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

Transfer of contacts with SIM-Xiaomi smartphone cards are a challenge that every user faces when buying a new device or changing operators. Despite the apparent simplicity, the process can cause difficulties: from lack of visibility SIM-contact book to export errors, especially for owners of budget Redmi models or POCO, interface MIUI It is updated frequently and the location of the settings changes.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to transfer contacts, from standard import via phone menus to backup via Google Account or Mi Cloud, learn how to avoid data loss, why some contacts may not show up, and what to do if the phone can’t see. SIM-Instructions are suitable for all modern versions. MIUI 12/13/14 and Xiaomi models released after 2018 year-end.

If you are switching from an Android device of another brand (such as Samsung or Huawei), it is important to consider the format of the contact storage on your device. SIM-Older maps only support text fields (name) + number, while new USIM They can store additional data (email, addresses), which affects the completeness of the transfer.

Preparation for transfer: what to check before the start

Before you start importing, make sure your SIM-The card is unlocked and properly installed in the tray.On Xiaomi models with a hybrid slot (for example, the Redmi Note 11 or the X-ray). POCO X5) You can use two nano-SIMs at the same time or one. SIM + If the contacts are not displayed, check the card:

🔹 Type SIM-Cards: Outdated Mini-SIM or Micro-SIM may not support contact storage. Modern Nano-SIM and eSIM usually don't have this feature at all.

🔹 Data format: Contacts to SIM They are saved in.vcf (vCard) format, but not all fields can be transferred correctly. For example, photos or multiple numbers for a single contact are often lost.

🔹 Free space: Xiaomi phone book should have enough memory for new entries. If the limit is exceeded, the system will offer to combine duplicates.

Also, it is worth considering that mobile operators (for example, MTS, Beeline, Tele2) can block access to contacts on SIM by default, in which case you will need to contact the communication salon to unlock.

Method 1: Standard import via contact menu

The easiest method is to use the built-in import feature in the Contacts app, which works on all Xiaomi smartphones regardless of the MIUI version, but may differ in the location of menu items.

📌 Step-by-step instruction:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette on the home screen).
2. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Contact Management.
3. Go to the section Import / Export contacts → Import from SIM-card.
4. Choose. SIM-card (if there are two) and tick the necessary contacts (or click Select all).
5. Specify the location of the save: Device (local memory) or Google Account.
6. Confirm the import with the OK button.

⚠️ Note: If contacts are duplicated after import, use the "Contacts Unite" function in the same Contact Management menu.

Contacts are displayed on the main list|No duplicates.|All fields (name, number, email) are preserved)|Contacts are synced with the account (if selected) Google/Mi Cloud)-->

Method 2: Transfer through Google Account (for backup)

If you use Google Contacts, you can pair SIM to phone with backup, which is useful if you plan to reset your phone to factory settings or upgrade to a new device, and the advantage is that contacts will be available on any Android device after authorization.

🔄 How to transfer:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Make sure the Contact switch is active (synchronization enabled).
3. Return to the Contacts app and import from SIM by selecting a Google Account as your place to save.
4. Wait until the synchronization is complete (it can take up to 5 minutes).

📌 Advantages of the method:

• 🔒 Automatic backup to the cloud.
• 📱 Access to contacts from any device.
• 🔄 Possibility of recovery when resetting the phone.

⚠️ Note: If you have not previously had a Google Account linked, you may need to reboot your phone after adding a new account for proper sync.

Method 3: Export via Mi Cloud (for Xiaomi owners)

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s proprietary cloud storage that allows you to synchronize contacts, messages and other data between the brand’s devices, a method that is suitable if you use multiple Xiaomi gadgets (for example, a smartphone + Pad 6 tablet).

☁️ Instructions for transfer:

1. Open Settings → Mi Account (at the top of the screen).
2. Sign in or create a new account if you don’t have one.
3. Go to Mi Cloud → Sync and turn on the Contacts switch.
4. Return to the Contacts app and import data from SIM by selecting Mi Account as your save location.

📊 Comparison of Google Account and Mi Cloud:

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If you use both Google and Mi Cloud, disable the synchronization of contacts in one of the services to avoid duplication of records.

Method 4: Manual transfer via.vcf file (for power users)

If standard methods don't work (e.g., the phone can't see contacts on SIM), you can export them to a.vcf file and download them manually, which is universal and suitable for any device, but requires more action.

📄 How to export contacts to a file:

1. Put it in. SIM-card to another phone (such as an old Nokia or Samsung) where contacts are displayed.
2. Export them to the.vcf file via the contact menu.
3. Flip the file to Xiaomi via Bluetooth, email or cloud.
4. On Xiaomi, open the file and the system will prompt you to import contacts.

⚠️ Note: When importing manually, Cyrillic name contacts may be displayed by cracosabres if the file is not encrypted correctly. To avoid this, use.vcf conversion programs (e.g.,.vcf conversion programs, VCF Editor).

🔧 Alternative:

• 📲 Install the app SIM Card from the Play Market, for example, SIM Contacts Manager).
• 📥 It allows you to read the contacts directly from SIM And keep them in your phone memory.
• 🔄 Some applications support package import/export.

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Manual export via.vcf is the only way to transfer contacts if the phone does not recognize SIM-Card as a contact repository (relevant to eSIM or new models without support) SIM-contact).

Problem Solving: Why Contacts Are Not Delayed

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, Xiaomi users may encounter errors, and consider the most common causes and ways to fix them:

🚨 Problem 1: The phone doesn't see the contacts on the phone. SIM

• 🔌 Check if it is inserted correctly SIM-card (contacts should be addressed to the back of the phone).
• 📶 Restart your phone – sometimes the system doesn’t recognize the card immediately after installation.
• 🔄 Try inserting. SIM (a) in the other slot (if two of them are in the).
• 📱 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version: in old firmware there are bugs with reading SIM.

🚨 Problem 2: Contacts are not fully imported

• 📇 Check if the contact limit is exceeded. SIM (usually not more than 250 records).
• 🔍 Make sure that the fields Name and Number are filled in correctly (without special characters).
• 📎 Try importing contacts in portions (by 50-100 piece).

🚨 Issue 3: Duplicate contacts after importation

• 🔄 Use the function of Combine contacts in the control menu.
• 🧹 Remove duplicates manually or with apps like Duplicate Contacts.
• 🔒 Disable sync with unnecessary accounts (for example, VK Facebook, which can create copies).

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If your contact photos are missing after import, check if they are saved to Google Contacts or locally. SIM-The cards do not support image storage, so you will need to add them manually.

Additional tips for managing contacts on Xiaomi

To avoid future data loss, follow these guidelines:

📌 Set up automatic backups:

• 🔄 Enable sync with Google or Mi Cloud in your account settings.
• 📅 Set backup frequency (e.g. once a week).

📌 Optimize storage:

• 🗃️ Use contact groups for easy sorting (e.g. Work, Family).
• 📎 Clean duplicates regularly with built-in tools MIUI.

📌 Security of data:

• 🔐 Set up the lock of the Contacts app through Settings → Privacy → Application lockdown.
• 🚫 Limit access to contacts for third-party apps in Settings → Permits.

⚠️ Attention: When resetting the phone to factory settings (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting) all local contacts (save only in the device memory) will be deleted. Always sync them to the cloud before resetting!

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts to Xiaomi