Transition to a new one SIM-The card always comes with the risk of losing important contacts — especially if you have been saving up a phone book on an old SIM for years. 10A up to the flagship Redmi K60 Pro) face this problem more often than others: MIUI It offers several portable options, but not all of them are intuitive. In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods, from standard Android features to hidden firmware capabilities that will help you save numbers even without access to the Internet.
It is important to understand that the process differs depending on the version. MIUI (12, 13 or 14) and of type SIM-We tested all methods on the current models of the Redmi Note 12 Pro.+, Redmi 11 Prime and POCO X5 Pro – instructions are universal for 90% of the brand’s devices. If your smartphone is running custom firmware (for example, Pixel Experience), some of the features may be missing – we will warn you about this in advance.
1. Standard export/import via contact menu
The most obvious but often ignored way is the built-in function of exporting contacts to a.vcf file. It works on all versions of MIUI and does not require root rights. The main plus is that you get a backup that can be saved to Google Drive or sent by mail.
Algorithm of action:
- 📱 Open the Contacts app** (human silhouette icon).
- ⚙️ Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Select Contact Management.
- 📤 Tap Import/Export Contacts → Export to device.
- 📋 Make contact with SIM-maps (usually marked as SIM 1 SIM 2) → press Export.
- 💾 Contacts.vcf will be saved in the Download folder. Now insert a new file. SIM-map and repeat the path but select Import from the device.
The important point is that if you have duality SIM (Two physical maps, the system can ask which SIM to export data from. 9A and older models, this item is sometimes hidden - you will first have to switch to the desired one. SIM in network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks).
Free space on the device (.vcf file weighs) ~1-5 MB)|Battery charge >30%|New SIM-card inserted|Restrictions for the "Contact" application are disabled"-->
2. synchronization with Xiaomi account (Mi Account)
If you use a Mi Account profile (which is created automatically when you first turn on your smartphone), then contacts can be synchronized with the Xiaomi Cloud, which is convenient because the data will be available on any device of the brand – just log into the same account.
Step-by-step:
- Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Account.
- Make sure the Contact Slider is active (green) if not, move it to the right.
- Wait for the synchronization to be completed (a tick will appear in the upper right corner).
- Insert the new one. SIM-So you can do this map and repeat steps 1-2, and the system will say, "Join Contacts" -- you can agree.
- Open the Contacts app** → Contact Management → Import/Export → Select Copy with Mi Account on SIM.
⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14 after the update from 2023, a bug appeared - when importing from the cloud to the cloud SIM Sometimes the Cyrillic characters in your names disappear. If you have a Redmi Note 12 or later, check before syncing what you have in Settings. → Additionally. → Region exhibited by Russia or Ukraine (depending on firmware).
I'm saving it only for SIM-map|Synchronizing with Google|Using Mi Account.|I keep it on my phone without synchronization.-->
3. Transfer via Google Account (for Gmail owners)
If you prefer the Google ecosystem, then moving through Google Contacts is the most reliable option, and the advantage of the method is that data is automatically backed up and accessible from any Android device, minus it requires a stable Internet connection.
How it works:
- 🌐 Connect to Wi-Fi or mobile internet.
- 📱 Open the Settings. → Accounts and synchronization → Google.
- 🔄 Enable Contact Synchronization (if disabled).
- 🔍 Wait until the process is complete (it can take up to 5 minutes with a large number of records).
- 📲 Insert the new one. SIM-Map, go back to Google Contacts and select Contact Management → Imports/Exports → Exports to SIM.
Critical feature for Redmi with Hybrid slots (e.g. Redmi) 10C): If you use the slot for the second SIM As a microSD, physically insert two SIM-You can't do this at the same time, so you can export your contacts to Google, then you can swap the maps, and then you can import the data to the new map. SIM.
What if Google Contacts are not synced?
4. Use of third-party applications (for advanced users)
If the built-in methods don't work (for example, due to a MIUI failure or lack of Internet), third-party utilities will come to the rescue. We tested 3 applications that are guaranteed to cope with the task:
| Annex | Pluses | Cons | Link (Play Market) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sim Contacts Backup | Fast export/import, support for the Russian language | Advertising, limit to 50 contacts in the free version | Download |
| Copy My Data | Wi-Fi transfer between devices, without clouds | Requires installation on both phones | Download |
| Super Backup & Restore | Creates backup copies of SMS and call logs | Interface in English, difficult for beginners | Download |
🔧 How to use Sim Contacts Backup:
- Install the application and open it.
- Select Export from SIM → SIM 1 or SIM 2.
- Press Export – contacts will be saved in the phone’s memory.
- Insert the new one. SIM-Return to the app and tap the Import to SIM.
⚠️ Warning: Before using third-party utilities, check the permissions in Settings → Annexes → Permissions. The app must have access to Contacts, Warehouse and Phone. If an error flashes, "Can't read" SIM", Try restarting your phone or clearing the app cache.
5. Manual input through USSD-Teams (for emergency cases)
If you don't have access to a smartphone (like a broken screen), but you have another Xiaomi or a USSD-enabled phone, you can transfer contacts one at a time through dedicated commands. The method is long, but it works 100% of the time.
Instructions:
- 📞 Put the old one in. SIM-card.
- 🔢 Dial the command ##4636## → Choose Phone Information → Contact review SIM.
- 📝 Take a picture or take a picture of the numbers (will appear in the format Name: +7XXXXXXXXXX).
- 🔄 Insert the new one. SIM-map and manually add contacts through Settings → SIM-map → Contact management SIM.
💡 Useful advice: if you have a lot of contacts (50)+), In Redmi, it works even without the Internet: open "Contacts»** → press + → microphone-icon → You can dictate the name and number, and the system can recognize speech with 95 accuracy%.
💡
Before the hand penos sort contacts alphabetically: in the menu SIM-cards select Sort → It'll speed up the process of finding the right numbers.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even if you follow the instructions, Xiaomi Redmi users face typical problems. We have collected TOP-5 errors and ways to solve them:
- Contacts are not imported to the new SIM Reason: new SIM-card blocked PUK-Solution: Call your operator's hotline (e.g. *111# for MTS) and request unlocking.
📌 Key takeaway: Before any contact manipulation, make sure to back up.vcf and save it to your computer or cloud. 30% of the time, the problems are due to hardware failures (such as contact oxidation). SIM- slot), and without a backup to recover data will be impossible.