How to transfer contacts from SIM-card to Xiaomi smartphone: a detailed guide

Transfer of contacts with SIM-Xiaomi cards are a challenge that every new owner of the brand’s smartphone faces. Despite the apparent simplicity, the process can cause difficulties, from the lack of visibility of contacts on the map to importing errors into the smartphone. MIUI. Especially relevant problem for users switching from button phones or devices from other manufacturers, where contacts were traditionally stored on the Internet. SIM.

In this article, we will discuss all the current portability methods (including hidden MIUI features), explain why some contacts may not be imported, and give backup recommendations. We will focus on Redmi and POCO models, where the interface may differ from the flagship lines. If you have tried to move contacts and got an error, at the end of this article there is a section on solving problems.

Modern Xiaomi smartphones (starting with the MIUI 12) prompt to import contacts automatically at first installation SIM-maps, but many users miss this step or find that some numbers are not portable. SIM (For example, old cards only support numbers without additional fields, or in the sync settings of the Mi Account. We tested all methods on devices from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra — the results are summarized in the method comparison table below.

1. Standard import via the contact menu

The most obvious way is to use the built-in import feature in the Contacts app.It is suitable for most Xiaomi models, but has limitations: for example, not all contact fields (such as additional numbers or email addresses) can be transferred correctly.

To start importing:

1. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Contact Management.
3. Go to the Import/Export Contacts section.
4. Select Import with SIM-maps and specify where to save contacts (on the device or account) Google/Mi).

Important: if you have a two-sim Xiaomi (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+), the system will request a selection of a slot to import. On some MIUI 14+ firmware, the import option may be hidden behind an additional menu - in this case, use the search by settings (the icon of the magnifier in the top panel).

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

Check the SIM contact balance (maximum 250-500 depending on the operator)

Disable sync with Mi Account at import time (avoid duplicates)

Close all background apps (especially messengers)

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Limitations of the method:

• 📵 Contact photos and notes are not transferred.
• 🔢 Numbers with non-standard characters (e.g, +7(9xx)xxx-xx-xx) can be imported as text.
• 📱 In some models POCO (for example, POCO X5 Pro) Import option is only available after updating the Contacts app via Google Play.

2.Import through system settings

An alternative way is to use the phone's Settings section, which is useful if the Contact app is unstable or not in firmware (relevant to custom MIUI builds).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Contacts.
2. Select Import/Export contacts (on some versions of MIUI, the path may look like Settings → Memory → Data Import).
3. Specify the source (SIM-map and purpose (e.g. phone or Google account).
4. Confirm the import and wait until the completion (the screen will display a notification).

The advantage of this method is the ability to select specific contacts for import (as opposed to mass transfer in the first method).However, on devices with MIUI 13 and below, the interface may differ: for example, on Xiaomi Mi 10T, the option is hidden in Settings → Additional → Data Transfer.

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If contacts are duplicated after import, use the built-in merge function: open Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Combine duplicates.

3. Transfer through Google Account (for backup)

If you plan to not only migrate your SIM contacts to Xiaomi, but also back them up, it’s best to use Google synchronization, a method that ensures data is safe even when you reset your phone to factory settings.

Step-by-step:

1. Make sure that you have added a Google account (Settings → Accounts and Sync) on your phone.
2. Import SIM contacts to your phone (by any of the methods described above).
3. Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Settings → Imports/Exports → Export to the device (creates a.vcf file).
4. Import the.vcf file to Google Contacts via the web version (contacts.google.com).

Advantages of the method:

• ☁️ Contacts are automatically synchronized between devices.
• 🔄 It is easy to recover data after resetting or buying a new phone.
• 📊 All contact fields (including photos and notes) are supported).

However, there are drawbacks: the process takes longer, and importing a.vcf file to Google Contacts requires a stable Internet connection. On devices with MIUI for Russia (for example, Redmi 12C), you may need to manually configure sync in Settings → Accounts → Google → Contact Synchronization.

Standard import through the Contacts app

Transfer through system settings

Synchronization with Google account

Manual input (does not use import)

Another way.-->

4. Manual copying via file.vcf (for power users)

This method is suitable if standard methods do not work (for example, on custom firmware or devices with damaged hardware). SIM-The point is to export contacts with SIM Into the file and then import it to Xiaomi.

