Transfer of contacts with SIM-Smartphone cards are a challenge faced by every new Xiaomi Redmi owner 9 Note (or its modifications Redmi Note) 9 Pro/9S/9T). Despite the apparent simplicity, the process can cause difficulties: from the lack of visibility SIM-Contacts in the phone book before errors when importing through standard tools MIUI. In this article, we will understand 5 current transfer methods – from basic import through settings to backup through Google Account and third-party apps.
Feature of Redmi 9 Note (model) M2003J15SS For the global version, it is a firmware MIUI 12/13, And the connection import menu is hidden deeper than the Android stock, and many users also have the problem of duplicating contacts after the transfer, and we'll tell you how to avoid that. SIM-Old-style card (e.g. Mini-SIM format with limited 250 Some methods may not work – for this purpose, there are alternative solutions in the article.
1. Standard import via MIUI settings
The most obvious way is to use the built-in import function in firmware. MIUI. It's a good fit if you're in contact with SIM-The map is displayed in the phone book, but not synchronized with the device. SIM phone-on.
Instructions:
- 📱 Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette).
- 🔧 Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Select Contact Management.
- 📤 In the menu tap Import / Export contacts → Import with SIM-map.
- 📋 Choose. SIM-card (if there are two) and tick the necessary contacts (or click Select all).
- ✅ Confirm the import with the OK button.
Once completed, the contacts will appear in the Device section (not to be confused with SIM or Google).If some numbers have not been imported, check:
- 🛑 Format of recordings SIM: old cards do not support Cyrillic or special symbols (e.g, +7(999)123-45-67 may not be imported).
- 🔄 Restart your phone and try again.
Check visibility. SIM-Contacts in the phone book
Make sure that SIM-The card is inserted into slot 1 (main card)
Close all background apps (especially messengers)
Connect your phone to charge (in case of a long process)
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2.Import via Google account (with synchronization)
If you plan to use Google Contacts for backup, this method will not only allow you to transfer data from the SIM, but also automatically sync it to the cloud.Suitable for Redmi 9 Note owners who want to avoid losing contacts when resetting their phone.
Step-by-step:
- 🔄 Make sure your phone has a Google account added and active (check Settings). → Accounts and synchronization).
- 📱 Open Contacts. → three-point → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
- 📤 Select Import with SIM-Maps, but at the save stage, specify Google (not Device).
- ☁️ Wait for completion and check synchronization in Settings → Accounts. → Google → Account Synchronization (Contacts should be included).
Advantages of the method:
- 🔒 Automatic backup to the cloud.
- 📱 Access to contacts from any device (via contacts.google.com).
- 🔄 Possibility of recovery when resetting the phone.
💡
If contacts are duplicated after import, use the “Consolidate and Correct” function in Google Contacts (web version).
3. Transfer using the “Contact” app from Google
Google Contacts (not to be confused with Google) MIUI-version!) offers more flexible import settings, which is suitable if built-in tools MIUI unrecognizable SIM-card or make a mistake.
How to move:
- 📥 Install Google Contacts from Play Market.
- 🔧 Open it and tap on the profile avatar in the upper right corner. → Imports.
- 📤 Choose. SIM-Map as a source and specify your target account (Google or Device).
- ✅ Confirm the import.
Differences from MIUI-method:
| Criteria | MIUI Contacts | Google Contacts |
|---|---|---|
| Support for old SIMs | Limited. | Best (recognizes more formats) |
| Synchronization with the cloud | Only manually. | Automatic. |
| Interface. | In Chinese/English (depending on firmware) | Russified |
| Duplicate contacts | Frequently | Rare (there is a fusion tool) |
What if Google Contacts doesn’t see SIM?
Manual entry and export through VCF-file
If the automatic methods didn’t work (for example, due to a corrupted SIM or an outdated format), you can export contacts to a.vcf file on another phone and then import it to the Redmi 9 Note.
Algorithm of action:
- 📱 Take a second phone (like an old Nokia or Samsung) and insert yours into it. SIM-map.
- 📤 Export contacts to.vcf (the contact menu usually has an item Export to memory card or Send via Bluetooth).
- 📎 Flip the file to Redmi 9 Note (via Bluetooth, email or other devices) USB-cable).
- 📥 On Xiaomi, open the.vcf file – the system will automatically prompt you to import contacts.
Advantages of the method:
- 🔄 It works even with the damaged. SIM-cards (if the phone reads them).
- 📋 Keeps all contact fields (including notes and additional numbers).
- 🛡️ Avoids duplication as imports come from a clean file.
⚠️ Note: If you export contacts from an old phone, check the encoding of the.vcf file. In some cases (especially when using Chinese firmware), Russian characters can appear as characters. Solution: open the file in the text editor and save it in encoding UTF-8.
5. Use of third-party applications (for complex cases)
If none of the above methods worked, third-party utilities will come to the rescue. For the Redmi 9 Note, we recommend:
- 📱 Sim Card Contacts Backup – specializes in working with old ones SIM, Exports are supported by Excel and VCF.
- 🔄 Copy My Data – Transfers Wi-Fi contacts from one phone to another, including iPhone → Xiaomi).
- ☁️ My Contacts Backup – Creates a backup in the cloud and sends it by email.
Examples of Sim Card Contacts Backup:
- 📥 Install an application from the Play Market.
- 🔧 Start it and select Read from SIM.
- 📤 Export contacts to VCF or Excel.
- 📥 Import the file back through standard means MIUI.
⚠️ Note: When using third-party apps, disable access to contacts for unnecessary utilities (check Settings). → Permits → Some programs (especially Chinese ones) can send data to external servers.
Standard import through MIUI
Import through Google Account
Manual export to VCF-file
Party of annex
I can't stand it. I use it. SIM-contact
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Frequent mistakes and their solutions
Even if you follow the instructions, Redmi 9 Note users face typical problems.
1. SIM-The card is not defined or contacts are not displayed
- 🛠️ Check your physical condition. SIM: clean the contacts with a swallow or alcohol.
- 🔧 Switch the slot. SIM-Cards (slot 2 may not support reading contacts).
- 📱 Update the firmware: in older versions MIUI 11 was a recognition error SIM (corrected MIUI 12.5+).
2 Contacts are imported, but without names (numbers only)
It's typical of SIM-cards of operators MTS or Beeline 2010-2015 years of issue:
- 📋 Export contacts to VCF on another phone, then edit the file manually (add names).
- 🔄 Use the Sim Card Contacts Backup app to better recognize broken records.
Duplicate contacts after importation
To avoid taking:
- 🧹 Before importing, delete all existing contacts on your phone (take backup!).
- 🔄 In Google Contacts, use the Find and Combine Duplicates tool.
- 📱 In the settings MIUI Turn off automatic sync with Mi and Google accounts while importing.
💡
Before any contacts move, back up! Use export to VCF or sync with Google - this will save data if you crash.