How to transfer contacts from SIM-card to Xiaomi Redmi 9: all working methods

Transfer of contacts with SIM-Xiaomi Redmi 9 cards are a challenge that almost every new owner of the device faces, and despite their apparent simplicity, the process can cause difficulties, from the lack of visible options on the menu to errors when importing. This is especially true for users who have been keeping numbers only on the Internet for years. SIM, Not synchronizing with clouds or phone memory.

In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of transferring contacts – from standard functions. MIUI We will focus on common errors (for example, when contacts are duplicated or disappear after import) and explain why some methods work unstable on Redmi. 9A or Redmi 9C. If you want to not just copy numbers, but save them in a safe place (Google account, VCF-file or internal memory, you will find detailed instructions with illustrations of steps.

Before you start, check two key points: the size of the address book on the site. SIM (old-card restriction — 200-250 contact and version MIUI (firmware 12.5 The route to import settings may be different. SIM-Nano-SIM card, but previously used in older phones, there is a high risk of data loss if extracted incorrectly - this is also discussed below.

1. Standard import via MIUI settings

The most obvious way is to use the built-in contact import feature in MIUI, which is suitable for most Redmi 9 users, but may not work if:

• 📱 SIM-The card is not recognized by the system (check the slot in the tray!).
• 🔄 Contacts already imported and duplicated.
• 🔒 On the phone installed custom firmware without the standard application Contacts.

To move contacts:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette).
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → select Settings.
3. Go to the Import/Export Contacts section.
4. Select Import with SIM-map → Specify the target storage (phone or Google).
5. Confirm the action and wait until it is completed (can take up to 2-3 minutes with 200+ contacts).

Free space in the memory of the phone (minimum) 50 MB)|Battery charge >30%|SIM-card inserted into the Slot slot 1 (basic)|Disabled. VPN/Proxies (can block access to contacts)-->

If the option Import from SIM-card is not in the menu, update the Contacts app via Google Play or check the settings of displaying system applications in MIUI. On some versions of the firmware, the path may look like this: Contacts → Management → Import / Export.

⚠️ Note: When importing into a Google account, make sure the phone is connected to the Internet. Without the network, contacts will only be stored locally and may be lost when resetting your settings.

2. Export of contacts to VCF file and manual transfer

The method is suitable if you want to back up contacts in front of a penos or transfer them to another phone later..vcf (vCard) file is compatible with any device, including iPhone or computers.

Instructions for Xiaomi Redmi 9:

1. Start Contacts → Settings → Import / Export.
2. Select Export on Export SIM-card (if contacts are already on the phone) or Export to file.
3. Specify the folder to save (we recommend Downloads or Documents).
4. The file will be created with a type name. contacts_20260515.vcf. Send it to your own mail or copy it to the cloud.

To import.vcf back to your phone:

1. Open the file through Explorer (MIUI) or any file application.
2. Select Import All Contacts → Specify Your Target Storage (Phone or Google).

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If the contacts are not displayed when importing.vcf, check the Contacts folder in the phone’s memory – sometimes files are saved there automatically.

3. Synchronization with Google account

The most reliable way to save contacts forever is to link them to a Google account, which will protect data even if you lose or reset your phone. On Redmi 9, the process takes no more than 5 minutes, but requires a stable Internet connection.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
2. Select your Google account (or add a new one).
3. Activate Contacts slider in the account sync section.
4. Return to Contacts → Settings → Import/Export.
5. Select Import with SIM-map → Specify Google as your target storage.

Once synchronized, contacts will be available at contacts.google.com, and can be edited, restored or exported from there at any time.

⚠️ Attention: If SIM-The card stores contacts with incorrect characters (for example, characters or special characters), Google may not import them.

Only on the SIM-map|In the memory of the phone|On Google account|In another cloud (iCloud, Yandex, etc.)|I don't know.-->

4. Use of third-party applications

If standard methods don't work, Google Play apps will come to the rescue, and they're useful when:

• 🔄 You need to move contacts selectively (not all in a row).
• 📱 SIM-The card is damaged and the phone doesn't recognize it.
• 🔒 Data editing is required before import (e.g., removal of duplicates).

Top.-3 Proven applications for Xiaomi Redmi 9:

1. Copy My Data – Transfers contacts, SMS and photos over Wi-Fi.
2. SIM Card Contacts – specializes in working with SIM, supports old formats.
3. Contacts Backup & Restore – Backups to the cloud.

Examples of SIM Card Contacts:

1. Install the application and open it.
2. Select Import from SIM → mark the desired contacts (or all).
3. Specify where to save: Phone, Google or VCF-file.
4. Confirm the import and wait for notification of successful completion.

5. Transfer of contacts by computer

This method is useful if the phone does not recognize SIM-It's a card, but it's readable on a PC through a card reader:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS.
• 📁 Card reader (or adapter for SIM).
• 🔗 Reading programme SIM (for example, SIM Card Reader).

Instructions:

1. Extract. SIM-Redmi 9 card and insert it into the card reader.
2. Connect the card reader to the PC and start the SIM reading program.
3. Export contacts to a.vcf or.csv file.
4. Flip the file to your phone (via USB, Bluetooth or cloud).
5. Import contacts through Settings → Import/Export.

If you don’t have a card reader, you can use an old SIM-enabled phone: transfer contacts to it, export to the file, and then go to Redmi 9.

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Transferring over a computer is the only way to restore contact with a damaged one. SIM-cards if the phone can't see it.

6. Solving problems when transferring contacts

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have errors, and let's look at the typical cases and how to fix them:

If your contact photos are missing after importing, it's okay to only store them in your phone's memory or Google account. To recover them, try:

• 🔍 Check the folder. DCIM/.thumbnails on the phone (sometimes the thumbnails are saved there).
• 🖼️ Use applications like Contact Photo Sync to re-assign images.

7. How to avoid future contact loss

To avoid the problem of transference, follow the following simple rules:

• 🔄 Regularly sync your contacts with Google or MI-account (once a month).
• 📱 Store a backup in a.vcf file on a cloud drive (Google Drive, Yandex.Disk).
• 🚫 Don't use it. SIM-The card is the main storage, it is easy to lose or damage.
• 📲 Install an automatic backup app (such as Super Backup & Restore).

On Xiaomi Redmi 9 with MIUI 12.5+, there is a hidden automatic contact backup feature in MI Cloud. To activate it, go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and turn on Contacts.

If you change phones frequently, consider cross-platform services like My Contacts Backup. QR-Sync.me (synchronizes data between devices by phone number).

FAQ: Frequent questions about contact transfer