How to transfer contacts with SIM-Xiaomi 9: 3 maps tested

Switching to a new smartphone or reset Xiaomi 9 The factory settings are often accompanied by the need to move contacts. Many users still store numbers on the site. SIM-The card is convenient for quick access when changing devices, but not practical for daily use. 250-500 contact, no possibility to add photos, notes or multiple numbers to one subscriber.

Xiaomi 9

M1902F1G

Mi 9

Contacts

Google account

MIUI

It is worth noting that Xiaomi 9 runs on Android 9 Pie (in recent updates - Android 10) with a shell MIUI 11/12. the interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the general logic of actions remains the same. If your phone has not been updated for a long time, we recommend you to pre-check the availability of updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update.

Preparation for transfer: what to do before import

Before you start copying contacts, follow a few simple steps to avoid errors and data loss.

1. Check the space available on your phone. Although contacts take up little memory, with a large number of them (over 1000) it can take up to 5-10 MB. Make sure that there is enough space in the Settings → Memory section.

2. Create a backup copy SIM-If the contacts on the card are unique and not duplicated on the phone, export them to the.vcf file:

1. Insert the SIM into another phone (such as an old phone).
2. Open the Contacts app → Settings → Exports/imports.
3. Select Export to a memory card or send the file to your mail.

3.Make sure that SIM-The map is correctly inserted. Xiaomi 9 supports nano-SIM (format) 4FF). If the card is not recognized, check it in another device or clean the contacts of the tray from dust with a dry wipe.

💡

If you use two of them SIM-cards in Xiaomi 9, import contacts is possible only with the one installed in the slot SIM 1 (main).

2. Method 1: Import via Contact Application

The easiest method is to use Xiaomi’s standard Contacts app, which is preinstalled on all devices with a mobile device. MIUI and supports the work with SIM-map.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette on the home screen or in the app menu).
2. Slip along three horizontal lines (☰) top-left → Select Settings.
3. Scroll down to Contact Management and click Import/Export Contacts.
4. Select Import with SIM-The system automatically determines the available numbers.
5. Tick the necessary contacts (or click Select All) → tap Import.
6. Specify where to save contacts: Google account or phone memory. Xiaomi 9 recommend to choose Google, this will allow you to sync numbers with other devices.

The process will take from a few seconds to a minute depending on the number of contacts, and once completed, you will see a notification of successful import.

Check that SIM-The card is active and recognized by the phone|

Close all background applications to speed up the process|

Make sure your phone is at least 20 times charged%|

Select the correct account to save (Google or phone)-->

What to do if contacts are not imported?

• 🔄 Restart your phone and try again.
• 📶 Check the web: sometimes import requires an internet connection (if you choose a Google account).
• 🛠️ Update the Contacts app through Google Play Market.
• 📱 Try another method (see the following sections).

3. Method 2: Import via Phone Settings

An alternative method is to use the Settings menu system, which is suitable if the Contacts app is not working or missing for some reason (for example, after resetting to factory settings).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the System Applications section → Contacts.
3. Select Import/Export Contacts → Import from SIM-card.
4. Follow the on-screen tips: select the contacts you need and specify your target account (Google or phone).

The main difference from the first method is the access path. Both methods are functionally identical, but through Settings, you can sometimes get around the failures in the Contacts application.

Importantly, if you choose to save contacts to your phone’s memory (not Google), they won’t sync with other devices, and if you reset the Xiaomi 9 or replace your phone, all numbers will have to be re-transferred.

4. Method 3: Sync with Google Account

If you prefer to store contacts in the cloud, this is the best solution, and all numbers will be automatically backed up and available on any device with your Google account.

How to transfer your SIM contacts to Google:

1. Import SIM contacts into your phone’s memory (using Method 1 or 2).
2. Open Settings → Accounts → Google.
3. Select your account (or add a new one if not already connected).
4. Activate Contacts slider in the account sync section.
5. Wait until the synchronization is complete (it can take up to 5 minutes).

All contacts are now available on your Google account to make sure:

• 🌐 Open contacts.google.com in your browser.
• 📱 Check contacts on another device with the same account.

Advantages of this method:

• 🔄 Automatic backup – contacts will not be lost when your phone breaks.
• 📲 Access from any device (Android, iPhone, computer).
• 🔍 Easy search and editing through Google’s web interface.

💡

Syncing with a Google account is the most reliable way to store contacts, and even if you lose your phone, all numbers will remain in the cloud and will be available after you log in to the new device.

Possible problems and solutions

When migrating SIM contacts to Xiaomi 9, users sometimes face difficulties, and consider the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem 1: The phone can't see SIM-map

• 🔌 Reset the device.
• 📱 Check if the card is inserted correctly (the chip must be turned downwards).
• 🛠️ Clean the tray contacts from dust or oxidation with an alcohol napkin.
• 📡 Try another one. SIM-card to rule out its malfunction.

Problem 2: Contacts are not fully imported

⚠️ Attention: If SIM-The card contains contacts with non-standard characters (for example, emoji in names or non-Latin letters), they may not be transferred.

Issue 3: Once imported, contacts are duplicated

This happens if the numbers already exist in the phone's memory or Google account, to delete the duplicates:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Tap it on. ☰ → Contact management → Combine the takes.
3. Confirm the merger of the same records.

Problem 4: Google syncing is not working

• 🔄 Check your internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔑 Make sure you are logged into the correct Google account.
• 📱 Update Google Play Services: Settings → Annexes → Google Play Services → Update.

6. How to export contacts back to SIM-map

If you need to move your contacts from Xiaomi 9 back to the SIM-card (for example, to use on another phone), follow the following steps:

Export instructions:

1. Open the Contacts app → ☰ → Settings → Import/Export of contacts.
2. Select Export on Export SIM-map.
3. Tick the required contacts (or click Select All).
4. Confirm export. The system will warn that only names and primary numbers will be saved on the SIM (without photos, addresses, or additional fields).

⚠️ Note: When exporting to SIM-The card loses all the extra contact data: email addresses, birthdays, notes and second phone numbers. If this information is important, first create a backup in.vcf format.

Limitations SIM-map:

• 📛 The maximum length of the contact name is 14 characters (Latin) or 7 characters (Cyrillic).
• 📞 Only 1 phone number can be saved for one contact (the second and subsequent ones will be ignored).
• 🚫 No special symbols are supported (e.g. @, #, emoji).

7. Alternative methods of transferring contacts

If standard methods don't work, try one of the alternatives. They take a little longer, but they guarantee results.

Method 1: Using a.vcf file

1. Export your SIM contacts to another phone in the contacts.vcf file.
2. Move the file to Xiaomi 9 (e.g. via Bluetooth, email, or cloud storage).
3. Open the file on Xiaomi 9 and automatically prompt you to import contacts.

Method 2: Applications for transfer

Google Play Market has specialized tools for working with contacts, for example:

• 📱 Copy My Data – Transfers Contacts, Messages and Photos over Wi-Fi.
• 🔄 SIM Card Manager – Extended functions for working with SIM.
• ☁️ My Contacts Backup – Creates backups in the cloud.

Method 3: Manual input

If there are few contacts (up to 20-30), it is easier to enter them manually:

1. Open the Contacts → Press + (Add a new contact).
2. Fill in the fields and save.
3. Repeat for all numbers.

💡

To speed up manual input, use voice dialing: in the name or number field, click on the microphone icon and dictate the data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about contact transfer