How to transfer contacts from SIM-card to Xiaomi phone: all ways

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 the lack of visibility of contacts on the map to import errors. MIUI. In this article, we will analyze all current methods of transfer – from standard system functions to workaround solutions for older models.

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO have a unique feature in their MIUI shell, which sometimes hides obvious options or offers unintuitive solutions. For example, in recent versions (MIUI 14+), the contact import menu has moved from the Contacts section to the account settings, which confuses many users, and we have taken these nuances into account and prepared instructions that are relevant for Android 10-14 devices.

It is important that you use two SIM-If you have a card, the system can suggest that you move the contacts to only one of them, in which case you have to temporarily disable the second card or repeat the procedure for each slot separately. SIM stored in vCard 2.1 format, which does not support photos, additional fields and groups – this information will be lost when you transfer it.

1. Standard import through the “Contacts” app

The most obvious way is to use the built-in Contacts app (aka People or Contacts in global firmware), which works on all Xiaomi devices regardless of the MIUI version, but the path to the option may differ.

Open the Contacts app and follow the following steps:

• 📱 Press three points (⋮) top-right → Select Contact Management.
• 🔄 In the menu, find the item Import / Export contacts (in the MIUI 14+ This may be called a contact transfer).
• 📋 Select the source. SIM-Map and Target Storage – Google Device or Account.
• ✅ Confirm the import and wait until it is completed (may take until the end of the day). 1-2 minutes with a large number of contacts).

If Import/Export is not available, update the Contacts app via Google Play or check the settings for displaying system options in Settings → Applications → Application Management → Contacts → Permissions.

Make sure that SIM-The card is inserted into slot 1 (main card)

Check the SIM contact balance (no more than 250 on one card)

Close all background applications to speed up the process

Connect your phone to charge if your battery level is below 30%

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Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Notes, birthdays and additional phone numbers are not transferred.
• 🔄 Contacts are duplicated if they already exist in the phone’s memory.
• 📵 On some firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu), the import option can be disabled by default.

2.Import via Google Account Settings

If you use a Google account, syncing your SIM contacts through it is a more reliable way, since data will be automatically stored in the cloud, a method that is especially useful when changing your phone or resetting your settings.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync (or Passwords and Security → Google Accounts in MIUI 13+)
2. Select your Google account and activate your contacts sync.
3. Return to the Contacts app, click on the profile avatar → Contact Management → Import with SIM.
4. Specify your Google target account and confirm the transfer.

Once imported, the contacts will appear on your Google account and be available on any device with the same account, and to avoid duplicates, it is recommended to clear old contacts on Google before transferring:

1. Go to contacts.google.com.
2. Allocate all contacts (check at the top) → More. → Delete.
3. Confirm removal and repeat import with SIM.

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If contacts are not displayed after import, check the filter in the Contacts app: click on three dots (⋮) → Display contacts → Select All Contacts or the Account You Need.

3. Transfer using vCard file (VCF)

This is a good way to back up contacts before transferring, or if the standard import doesn’t work..vcf is a universal format for storing contact information that all modern smartphones support.

Steps to export with SIM:

• 📱 Install the app SIM Card Contacts or Copy to SIM Card from Google Play (if there is no built-in feature).
• 🔄 In the app, select Export with SIM → Save how VCF.
• 📁 The file will be saved in the Download or Documents folder.

Import VCF to Xiaomi:

• 📂 Open Files (File Manager app) and find the saved file.vcf.
• 🖱️ Press the file. → Choose to import all contacts.
• 📋 Specify the target storage: Device or Google account.

The advantage of this method is the ability to edit contacts in the.vcf file before importing (for example, delete unnecessary numbers or fix errors). Any text editor or specialized applications like VCF Editor can be used to edit.

4. Use of third-party applications

If the built-in MIUI tools don’t work well (for example, you can’t see contacts on the SIM or you have errors), third-party software will help. We tested several applications and selected the most reliable ones:

Examples of SIM Card Contacts:

1. Download and install the app.
2. Open it and give access to contacts and storage.
3. Select SIM 1 or SIM 2 (if you use two cards).
4. Click Export of all contacts and select the format (VCF or Excel).
5. Import the received file through the standard Contacts app.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. Copy to) SIM Cards require root permissions to work with contacts on new versions of Android. If your Xiaomi is not rooted, select the app marked No root in the description.

5. Transfer contacts via PC (for advanced users)

If you have access to a computer, you can transfer contacts through the ADB (Android Debug Bridge, or specialized software, is suitable for mass transfer or if the phone doesn't recognize the device. SIM-map.

Method 1: Through MyPhoneExplorer

• 🖥️ Download and install MyPhoneExplorer on PC (official website).
• 📱 Connect Xiaomi to the USB (Turn on the debugging. USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → Click on version 7 times, then return to Additional → For developers).
• 🔄 In the program, select the file. → Connect and follow the instructions.
• 📋 Go to the Contact section → Import with SIM.

Method 2: Through ADB-Teams (requires knowledge)

If you are familiar with the command line, you can export contacts directly:

adb shell content query --uri content://com.android.contacts/simcontacts --projection display_name:number

This command will display a list of contacts with SIM. To import into the phone, use:

adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.INSERT -t vnd.android.cursor.dir/contact -e name "Name" -e phone "Number"

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Before executing commands, back up contacts through Settings → System system → Backup.

Standard import through “Contacts”

Synchronization with Google

Third-party applications

Transfer over PC

Another way.-->

6. Solving problems when transferring contacts

Even if you follow the instructions, you can get errors, and we've collected some of the most common problems and ways to solve them.

If none of these methods worked, try the following:

• 🔄 Reset the settings of the Contacts app: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Contacts → Warehouse → Drop it.
• 📱 Update the firmware: some errors fixed in the latest versions MIUI. Check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📵 Check it out. SIM-card on another phone: if contacts are not visible there, the problem is in the card itself (memory may be damaged).

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If you use Xiaomi with custom firmware (like LineageOS or PixelExperience), standard import methods may not work, in which case use applications like SIM Card Contacts or transfer data over a PC.

7. How to avoid future contact loss

Transferring contacts from the SIM to your phone is a one-time action, but to avoid repeating it every time you change your device, set up automatic synchronization:

• ☁️ Sync with Google: activate it in Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Google → Synchronize contacts. All changes will now be stored in the cloud.
• 📱 Backup to MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Backup and create a local copy (include Contacts item).
• 🔄 Exports to VCF Once a month: Even if you use the cloud, periodic export to.vcf will protect you from accidental data loss.

Important: If you sell or transfer your Xiaomi to another person, remember to delete all contacts with the SIM and reset the phone to factory settings. Go to Settings → About Phone → Reset and select Delete all data. Without this, your contacts can remain available to the new owner.

We also recommend using two-factor authentication for your Google account to protect your contacts from unauthorized access, especially if you store important information (such as work numbers or customer data) in your contacts.

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts to Xiaomi