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

Transfer of contacts with SIM-Xiaomi cards including Redmi models, POCO, Mi is a challenge that every user faces when buying a new phone or changing operator. Despite its apparent simplicity, the process can cause difficulties, from the lack of visibility of contacts to the lack of a new phone. SIM In this article, we will discuss all current methods of transfer, including hidden functions. MIUI, avoidance of typical problems and alternative methods for old/new models.

Feature Xiaomi – a corporate shell MIUI, It sometimes modifies the standard Android menu, for example, some versions don't have a direct button called "Import with Android." SIM" We'll show you where to look for these options, how to activate them, and what to do if the phone doesn't see the contacts on the phone. SIM-We also look at a unique method for two-way models. SIM-cards (Dual) SIM), where standard instructions often do not work.

Preparation: verification SIM-maps and telephones

Before transferring, make sure that your SIM-The card is compatible with the phone and stores contacts. Modern nano-SIM (and especially eSIM) often does not support the preservation of contacts - this feature is left only in the old micro-SIM or standard ones. SIM. You can check it out like this:

• 🔍 Put it in. SIM to another phone (preferably on pure Android) and try to view contacts through the Contacts app" → "Imports/Exports".
• 📱 On Xiaomi go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [Yours. SIM] → Contacts SIM. If no item is included, the card does not support storage.
• 📞 Call from the phone to the number saved on SIM: If it is defined as “Unknown”, the contact is stored on the map.

Also check the MIUI version (in Settings → About Phone). In older versions (below MIUI 12), the import menu may be elsewhere. For dual-symbol models (Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G, Xiaomi 13T), it is important to choose the correct SIM in the settings - otherwise the contacts will not appear.

Method 1: Standard import through the "Contacts" application

The easiest method is to use the built-in Contacts app (a human silhouette icon) and the instructions are relevant for MIUI 12-14:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) top-right → Select Contact Management.
3. Go to Import/Export Contacts → Import from SIM-card.
4. Choose. SIM-card (if there are two) and mark the contacts for transfer.
5. Click Import and specify an account to save (Google, Xiaomi or locally on your phone).

If the item Import from the SIM-card is not:

• 🔄 Update the Contacts app via Google Play.
• 📲 Try an alternative path: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Contacts → Memory. → Clear the cache.
• 🔧 For MIUI 11 and below: Contacts → Menus. → Additionally. → Imports/Exports.

Method 2: Import via phone settings

If the Contacts app doesn’t display the import option, try an alternative route through system settings.This method works on all Xiaomi, including the POCO F5 and Redmi K60:

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. Scroll down to Other Settings → Import/Export Contacts.
3. Select Import with SIM-map.
4. Mark the contacts you need and click Import.
5. Specify your target account (recommended by Google for backup).

Some firmware (e.g., the global version of MIUI for Xiaomi 12T) may not have this path.

• 🔍 Use the search in the settings (magnifying glass icon) and enter the request “import contacts".
• 📱 Switch to the other one. SIM (if the phone is dual SIM) — Sometimes the option only appears for the slot. SIM1.

Method 3: Transfer through Google Account (for backup)

If you need to not only transfer contacts to your phone, but also back them up, use Google Sync.This method is suitable for all Xiaomi models, including the POCO X5 Pro and Redmi A2:

1. Import SIM contacts to your phone in any of the ways described above (select save to Local Contacts).
2. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
3. Turn on the Contact switch and wait for the synchronization to be completed.
4. Check the contacts at contacts.google.com.

Advantages of this method:

• ☁️ Contacts are automatically backed up in the cloud.
• 🔄 When changing your phone, you just need to log into your Google account to restore all the numbers.
• 📱 It works even if it does. SIM-The card does not support the storage of contacts.

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If you sync with Google, use the Google Contacts merge tool: highlight duplicates → Other actions → Find and combine duplicates.

Method 4: Using Third-Party Applications

If the built-in methods don't work, use third-party utilities. We tested 3 reliable applications that are compatible with Xiaomi:

Copy My Data (Recommended for Xiaomi):

1. Install the app on both phones (old and new).
2. On your old phone, select Send Data → Contacts.
3. On the new Xiaomi, select Receive Data and connect to the Wi-Fi network created by the old phone.
4. Confirm the transfer and wait until it is completed.

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The app side is useful if the built-in MIUI methods don't work (for example, on custom firmware or after resetting settings).However, avoid programs with suspicious permissions - they can steal your contacts!

Method 5: Transfer over a computer (for advanced users)

If you have access to a computer, you can export contacts from the SIM To file.vcf (vCard) and then import it to Xiaomi.This method is suitable for owners of Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro and other models with USB-debugging.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS.
• 📱 Old phone with contacts on SIM.
• 🔌 Cable USB (or Bluetooth for file transfer).

Steps:

1. On an old phone, export your SIM contacts to the.vcf file (via Contacts → Export to Memory Card).
2. Connect your phone to your computer and copy the contacts.vcf file.
3. Send the file to Xiaomi (by email, Telegram or USB).
4. On Xiaomi, open the file and the system will prompt you to import contacts.

For Linux users or if you don’t have an old phone:

Gammu installation (to work with SIM via terminal)


sudo apt install gammu




Read contacts with SIM (required USB-modem)



gammu --identify




gammu --getallsmsmemory ME 1

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If you don't see contacts when you import.vcf to Xiaomi, check the file encoding. Open it in your notebook: if you're using characters instead of Cyrillic, save the file in UTF-8 encoding.

Solving typical transfer problems

Even when following the instructions, Xiaomi users encounter errors.

⚠️ Note: If after importing contacts are displayed without names (numbers only), this means that the contact is not listed. SIM-The card stores them in a non-standard format. Solution: export contacts to.vcf through a third-party application (for example, SIM Contacts Backup and import the file to Xiaomi.

For models with two SIM-Cards (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Redmi Note 12 Pro)+):

• 🔄 Switch to the slot. SIM1 (He usually keeps reading his contacts).
• 📱 In the settings SIM (Settings → SIM-Maps and mobile networks: Select the contact slot as the main one.
• 🔧 If the import option does not appear, remove the second option. SIM and reboot the phone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts to Xiaomi