How to transfer numbers from one SIM to another on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Transferring phone numbers from one SIM-Xiaomi smartphones often become a headache: users lose contacts, face export errors or can not find a saved file. MIUI (12 to 15) and the peculiarities of working with SIM cards of different operators. This article will help you avoid typical errors and choose the best method depending on your situation.

We will look not only at the standard features of Xiaomi, but also at alternative solutions: from manual copying through Settings → Contacts to using PC and cloud services. Particular attention will be paid to transferring contacts between sim cards of different formats (nano-SIM, eSIM) – a pressing problem for owners of new models of Redmi and POCO with support for virtual sims.

If you're changing carriers, updating your SIM card, or just want to back up, you'll find step-by-step instructions with MIUI 14/15 in mind. All methods have been tested on current firmware from 2026.

1.Preparation: What to do before moving numbers

Before you start the transfer, check three key points:

• 📱 Version. MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI. The methods of export/import of contacts differ in the MIUI 12-13 and MIUI 14+.
• 📇 SIM card type: Nano-SIM, Micro-SIM or eSIM? depends on whether you can physically insert both cards at the same time (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro only has 1 slot for nano-SIM). + eSIM).
• 🔄 Telecom operator: Some operators (e.g. Tele2) block the recording of contacts on the Internet SIM. Clarify this in advance.

If you have a two-symbol Xiaomi (like the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or POCO X5 Pro), you can insert both SIM cards simultaneously and transfer numbers directly. Single-symbol models (Xiaomi 13 Lite) will need intermediate storage: cloud, PC or.vcf file.

⚠️ Note: Contacts saved on SIM-maps, have a restriction on symbols (for example, Cyrillic names can be cropped). Before the penos, check the correctness of the display on the new SIM.

2. Method 1: Transfer through the built-in MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use standard MIUI tools. Suitable for owners of dual-sim smartphones or those who have an adapter for a second SIM card.

1. Put both in. SIM-Cards to Smartphone (if necessary, use a micro-SIM adapter).
2. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner → Contact management → Import/Export.
4. Select Export from SIM-card, specify the old SIM and confirm the export.
5. After completion, click Import on SIM-card and select a new SIM card.

V MIUI 14/15 The path may be slightly different: Contacts → Settings (⚙️) → Imports/Exports → Copy with SIM. If you do not have an option, update the Contacts app via Play Market.

Both SIM cards are recognized by the system

The new SIM has enough memory (usually up to 250 contacts)

Contact names do not contain any special characters (!, @, #)

Backup of contacts to the cloud (in case of failure)

-->

3. Method 2: Export to the VCF file and import to the new SIM

If your Xiaomi does not support simultaneous dual SIM card work, use the intermediate.vcf file. This method is universal and works on all versions of MIUI.

Export of contacts:

1. Open Contacts. → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
2. Select Export to Device (or Export to File in MIUI 15).
3. Specify the folder to save (for example, Downloads) and confirm.

Imports to the new SIM:

1. Insert the new one. SIM-smartphone-card.
2. Return to Import/Export and select Import from the device.
3. Find the saved contacts.vcf file and confirm the import.
4. In the list of target storage, select a new one. SIM-map.

A.vcf file can also be sent to a PC or other device via Mi Share, Bluetooth, or the cloud, which is useful if you are transferring contacts between different smartphones (e.g., Xiaomi on iPhone).

4. Method 3: Sync through a Xiaomi or Google account

Cloud services are a reliable way to migrate if you plan to update your contacts regularly, and are suitable for Mi Account or Google account holders.

Through the Xiaomi account:

• 🔗 Go to Settings. → Accounts. → Mi Account.
• Activate the synchronization of contacts (the slider should be green).
• Wait for the synchronization to complete (check in Settings → About Phone → Status → Synchronization).
• Insert a new SIM, repeat the synchronization – the contacts will be automatically tightened.

Through Google Account:

• 📧 Open the Settings. → Accounts. → Google.
• Select your account and activate contact sync.
• After replacing the SIM, go to Contacts → Settings → Accounts and update the data.

The advantage of this method is automatic backup, but the contacts stored on the SIM are not synchronized with the cloud, so you have to transfer them to the phone's memory first.

💡

If contacts are duplicated after synchronization, use the merge function in Contacts → Contact Management → Combine duplicates.

5. Method 4: Transfer over PC (for power users)

If you don't have access to the Internet, or if you prefer to work with files directly, use a computer. USB-cable and basic skills of working with the file system.

Steps:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your PC via USB, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. On your smartphone, export your contacts to a.vcf file (see Method 2).
3. Copy the file from your phone to your PC (usually it is saved in the Internal Storage → Download folder).
4. Turn off the old SIM, insert a new one and reconnect to the PC.
5. Transfer the.vcf file back to your phone and import it through Contacts.

For advanced users, you can edit a.vcf file in a text editor (e.g. Notepad++) by removing unnecessary contacts or fixing formatting errors.

BEGIN:VCARD


VERSION:3.0




FN: Ivan Ivanov




TEL;TYPE=CELL:+79123456789




END:VCARD

⚠️ Note: When editing.vcf, do not manually delete lines BEGIN:VCARD and END:VCARD — This will lead to an import error.

Method 5: Use of Third-Party Applications

If standard methods don’t work (for example, on custom firmware), install specialized applications:

Before using third-party apps, check reviews – some may ask for unnecessary permissions (such as accessing SMS).

💡

Third-party apps are convenient for mass transfer, but always check what data they send to servers (read the privacy policy).

7. Problem Solving: Frequent Errors and Corrections

Even when following instructions, users have difficulty, and consider typical scenarios:

• 🔴 Error "Cannot import contacts": Check if the new one is filled SIM (250 contacts maximum. delete unnecessary numbers or use the cloud.
• 🔴 Contacts are duplicated: C Contacts → Settings → Display contacts disable the display of duplicates from other accounts.
• 🔴 I don’t see the Import/Export option: Update Contacts in Play Market or reset its settings (Settings) → Annexes → Contacts → Warehouse → Clear the data).
• 🔴 Hieroglyphs instead of names: The problem with encoding. Export contacts to the UTF-8 Or use Google Contacts.

If photos of contacts are missing after transfer, restore them via Google Photos or Mi Cloud – they are stored separately from phone numbers.

8. Features of transfer to eSIM in Xiaomi

Owners of Xiaomi 12T Pro, Xiaomi 13 and other models with support for eSIM face additional nuances:

• 📱 eSIM does not support the storage of contacts – they can only be imported from the memory of the phone or the cloud.
• 🔄 For transfer, first export contacts with physical SIM In.vcf, then import them into the device memory.
• ☁️ Use Mi Cloud or Google Contacts to sync – this is the only reliable way to work with eSIM.

To activate eSIM on Xiaomi:

1. Get it. QR-activation code or data from the operator.
2. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Add eSIM.
3. Scan the QR or enter the data manually.
4. Once activated, import contacts from the file or cloud.

💡

Before switching to eSIM, check if your carrier supports this technology, for example, MTS and Beeline provide eSIM for individuals, and MegaFon only for corporate customers (2026).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions