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

Transfer of contacts with SIM-Xiaomi smartphone cards are a challenge faced by every new owner of the device or user who decides to upgrade the phone. Despite the apparent simplicity, the process can cause difficulties: from lack of visibility SIM-In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of transfer, including manual import, sync with Google and use of third-party applications, and also describe how to avoid data loss when changing devices.

Feature of Xiaomi smartphones (Redmi series, POCO, Mi) is contained in the firm shell MIUI, which may hide some of the features of standard Android, such as the latest versions MIUI 13/14 The option to import contacts is hidden deeper than in pure Android. SIM-The cards support the storage of contacts (especially modern nano-SIM), which adds to the complexity. 2026 year, including the Redmi Note 12/13, POCO X5/F5 mi 11/12/13.

Preparation: verification SIM-maps and contacts

Before you start transferring, make sure your SIM-The card does contain contacts. Modern operators (for example, MTS, Beeline, Tele2) often release SIM without phone book support, especially in nano-SIM format.

To check:

• 📱 Put it in. SIM to your old phone (if any) and open contacts "SIM" — card.
• 🔍 On Xiaomi go to Contacts → Settings (⚙️) → Contact management → Import/Export if the option is "Import with" SIM" Active – the card is compatible.
• 📡 Check the type SIM: Micro-SIM and mini-SIM are more likely to support contacts than nano-SIM or eSIM.

⚠️ Attention: If yours SIM-The map doesn’t show contacts in Xiaomi, but they’re on the old phone — first export them to the.vcf file (via the export menu on the old device), and then import them to the new smartphone.

Also, pay attention to the number of contacts: SIM-The cards are usually kept no more. 250 records and names are limited 14-20 If you have more contacts or long names (such as surnames and patronymics), some of the data may be cut off when you move it.

Method 1: Standard import via MIUI

The easiest method is to use the built-in import function in the shell. MIUI. It is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO base MIUI 12 and newer. The instructions are relevant for firmware Global, Russia and EEA.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) in the upper right corner or on the gear Settings.
3. Choose Contact Management → Import/Export Contacts.
4. Press Import with SIM-cards (if the option is inactive – see the section "Problem Solving").
5. Select the contacts you need (or click “Select All”) and confirm the import.
6. Specify your account to save: Device (only on this phone) or Google (cloud sync).

After importing, the contacts will appear in the general address book. If some entries are not transferred, check:

• 🔄 Format of names: SIM-The cards don't support Cyrillic in some encodings. Try renaming the contact in Latin on your old phone.
• 📵 Memory volume SIM: If the card is filled, no new contacts will be kept.
• 🔒 Access rights: C Settings → Annexes → Contacts → Permissions must be ticked opposite "Contact" and "Storage".

3. Method 2: Export to VCF file and import to Xiaomi

If standard importing doesn’t work (for example, because of SIM incompatibility), use the universal method via a.vcf (vCard) file.

Instructions for export from the old phone:

1. On the old device, open Contacts.
2. Go to Settings → Contact Export (or “Contact Management”).
3. Select Export to a memory card or Save to a VCF file.
4. Specify the place of saving (for example, Downloads or Documents).
5. Transfer the file to Xiaomi via Bluetooth, email, or the cloud (like Google Drive).

Imports to Xiaomi:

1. Copy the.vcf file into your phone’s memory (for example, into the Download folder).
2. Open the Contacts app → Settings → Imports/Exports.
3. Select Import from the VCF file and specify the path to the file.
4. Confirm the import and select an account to save (Google or Device).

⚠️ Note: If a.vcf file weighs more than 10MB, break it down using services like VCF Splitter. large files may not be imported into MIUI Due to the limitations of the "Contact".

The advantage of this method is to save all contact fields (email, addresses, notes) that are often lost when transferred over SIM. In addition, the.vcf file can be edited manually through a text editor (for example, Notepad++), if you need to correct errors.

