How to transfer contacts from SIM-card to Google Account on Xiaomi smartphones: the complete guide

Transfer of contacts with SIM-Google Maps – Xiaomi Smartphone Account (including Redmi and Google Maps) POCO) — Not only is it a way to free up memory on the card, it's also a way to ensure that your phone book stays safe even if you lose or change your device. SIM, Google’s cloud service automatically syncs the contacts between all your gadgets, whether it’s the Mi 11, Redmi Note 12 or Android tablet.

But many users are struggling: the import button is inactive, the contacts are duplicated, and sometimes the process is interrupted altogether. In this article, we will explore the unique portability nuances of MIUI 12/13/14 firmware, including hidden settings and bypassing typical problems. You will learn how to avoid data loss when changing SIM or resetting your phone to factory settings.

Why you should transfer your SIM contacts to your Google Account

SIM-The cards are severely restricted: no more than 250-500 contacts are usually placed on a single card, with no photos, additional fields (for example, dates of birth) or binding to accounts in messengers:

📇 Unlimited number of records (up to 25,000 per account)
📸 Storage of avatars and advanced data (addresses, notes, links to social networks)
🔄 Automatic sync between devices (even on iOS via Gmail)
🔍 Smart search by any field (for example, you can find a contact by company name)

Besides, MIUI frequently conflict with SIM-Contacts: they can disappear after a system update or be duplicated when you restore from a backup. Google Account is free of these problems - data is stored on Google servers and protected by two-factor authentication.

⚠️ Note: If you are using duality SIM The contacts on both cards will have to be transferred separately to Xiaomi!

Preparation for transfer: what to do in advance

Before starting the procedure, follow a few critical steps to avoid data loss:

Check the vacant space on SIM. If the card is filled at 90%+, Some contacts may not be copied. Delete unnecessary entries through the Contact menu → Contact management → SIM-contact.
Update MIUI. Older versions (below MIUI 12.5) do not offer direct export options to Google. Update in Settings → About Phone → System Update.
Connect to Wi-Fi. Synchronizing with Google may require data downloads (especially if there are many contacts), and mobile internet may be interrupted at the most inopportune moment.

Also make sure that your phone has a Google Account added and active. Check this in Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google. If you don’t have an account, add it in advance – without this transfer is impossible.

📊 How do you usually keep your contacts?

Only on the SIM-map

On Google Account

On the phone (no synchronization)

I'm using another service.

Step-by-step: transferring contacts with SIM to Google

The process varies depending on the version of MIUI, but the overall scheme is the same.

Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person’s silhouette).
Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Contact Management.
Go to the Import/Export Contacts section.
Select Import with SIM-If you have two cards. SIM, specify the right one.
In the list of targeted accounts, select your Google Account (usually marked with the G logo).
Confirm the import and wait until it's completed. A successful transfer notification will appear on the screen.

If the import button is inactive or not available, it means:

🔴 Nana SIM No contact (check through contact) → SIM).
🔴 Google Account not added or synced (see Settings) → Accounts. → Google and enable contact sync).
🔴 You have an outdated version. MIUI (upgrade the system).

☑️ Preparation for the relocation of contacts

Check the free space on SIMUpdate MIUI to the latest versionConnect to Wi-FiAdd Google Account to your phone settingsRemove Duplicate Contacts on SIM

Done: 0 / 5

Solving typical transfer problems

Even with the right actions, Xiaomi users often encounter mistakes.

Problem.	Reason.	Decision
No button for “Import with SIM”	Outdated MIUI or no Google Account	Update the system or add your account manually
Contacts have been moved but not displayed	Synchronization is not enabled in Google	Go to Settings → Accounts → Google → Sync and enable the option
Duplicate records	Contacts were already on the phone or Google	Use the option “Combine duplicates” in the Contact settings
The error of “failed to import”	Damaged data on SIM	Export your contacts to another phone, then transfer them to Google.

If contacts have been moved but are not synced with other devices, check:

🔄 Is synchronization enabled in the settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of the account.
📶 Is there internet access (sync only works online).
🔒 Is it blocking? MIUI Optimizing Google Background Activity (check in Settings) → Permits → Auto-start).

⚠️ Note: On some models POCO (for example, POCO X3 Pro) Import option hidden in the Contact menu → Settings → Import/Export. If you don't find the button, search by settings (swipe down on the home screen and type "import»).

Alternative methods of transferring contacts

If the standard method doesn’t work, use one of these options:

Method 1: Exporting to a VCF file

This method is suitable for backup before resetting your phone:

Export your SIM contacts to.vcf via Contacts → Management → Export to your device.
Open the file through Google Contacts (web version or app) and import it.

Method 2: Using Third-Party Applications

Applications like Copy My Data or SIM Contacts Backup can help if MIUI blocks standard features. Install them from Google Play and follow the instructions.

What to do if your SIM contacts are damaged?

If there is a reading error when importing SIM, try: 1. Insert the card into another phone and export contacts from there. 2. Contact the operator for a replacement SIM (The data on the new map will not be saved, but the old one can be read in the communication salon). 3. Use an adapter to microSIM/nanoSIM and connect the card to the computer through the card reader (special software will be required).

How to check if your contacts have been successfully transferred

After importing, make sure that the data is saved correctly:

Open Google Contacts in your browser and log in under the same account as you do on your phone.
Check that all entries are displayed (note the number of contacts on the left menu).
Remove 1-2 contacts from your phone and update the page in your browser – if they are gone and there, sync works.

You can also create a test contact on your phone and make sure it shows up on Google in 1-2 minutes.

🔄 Reboot the phone.
📱 Delete and re-add Google Account in Settings.
🛠️ Clear the cache of the Contacts app in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Contacts → Clear the cache.

💡

Back up your contacts in Google Drive before any manipulation of your account. To do this, in Google Contacts, click “More” → “Export” and save the.vcf file to your computer.

What to do after transfer: optimization and cleaning

Once your contacts are successfully transferred to Google, there are a few important steps left:

Remove your SIM contacts to avoid duplication. Do it through Contacts → SIM → Delete everything.
Configure the display: in Contacts → Settings → Contacts to display select only Google Account to hide empty ones SIM-record.
Combine duplicates: in Contacts → Management → Combine duplicates.

It is also recommended that:

🔧 Enable automatic synchronization in Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization.
📱 Install Google Contacts as the default app for calls (in Settings) → Annexes → By default).
🔒 Set up two-factor authentication for Google Account (protects data when your phone is lost).

💡

Once you have moved your contacts to Google Account, you can edit them not only on your phone, but also through the web version of Google Contacts, which is convenient for mass edits (for example, adding tags or photos).

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts to Xiaomi

Can I transfer my SIM contacts to Google without the internet?

No, syncing with a Google Account requires internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data), however, you can first export contacts to a.vcf file on your phone and then upload it to Google later when the connection appears.

Why are some contacts not displayed after the transfer?

This can happen for several reasons: Contacts were linked to another account (e.g. Mi Account). Check Contacts → Settings → Contacts to display. Google Settings has disabled sync. Enable it in Settings → Accounts → Google. Contacts have been hidden by filter. In Google Contacts, click on three lines on the left and select All Contacts.

How to transfer SIM contacts to the new Xiaomi phone?

If you are buying a new Xiaomi, follow this algorithm: On an old phone, move contacts with the new Xiaomi. SIM Google Account (as described above) Add the same Google Account to Settings on your new phone → Accounts. Enable contact sync. In 1-2 minutes, all records will appear on the new device. SIM-The card remains the same, you can transfer contacts directly from it to a new phone, but it is less reliable.

What happens if you delete your Google Account after you move your contacts?

All contacts associated with this account will disappear from the phone, but will remain in the Google cloud. To return them: Re-add the account to the phone. enable synchronization in settings. Wait a few minutes, contacts will load automatically. If the account was deleted forever (with data), it will be impossible to restore contacts.

Can I transfer my SIM contacts to my Mi Account instead of Google?

Yes, Xiaomi allows you to sync contacts with Mi Account, but it is less universal: 🔹 Contacts will only be available on Xiaomi devices. 🔹 There is no web interface to manage (unlike Google Contacts). 🔹 Sync may not work smoothly after a phone is reset. To move contacts to your Mi Account, select it over Google at the import step in the Contacts app».