How to transfer contacts from SIM-card to Xiaomi smartphone: a step-by-step guide

The transition to a new smartphone Xiaomi is often accompanied by the need to transfer contacts with the old one. SIM-Although it seems simple, this process can cause difficulties, from the lack of visibility of contacts in the phone book to errors in importation. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of transfer, from standard functions. MIUI Alternative solutions for old models and non-standard situations.

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO have customized MIUI shells that can hide some import options, such as the latest firmware versions (starting with MIUI 14) have changed the way to contact settings, while budget models (such as the Redmi A2) don’t automatically import when the SIM is first installed. We have taken these nuances into account and prepared instructions that are relevant to all models in 2020-2026.

Before you start, check two key points: 1. Make sure that you are not in the process of doing so. SIM-card correctly installed in the tray (contacts should be facing the back of the phone). 2. Open the Contacts app and check if records from the phone are displayed SIM in the section Contact management → Import/Export: If not, use the methods in the section “What to do if contacts are not visible».

1. Standard import via MIUI settings

The most reliable way is to use the built-in import function in MIUI. It works on all models, including the Redmi 10C, POCO M5 and the flagship Xiaomi 14. The main advantage is that it does not require an Internet connection and retains the formatting of numbers (for example, country codes).

Instructions:

1. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) top-right → Select Contact Management.
3. Go to the Import/Export Contacts section.
4. Select Import with SIM-map → specify SIM (if) → Check the necessary contacts or click Select all.
5. Click Import and select the target storage: Device (locally) or Google (for sync).

⚠️ Important: If contacts are duplicated after import, please contact Contact Management → Combine and fix and select Find duplicates. MIUI automatically prompts you to merge repeated records.

Make sure that SIM-card active (there is a network)

Close all background applications (especially messengers)

Check the free space in the phone memory (need ≥50 MB)

Shut down. VPN (It can block access to contacts)-->

2.Import via Google account (for synchronization)

This method is suitable if you plan to use contacts on multiple devices or regularly reserve them, the advantage: after importing contacts to Google, the data is automatically synced with other services (Gmail, Google Meet).

How to move:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Accounts and synchronization → Google.
• 🔄 Enable sync for Contacts (slider should turn blue).
• 📇 Return to the Contacts app → Management → Imports/Exports.
• 📤 Select Import with SIM → Google (if you don’t have this option, export to your device first, then manually transfer to Google).

⚠️ Note: If you have two-factor authentication in Google, check that Google Play Services are enabled on your phone before importing (otherwise, sync will freeze during the authorization phase).

3. Transfer using the SIM Contacts app (for older models)

On Xiaomi smartphones until 2019 (e.g. Redmi 5, Mi A2), standard imports may not work due to the outdated version of MIUI. In this case, the third-party Contacts SIM app** (available on Google Play) will help.

Algorithm of action:

1. Download and install the SIM Contacts app.
2. Open it and provide access to contacts and SIM-map.
3. In the main menu, select Import with SIM → mark the required entries.
4. Click Save on your device or Export to VCF (file for further import to Google).

💡 Advice: If the application does not see SIM-Map, try rebooting your phone with Flight Mode enabled (sometimes this resets card reading errors).

4.Export to VCF file and manual import

If none of the above methods worked (for example, on the POCO M3 with custom firmware), you can export contacts to the universal.vcf format and then import them into the phone book.

Step-by-step:

• 📱 On an old phone: Contacts → Settings → Exports to SD-card (save the contact.vcf file).
• 📁 Transfer the file to Xiaomi via Bluetooth, USB-Cable or Cloud (Mi Cloud, Google Drive).
• 📥 On Xiaomi: Open the contact.vcf file → Select to Save All Contacts.
• 🔄 If contacts don’t show up, restart your phone and check the Download folder (sometimes the file is saved there automatically).

⚠️ Note:.vcf files may not display Cyrillic characters in names if they have been stored in encoding ANSI. To avoid “poor-skinned” before exporting on the old phone, set the encoding UTF-8 (if there is such an option).

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If the contacts.vcf file doesn’t open, rename it to contacts.txt, then again to.vcf – this sometimes helps the smartphone recognize the format.

5 What to do if SIM contacts are not visible on your phone

Sometimes Xiaomi doesn’t display contacts with the SIM-And the reasons can vary from hardware malfunctions to software constraints.

Reason 1. SIM-The card does not support the storage of contacts

Modern nano-SIMs (especially those from Tele2 or Iota) are often released without the contact storage feature.

• 🔍 Put it in. SIM In another phone (not Xiaomi) and try to view the contacts.
• 📞 Call the operator and check if your card supports this feature (code). USSD-request: *111*5# for MTS, *555# Beeline).

Reason 2: MIUI restrictions

In some versions of MIUI (e.g. MIUI 13.5 for Redmi Note 11), access to SIM contacts is blocked by default.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Contacts.
2. Tap Permissions → Enable Reading Contacts with SIM.
3. Reboot the phone.

Reason 3: Data Damage to SIM

If the contacts were previously transferred repeatedly, they could be damaged, and you can restore them using the engineering menu:

##4636## → Phone Information → Select SIM → Update SIM data

⚠️ Note: Do not change other options in the engineering menu – this can disrupt the network!

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If none of these methods helped, the problem is most likely the problem. SIM-Contact the operator for a replacement - it is free if the card is under 3 years old.

6. Alternative methods: Bluetooth and third-party services

If standard methods don't work, you can use workarounds, they take longer, but they're guaranteed to work even on locked or faulty phones.

Method 1. Bluetooth transmission

Suitable for transferring contacts from an old phone (not necessarily Xiaomi):

1. On an old phone: Open Contacts → Settings → Send Contacts → Bluetooth.
2. Select all the contacts and send them to Xiaomi.
3. On Xiaomi: Confirm the file acceptance and save the contacts to the phone book.

Method 2. Mi Mover service (to switch from Android to Xiaomi)

If you are switching from another Android smartphone, use the Mi Mover app:

• 📲 Install Mi Mover on both phones from Google Play.
• 🔗 Connect to a single Wi-Fi network or create an access point.
• 📤 On your old phone, select Send, on Xiaomi – Get.
• 👥 Check the contact box and wait for the transfer to be completed.

Method 3: Cloud Services (for backup)

If your contacts are already saved to iCloud (to switch from your iPhone) or Samsung Account, import them through the web version of the service:

• 🌐 Visit the service site (e.g. iCloud.com) from your computer.
• 📥 Export contacts to.vcf file.
• 📎 Send the file to Xiaomi by mail or via messenger.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When you move contacts, Xiaomi users often face typical problems, and we've collected the most common and ways to solve them.

Mistake 1: “Impossible to read SIM-map»

⚠️ Note: This error occurs when SIM-The card is inserted into the slot for the second card (hybrid slot), and the phone settings indicate priority for the first card. SIM. Solution: Move the card to the slot SIM1 or change priority in the settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Priority SIM.

Error 2: Contacts are imported without names (numbers only)

This happens if the data on the SIM is stored in a non-standard format.

• Use the SIM Contact Manager app to manually edit records before importing.
• Export contacts to.vcf on another phone, then import to Xiaomi.

Error 3: Duplicate contacts after importation

If you previously synced contacts with Google or Mi Account, new entries may be duplicated to clear:

1. Go to Contacts → Management → Combine and Fix.
2. Select Find duplicates → Unite everything.
3. For complete cleanup: Settings → Applications → Contacts → Memory → Clear data (Warning: This will delete all local contacts!).

Error 4: Lack of SIM memory to import

SIM-cards have a limit on the number of contacts (usually 200-250) if you try to import more:

• Break your contacts into parts (for example, 100 records).
• Use intermediate export in.vcf.
• Contact the operator for SIM-card with increased memory (for example, MTS offers cards for 500 contacts).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions