How to transfer contacts with SIM-maps on Xiaomi Redmi 4X: working methods

Transfer of contacts with SIM-cards for the smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 4X — The challenge that users face when they buy a new device, change operator, or backup data. 2017 It is still in active use, and its firmware is still in use. MIUI (even in the current versions 12-14) It is compatible with outdated standards for storing contacts, and in this article we will discuss all the current methods of transfer, from manual copying to automated export through the cloud.

The Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) features limited internal storage (16/32GB) and no microSD slot in hybrid versions, making it not just a convenient but a necessary step to move contacts to an internal drive or cloud, and we have taken into account all the nuances from the differences in the MIUI 8 interface (the original firmware) to MIUI 14 (the last supported version), as well as problems with encoding Cyrillic names when exporting.

Preparation for transfer: what you need to know

Before you start the transfer, check two key points:

• 🔋 Battery Charging: Make sure you are on Redmi 4X At least 30 percent of the charge is left, and the copying process can take up to 10 minutes, and a sudden shutdown will result in the loss of some contacts.
• 📶 Network signal: if you use cloud services (Google, Mi Cloud), connect to Wi-Fi. Mobile Internet may be interrupted, which will disrupt synchronization.
• 📱 Version. MIUI: The path to the contact settings varies depending on the firmware. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

Important: Redmi 4X supportive SIM-If you use an old mini-SIM, the data on it can be stored in an outdated format, which will cause problems with encoding, in which case it is better to transfer the contacts to the computer through the card reader and then download them to the phone.

⚠️ Attention: If SIM-The card stores contacts with special symbols (for example, "Ivanov (worker)"), when transferring them can be displayed as???. SIM, using only letters and numbers.

Method 1: Manual transfer through the contact menu

The simplest method, which does not require an internet connection, is suitable for MIUI 8-14, but the path to options may vary slightly.

Instructions:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette).
2. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Contact Management.
3. Go to the section Import / Export contacts → Import from SIM-card.
4. Select the contacts you need (or click Select All) and confirm the import.
5. Specify the target storage: Device (internal memory) or Google (if the account is linked).

Once completed, the contacts will appear in the general list. To make sure the transfer is successful, open any contact and check that the Storage field indicates Phone or Google, not SIM.

Method 2: Export to VCF and import to phone

The method is suitable if you want to back up contacts or transfer them to multiple devices..vcf (vCard) is a universal format supported by all smartphones.

Steps to export with SIM:

1. Put it in. SIM-map 4X or other phone (such as an old Nokia).
2. Open Contacts → Settings → Import / Export.
3. Choose Export on SIM (if contacts are already on your phone) or Export with SIM (if they are only on the card).
4. Specify the way to save: internal memory of the phone or SD-card (if any).
5. The file will be saved as contacts.vcf or SIM_contacts.vcf.

For import on Redmi 4X:

1. Connect your phone to your computer or use a file manager (e.g., Explorer in MIUI).
2. Copy the.vcf file into the Download folder or root directory.
3. Open Contacts → Import / Export → Import from the VCF file.
4. Select a file and confirm the import.

⚠️ Note: If you see a file corrupt error when you import, check its encoding. Open.vcf in a text editor (e.g. Notepad)++) and save it in format UTF-8.

Method 3: Sync with Google Contacts

The most reliable way is if you have a Google account, and your contacts are automatically backed up and available on any device.

How to move:

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Add an account → Google.
2. Sign in to your account or create a new one.
3. Return to Settings → Synchronization and turn on the slider opposite Contact.
4. Open the Contacts app, click ⋮ → Contact management → Import with SIM-map.
5. Select the target storage: Google.

Once synced, the contacts will appear in Google Contacts, and the advantage of this method is that it automatically updates when data changes, for example, if you add a new number to Redmi 4X, it will appear on both the tablet and Gmail.

Method 4: Using Mi Cloud (for Xiaomi account holders)

If you have a Mi Account, you can sync contacts through the Xiaomi cloud, a method that is handy if you use other brand devices (such as the Mi Band or Xiaomi Pad).

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Mi Account and log in.
2. Return to Settings → Synchronize and enable Contacts.
3. Open Contacts → Import / Export → Import from SIM-card.
4. Select storage: Mi Cloud.
5. Wait until the synchronization is complete (it can take up to 5 minutes).

Mi Cloud automatically combines duplicate contacts, but sometimes deletes fields that are not supported (for example, additional email addresses). VCF reserve.

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If sync with Mi Cloud is stalled, restart your phone and check your internet connection, sometimes by turning off your VPN or switching from 4G to Wi-Fi.

Method 5: Transfer over a computer (for complex cases)

If contacts are SIM-The card is damaged or the phone can't see it, you can use a computer with a card reader, and this method takes longer, but it guarantees the safety of the data.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS.
• 📁 Card reader for SIM-card (or adapter for micro-SIM).
• 🔗 Reading programme SIM (for example, SIM Card Data Recovery or CopyTrans Contacts).

Algorithm of action:

1. Extract. SIM-map 4X And put it in the card reader.
2. Connect the reader to your computer and start the SIM reader program.
3. Export contacts to.vcf or.csv format.
4. Copy the file to Redmi 4X and import through Contacts.

⚠️ Note: Not all programs support Cyrillic in contacts SIM. Before you buy paid software, check reviews about working with Russian characters. The free alternative is online services like online services. SIM Reader (requires a photo) SIM-map).

Problem Solving: Frequent Errors and Corrections

There may be problems when you migrate contacts to Redmi 4X, and we've collected the most common ways to fix them.

Problem 1: Contacts are not displayed after importation

• 🔍 Check that contacts are not hidden: open contacts → ⋮ → Display contacts → Choose all sources.
• 🔄 Restart your phone - sometimes MIUI Does not update the list immediately.
• 📁 Make sure that the contacts are stored in internal memory, not in the SD-card (if any).

Problem 2: Mistakes "Impossible to import contacts"

• 📵 Remove and re-insert. SIM-The map is probably a bad contact.
• 🛠️ Update the Contacts app through the Play Store.
• 📲 Try transferring contacts to another phone and then exporting them to another phone. VCF.

Problem 3: Hieroglyphs instead of Cyrillic

• 🌐 Change the encoding. SIM-cards: some operators (for example, MTS of the old model) use UTF-16, which MIUI not always correctly read.
• 📄 Export contacts to VCF, Open the file in Notepad and save it in encoding UTF-8.

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If none of the methods worked, try resetting the Contacts app settings through Settings → Apps → App management → Contacts → Storage → Clear the data. This will delete all local contacts, but can solve the import problem.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions