How to transfer contacts from SIM-card to Xiaomi Redmi 9C: all ways and life hacks

Transfer of contacts with SIM-Smartphone cards are a challenge faced by every new Xiaomi Redmi owner 9C. Even if you've been using a device for a long time, but you've decided to update your phone book or restore your data after a reset, this process can raise questions. SIM, Today's Android devices store them in the cloud or internal memory, which makes data migration more difficult, but opens up more possibilities for backup.

Redmi 9C

MIUI

all-time

Preparation for transfer: what to check before copying

Before you start transferring, make sure your SIM-The card is compatible with Redmi 9C. The device supports nano-SIM (4FF), But if you have an old-format card (mini-SIM or micro-SIM), you'll have to cut it off or replace it in the carrier's cabin:

• 🔋 Battery charge: the copying process can take up to 5-10 minutes. Make sure the charge level is above 30% to avoid a sudden shutdown.
• 📶 Network signal: if SIM-The card is not defined (no network), contacts from it can not be copied.
• 📱 Free space: contacts take up little memory, but if the phone has less than 100 MB of free space, MIUI It can cause errors in importation.

Pay special attention to the format of the SIM contact storage. Old cards are limited to 200-250 entries and do not support:

• 📞 multiple numbers for one contact;
• 📧 email addresses;
• 📅 birthdays and other additional fields.

If your contacts contain this data, you'll have to manually write them out after the transfer. SIM Go to Contacts. → Settings → Contact management → Imports/Exports → S SIM-maps – the system will show the available amount.

⚠️ Note: If you use two of these SIM-maps 9C, Make sure you choose the right slot (SIM 1 SIM 2) when importing: By default, the system may request that data be copied from an inactive card.

Method 1: Standard import via Contact Menu

The easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI function, which is suitable for most users and does not require additional applications.

1. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
2. Tap on three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Settings.
3. Go to the Contact Management section → Imports/Exports.
4. Select Import with SIM-map.
5. Select a slot (SIM 1 or SIM 2) if you have two cards.
6. Tick the necessary contacts or click Allocate.
7. Click Import and select the save location: Phone or Google (recommended).

It will take a few seconds. Once completed, check if the contacts appear in the phone book. If some of the records are not copied, try repeating the operation or using alternative methods (described below).

Check if it's being determined SIM-map

Reset the device

Try to pull and insert SIM-map

Use a different slot (if you have two SIMs)

Update the Contacts app on Google Play-->

Advantages of the method:

• 🔹 Doesn't require the Internet.
• 🔹 Maintains basic information (name) + number).
• 🔹 It works without root rights.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Cannot tolerate photos and additional fields.
• ❌ It can duplicate contacts if they are already in the phone’s memory.

Method 2: Exporting SIM contacts to a VCF file and importing to a phone

If the standard import didn’t work or you need to keep a backup, use the intermediate export to the.vcf file (business card), which is supported by all modern smartphones, including the Redmi 9C.

Step 1 Export with SIM to another phone (if needed)

If you SIM-The card is not readable in Redmi. 9C, But it works on another phone (like an old Nokia or Samsung), export contacts from there:

1. On your old phone, open your contacts.
2. Find the function Export to memory card or Save as VCF (depending on the model).
3. Save the file to SD-map or send it to email.

Step 2.Import VCF on Xiaomi Redmi 9C

If the file is already there (for example, you downloaded it from the mail or copied it from a USB drive), follow the following steps:

1. Download the.vcf file to your phone (for example, via Files or email client).
2. Open the file and the system will prompt you to import contacts.
3. Select Save to Google Contacts or Save to your device.
4. Confirm the import.

This method is universal and suitable for transferring contacts from any device, including iPhone or phones to Symbian.

Method 3: Sync with Google Account (most reliable method)

If you plan to use Redmi 9C for a long time, the best option is to link your contacts to a Google Account.

• 🔄 Automatically synchronize data between devices;
• ☁️ reconnect;
• 📱 Editing records from your computer via Google Contacts.

Instructions for transfer via Google:

1. Make sure you have a Google Account added to your phone. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Add an account → Google.
2. Open Contacts and tap on ⋮ → Settings → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
3. Select Import with SIM-cards and specify slot.
4. When selecting a save location, select Google (not Phone).
5. Wait for the import to be completed and check the sync in Settings → Accounts → Google → Contact Sync (the switch must be on).

Importantly, if you previously synced contacts with another Google account, new entries may be duplicated, and to avoid this, export your current contacts to VCF before importing, delete them from your account via the web version, and then import the updated list.

5. Method 4: Use of Third-Party Applications

If the built-in MIUI tools don't work, try specialized applications that offer advanced features, such as:

• 🔍 duplicate;
• 📎 Connecting Contacts from Different Sources;
• 🔄 cloud-backup.

Top.-3 contact-transfer applications:

1. Copy My Data (from Media Mushroom) - transfers contacts, calendars and photos over Wi-Fi between devices. 9C and other Xiaomis. 🔹 Free for basic functions. 🔹 No root.
2. Super Backup & Restore – Creates backups of contacts, SMS And applications. Can export data to XML or VCF. 🔹 There's an automatic backup scheduler. 🔹 Supports booting in Google Drive.

SIM Card Contacts Recovery

• 🔹 Works with the damaged. SIM.
• 🔹 Exported in several formats.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party applications, give them only the necessary permissions, for example, if the program requests access to the application. SMS or Call Log, but you only need to copy contacts, refuse unnecessary permissions in Settings → Annexes → Permits.

6. Problem Solving: Why Contacts Are Not Portable

If none of the methods worked, check the following points:

• 🛠️ Damaged. SIM-card: try inserting it into another phone. If the contacts are not readable, the card will have to be replaced (contact the operator).
• 📵 Incompatible format: some of the old SIM (Especially from Beeline or MTS 10 years ago, they use outdated storage standards, and in this case, only exporting through another device will help.
• 🔒 Limitations MIUI: In some regional versions of the firmware, the import function with SIM. The solution is to update MIUI Up to the latest version in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📱 Dual-SIM conflict: If you have two cards, try leaving only the one you copy contacts with and restarting your phone.

Frequent errors and their correction:

💡

If the contacts are duplicated after import, use the function of combining the MIUI: Open your contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Connect contacts. The system automatically finds the duplicate records and suggests that they be merged.

7. Additional tips: how to organize contacts after the transfer

After successful transfer, we recommend:

• 📁 Create groups: Google Contacts allows you to categorize entries (e.g., Work, Family) and make it easier to search.
• 🔍 Configure the display: in Contact settings → Display contacts select which accounts to show (e.g. Google only).
• ☁️ Enable automatic synchronization: go to Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronize contacts and activate the option.
• 📱 Export backup: Keep it regularly VCF-flash-drive.

If you change phones frequently, consider using cross-platform services:

• 🍎 iCloud (if there are Apple devices);
• 🌍 Outlook (for corporate contacts);
• 📧 Yandex Contacts (comfortable for Russian users).