.

It is important that you use two SIM-Cards at the same time (Dual) SIM), The system may ask for clarification of which card to import contacts from, a point that is often overlooked in standard manuals, leading to confusion. Also pay attention to the format of saved numbers – some operators (for example, MTS or Beeline) record contacts in a non-standard form, which may require manual editing after import.

1. Standard import through the “Contacts” app

The most obvious way is to use the built-in import feature in the standard Contacts app (or Phone in global firmware), a method that works on all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and flagship Xiaomi 14, the main condition — SIM-The card must be recognized by the system (in the Settings menu). → SIM-Maps and mobile networks display its status).

Algorithm of action:

• 📱 Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette on the home screen).
• 🔍 Press three points (⋮) top-right → Select Contact Management.
• 📤 In the Import/Export section, tap Import with SIM-map.
• 💾 Choose. SIM-card (if there are two) and confirm the import. Contacts will appear in the Device or Phone section.

If the item Import with SIM-The card is missing, check it out:

• 🔄 Update Contacts via Google Play (for global firmware).
• 📶 Make sure that SIM-The card supports the storage of contacts (some virtual operators, for example, Tinkoff Mobile, do not know how to do this).
• 🔧 Restart the phone – sometimes the system does not immediately recognize the inserted SIM.

SIM-The card is inserted into slot 1 (main card)

The phone recognizes the operator (there is a network)

The Contacts app is updated to the latest version

Nana SIM sufficient space (if the return export is planned)-->

Attention! If the SIM contacts are encoded in UTF-8 and the phone is waiting for GSM 7-bit, Russian letters can be displayed in Krakozabra, in which case manual editing or using third-party applications will help (see section 4).

2. Import through system settings (alternative method)

In some versions of MIUI (e.g. Redmi 10C or POCO M5), the contact import function is duplicated in system settings, which is useful if the standard Contacts app is not working properly or is not available.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Import / Export contacts.
2. Select Import with SIM-map.
3. Specify the target storage: Device (local memory) or Mi Account/Google account.
4. Confirm the action. It takes 10 to 30 seconds, depending on the number of contacts.

The advantage of this method is that you can immediately save contacts to the cloud of Xiaomi or Google, bypassing local storage, but be careful: if you choose Mi Account, contacts will only sync with Xiaomi servers and will not be available on other devices (for example, iPhone or Samsung).

Through the "Contact" app

Through system settings

Third-party annexes

Manual input

Never had to endure.-->

3. Transfer of contacts with Google account

If you use Google services, you can import SIM contacts into your Gmail account and then sync them to your phone, a method that works even on older Xiaomi models (like the Redmi 5 Plus or Mi A2) where MIUI features are limited.

Instructions:

• 📱 Import contacts with SIM in the telephone book (see section 1).
• 🔄 Go to Settings. → Accounts. → Google.
• 🔗 Enable contact synchronization (Contact slider should be active).
• 📤 Wait for the sync to be completed (check at contacts.google.com).

Warning: if SIM-The map stores duplicate contacts (for example, one number is written twice with different names), Google can automatically combine them, which leads to the loss of some data.

4. Use of third-party applications

If the built-in methods don't work (for example, on custom firmware or after resetting), third-party software will help. We tested 5 popular applications and selected the two most reliable ones:

Example of SIM Contacts Backup:

1. Install the app and give access to contacts.
2. Select Import from SIM.
3. Specify your target folder (such as Phone Storage or Google Account).
4. Click Start Import and wait until it is completed.

Attention! Some applications (such as Super Backup) require a super-user (root) right to work with the user. SIM-On today's Xiaomi with a locked bootloader, this is impossible without unlocking, which will void the warranty.

5. Manual transfer and editing of contacts

If automatic importation is not possible (for example, due to damage) SIM-You can still manually type a map or a non-standard record format, and it's a laborious process, but it's 100% data control:

• 📋 Use Google Tables for Temporary Storage: Create the Name, Phone, Notes columns and move data from SIM (Viewing them through an old device or a specialized reader).
• 🔄 For mass import, export the table to the format CSV, Then import through Google Contacts.
• 📱 On Xiaomi phone, open Contacts → Management → Imports/Exports → Import from the file and select saved VCF.

To accelerate manual input:

• 🎤 Use voice input: open a new contact → tap on the microphone icon → dictate the name and number.
• 📸 Take a picture of an old phone with contacts and use it. OCR-Applications (e.g. Google Lens) for text recognition.

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If contacts are SIM It is displayed as a set of numbers without names (for example, +79XXXXXX), Try inserting the card into an old device (even a button phone) and exporting data from there in a format VCF. Then transfer the file to Xiaomi via Bluetooth or USB.

6. Solving problems when transferring contacts

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

⚠️ If you are using Xiaomi with firmware for the Chinese market (China) ROM), Import/export functions of contacts may be limited due to local regulations, in which case changing the region in settings will help (Settings). → Additionally. → Region) to “Russia” or “India”, but this would require a phone reset.

7. Backup of contacts after transfer

After successful import, we recommend you back up to avoid data loss when you reset your phone or replace it. SIM-In the cards. MIUI There are built-in tools for this:

• 📱 Open Contacts. → Management → Imports/Exports → Export to device.
• 💾 Choose the format VCF (universal XML (for Mi Account).
• 📁 Save the file to internal memory → MIUI → Backup → Contacts.
• ☁️ For cloud reserve, copy the file to Google Drive or Mi Cloud.

To automate backup:

• 🔄 Enable autosynchronization with Google or Mi Account in your account settings.
• 📅 Use the Swift Backup app (requires root) to create a backup schedule.

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Backup VCF contacts are compatible with any device, from iPhones to Outlook computers, and keep them in a safe place (e.g., in an encrypted archive on a cloud drive).

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts to Xiaomi