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

Transfer of contacts with SIM-Xiaomi smartphone cards are a challenge that every user faces when buying a new device or resetting settings. Despite the apparent simplicity, the process can be complicated by the features of the firmware. MIUI, limitations of the operators or damaged data on SIM. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to import contacts, including hidden functions. MIUI, Avoiding common errors and alternative methods for older models.

It’s important to understand that modern Xiaomi smartphones (Redmi Note 12 series, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13 and later) often do not display the option of importing with SIM in the standard contact menu, due to Google’s policy of gradually abandoning support for the outdated format of storing contacts on the map.

If you are using a MIUI 14/15 device, some methods may require you to pre-set up your Mi Account or connect to the Internet. For low-end models (such as the Redmi A2 or POCO C50), alternative solutions are relevant, as their firmware often lacks some features.

1. Standard import through the “Contacts” app

The most obvious way is to use the built-in Contacts app (or Contacts in global firmware), but its availability depends on the MIUI version and the phone model, and this is how it works on most devices:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a human silhouette).
2. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Settings.
3. Scroll down to Contact Management and tap Import/Export Contacts.
4. Select Import with SIM-Maps and indicate where to save contacts (on your phone or Google account).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.

If the item Imports with SIM-The card is not on the menu, which means your firmware is hiding it.

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Before importing, check how many contacts are stored on the SIM: insert it into another phone or use the USSD-command *#62# (not all carriers).

⚠️ Note: When importing contacts with SIM It can be duplicated if they already exist in the phone’s memory. Before the procedure, it is recommended to clear the contact list or use the option to Combine duplicates in the application settings.

2. Import through system settings (hidden method)

MIUI has an alternative import route that works even if the option is not available in the Contacts app.This method is suitable for Android 10-13 devices:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Press three points (⋮) and select Show all applications.
3. Find Contacts (or Contacts) in the list and open its settings.
4. Stick the Memory (or Warehouse), then Import/Export.
5. Select Import with SIM-maps and follow the instructions.

This method bypasses the limitations of the interface, but may not work on custom firmware or devices with severely reduced functionality (for example, Redmi Go).

3. Use of third-party applications

If the built-in methods don't work, third-party utilities will come to the rescue.

• 📱 Copy My Data – Transfers contacts, messages and photos over Wi-Fi. Supports import from the Internet SIM rootless.
• 🔄 SIM Card Contacts Backup – Specializes in working with SIM, Exports contacts to.vcf or.csv formats.
• 📲 My Contacts Backup – Backs up your contacts to the cloud or email, where they can be imported to Xiaomi.

Examples of using SIM Card Contacts Backup:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Run it and select Import with SIM.
3. Specify where to save contacts (in memory of your phone or Google account).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the notification of success.

⚠️ Note: Some apps require access to contacts, SMS Check reviews and rankings on Google Play before installing to avoid data leakage. Apps rated below 4.0 stars are best avoided.

4. Manual input and export via PC

If the automatic methods don't work, you have manual portability, which is laborious, but it's guaranteed to work on any device, including Xiaomi with custom firmware.

Method 1: Export to PC and import back

1. Put it in. SIM-Card to an old phone (or a read adapter) SIM PC-only).
2. Export contacts to the.vcf file (via the contact menu or special programs like SIM Card Reader).
3. Connect Xiaomi to your PC and copy the file to the Download folder.
4. Open the.vcf file and import contacts.

Method 2: Manual input

If there are few contacts (up to 20-30), it is easier to enter them manually:

1. Open the Contacts app on Xiaomi.
2. Press + (add contact).
3. Enter your name and number, select the location of the save (phone or Google).
4. Repeat for all contacts.

✅ Check the number of contacts on SIM (keep out)

✅ Prepare the adapter for SIM (if you use a PC)

✅ Make sure that Xiaomi has enough memory for a.vcf file.

✅ Backup your current contacts (in case of an error)-->

5. Transfer via Google or Mi Account

If your contacts are already synced with your Google or Mi Account account, you can easily transfer them to the new Xiaomi.

Synchronization with Google

1. On your old phone, export your contacts to your Google account (select Export to Google in your contact settings).
2. On Xiaomi, add the same Google account to Settings → Accounts.
3. Enable contact synchronization in your account settings.

Synchronization with Mi Account

It works similarly with the Xiaomi account:

1. On an older Xiaomi device, enable contact sync in Settings → Mi Account.
2. On the new phone, log in to the same account and wait for automatic synchronization.

Important: If the contact was only kept SIM-Pre-import them to your phone or account memory, otherwise synchronization will not work.

6. Solving typical import errors

When transferring contacts, Xiaomi users often face problems, and consider the most common and ways to eliminate them:

• 🚫 Mistake "No contact at all" SIM» — Check if yours is supported. SIM Storing contacts (many modern nano-SIMs don't support them.
• 🔄 Contacts are not fully imported - restriction SIM-- Cards by number of records (usually 250) break down imports into parts.
• 📵 The phone can't see. SIM-card – clean the card contacts with alcohol, check the slot or contact the operator for a replacement.
• 🔒 Contacts access requested – allow access in the application settings (Settings) → Annexes → Permits).

If none of these methods worked, try resetting your network settings:

Settings → SIM-cards and mobile networks → Resetting mobile network settings

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Before resetting your network settings, save important data (SMS, APN settings) as it will be deleted.

7.Alternative methods for older Xiaomi models

Owners of devices based on MIUI 9-11 (for example, Redmi 4X, Mi A1) or budget models without import support will help one of these ways:

• 📞 Bluetooth Transfer: Send contacts one at a time from your old phone to Xiaomi via Bluetooth.
• 📧 Exports to CSV: Use the app. SIM Card Manager to export contacts to.csv file, then import it through Google Contacts.
• 🖥️ ADB-Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell content insert --uri content://com.android.contacts/raw_contacts --bind name" --bind phone: "Number" (replace "Name" and "Number" with real data).

For Android Go models (like the Redmi Go), the only reliable way is to manually enter or use the SIM→USB adapter to read the card on a PC.

FAQ: Frequent questions about contact transfer