How to transfer contacts with SIM-Xiaomi phone cards: all ways 2026

Transfer of contacts with SIM-Xiaomi smartphone cards are a challenge that every new owner of the device faces. Despite the apparent simplicity, the process has nuances: from differences in the interface to differences in the user experience. MIUI 14 and MIUI 15 to limit the number of numbers saved. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to import contacts, including hidden functions and avoiding common errors.

The main problem with users is incomplete data transfer (for example, names are lost or only numbers are saved) or duplication of records.+, POCO X5 Pro and Xiaomi 13T We'll focus on the transfer of contacts with the double-sided SIM-Maps where standard Android tools often donโ€™t work properly.

If you are switching from an iPhone or other Android device, we will consider the nuances of compatibility of.vcf and.csv formats. And for those who are afraid of losing data, we will give a checklist for backup before starting the procedure.

1. Standard import through MIUI Contacts

The most obvious way is to use the built-in Contacts app, which works on all Xiaomi devices regardless of the version. MIUI, It is limited to the fact that you can import only one contact at a time. SIM-If you have a dual-sim phone, you'll have to repeat the procedure for each slot.

Algorithm of action:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Open the Contacts app** (not to be confused with Google Contacts!).
  • โš™๏ธ Click on three dots in the upper right corner โ†’ Select โ€œContact Managementยป**.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Tap "Import/Export contactsยป โ†’ ยซImport with SIM-mapยป.
  • ๐Ÿ“‹ Choose. SIM-card (if there are two) and tick the desired contacts (or click "Select allยป**).
  • ๐Ÿ’พ Specify your account to save: Device (locally) or Google (in the cloud).

Important: when you select a Device, contacts will only be stored in your phoneโ€™s memory and will not sync with other gadgets. If you choose Google, the data will automatically be uploaded to your account and available on any device after authorization.

Make sure that SIM-The card is inserted into slot 1 (main card)|Check the space in the phoneโ€™s memory (minimum 10 MB)|Turn off the "Do Not Disturb" mode during the procedure|Close all background apps, especially instant messengers

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Typical error: If contacts donโ€™t appear on the list for import, check if they are active SIM-map in settings Settings โ†’ SIM-Maps and mobile networks. Sometimes, after a phone restart, the slot can shut down automatically.

2. Export to.vcf file and manual transfer

This method is suitable if standard importation does not work (for example, on old ones). SIM-- memory-limited cards, or you want to keep a backup of contacts..vcf (vCard) is a universal format that all modern smartphones support.

Instructions for Xiaomi:

  1. ๐Ÿ“„ In the Contacts app** go to Contact Management โ†’ Exports to SIM-map.
  2. ๐Ÿ“ฅ Select contacts for export (you can note everything) and confirm the creation of the contact.vcf file.
  3. ๐Ÿ“ The file will be saved in the Download folder or MIUI/Backup/Contacts. Move it to a convenient location (for example, on the desktop).
  4. ๐Ÿ”„ Now import the file back: Contact management โ†’ Import from.vcf file.

The advantage of the method is that you can edit the.vcf file in a text editor (for example, delete unnecessary numbers) before importing, and this method allows you to transfer contacts between different accounts (for example, from Mi Account to Google).

How to open a.vcf file on a PC?
You can view the vCard file in the standard Windows Contacts app (double-click on file) or in Excel (import as a CSV with separators). For mass editing, use services like VCF Editor.

โš ๏ธ Note: Some operators (for example, MTS or Beeline) block the entry to the SIM-In this case, export the contacts directly to the.vcf file, bypassing the SIM.

3. Sync with Google Account

If you use Google, this method will not only allow you to transfer contacts, but also automatically sync them between devices, suitable for owners of Xiaomi who have previously used Android smartphones from other brands.

Step-by-step:

  • ๐Ÿ”— Make sure you have added a Google Account (Settings) โ†’ Accounts and synchronization โ†’ Add an account).
  • โ˜๏ธ Enable Contact Synchronization: Go to Settings โ†’ Accounts and synchronization โ†’ Google โ†’ Synchronize contacts.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Open the "Contact" appยป** โ†’ Contact management โ†’ Import with SIM-map.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ When importing, select your target Google account (not Device!).

Once the procedure is complete, the contacts will appear in your Google Account and will be available at contacts.google.com, which ensures that the data is kept safe even when the phone is reset to factory settings.

Mode of transferSpeed.Data securitySynchronizationSuitable for dual SIM
Standard importsโšก Quickly.โŒ Locally.โŒ No.โœ… Yeah (alternately)
File.vcf๐Ÿข Slowly.โœ… Backup copyโŒ No.โœ… Yes.
Google Accountโšก Quickly.โ˜๏ธ Cloud.โœ… Yes.โœ… Yes.
Mi Accountโšก Quickly.โ˜๏ธ Cloud.โœ… Yes, only Xiaomi)โœ… Yes.
๐Ÿ“Š What kind of contact transfer you use more often?
Standard import through Contacts
Export to.vcf file
Synchronization with Google
Synchronization with Mi Account
Another way.

4.Move over Mi Account (for Xiaomi owners)

If youโ€™re actively using the Xiaomi ecosystem (like you have a Mi Band or Mi Home), itโ€™s easier to sync contacts through your Mi Account, which automatically backs up data and allows you to restore it to your new Xiaomi device without any additional action.

How to set up:

  1. ๐Ÿ“ฑ Go to Settings. โ†’ Accounts and synchronization โ†’ Mi Account.
  2. โ˜๏ธ Enable the option โ€œContact Synchronizationยป**.
  3. ๐Ÿ”„ Return to the Contact App** and import data from SIM-Cards, using Mi Account as the target.

The advantage: when you change your Xiaomi phone, your contacts will automatically be loaded when you log in to your Mi Account, and this method also allows you to share contacts with other devices in the ecosystem (for example, the Xiaomi Pad tablet).

โš ๏ธ Warning: If you delete contacts from your phone, they will also disappear from your Mi Account if sync is enabled.Before mass editing, turn off automatic sync in your account settings.

5. Use of third-party applications

When standard methods don't work (for example, on custom firmware or after resetting), third-party utilities come to the rescue. We tested 5 popular applications and selected the best ones:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฒ Sim Contacts Backup โ€“ Exports contacts to.vcf and.csv, supports batch processing.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Copy My Data โ€“ Transfers Wi-Fi contacts between devices (including iPhones).
  • โ˜๏ธ Contacts Optimizer โ€“ Clears duplicates and optimizes records before import.

Example of Sim Contacts Backup:

  1. Install the app from Google Play.
  2. Open it and select "Backup from SIM"**.
  3. Save backup to the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox) or to your device.
  4. Import data via โ€œRestoreโ€** to the desired account.

Warning: Avoid apps with suspicious permissions (such as SMS or geolocation access) and check reviews and rankings on Google Play before installing.

๐Ÿ’ก

If after importing the contacts are displayed in hieroglyphs, the problem is encoding. SIM-Try exporting data to a.vcf file, opening it on a PC, and saving it to a format. UTF-8, then import back.

6. Transfer of contacts from dual SIM-card

Xiaomi Owners With Two SIM-Cards (Redmi Note 11 Pro)+, POCO F5 And so, you're often faced with the fact that the phone only sees contacts from the main slot, so you can transfer data from both cards:

  1. ๐Ÿ“ถ Go to Settings. โ†’ SIM-maps and mobile networks.
  2. ๐Ÿ”„ Make sure both of you SIM-Cards are active (Slideer "Included"** green colored).
  3. ๐Ÿ“‹ In the "Contact" app, select Imports with SIM-Repeat the procedure for each slot separately.

If contacts with the second SIM are not displayed, try:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Reboot the phone.
  • ๐Ÿ“ถ Remove and re-insert SIM-card.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Update the firmware (Settings) โ†’ The phone. โ†’ Updating the system).

On some models (e.g. Xiaomi 12T), contacts with the second SIM can only be imported into the.vcf file.

๐Ÿ’ก

On devices with MIUI 15 and newer contacts with the second SIM-The cards are automatically copied to the phone's memory when you first turn on. MIUI/Backup/Contacts/SIM2 โ€” There might be a backup.

7. Solving typical problems

Even when following the instructions, users encounter errors.

Problem.Reason.Decision
Contacts are not importedSIM-card blocked PUK-codeUnlock the card through the phone menu or contact the operator
Names are displayed in hieroglyphicsIncompatible codingExport to.vcf, open to PC and save to UTF-8
Duplicate recordsContacts already exist in Google/Mi AccountUse Contacts Optimizer to clean up duplicates
You can't see the second SIM.Slot disabled in settingsCheck the Settings. โ†’ SIM-maps and mobile networks

If none of the methods worked, try resetting the Contacts app settings:

  1. ๐Ÿ“ฑ Go to Settings. โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Application management โ†’ Contacts.
  2. ๐Ÿ”„ Press "Storageยป โ†’ ยซClear the dataยป.
  3. ๐Ÿ“ฒ Restart your phone and repeat the import.

In extreme cases, perform a full reset of the phone to factory settings (Settings โ†’ About Phone โ†’ Reset settings), but save a backup of the data beforehand!

FAQ: Frequent questions

Can I transfer SIM contacts to Xiaomi without a computer?
Yes, all of the methods described in this article (except editing the.vcf file) are done directly on the phone. For most users, standard import through the Contacts app** or sync with Google Account is enough.
Why did some of the numbers disappear after import?
It's a typical problem of the old ones. SIM-cards with limited memory (for example, on the 250 To avoid losses: Export contacts in small batches (by 50-100 Use the.vcf file as an intermediate storage, check if the operator is blocking the entry to the SIM (body-specific2 and ihota).
How to transfer contacts to Xiaomi via iPhone SIM-map?
iPhone does not support export of contacts SIM-You will need to: Sync contacts with iCloud. Export them to.vcf via iCloud web. Transfer the file to Xiaomi and import through Contacts**. Or use the Move to iOS app (but it only works when you first set up Xiaomi).
How many contacts can be saved on SIM-mapping?
It depends on the type. SIM-map: ๐ŸŸข Standard. SIM: before 250 contact. ๐ŸŸก Micro/SIM: before 500 contact. ๐Ÿ”ด Nano-SIM (modern): up to 1000 contact, but with a limit on the length of the name (maximum) 14 Use Google Account or Mi Account to store more contacts.
Can I transfer my SIM contacts to Xiaomi without losing my call history?
No, the call history is kept separate from the contacts and not transferred through the contact information. SIM-To save it, use applications like Call Logs Backup & Restore. Export the call log to.xml or.csv. Recover the data after you move the contacts. MIUI 15 Call history is automatically synced with Mi Account if the appropriate option is enabled.