Algorithm of action:

1. Put it in. SIM-card to another phone (e.g. old Samsung or Nokia) where there is a function to export contacts to the.vcf file.
2. Export contacts to a memory card or send the file to yourself by email.
3. Download the.vcf file on Xiaomi (for example, via Telegram or Google Drive).
4. Open the file – the system will prompt you to import contacts into the phone’s memory.

Important: If a.vcf file weighs more than 10MB, break it down with services like VCF Splitter, otherwise MIUI may not import it properly.

This is a universal process, but it requires an additional device. SIM-reader (USB-reader SIM-maps) and specialized software such as SIM Card Data Recovery, but it is only for advanced users.

5. Solving problems when importing contacts

Even when following instructions, Xiaomi users often encounter errors, and consider typical scenarios and ways to fix them.

Problem 1: SIM contacts are not displayed on the phone

• 🔌 Check if it is inserted correctly SIM-map (contacts should be facing downwards).
• 📶 Make sure the card is active (call another number from it).
• 🔄 Restart your phone - sometimes MIUI unrecognisable SIM post-installation.
• 🛠️ Update the firmware: in older versions MIUI (below 12) there are reading bugs SIM.

Problem 2: Not all contacts are imported

• 📇 Check the contact limit for SIM (usually 250-500). Excess numbers will not be displayed.
• 🔍 Make sure that the contacts are kept in a standard format (e.g, +79xxxxxxxxxx, not 8-9xx-xxx-xx-xx).
• 📱 Try importing contacts piece by piece (e.g., first from A to M, then from N to Z).

Issue 3: Duplicate contacts after importation

• 🔄 Turn off sync with Mi Account and Google before importing.
• 🧹 Use the merger function in Contacts (⋮ → Contact management → Combine duplicates).
• 🗑️ Remove old contacts before re-importing.

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If none of these methods worked, check if contact access for the Contacts app is disabled in the permission settings (Settings → Privacy → Application permissions).

6. Alternative methods: applications of third-party developers

If the built-in MIUI tools don't work, you can use third-party apps, and we tested some popular utilities for compatibility with Xiaomi:

Top.-3 contact-import:

1. Copy My Data (Transfer Media & Contacts) – transfers Wi-Fi contacts between devices, supports MIUI 12-15.
2. SIM Card (by Simple Mobile Tools) - Advanced contact management on SIM, including editing and export.
3. Contacts Backup & Restore – Creates backups in.vcf format and restores them.

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Note: When using third-party apps, disable autosynchronization with Mi Account and Google to avoid data conflicts. Also check for app reviews - some utilities may request redundant permissions (for example, access to SMS or geolocation).

For example, in Copy My Data, the transfer algorithm looks like this:

1. Install the app on both devices (old phone and Xiaomi).
2. On your old phone, select Send Contacts → Via Wi-Fi.
3. On Xiaomi, select Receive Data and connect to the network you have created.
4. Confirm your contact and wait until it is completed.

The advantage of this method is to retain all contact fields (including photos and notes), but a second phone is required. POCO F5 Xiaomi 13T s MIUI 14 This method may be the only worker if SIM-map damaged.

7. How to avoid future contact loss

Moving your SIM contacts to Xiaomi is a one-time procedure, but to avoid losing data in the future, follow these guidelines:

Rules for safe storage of contacts:

• ☁️ Sync with Google is more secure than storing it. SIM or in the memory of the phone.
• 📅 Export backup copies regularly (once in a year) 3-6 months) in.vcf format.
• 🔐 Use two-factor authentication for your Google account to protect your contacts from hacking.
• 📱 Check your sync settings after the update MIUI — sometimes they're dropped.

Xiaomi devices with MIUI 13+ have a built-in backup feature:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Local Backup and tick Contacts.
3. Save a copy to your memory card or to the Mi Cloud.

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Note: If you are using Mi Cloud for backup, make sure you have enough space in the cloud (free 5GB is provided).

For users who change phones frequently, it’s best to combine Google Contacts and local backups, such as the Redmi Note 11 Pro+, which allows you to automatically sync with Google and create a.vcf file on your memory card once a month.

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts to Xiaomi