How to transfer contacts from SIM-card to Xiaomi smartphone: all working methods

Transfer of contacts with SIM-Xiaomi cards are a challenge that every user faces when buying a new phone or changing carrier, and while seemingly simple, the process can cause complications from missing a menu item to importing errors. In this article, we will analyze all current methods of transferring contacts, taking into account the features of firmware. MIUI, including hidden functions and avoidance of typical problems.

It is important to understand that modern Xiaomi smartphones (Redmi series, POCO, Mi) often hides the work menu by default SIM-With contacts to encourage users to sync with a Google account or Mi Cloud, however, with the right approach, you can export numbers even from outdated ones. SIM-Mini-SIM or Micro-SIM cards, and then detailed instructions for different versions MIUI (12 to 14) and tips for correcting errors.

1. Standard method: import through Xiaomi settings

The most obvious method is to use the built-in contact import feature, which works on most Xiaomi models, but may vary depending on the MIUI version and regional firmware.

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette on the home screen or in the app menu).
2. Slip along three horizontal lines (☰) In the upper left corner or click on your avatar.
3. Select Contact Management → Import/Export of contacts.
4. Press Import with SIM-maps and select the target SIM (if).
5. Tick the necessary contacts or click Select all, then confirm the import.

If the item Imports with SIM-The card is not on the menu, so your firmware is hiding it:

• 🔍 Check if it's installed. SIM-slot-card SIM1 (Some Xiaomi models only support imports from the first slot).
• 📱 Update the Contacts app via Google Play – sometimes newer versions return hidden features.
• 🔄 Reboot the phone: after restart, the import point may appear.

Make sure that SIM-The card is recognized by the phone (there is a network signal)

Check the space in the phone’s memory (needs a minimum of 100 KB)

Close all background apps, especially instant messengers

Turn it off. VPN (It can block access to system functions)-->

Attention! On some POCO models (e.g. POCO X3 Pro), the import point is hidden under the Settings menu → Memory → Import / Export. If you don't find it, use alternative methods from the following sections.

2. Alternative method: via the “Phone” application

If standard importing doesn't work, try transferring contacts via the Phone app, a method that often works on MIUI 13/14 firmware, where the function is hidden in an obscure location:

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Settings.
3. Scroll down to Contacts and tap Import/Export.
4. Select Import with SIM-maps and follow the clues.

If there is no point here, try a different approach:

1. In the “Phone” application, go to the Contacts tab.
2. Click on the icon "+" (add contact) and in the menu that appears, find Import.

On Xiaomi models with Snapdragon chip (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro+), import via the Phone works more stable than through Contacts - this is due to the optimization of firmware for specific hardware.

Redmi (Note/Prime series)

POCO (F/X/M)

Mi (11/12/13 series)

Black Shark (game)

Other-->

3. Transfer via Google Account (for long-term storage)

If you don’t just need to move your contacts to SIM-But also save them in the cloud, use sync with Google account.This method is suitable for Xiaomi owners who want to have a backup of numbers in case of losing their phone.

Instructions:

1. Import contacts with SIM-cards in any of the above methods (they will be stored in the local memory of the phone).
2. Open Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
3. Select your Google account and enable the slider opposite Contact.
4. Wait until the synchronization is complete (it can take up to 5 minutes).

Your contacts are now available on any device with this account, to check if the transfer is successful:

• 🌐 Go to contacts.google.com from your computer.
• 🔍 Make sure all numbers are displayed in the list.
• 📱 On another phone with the same account, check if your contacts are up.

⚠️ Note: If you have duplicates in your Google contacts after synchronization, use the tool to Combine and Correct at contacts.google.com. Xiaomi sometimes creates copies when importing from the Internet. SIM.

4. Use of third-party applications (if standard methods do not work)

If Xiaomi's built-in features refuse to import contacts, third-party utilities will come to the rescue, and we tested several apps and selected the most reliable ones:

We recommend Simply Contacts – it works best with Xiaomi firmware thanks to support for VCF and CSV formats.

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and provide access to contacts and SIM-map.
3. Select Import from SIM and select the numbers you need.
4. Click Save to Phone or Save to Google.

⚠️ Warning: Before using third-party apps, turn off battery optimization for them in Xiaomi settings (Settings) → Annexes → Permits → Battery optimization; otherwise, imports may be interrupted.

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If the app does not see SIM-Try physically removing the card and pasting it back in. On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi). 9A) slot SIM sensitive to contact density.

5. Manual transfer of contacts (for a small number of numbers)

If you SIM-With a map of only 10 to 20 contacts, it’s easier to manually transfer them, and this method is guaranteed to work on any Xiaomi device, including older models on the phone. MIUI 10–11:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Click on the + icon (add contact).
3. In the field Phone enter the number with SIM-maps (pre-write it down on paper or photographed).
4. Fill in the remaining fields (name, surname) and save.

To speed up the process:

• 📸 Take a picture of the contact list with SIM via the Camera in Document mode app (is available in Xiaomi starting with the MIUI 12).
• 📋 Use Google Tables to temporarily store numbers: Create a table with the “Name” and “Phone” columns, then copy the data from there to contacts.
• 🤖 Use voice input: say OK, Google, create a contact Name Phone (works when connecting to the Internet).

This method is the most time-consuming, but you control the quality of the transfer and can immediately correct errors in the numbers (for example, unnecessary gaps or country prefixes).

6. Solving problems when transferring contacts

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, you may encounter errors, and here are the typical problems and solutions.

If the contacts were imported but not displayed in the list:

1. Check if they are hidden by the filter: in the “Contacts” application, tap on the filter icon (☰) and select All Contacts.
2. Make sure that the contacts are saved to the correct account (not on SIM, but in the memory of your phone or Google).
3. Restart your phone – sometimes MIUI doesn’t update your contact list in real time.

7. How to avoid future contact loss

Not having to make contact with each other every time. SIM-Maps, set up automatic backup on Xiaomi:

• 🔄 Enable synchronization with Mi Cloud (Settings) → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Contacts).
• 📱 Export contacts to the file VCF monthly: Contacts → Management → Exports.
• 💾 Use the Super Backup app to auto-backup Google Drive.

We also recommend:

• Store your primary numbers in Google Contacts – they will recover even after your phone is reset.
• Avoid storing contacts only on the SIM-The map is easy to lose or damage.
• Check duplicate contacts periodically through contacts.google.com.

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Syncing with a Google account is the most reliable way to keep your contacts, and even if your phone breaks, you can restore all the numbers on your new device in 5 minutes.

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts to Xiaomi