How to transfer contacts from SIM-card to Xiaomi Redmi: 5 proven ways

Transfer of contacts with SIM-Xiaomi Redmi cards are a challenge faced by every new smartphone owner or user who decides to upgrade their device. Despite the apparent simplicity, the process can cause difficulties, from the lack of visible options on the menu to import errors due to features. MIUI. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of transferring contacts, including hidden system functions, avoidance of typical problems and alternative methods for old and new Redmi models (from Redmi Note 7 to Redmi 13 Pro).

Feature MIUI The interface of importing contacts may vary depending on the version of the shell and regional firmware. MIUI 14/15 It's hidden in the submenus, and it's on the main contact screen in the global contacts, and we've taken these nuances into account and we've developed universal instructions that will work even if your Redmi doesn't display. SIM-Contacts on the Standard List.

It is important that you use two SIM-If you want to import the contacts from one of the cards, you have to repeat the process for each card separately or use alternative methods described below.

1. Standard import through the “Contacts” app

The most obvious way is to use the built-in Contacts app (or Contacts in English firmware), which works on all Redmi models with a single-use, multi-site phone. MIUI 12 and newer, but may require pre-configuration of the display SIM-contact.

If your phone doesn’t display the SIM tab or Import/Export, follow the following steps:

• 📱 Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
• 🔍 In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Settings.
• 📋 Scroll down to Contact Management and click Import/Export Contacts.
• 📲 Select Import with SIM-Maps and indicate where to save contacts (Google account, phone or other) SIM).
• ✅ Confirm imports and wait until completion (can take up to 1 minute with a large number of contacts).

If the option Import with SIM-The card is missing, which means that your SIM-The card is not recognized by the system as a contact repository, so you can switch to alternative methods.

⚠️ Note: When importing to a Google account, contacts are automatically synced to the cloud. If you do not want to, select Saving to Device (internal phone memory).

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

Make sure there is free space on the SIM (if you export back)

Disable VPN (can block access to system functions)

Close all background apps (especially messengers)

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2.Import via phone settings (hidden method)

In some MIUI firmware, the option to import contacts is hidden in system settings, which is suitable for Redmi models with MIUI 13/14, where the standard contact interface is simplified.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Contacts list and click on it.
3. Select Storage (or Memory in some versions).
4. Click Import/Export and follow the system prompts.

If this route doesn’t work, try an alternative route:

Settings → Accounts and sync → Local contacts → Import with SIM

On the Redmi Note 11/12 with MIUI 14, this method often works when standard import via the Contacts app is not available.

Redmi Note 10/11/12

Redmi 9/9A/9C

Redmi 13/13 Pro

Another Redmi.

POCO series-->

3. Use of the application «SIM-Manager (for older models)

Redmi with MIUI 11 and older (such as Redmi 8 or Redmi Note 7) may not have an import feature built in, which can be done by using the third-party SIM Card (or SIM Contacts Manager) app available on Google Play.

Step-by-step:

• 📥 Install the app SIM Card from the official store.
• 🔓 Provide all the permissions requested (access to contacts and SIM).
• 📇 In the main menu of the application, select Copy from SIM to Phone.
• 📌 Specify the target storage (Phone Storage is recommended).
• ⏳ Wait for the process to be completed (the app will show the number of copied contacts).

The advantage of this method is that the application supports batch imports and works even with damaged ones. SIM-However, be careful: some similar utilities in the Play Market contain advertising or collect data. We recommend only a proven application from the developer SimCardApps.

Manual contact entry (if automatic importation does not work)

If none of the above methods work, you have to manually transfer it, which is laborious, but it's guaranteed to work even on Redmi with custom firmware or a damaged system.

How to transfer contacts manually:

1. Open the Contacts app and press + (add a new contact).
2. Enter the data from SIM-To speed up the process, use voice input (mic icon on the keyboard).
3. Repeat for all contacts. To avoid missing any, pre-export them from the SIM to your computer (via the card reader) and print out the list.

To speed up the process, you can use the developer mode:

Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times)


Settings → Additional → For developers → Enable debugging by USB




Connect your phone to your PC and use ADB to packet-add contacts (technical skills required).

⚠️ Warning: It is easy to make errors in numbers when you manually enter. Check each contact through a call or SMS This is especially true for service numbers (banks, government services).

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If you have a lot of contacts, take a picture of the screen. SIM-menu (where the numbers are displayed) and use OCR-an application (e.g. Google Lens) for text recognition, which saves time when manually typed.

5. Alternative methods: via computer or other telephone

If your Redmi refuses to import contacts directly, you can use an intermediate device. SIM-cards or phones with non-standard firmware.

Option 1: Through another smartphone (Android/iPhone):

• 📱 Put it in. SIM-card to another phone (such as an old Samsung or iPhone).
• 📤 Export contacts with SIM memory Google/iCloud.
• 📥 On your Redmi, log in to the same account and sync your contacts.

Option 2: Computer (using card reader):

1. Extract. SIM-And put it in a map. USB-cardreader.
2. Connect the card reader to your PC and use the SIM Card Data Recovery program to export contacts to the.vcf file.
3. Flip the file to Redmi and import it through the Contacts app.

This method requires additional equipment, but is reliable in 100% of cases. Card readers are inexpensive (from 300 rubles) and useful for backing up data with SIM.

Typical errors and their solutions

When migrating SIM contacts to Xiaomi Redmi, users often face typical problems, and we have collected the most common errors and ways to fix them.

Mistake 1: SIM-The card is not displayed in the import menu

• 🔄 Restart the phone and check if it is inserted correctly. SIM.
• 📶 Make sure that SIM-The card is active (call from it to another number).
• 🛠️ B Settings → SIM-Maps and mobile networks enable Allow access to contacts (if available).

Mistake 2: Contacts are not fully imported

This is due to the MIUI limit on the number of contacts per import (usually up to 250).

• 📊 Break up contacts into groups of 200 pieces and import in parts.
• 📱 Use a third-party application (for example, SIM Contacts Backup that does not have such restrictions.

Error 3: Imported contacts are duplicated

Doubles occur if contacts already exist in your phone’s memory or Google account to avoid this:

Contacts → Settings → Combining duplicates

If you don’t have an option, export all contacts to a.vcf file, delete them from your phone, and then import them back.

Mistake 4: You can’t import your contacts to your Xiaomi account

In MIUI 14 and new, the import function directly to your Xiaomi account is disabled by default. To get around this restriction, first import contacts into your phone’s memory, then manually export them to your Xiaomi account through Settings → Accounts → Mi Account → Contact Sync.

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If none of these methods work, check if yours is blocked. SIM-Some mobile operators (e.g. Tele2 or Iota) block access to contacts on the Internet. SIM The solution is to call support and request unlocking.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring contacts to Xiaomi Redmi