How to transfer contacts with SIM-Xiaomi Redmi 9 cards: all ways + fixing

The transition to a new smartphone is always accompanied by the need to transfer data, and one of the most important stages is the preservation of the phone book. Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9 are often faced with the question: how to properly import contacts with the help of the phone. SIM-So you can use a card to keep your numbers from getting lost and you can't get synchronized, and this procedure seems simple only at first glance, because in practice, users are limited. SIM-maps (e.g., storing only numbers without photos or additional fields), format compatibility issues or unexpected crashes.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to transfer contacts with the SIM Redmi 9, including standard instruments MIUI, Third-party applications and workarounds for complex cases, with particular attention to common errors (e.g., duplicated recordings or loss of Russian characters) and how to fix them. You will also learn how to prepare contacts for portability to avoid encoding or incomplete data problems.

Important: instructions adapted to the latest version MIUI 14 (Android 12) for Redmi 9, but will be suitable for other models of the Redmi Note series or POCO If your phone is running on an older version, check for updates in Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system.

Preparation for the transfer: what to do before importing contacts

Before you start transferring, make sure your SIM-The card and smartphone are ready for the procedure, and neglecting these steps often results in data loss or incorrect display of imported contacts.

First, check the format of the contact storage on SIM-Older cards (especially those released before 2010) may use outdated encoding, which will show Russian letters in names as question marks or characters:

• 📱 Put it in. SIM-card to another phone (preferably on Android) and export contacts to file VCF (This will help to save the encoding.
• 🔍 Check the names of contacts for special characters (for example, for the first time, «№», «%», «&») — They can cause errors in importation.
• 📊 Make sure you're on SIM-The map is quite free, although Redmi is a big deal. 9 supports the cards up to 256 GB, contacts occupy a minimum volume (about) 256 bytes per record), but some operators limit their number (usually up to the 250-500 record).

Second, back up your current contacts on your phone, even if they're empty, and that'll prevent conflicts when you merge.

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Press three points (⋮) top-right → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to file.
3. Select a location (e.g., internal memory) and confirm the export.

⚠️ Note: If you use two of these SIM-cards in Redmi 9, make sure that the contacts are saved on the card from which you plan to transfer. By default, the system can import data only with active data. SIM-Slot 1 cards (unless otherwise configured).

Finally, check your sync settings. If you have a Google or Mi Account connected, temporarily turn off automatic contact sync to avoid duplication:

Settings → Accounts and sync → Google → Disable “Contacts”

Checking the encoding of names SIM-map|Export of current contacts in VCF|Disabling autosynchronization with Google/Mi Account|Checking the vacant space SIM-map|Make sure that the contacts are in place SIM-card 1)

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Method 1: Standard import through the Contacts app

The easiest and fastest method is to use the built-in functionality. MIUI. It does not require the installation of additional programs and is suitable for most users:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette on the home screen or in the app menu).

2.Push three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Contact Management.

3. Go to the Import/Export Contacts section → Import with SIM-map.

4. Choose. SIM-map (if there are two) and tick the contacts you want to move. To select all, click on the square in the upper left corner.

5. Click Import and wait for the process to be completed. Contacts will appear in the Phone or Google section (depending on the settings).

If after import some contacts are not displayed:

• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes the data is not uploaded immediately.
• 🔍 Check the Undisplayable Contacts folder in the Contacts app (may be hidden in the menu).
• 📱 Make sure that SIM-The card is not blocked by the PIN code during importation.

⚠️ Note: Standard imports MIUI does not support the transfer of photos of contacts or additional fields (for example, email addresses or birthdays) This data will have to be added manually or using alternative methods (see Method 3).

If you have a “failure to import contacts” error, try:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Contacts → Storage → Clear cache

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If contacts are SIM-map sorted alphabetically, and after importing the order is broken, open Settings → Additionally. → Sort contacts and select "By name".

Method 2: Import via phone settings (alternative method)

If the standard Contacts app doesn’t work properly (e.g., doesn’t display import options), you can use an alternative route through system settings, a method that is particularly useful for users who have disabled the Contacts app or custom firmware installed.

Sequence of action:

1. Open the phone settings.
2. Go to Memory (or Storage in some versions of MIUI).
3. Select Additional → Import/Export of contacts.
4. Press Import with SIM-maps and follow the system's prompts.

The advantage of this method is that it bypasses possible errors of the Contacts application, but it also has limitations:

If there is no import option in the settings, this can mean:

• 📵 SIM-The card is not recognized by the system (check it on another phone).
• 🔧 System applications on the phone are disabled (for example, Contacts or Phone).
• 🛠️ Unofficial firmware installed without support for functions MIUI.

In such cases, it is recommended to use Method 3 (third party applications) or Method 4 (manual export to the VCF).

Standard import through the "Contact" appendix"|Through phone settings|Third-party applications (such as Super Backup)|Manual export to file VCF|Another way.

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Method 3: Transfer by third-party applications (for complex cases)

If embedded tools MIUI They don't do the job (e.g., they don't import Cyrillic characters or they get synchronization errors), and third-party apps will come to the rescue. They offer advanced features like:

• 🔄 Merger of duplicates automatically.
• 📎 Saving photos and additional fields.
• 🌐 Support for different encodings (including: UTF-8 Russian).
• ☁️ Backup to the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox).

The best apps for transferring contacts to Xiaomi Redmi 9:

Instructions for Super Backup & Restore (recommended app):

1. Install the app from Google Play and open it.
2. Select Contacts → Backup.
3. Specify the source: SIM-map.
4. Select the format (recommended) VCF compatiblely).
5. Click Save and wait until it is completed.
6. Then, select Recovery and import contacts into your phone memory or Google account.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party applications, never give them access to the app. SMS Call logs, if not required to transfer contacts, some applications (such as Contacts Backup) request unnecessary permissions, which may endanger security.

If, after importing through a third-party application, the contacts are duplicated:

Open Contacts → ⋮ → Contact Management → Combine duplicates

5. Method 4: Manual export to file VCF (power-user)

This method is suitable for those who want to have full control of the process or have encountered problems with automatic import. VCF (vCard – a universal format for storing contacts, which is supported by all modern smartphones.

Steps for exporting from SIM-map:

1. Put it in. SIM-card to any phone (you can use an old device) that supports the export of contacts to the VCF.
2. Export contacts to the file (usually the option is in the Contacts menu). → Imports/Exports → Exports to memory card).
3. Copy the resulting file (usually with the.vcf extension) to Redmi 9 via USB, Bluetooth or cloud storage.
4. On Redmi 9, open the file. VCF — The system will automatically prompt you to import contacts.

If you don’t have a second phone, you can use it. PC-decision:

• 🖥️ Connect. SIM-card to the computer through the card reader.
• 📂 Use the program. SIM Card Reader (for example, Nokia) SIM Reader for export of contacts to CSV or VCF.
• 📲 Transfer the file to Redmi 9 and import it.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔒 Complete contact information is stored (including photos if they were in the original data).
• 📤 You can edit the file. VCF In a text editor (e.g., delete unnecessary contacts).
• 🔄 Supported return export (from phone to phone) SIM-map).

⚠️ Note: When editing a file VCF manually do not change the structure of tags BEGIN:VCARD and END:VCARD — This will lead to an import error. For mass editing, use specialized software, such as: VCF Editor.

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File. VCF — The most reliable way to transfer contacts, as it does not depend on restrictions SIM-maps and allows you to save all data, including photos and additional fields.

6. Problem Solving: Frequent Errors and Their Resolving

Even if the instructions are followed correctly, users of Xiaomi Redmi 9 can face problems.

Problem 1: Contacts are imported, but instead of Russian letters, question marks or characters are displayed.

• 🔠 Reason: Incompatibility of encoding (SIM-map ISO-8859-1, The phone is waiting. UTF-8).
• 🛠️ Solution: Use Method 3 (Third Party Applications) or Method 4 (Export to) VCF). Apps like Super Backup automatically convert encoding.

Problem 2: Some contacts have been lost since the import.

• 🔍 Reason 1: On the SIM-The card limit on the number of records (usually 250) is not imported.
• 🔍 Reason 2: Contacts are stored in the phone’s memory, not on the phone. SIM-map.
• 🛠️ Solution: Check the remaining contacts on your old phone and export them in parts. SIM-cards (slot 1).

Problem 3: When importing, there is an error "I could not read" SIM-map».

• 📵 Reason 1: SIM-The card is locked with a PIN. Unlock it before importing it.
• 🔌 Reason 2: Bad contact in the slot. Remove and re-insert the card.
• 🛠️ Reason 3: Damaged SIM-Try reading it on another device.

Problem 4: Duplicate contacts after importation.

• 🔄 Solution: Open Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Combine duplicates.
• ☁️ If duplicates are due to sync with Google, disable them before importing them (see Section 1).

Problem 5: Contact photos are not imported.

• 🖼️ Reason: SIM-These cards don't support storing photos, they only save to your phone or the cloud.
• 🛠️ Solution: Use Method 4 (VCF) Sync photos through your Google account.

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If the contacts are displayed in the wrong order after import, open Settings → Additionally. → Sort contacts and select "By name" or "By name".

7. Additional tips: how to avoid data loss in the future

Transferring contacts is a one-time procedure, but to avoid repeating it when you next switch to a new phone, follow these recommendations:

1. Set up automatic sync with Google:

• 🔗 Go to Settings. → Accounts and synchronization → Google.
• 🔄 Enable the option of Contact Synchronization.
• ☁️ Your contacts will now be automatically backed up in the cloud and available on any device after you log in.

2. Regularly create local backups:

• 📂 Use the built-in export in VCF (time 1-2 month).
• 💾 Save the file to the cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud) or to your computer.

3. Use specialized backup applications:

• 🛡️ Swift Backup (requires root rights for full backup).
• 📱 Titanium Backup (for experienced users).

4. Avoid storing contacts only on SIM-map:

• 🚫 SIM-The cards have a volume limit and do not support additional fields.
• ⚡ If the card is lost or damaged, data cannot be restored.

5. Check the contacts for duplicates:

• 🔍 V MIUI There is a built-in tool for merging duplicates (Contacts) → ⋮ → Contact management → Combine duplicates).
• 🤖 For automatic cleaning, use applications like Cleanup Duplicates.

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

• ☁️ Google Contacts (synchronization with Android, iOS and the web version).
• 🌐 iCloud (if you also have Apple devices).
• 📡 Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud, integrated into the cloud) MIUI).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions