How to transfer contacts from SIM-card to Xiaomi smartphone: all working methods

Transfer of contacts with SIM-Xiaomi smartphone cards are a challenge faced by every new owner of the device or user who decides to change operator. Despite the apparent simplicity, the process can cause difficulties: the system does not see contacts on the device. SIM, Import errors occur, or the phone offers outdated synchronization methods. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to copy numbers for Redmi devices, POCO and the Mi line on the base MIUI 12-15 and Android 10–14, including bypassing typical issues.

Xiaomi’s feature is a modified MIUI shell that sometimes hides standard Android features or moves them to non-obvious menu sections. For example, in recent firmware versions, the contact import option may not be in the Contacts app, but in the system settings. We took these nuances into account and collected instructions that work even on budget models like the Redmi A2 or the POCO C50.

It is important that you use two SIM-The system may only offer to import contacts from the main (Slot 1) to transfer numbers from the second. SIM, You will need to adjust it, as we have described below.

1. Standard import through the “Contacts” app

The most obvious way is to use the built-in Contacts app, which is suitable for most Xiaomi models, but may vary depending on the version of MIUI. If you have MIUI 14+ firmware installed, keep an eye out for changes in the interface: developers regularly move menu items.

Algorithm of action:

• 📱 Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette on the home screen or in the app menu).
• ⚙️ Press three points (⋮) In the upper right corner and select “Manage contacts).
• 🔄 In the section “Import/Export» (Import/Export) tap "Import with" SIM-maps (Import from) SIM card).
• 📋 Choose. SIM-map (if there are two) and tick the contacts you want to copy).

If the item “Imports with” SIM-No map, so your version is not MIUI It's using a different path. Try an alternative method:

1. Open Contacts → click on your avatar in the top left corner.
2. Select Settings → Import/Export Contacts.
3. Follow the system's prompts.

Typical problem: Contacts app doesn't see SIM-map. Solution:

⚠️ Attention: if SIM-The card is not identified in the import menu, check it on another phone, it may be stored in a non-compatible format (for example, check it on another phone, ADN instead FDN). Also make sure that SIM free-lock PUK-code.

2.Import through the System Settings

In MIUI 13-15, developers have moved some of the functions of importing contacts to system settings, which work more stable, especially if the standard Contacts application is buggy.

• ⚙️ Open the "Settings" (Settings) → «Annexes” (Apps).
• 🔍 Scroll down and select Contacts).
• 📤 Tap "Import/Export contacts» (Import/Export contacts).
• 📋 Select "Import with" SIM-maps" and follow the clues.

If this route does not work in your MIUI version, try an alternative route:

Settings → Memory → Data Import → Contacts with SIM

An important nuance: when importing through settings, the system may suggest saving contacts to your Mi or Google account. Choose “Phone storage” if you do not want to sync numbers with the cloud.

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

Make sure there is free space on the SIM (minimum 1 contact = ~100 bytes)

Disable VPN (can block access to system functions)

Close all background apps (especially messengers)

-->

Manual contact entry (if automatic importation does not work)

If none of the automatic methods work, you have to manually type, which is laborious, but it's reliable, especially for older ones. SIM-memory-constrained cards. How to speed things up:

• 📝 Use the Notes app to temporarily store numbers: take a picture of the screen with the contacts on another phone and enter the data with the photo.
• 🔄 To speed up, dial the number in the Phone app, then click “Create contact).
• 📋 If you have a lot of contacts, export them from your old phone to a.vcf file and send them to you via email or Mi Share.

Critical information: on SIM-Old-style cards (before 2010) can be stored in encoding GSM 7-bit, In this case, the names will be displayed in Cracose-type characters, and they will have to be edited by hand after importation.

Tip for POCO F5 or Redmi K60 owners: If the keyboard interferes with fast input, activate voice input in the keyboard settings (Settings → Additional → Voice Input). Dictate numbers and names – the system recognizes them with an accuracy of 95%.

4. Use of third-party applications

If Xiaomi's built-in tools don't work, third-party tools will come to the rescue, and we tested 5 popular apps and selected the most reliable ones:

Recommendation: SIM Card Contacts is best suited for Xiaomi – it works correctly with dual-SIM and supports Cyrillic. Download it from Google Play (do not use APK from third-party sources!).

Instructions for Copy My Data:

1. Install the app on both phones (old and new).
2. On your old phone, select “Send data” → “Contacts” → “SIM card”.
3. On the new Xiaomi, select “Receive data” and follow the hints.

💡

Before using third-party applications, disable battery optimization for them in the MIUI settings (Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization). Otherwise, the application may close halfway through import.

5. Transfer of contacts by computer

If you have a card reader or adapter for SIM-This is a method that is suitable for advanced users and requires additional software.

Tools required:

• 💻 Programme SIM Card Data Recovery (for reading contacts).
• 📁 Card reader or microSD-to-SIM adapter (if the laptop does not have a slot for the device) SIM).
• 🔗 USB-Type-C Cable for Connecting Xiaomi to PC.

Step-by-step:

1. Put it in. SIM-card to card reader and connect to the computer.
2. Install and run SIM Card Data Recovery.
3. Select your SIM from the device list and click “Scan”.
4. After scanning, mark the contacts and export them to the.vcf file.
5. Connect Xiaomi to your PC, copy the.vcf file to the Download folder.
6. Open the file on the phone and the system will prompt you to import contacts.

⚠️ Note: Do not use programs like this SIM Card Copier from unknown developers, they may contain malicious code that steals data from your computer. SIM (including SMS call history).

6 Problems and solutions in importing contacts

Even with the right actions, Xiaomi users face common mistakes, and we have collected the most common ways to fix them:

If contacts are not displayed in the phone book after import, check:

• 🔍 Filter in the Contacts app (possibly enabled to show only Google contacts).
• 📁 Import folder: sometimes contacts are saved in “Other contacts).
• 🔄 Sync: Disable and turn it back on in your account settings.

💡

If none of the methods worked, try resetting the Contacts app settings (Settings → Apps → Contacts → Storage → Reset) this will delete all local contacts, but return the standard import settings.

7. How to avoid future contact loss

To avoid having to re-copy numbers with SIM, set up automatic backup on Xiaomi:

• ☁️ Sync with Google: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of contacts.
• 📱 Local backup: Settings → The phone. → Backup (creates a file in the device’s memory).
• 🔗 Export to vCard: Regularly keep contacts in.vcf file via Contacts» → «Exports».

For owners of POCO X5 Pro or Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Mi Cloud will be useful:

1. Register for a Mi Account (if you haven’t already).
2. Enable synchronization: Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Contacts.
3. Install automatic backup: Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.

Warning: If you use two SIM-maps, set up separate profiles for each. MIUI It's done through:

→ SIM-maps and mobile networks → Additional settings → Profiles SIM-maps

FAQ: Frequent questions about contact transfer