Change phone or switch to Xiaomi Redmi Note 9C This is often accompanied by the need to transfer contacts, if your numbers are stored on the SIM-It takes only a few minutes to import them into your smartphone's memory, provided you know the correct algorithm. In this article, we'll look at all the ways that contacts can be transferred, including the standard tools. MIUI, Third-party applications and workarounds for complex cases.
Many users face problems: contacts are not displayed after import, duplicated or lost photos, we will explain in detail how to avoid these errors, and also explain why the storage of contacts is only possible. SIM-The map is a risky practice. At the end of the article, you'll find FAQ with answers to frequent questions and a table of comparison of transfer methods.
If you've never carried contacts on your own - don't worry. - Redmi Note 9C base MIUI It offers intuitive tools, and our instructions are supplemented by screenshots and step-by-step checklists. SIM-A card with limited memory (for example, 128 contacts) can save all data without loss.
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Preparation for transfer: what to do before import
Before you start transferring, make sure your SIM-The card is correctly recognized by the phone. → SIM-maps and mobile networks and check the connection status.If the card is not determined, try restarting the device or clearing the slot contacts (neatly blow or wipe with a dry cloth).
Important nuance: Redmi Note 9C two-way SIM-cards, but import contacts is only possible with the one that is installed in slot 1 (main). SIM Slot 2 is in place, change its location temporarily.
We also recommend:
- 📱 Check the free space in the phone memory (import creates a backup copy).
- 🔋 Charge your phone at least 30% – interruption of the process can lead to data loss.
- 📝 Write down important numbers on paper (in case of failure).
⚠️ Attention: If yours SIM-The card was issued before 2010, and it can use an outdated format for storing contacts (for example, only numbers without names), in which case you will have to manually edit the records after import.
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Method 1: Standard import via "Contacts" (fastest)
This is the basic method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones with a MIUI shell.It does not require installing additional apps and takes less than a minute.
Instructions:
- Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
- Tap it on three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Contact Management.
- Go to the section Import / Export contacts → Import from SIM-card.
- Select the contacts you need (or click Select All) and confirm the import.
Once completed, the contacts will appear in the Phone section (not to be confused with SIM) to avoid duplicates, check before importing if the numbers are already stored in the device memory.
Make sure that SIM-slot-card
Close background annexes
Check the stability of the network signal
Turn off the power saving mode-->
⚠️ Note: If after importation, contact names are displayed with characters or question marks, this means that SIM-The solution is to transfer contacts to another phone with support for the old format, and then export them to.vcf.
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3. Method 2: Export to file.vcf and import to Xiaomi
This method is universal and suitable if standard import does not work or you want to back up..vcf (vCard) file can be saved to a computer, sent by mail or uploaded to the cloud.
Steps for exporting from SIM-map:
- On your old phone, open Contacts → Settings → Export to a memory card (or similar item).
- Select the.vcf format and confirm the export. The file will be saved in the Downloads folder or on the SD-map.
- Move the file to Redmi Note 9C via USB, Bluetooth, or the cloud (such as Mi Cloud).
- On Xiaomi, open the.vcf file and automatically prompt you to import contacts.
The advantage of this method is that you can edit the file before importing (for example, delete unnecessary numbers). To do this, open.vcf in a text editor (for example, Notepad++) and delete the lines with unnecessary contacts.
| Method | Speed. | Photo preservation | Suitable for old SIMs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard imports | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ❌ No. | ⚠️ Partially. |
| Exports to.vcf | ⭐⭐⭐ | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
| Google Account | ⭐⭐ | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
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Method 3: Sync with Google Account (for backup)
If you use Google services, this method will not only allow you to move contacts, but also automatically sync them between devices, suitable for those who often change phones or fear losing data.
How to transfer contacts via Google:
- On your old phone, export your SIM contacts to Google Contacts (via Settings → Accounts → Google → Sync).
- On Redmi Note 9C, add the same Google account: Settings → Accounts → Add an account → Google.
- Enable contact synchronization in your account settings.
Important: If SIM-The map contains contacts with Cyrillic names, check the encoding before synchronizing with Google. In rare cases, Russian letters can show as.
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Before syncing with Google, clear the contacts duplicates in the web version of contacts.google.com. This will save time and avoid confusion.
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5. Method 4: Use of third-party applications (for complex cases)
If standard methods don’t work (e.g., the phone doesn’t see contacts on SIM or when importing), third-party software will help.
- 📲 Sim Contacts Backup – Export contacts to.vcf or.xls, maintains old contacts SIM-map.
- 📲 Copy My Data – Transfers Wi-Fi contacts from one phone to another, including photos).
Instructions for Sim Contacts Backup:
- Install the app from Google Play.
- Start it and select Import from SIM.
- Mark the contacts you need and click Export to Phone.
- The file will be saved in the phone’s memory – import it through the standard Contacts app.
⚠️ Note: Some contact transfer applications request access to SMS You can refuse these permissions, they are not necessary for contact and may endanger security.
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6 Problem Solving: What to do if contacts are not transferred
Even if you follow the instructions, you can get errors, and let's look at the typical situations and how to fix them:
- 🔄 Contacts are not displayed after import: Check if they are hidden in the display settings (Contacts) → Settings → Display contacts. Select all contacts.
- 📵 The phone can't see. SIM-card: Try inserting it into another slot or clearing the contacts of the metal part (for example, with a stripe).
- 🔠 Contact names are displayed by crank-toots: This is an encoding problem. Export contacts to.vcf on PC, open the file to Excel and save to format UTF-8.
If none of these methods worked, try updating your phone software: go to Settings → About Phone → System Update. Sometimes import errors are fixed in newer versions of MIUI.
What to do if SIM-card protected PUK-code?
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7. How to avoid future contact loss
Transferring your SIM contacts to your phone is just the first step, and to never face losing them again, follow these tips:
- ☁️ Set up automatic sync with Google Contacts or Mi Cloud.
- 📅 Export backups regularly (e.g. once a month) in.vcf format.
- 🚫 Do not keep your contacts only on SIM — easily lost or damaged.
V MIUI There is a built-in backup function: go to Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backup: Select Contacts and save data to an internal drive or SD-map.
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Store contacts in at least two places: on your phone + in the cloud (Google/Mi Cloud) or on SIM + in the file.vcf. This insures against data loss in case of a device breakdown or failure.
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