4. Method 3: Synchronize with Google Account

The most reliable way to transfer is to synchronize your contacts with Google, which ensures that data is safe even when you drop your phone, and allows you to easily navigate between Android devices, but it requires Internet access and a Google account.

How to transfer contacts via Google:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Enable Contact Synchronization (if it is disabled).
3. Wait for the sync to be completed (check in Google Contacts).
4. On Xiaomi, add the same Google account to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Add an account.
5. Enable contact synchronization in your account settings.
6. Open the Contacts app and wait for the data to load (may take a few minutes).

If no contact appears:

• 🔄 Check your internet connection (synchronization only works via Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 🔒 Make sure that the Contacts option is enabled in Google settings (sometimes it is disabled after updates). MIUI).
• 📱 Reboot your phone – it often solves sync problems.

Sync with Google also allows you to restore contacts when you lose your phone or reset to factory settings.In addition, you can edit contacts on your computer through the web version of Google Contacts, and the changes will automatically apply to Xiaomi.

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If you have two. SIM-maps in Xiaomi, but contacts are only displayed for one, check settings in Contacts → Settings → You can choose which contacts you have. SIM default.

5. Solving common problems

When migrating SIM contacts to Xiaomi, users often encounter errors, and we have collected the most common problems and ways to solve them.

If none of the methods worked, try resetting the Contacts app settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Contacts and select Warehouse → Clear the data.
3. Restart the phone and repeat the import.

⚠️ Attention: Clearing the Contacts app data will delete all local contacts (not synced to Google).Before resetting, make sure you have a backup copy!

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If you SIM-The card does not support the storage of contacts (for example, modern nano-SIM from MTS or Tele2), the only reliable way to transfer is to export to the file. VCF on an old phone with subsequent import to Xiaomi.

Alternative methods: third-party applications

If the built-in MIUI tools don't work, you can use third-party apps that offer additional features like mass editing or backup.

Top.-3 contact-transfer applications:

• 📲 Copy My Data (Android/iOS) — Transferring contacts, photos and calendars over Wi-Fi between devices.Supports Xiaomi and iPhone.
• 🔄 My Contacts Backup – Exporting Contacts to the World VCF And then you send it by email or to the cloud.
• 📱 SIM Card Contacts – a specialized application for working with contacts on the Internet SIM. Allows you to edit records directly on the map.

Instructions for Copy My Data:

1. Install the app on both phones (old and Xiaomi).
2. On your old phone, select Send Data → Contacts.
3. On Xiaomi, select Receive Data and connect to the Wi-Fi network created by the old phone.
4. Confirm the transmission and wait for completion.

Advantages of third-party applications:

• 🌐 Cross-platform (transfer from iOS to Android and back).
• 📊 Additional functions (backup, cleaning of duplicates).
• 🔒 Ability to encrypt backups.

Be careful, though: some apps ask for excessive permissions (such as SMS or geolocation access).

7. How to avoid future contact loss

To avoid the problem of transferring contacts the next time you change your phone, follow the following simple rules:

• ☁️ Synchronize your contacts with Google is the most reliable way, and even if your phone breaks, your data stays in the cloud.
• 📅 Regularly create backup copies in format VCF. Store the file in the cloud (Google Drive, Yandex.Disk) or on your computer.
• 📱 Avoid storing contacts only on the SIM — This format is outdated and unreliable.
• 🔄 Check duplicates in the Contacts app (function "Combine and correct").

MIUI has a built-in backup function:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Select Contacts and create a backup.
3. The backup file will be stored in the internal memory in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder.

For automatic backup:

1. Enable Automatic Backup in the same settings.
2. Specify the frequency (e.g. once a week) and select Google Drive or Mi Cloud for storage.

⚠️ Note: Backups in Mi Cloud are only available when you log in to the same Xiaomi account. If you reset your phone to factory settings without linking to your account, it will be impossible to recover data.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions