How to transfer contacts with SIM-Xiaomi Redmi cards: all ways 2026

Transfer of contacts with SIM-Xiaomi Redmi cards are a challenge that every user faces when buying a new smartphone or changing operator. Despite the apparent simplicity, the process can cause difficulties, from the lack of import options in the menu to data loss when copying incorrectly. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of transferring contacts, including hidden functions. MIUI, Workarounds for Old Models and Solving Typical Errors.

Features of Xiaomi Redmi phones (including Note models) 12, Redmi 10, Redmi A2 and others) is contained in a customized shell MIUI, which sometimes changes the standard Android paths, such as some versions of the import option SIM Hidden in the submenu "Additional", and in Redmi based on Android 13/14 It's different from earlier firmware, and we've taken all the nuances and we've got generic instructions that will work even if your phone doesn't display. SIM-address book.

Why contacts are not transferred from SIM to Xiaomi Redmi: the main reasons

Before you start a transfer, it is important to understand why the process can go wrong, and most often users face the following problems:

• 📵 SIM-The card is not recognized – the phone does not see contacts on the map due to incompatibility of formats (for example, the old one). SIM 250 contacts limited) or physical injury.
• 🔄 The import option is not on the menu - in MIUI 14+ The path to function has changed, and you need to look for it in Contacts. → Settings → Contact management.
• 📱 Contacts are duplicated or lost – this happens when a conflict between Google and Xiaomi accounts, if sync is enabled at the same time.
• 🛑 The “failure to import” error is often caused by corrupted data on the SIM or a lack of memory on the phone.

If your Redmi doesn't see SIM-Contacts at all, check first:

1. Is the card inserted correctly (chip up, before clicking).
2. Does your model support Dual SIM (on some devices, the second slot is hybrid and may conflict with the memory card).
3. Activated? SIM in settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Your name. SIM.

Method 1: Standard import via Contacts (MIUI 12–14)

This is the simplest method that works on most Xiaomi Redmi devices with current firmware versions.

1. Open the Contacts app** (an icon with a human silhouette).
2. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Settings.
3. Go to the Contact Management section → Import/Export of contacts.
4. Select Import with SIM-maps and indicate where to save contacts (on the phone or in the account) Xiaomi/Google).
5. Tick the necessary contacts or click Select all, then confirm the import.

If you don’t have an Import/Export option on your menu, try an alternative route:

Contacts → Three points (⋮) → Parameters → Additional → Imports with SIM

Make sure that SIM-The card is active in the phone settings

Check the space in the phone memory (needs at least 10 MB)

Disable sync with Google/Xiaomi at import time

Charge your phone at least 30% to avoid crashes-->

⚠️ Attention: If contact is SIM recorded ADN (old standard, the phone can only import names and numbers, without additional fields (email, address). VCF (see method 3).

Method 2: Transfer over phone settings (for older Redmi models)

On Xiaomi Redmi 7/8/9 devices or with MIUI 11 and below, the import option may be in the system settings.

1. Open Settings → System and device → More
2. Select Import/Export Contacts.
3. Press Import with SIM-maps and specify the target storage (e.g., phone or Google).
4. Wait for the process to be completed – a successful import notification will appear on the screen.

If this path didn’t work, try an alternative through File Manager:

• 📂 Open the Files app** (Folder icon).
• 🔍 In the search box, enter vnd.android.cursor.dir/contact (This is a system request for displaying contacts).
• 📥 If a contact.vcf file appears, export it to your phone, then import it through Contacts».

Method 3: Exporting SIM contacts to VCF file and importing to Xiaomi

This method is universal and works even if the phone does not support direct import. You will need a second device (not necessarily Xiaomi) or a computer with a card reader.

Step 1: Export your SIM contacts to the VCF file:

1. Put it in. SIM-card to any phone (e.g. old Samsung or Nokia).
2. Open Contacts → Settings → Import/Export → Export to Memory Card (or Save to VCF file).
3. Save the file (usually called contacts.vcf or 00001.vcf) to a memory card or internal memory.

Step 2. Transfer the file to Xiaomi Redmi:

• 📁 Move the.vcf file to your Redmi via Bluetooth, email, or cloud (e.g. Mi Cloud).
• 📥 Open the file, the phone will suggest importing contacts. Select your target account (e.g., Phone or Google).

Step 3: Verification and editing:

After importing, open Contacts and make sure that all data is transferred correctly. If there are duplicates, use the merge function:

Contacts → Three points (⋮) → Contact management → Combine duplicates

Method 4: Sync through Google account (for backup)

If you plan to not only migrate your contacts to the SIM, but also back them up, the best option is to sync with your Google account, which will protect your data from loss when you reset your phone or replace your SIM.

Instructions:

1. Transfer your SIM contacts to your phone in any of the ways described above (e.g. via VCF).
2. Open Settings → Accounts → Google.
3. Select your account and activate the Contacts switch.
4. Click Sync and wait for the process to be completed.

Now your contacts are available on any device with the same Google account, so that you can return them back to Redmi after you reset:

Settings → Accounts → Google → Your account → Synchronization → Contacts (include)

⚠️ Note: If you imported contacts directly into your Xiaomi account (Mi Account), they are not synced with Google. To avoid data loss, export them to your account. VCF Or transfer to Google account manually.

💡

If you have a two-sim Xiaomi Redmi, check which contacts are imported before you buy them. SIM It's active by default. Go to Settings for that. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Name. SIM → Contacts and select the desired card.

Method 5: Use of third-party applications (for complex cases)

If the standard methods didn't work, Google Play apps will come to the rescue, and we tested a few and selected the most reliable ones:

• 📱 Sim Contacts Backup – Exporting Contacts with the SIM into VCF/Excel, supports mass editing.
• 🔄 Copy My Data – transfers contacts between devices over Wi-Fi (useful when switching from iPhone to Redmi).
• 📂 Contacts Backup & Restore – Creates backups in the XML or VCF, It also restores damaged data.

How to use (Sim Contacts Backup for example):

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and select Import from SIM.
3. Check the contacts and click Save to Phone.
4. The file will be saved in the Download folder – import it through the standard Contacts app.

The advantage of this method is that it can restore contacts even if the phone doesn’t see them in the standard menu, for example, if your Redmi Note 10 doesn’t display the import option due to a MIUI bug, a third-party app bypasses this restriction.

Problem Solving: What to Do When Contacts Are Not Moved

Even if you follow the instructions, you may have a problem, and let's look at the typical mistakes and how to fix them:

If none of these methods helped, reset the settings of the Contacts app**:

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

Then restart the phone and repeat the import.

💡

Before any manipulation of contacts, always back up. Xiaomi Redmi can do this through Contacts → Settings → Export by selecting the VCF format.

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts to Xiaomi Redmi