How to transfer contacts with SIM-Xiaomi phone cards: all working methods

Transfer of contacts with SIM-Xiaomi smartphone cards including Redmi models, POCO Mi is a challenge that users face when buying a new phone or resetting their settings. Despite the apparent simplicity, the process can be challenging: not everyone knows where to go. MIUI Import function is hidden, and some people face errors when reading the old SIM. In this article, we will analyze 5 proven ways to transfer contacts, including hidden firmware chips and bypassing typical problems.

Feature Xiaomi – customized shell MIUI, where the contact menu may differ from standard Android, for example, in newer versions (MIUI 14+) The import option is hidden deeper than the old one. SIM-The cards support the storage of contacts (especially nano-SIM without a file system), and some operators block access to them.

1. Standard import via MIUI settings

The most obvious way is to use the built-in import feature in the MIUI shell.It works on all Xiaomi smartphones, regardless of the firmware version, but may differ in the location of menu items.

Algorithm of action:

• 📱 Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette).
• 🔧 Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Select Contact Management.
• 📤 Tap Import/Export Contacts → Import with SIM-map.
• 📋 Select contacts for transfer (you can tick everything) → press Import.

If there is no contact management option, try an alternative route:

1. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Contacts → Permits and make sure access to the Warehouse is enabled and SIM-map.
2. Return to Contact and try again.

Make sure that SIM-The card is inserted into slot 1 (main card)|Check that the contacts are saved on SIM (Not the phone memory)|Update the Contacts app on Google Play|Restart your phone if you SIM not determined-->

2. Import via Google account (if contacts are synchronized)

If your contacts have previously been synced with your Google account, you can restore them to Xiaomi without any problems. SIM-This method is useful if you have lost a physical card or it is damaged.

Instructions:

• 🌐 Open the Settings. → Google accounts.
• 🔄 Make sure the contact sync switch is active.
• 📥 If no contacts appear, tap Sync now.
• 🔍 Check the contacts in the Contacts app (they should show up in the Google section).

⚠️ Note: If you haven't synced your contacts with Google before, this won't work. SIM Google can duplicate records – they will have to be cleaned manually.

3. Transfer by application «SIM-Contacts (for older models)

On Xiaomi smartphones until 2020 (for example, Redmi Note 7, Mi 9) in the firmware by default was preinstalled SIM-contact application, which allowed you to manage records directly from the card, but in new versions of MIUI it was removed.

If you have an old model, follow the instructions:

• 🔍 Find it in the app menu SIM-contacts (green icon with the color of the SIM-card).
• 📋 Check the necessary contacts or click Select all.
• 📤 Tap Export on your phone and select a save location (usually Local Contacts).

💡 Useful advice: If applications SIM-No contact, but the phone is released before 2020, try it APK from a trusted source (e.g. APKCombo) Make sure that the security settings allow installation from unknown sources (Settings) → Annexes → Special rights → Installation of unknown applications).

Redmi Note Series Series Series|POCO F/X series|Mi 11/12/13|Redmi 9/10 series|Another model-->

4. Use of third-party applications (for problematic SIMs)

If the built-in MIUI tools fail (for example, you can’t see contacts on SIM or there is a read error), third-party software will help. We tested 3 reliable applications:

Copy My Data is recommended for wireless transfer between devices.

1. Install the app on both phones (old and new Xiaomi).
2. On your old phone, select Send Data → Contacts.
3. Receive Data and Scan It QR-code.
4. Confirm the transmission.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party applications, disable the antivirus (such as Mi Security) as it can block access to contacts.

5. Manual input via export to VCF file

If neither of these methods worked, the one-size-fits-all method is exporting SIM contacts to a.vcf file and then importing them to Xiaomi, which takes longer, but it works.

Steps:

1. Put it in. SIM-card to any phone that reads contacts (such as an old Nokia or Samsung).
2. Export contacts to the.vcf file (usually the option is in the contact menu).
3. Flip the file to Xiaomi via Bluetooth, Email or cloud (Mi Cloud, Google Drive).
4. On Xiaomi, open the file and the system will prompt you to import contacts.

If you don’t have a second phone, you can use it. USB-modem or card reader SIM on PC, software for working with SIM Windows:

• 💻 SIM Card Reader (for reading contacts).
• 📄 Nokia PC Suite (if you are using an old Nokia).

💡

If, on importation, VCF-File contacts duplicate, before importing, export current contacts from Xiaomi to backup: Contacts → Management → Exports.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you move your contacts, Xiaomi users face typical problems, and we've collected the most common ways to fix them:

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔋 Battery charge (at low charge) MIUI can block operations with SIM).
• 📶 Quality of communication (some operators block access to the Internet) SIM-roaming contacts).
• 🔄 Version MIUI (There are bugs on beta firmware - update your phone).

💡

Before resetting your phone to factory settings, always export contacts to VCF-file or sync with Google. This is the only way to guarantee data retention.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions