How to transfer contacts from SIM-card to Xiaomi Redmi 9: 5 proven ways

Transfer of contacts with SIM-Xiaomi Redmi 9 is a challenge that every new owner of the device faces. Despite its apparent simplicity, the process can cause difficulties: from lack of visibility SIM-contacts in the phone book before export errors due to firmware features MIUI. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of transfer – from standard Xiaomi tools to workaround solutions for cases when the phone does not “see” contacts on the Internet. SIM.

Feature of Redmi 9 (model M2003J15SC/M2004J19C) It is, however, that depending on the version MIUI (12, 13 or 14) The contact import menu can be located in different sections, and some operators (for example, MTS or Beeline) block the recording of contacts on the Internet. SIM-We've taken all the nuances and prepared instructions that even work with "problematic» SIM from old operators.

Important: if you use dual SIM (two cards at a time), before transfer check which slot is the card with contacts – in Redmi 9, the SIM1 slot usually supports 4G, and SIM2 can only work in 2G/3G mode.

Standard import through "Contacts" (MIUI 12/13/14)

The most reliable way is to use the built-in Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette on a green background), which, unlike third-party solutions, ensures that the number format is preserved (for example, with a country code). +7 instead of 8) and supports Cyrillic names. Instructions are relevant for all versions of Redmi 9 firmware, including global (Global) ROM) and Chinese (China) ROM).

Algorithm of action:

1. Open the Contacts app (if it isn’t on the home screen, search through the swipe down).
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) top-right → Select “Contact Management».
3. Go to the section "Import / Export contacts" → "Import from SIM-card".
4. Select SIM1 or SIM2 (depending on the slot where the card with contacts is located).
5. Tick the desired contacts (or click “Select all”) → “Import”.
6. Specify your account to save: “Phone” (locally) or “Google” (for sync with the cloud).

If the button "Import with" SIM-The card is inactive or absent, the reasons may be as follows:

• 📵 SIM-The card does not support the storage of contacts (relevant for modern nano-SIM from Tele2 or virtual operators).
• 🔒 Card blocked PUK-code - unlock it through settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Lockdown SIM.
• 🛠️ Firmware error - update MIUI Up to the latest version in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

Check visibility. SIM-card

Make sure there is a free space on the map (max. ~250 contacts)

Disable VPN (can block access to system functions)

Close the background applications (especially messengers)

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After importing, we recommend checking duplicates: in the same Contact Management menu, select “Combine duplicates” This is true if contacts have previously synced with Google or Mi Account.

2.Export via the “Settings” of the phone (alternative method)

If the Contacts app doesn’t display the import option, try migrating data through system settings, which works even on custom firmware (like LineageOS for Redmi 9), where the standard contact app can be replaced.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Import / Export (in some versions of MIUI, the path may differ: Settings → Additional → Import / Export contacts).
2. Select "Import with" SIM-map».
3. Specify the slot (SIM1 or SIM2) and wait for the scan of contacts.
4. Click on “Import All” or select specific numbers.

If this method did not work, the cause may be a corrupted file system. SIM-In this case, only transfer through third-party software will help (see section 4).

3. Transfer using Google Account (for synchronization)

If you plan to use contacts not only on Redmi 9, but also on other devices (such as a tablet or PC), the best option is to import them into Google Contacts, which will automatically sync data with the cloud and avoid losses when resetting your phone.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the "Contact» → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
2. Select "Import with" SIM-maps" and indicate SIM1/SIM2.
3. In the Save to section, select your Google account (if not, add it via Settings → Accounts).
4. Wait for the import to be completed and check the sync in the web version of Google Contacts.

Advantages of this method:

• ☁️ Automatic backup – contacts will remain even if your phone is lost.
• 🔄 Sync between devices – access numbers from any gadget under your Google account.
• 🛡️ Duplicate Protection – Google automatically combines duplicate records.

1. Open contacts.google.com.

2. highlight all contacts → “More” → “Fix numbers.”

3. Select the country "Russia" and confirm the changes.-->

Important: If you’ve used an iPhone before and migrate contacts via iCloud, export them to.vcf first, then import them to Google Contacts via a web interface. Direct transfer from iCloud to Xiaomi can result in the loss of Cyrillic characters.

4. Use of third-party applications (for complex cases)

If standard methods don't work (e.g., the phone doesn't see SIM contacts or it gives you an "Import Failed" error), third-party utilities will come to the rescue, and we tested 5 popular apps and selected the two most reliable ones for Redmi 9:

For Redmi 9, we recommend SIM Contacts Manager, which works best with MIUI and supports transferring SIM contacts to your phone even when the card memory sectors are damaged. Install the application, provide access to contacts and follow the instructions:

1. Start the SIM Contacts Manager.
2. Select “Import with SIM” → specify the slot.
3. Mark your contacts and click “Export to the phone book”.
4. Select the save format (VCard 3.0 is recommended for compatibility).

Through a Google account

Standard import with SIM

Third-party applications

Manual input.

In other ways.-->

If the application gives an error "SIM card not found", try:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📶 Temporarily disable mobile network (Settings) → SIM-map → Transfer of data → Off.).
• 🛠️ Clear the cache of the Contacts app (Settings) → Annexes → Contacts → Warehouse → Clear the cache).

5. Manual input and backup (for a small number of contacts)

If you SIM-With less than 50 contacts, the most reliable (albeit laborious) method is manual input, which guarantees 100% accuracy and allows you to structure numbers immediately (for example, adding "Work", "Home" labels»).

How to optimize the process:

1. Open the Contacts app and press + (plus icon at the bottom of the screen).
2. Enter the name and number. Use voice input (the microphone icon on the keyboard) to speed up.
3. Add additional fields: email, address, birthday (this will be useful for reminders in Mi Calendar).
4. After entering all contacts, export them to the.vcf file via Contact Management → Export.

To speed up manual input, you can use a business card scanner (if the contacts are written on paper):

• 📸 Install CamScanner or Adobe Scan.
• 📄 Scan the contact sheet (or a photo of the business card).
• 🤖 Click on “Recognize Text” and copy the data to the phone book.

💡

Manual input is the only portability method that ensures that there are no duplicates and formatting errors (e.g., extra room spaces).

After completing manual input, be sure to create a backup copy:

1. Go to Settings → System and Device → Backup.
2. Select “Local Backup” and select “Contacts”.
3. Save the file to SD-map or cloud to Mi Cloud.

6. Problem Solving: Frequent Errors and Corrections

When migrating SIM contacts to Xiaomi Redmi 9, users face typical problems, and we have collected the most common errors and ways to fix them:

If none of the methods helped, the reason may be a hardware malfunction of the slot. SIM-It's easy to check it out:

• 🔧 Put it in. SIM In another phone, if contacts are read, the problem is Redmi 9.
• 📱 Check the slot for contamination (dry with alcohol carefully).
• 🔄 Update the firmware to the latest version MIUI (Sometimes bugs are fixed in new builds).

💡

If you change phones frequently, make it a habit to export contacts to a.vcf file every month and send them to your email, which will save you from portability problems in the future.

For users who have encountered the error "The process com.android.contacts stopped", will help reset the settings of the application "Contacts":

1. Go to Settings → Applications → All Apps → Contacts.
2. Click on “Storage” → “Clear Data” and “Clear Cache”.
3. Restart the phone and repeat the import.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions