How to transfer contacts from SIM to Xiaomi Redmi 9: all ways + frequent errors

Transfer of contacts with SIM-Xiaomi Redmi 9 cards seem like a simple task – until you encounter typical problems such as number duplication, data loss or import errors. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods (including hidden features). MIUI), explain why standard import through menus sometimes doesn’t work, and show you how to avoid losing important numbers.

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI 12-14 offer several ways to transfer contacts, but not all of them are equally reliable. → Contacts can skip numbers with non-standard formats (spaces, dashes or international codes), and synchronization with a Google Account requires stable Internet. M2003J15SC and M2004J19PI) And we've identified the best solutions for all kinds of situations, from the lack of Internet access to the problem of damage. SIM-card.

If you have already tried to transfer contacts and received an error such as “It is impossible to import contacts” or "SIM-The card is not supported," don't be quick to blame the phone. 80 percent of the time, the problem is the settings. SIM Or the format of the numbers on the map, and then you have the step-by-step instructions that take into account these nuances.

1. Standard import via the "Contacts" menu

The most obvious way is to use the built-in MIUI function. It is suitable if you have fewer than 200 contacts on SIM and all of them are recorded in a standard format (for example, +79123456789 or 89123456789).

Open the Contacts app (an icon with a human silhouette) in the upper right corner, click three dots (⋮) and select Settings → Import/Export of contacts → Import with SIM-The system will offer you to choose where to save the numbers: to Google account, device or other account (for example, Mi Account).

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Note: If after importing some contacts appear as "Unknown Number" or without names, the problem is encoding. SIM. Try restarting your phone before importing or use the method №3 (via Google Contacts).

Once you have selected your target account, click Import and wait until it's finished. It's 10 seconds to 2 minutes, depending on the number of contacts. Don't extract. SIM-card and do not lock the screen during the operation!

Make sure that SIM-The card is inserted into slot 1 (main card)

Check your SIM balance (some operators block access to contacts with zero balance)

Turn off VPN (it may interfere with syncing with Google)

Close all background apps (especially messengers)

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2. Export of SIM contacts via VCF file

If standard import didn't work or you want to back up, export your contacts to a.vcf file. This method is universal and works even for damaged ones. SIM-cards (provided that the phone reads them).

Go to Contacts. → Settings → Imports/Exports → Export to the device. Select SIM-The card as the source and specify the folder to save (for example, Downloads). The file will be called contacts.vcf or similarly.

Now open the file through Contacts → Settings → Import/Export → Import from the device and select your target account (we recommend Google for automatic sync). The advantage of this method is that you can edit the VCF file before importing (for example, delete duplicates or correct numbers).

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Note: Samsung or iPhone VCF files may not be properly imported into Xiaomi due to different encodings. If the name name "crazy" appears after import, open the file in the text editor and save it in UTF-8 encoding.

3. Sync with Google Account

The most reliable way is to transfer contacts to Google Contacts and then sync them with Redmi 9, which ensures that the numbers are accessible on any device and not lost when the phone is reset.

First, export your SIM contacts to Google:

1. Open Contacts. → Settings → Imports/Exports → Import with SIM-map.
2. Select Google as your target account (if not, add it through Settings → Accounts).
3. Confirm the import and wait for notification of successful completion.

Now check the synchronization:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Google → your email@gmail.com.
2. Make sure the contact switch is on.
3. Click Sync Now (in the upper right corner).

If contacts don't appear on your phone after sync, check the "Other Contacts" folder in Google Contacts (web version), sometimes SIM numbers get there instead of the main list.

Copying with SIM-map

Synced with Google/Mi Account

I use a backup copy (VCF, Excel)

Hand-held

Another way.

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4.Move through Google’s Contacts app

If Xiaomi’s built-in Contacts app is buggy, install the official Google Contacts app from Play Market.It often handles imports better, especially if you have a dual-sim Redmi 9 (Dual SIM-enabled models).

Instructions:

Advantages of this method:

• 🔍 It better recognizes international number formats.
• 📱 Automatically combines duplicate contacts.
• ☁️ Sync with the cloud without additional action.

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Note: If you have both apps installed (Xiaomi Contacts and Google Contacts), imported numbers may be duplicated. To avoid this, turn off sync in one of the apps before importing (Settings → Accounts → Google → Contact Sync).

5. Alternative methods: for complex cases

If none of the above methods worked, try these solutions. They'll come in handy if:

• 📵 SIM-The card is damaged, but the phone is partially reading it.
• 🔄 Contacts are recorded in a non-standard format (e.g. with letters or symbols).
• 📱 The phone can't see. SIM-The card is in the slot, but it works on another device.

Method 1: Using an old phone

If you have a second phone (even a button phone), insert it. SIM-map and forward contacts via Bluetooth or SMS. On Redmi 9, turn on Bluetooth, take the file and import it through Contacts. → Settings → Import from the file.

Method 2: Reading SIM through a card reader

Buy it. USB-SIM card reader (stands) ~300₽) and plug in SIM It's a computer. SIM Card Data Recovery or PhoneBook Export Contacts to the Internet CSV or VCF, And then move them to Redmi 9.

Method 3: Manual input via Excel

Export your SIM contacts to the CSV (via a card reader or an old device), open a file in Excel or Google Tables, edit numbers, and import back through Google Contacts.

6. Frequent errors and how to fix them

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, Redmi 9 users face typical problems, and the most common solutions are:

Mistake: “Impossible to read SIM-map"

Causes and solutions:

• 🔌 SIM-The card is inserted incorrectly. Remove and paste it back (contacts down).
• 📶 Bad contact. SIM and-slot.
• 🔄 The slot is faulty. Try inserting it. SIM In other slots (if you have Redmi 9 Dual) SIM).
• 📱 Outdated firmware. MIUI through settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

Error: "Contacts are not imported (0 out of 150)"

This happens when numbers are written in a non-standard format.

• 📞 Correct the formats. Export the contacts to VCF, Open the file in the text editor and bring the numbers to view +79123456789.
• 🔄 Change the encoding. Save the file to UTF-8 and import again.
• 📱 Use another app.Try Google Contacts or Truecaller to import.

Error: "Contacts are duplicated"

Doubles appear if you have imported contacts to multiple accounts (e.g. Google and Mi Account) to fix:

1. Go to Contacts → Settings → Contact Management.
2. Choose to Combine Doubles and follow the hints.
3. Turn off sync for unnecessary accounts (Settings → Accounts).

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If contact photos are missing after import, check if media sync is enabled in Google Photos (Settings → Backup). Contact photos are stored separately from numbers!

7. How to avoid future contact loss

To avoid repeating the reset or purchase of a new phone, set up automatic backup. Here is the optimal scheme for Xiaomi Redmi 9:

Step 1: Sync with Google

• 🔗 Connect your Google account to Settings → Accounts.
• ☑️ Enable sync for Contacts, Calendar and Google Drive.
• 🔄 Once a month, check that backups are being created (contacts.google.com).

Step 2: Local backup

• 📁 Export contacts to every six months VCF via Contact → Settings → Exports.
• 💾 Save the file to Google Drive or to your computer.

Step 3: Additional measures

• 📱 Install the app SMS Backup & Restore for Backup SMS contact.
• 🔐 Use Mi Account to sync if you don’t trust Google.

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Set up automatic sync with Google is the only way to ensure contacts don’t go missing when your phone breaks or resets to factory settings.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions