How to transfer contacts with SIM-Maps on the phone Xiaomi Redmi: the full guide

The transition to the new smartphone Xiaomi Redmi is often accompanied by the need to transfer important data, and contacts with the new smartphone. SIM-Maps are one of the first challenges that users face, and although they seem simple, the import process can be challenging, ranging from a lack of visibility. SIM-Contacts in the menu before sync errors with Google account. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of transfer, including hidden functions. MIUI, Avoiding typical problems and optimizing contact storage.

Xiaomi Redmi phones feature a modified MIUI shell that sometimes changes standard Android paths. For example, in some models (for example, Redmi Note 12 or Redmi 10C), the contact import point is hidden in the submenu "Additional", and in others it is available directly in the main interface of the Contacts application. We took these nuances into account and prepared universal instructions that work on all versions of MIUI from 12 to 14.

Important: If yours SIM-The card was released before 2010, it can use an outdated format for storing contacts (up to 200 entries with a restriction on characters). Modern Redmi supports import from such cards, but there are possible errors in the encoding of Cyrillic alphabet.

1. Standard import through the "Contacts" appendix

The most obvious and quick way is to use the built-in Contacts app (a human silhouette icon), which works on all Xiaomi Redmi models without additional software, but requires a pre-setting of visibility. SIM-map.

First, make sure that SIM-The card is active and it's recognized by the phone:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Check that the status "Connected" and the operator name are displayed next to your SIM.
3. If the SIM is not detected, remove and re-insert it (when the phone is switched off).

We now proceed to import:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Tap the three-point menu (⋮) top-right.
3. Select Settings → Import / Export contacts.
4. Press Import with SIM-map.
5. Select the contacts you need (or click “Secret All”) and confirm the import.

Make sure that SIM-map is recognized in the settings|Check for free space in the phone memory (minimum 1 MB)|Close background applications (especially messengers)|Disconnect energy saving mode at the time of import-->

Nuance for MIUI 14: In some firmwares, the Import/Export item may be called Contact Management. If you don't find the right section, search by settings (the magnifier icon in the upper right corner).

⚠️ Note: When importing through a standard app, contacts are saved to the phone’s local memory, not to a Google account. To avoid data loss when resetting your phone, sync with Google after import (instruction in Section 3).

2. Import through system settings (alternative method)

If the Contacts app does not display the import option (this happens on Redmi 9A or Redmi 8 with outdated firmware), use the system settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Contacts → Storage.
2. Slip on Import/Export.
3. Select Import with SIM-map.
4. Specify where to save contacts: on your phone or in a Google account (we recommend the second option).

This method is particularly useful if:

• 📱 The "Contacts" app is suspended or not opened.
• 🔄 You need to transfer contacts directly to Google without saving them to your phone.
• 🛠️ The phone has custom firmware installed (for example, Xiaomi.EU), where the standard paths are changed.

Advice for owners of two SIM-If you have a Redmi with two slots (like the Redmi Note 11 Pro), the system will ask which one you use. SIM Choose the card you want, and the phone will show you the number of contacts available on each of them.

Through the "Contacts" app | Through system settings | Through Google account | App Party | Not transferred contacts-->

3. Sync with Google Account: Reliable Backup

Moving contacts to a Google account is the most reliable way, since data is automatically backed up in the cloud and available on any device. However, there is a caveat: Xiaomi Redmi by default can block background sync to save battery.

To transfer your SIM contacts to Google:

1. Import SIM contacts to your phone (by any of the methods above).
2. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
3. Select your account and turn on the Contacts switch.
4. Click Sync Now (in the three-point menu).

To check the success of synchronization:

1. Open contacts.google.com on your computer.
2. Make sure all contacts are displayed in the web version.

Critical information: If you plan to reset your phone to factory settings, export your contacts to Google first. Local contacts (save only on your phone) will be deleted when reset.

4.Use of third-party applications for import

If the built-in methods don't work (for example, on Redmi 7A with a very outdated firmware), you can use third-party utilities. We tested 3 reliable applications:

Instructions for SIM Contacts Backup (Recommended for Older People) SIM-map):

1. Install the application and open it.
2. Select Import from SIM.
3. Tick the necessary contacts (the application will show them in the original encoding).
4. Click Import and select the target: phone or Google.
5. For backup, export contacts to the VCF file (click Export to File).

⚠️ Note: When using third-party apps, disable battery optimization for them in Settings → Battery → Battery optimization, otherwise the import may be interrupted in the middle.

5. Solving problems with import contacts

Even if you follow the instructions, Xiaomi Redmi users face common mistakes.

Problem 1: SIM-The card is not defined or contacts are not displayed

• 🔌 Solution: Extract SIM-map, clean the contacts (with soft cloth), then insert back. Use an adapter for reliability (if you have a soft cloth). SIM nano-sized).
• 📶 Solution: Check if yours is supported SIM-Contact storage card (some operators, such as Tele2, issue a contact card) SIM without).
• 🛠️ Solution: Update the phone firmware: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

Problem 2: Imported contacts are displayed in hieroglyphics

This is a typical problem for the old ones. SIM-Cyrillic contact cards. Solutions:

• 📝 Use the Contacts Optimizer app (from Section 4) to fix the encoding.
• 🔄 Export contacts to the file VCF, Open it on your computer in Excel or Notepad++, correct the encoding (UTF-8) and import back.
• 📱 Move it. SIM-card to another phone (e.g. old Nokia), export contacts from there via Bluetooth or USB.

Issue 3: Contacts are duplicated after importation

MIUI sometimes creates duplicates when importing from different sources.

1. Open Contacts → Settings → Contact Management → Combine Doubles.
2. Or use Google Contacts on your computer: highlight duplicates → Other actions → Find and combine duplicates.

💡

If contact photos are missing after import, check if they are synced with Google Photos. MIUI Contact photos are stored separately and may not be transferred from SIM-map.

6. Optimization of the storage of contacts after importation

After successfully transferring contacts to Xiaomi Redmi, we recommend that you perform several steps to protect them and manage them easily:

1. Configuring the display of contacts

By default, MIUI can show contacts from multiple sources (SIM, phone, Google) in a single list.

1. Open Contacts → Settings → Display Contacts.
2. Choose which sources to show (e.g. Google only).
3. Turn off the SIM contact display to avoid duplicates.

2. Backup

Create a local copy of your contacts in case of problems with your Google account:

1. Open Contacts → Settings → Import / Export → Export to the device.
2. Save the file. VCF to the Documents folder or SD-map.
3. Copy the file to your computer or to the cloud (e.g. Mi Cloud or Yandex.Disk).

3. synchronization with Mi Account (for Xiaomi owners)

If you are using the Xiaomi ecosystem, sync your contacts with your Mi Account:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Account.
2. Turn on contact sync.
3. Make sure that in Settings → Additional → Backup is enabled automatic backup.

💡

Keep your contacts in at least two places: in a Google account (for universal access) and in a local reserve (VCF file) in case of blocking the account.

7. Transfer of contacts to new Redmi models (2023–2026)

In the latest Xiaomi Redmi models (such as Redmi Note 13 Pro+ or Redmi 12), the import process is simplified, but new features have appeared:

• 🤖 AI-search for duplicates: In Contacts → Settings → Optimization is available function of automatic search and merger of duplicate contacts taking into account numbers, names and mail.
• 🔗 Quick synchronization: When you first log in to a Google account, the system offers to immediately import contacts from the Internet. SIM.
• 📱 Mi Share: You can transfer contacts from another Xiaomi device over Wi-Fi Direct without SIM-map.

Redmi with MIUI 14 and later is also available with Smart Contacts, which automatically categorizes contacts (e.g., "family", "work") based on your call and message history.

1. Open Contacts → Settings → Smart Contacts
2. Activate the switch and set up categories.

If you upgrade from an old Redmi model (like Redmi 5 to Redmi 12), use the Transfer Data feature when you first turn on your new phone, which automatically transfers contacts, messages and photos over cable or Wi-Fi.

FAQ: Frequent questions about contact transfer