How to transfer numbers from SIM-Xiaomi phone cards: a detailed guide

Why SIM Connections to Xiaomi Could Cause Problems

Transfer of telephone numbers from SIM-Xiaomi smartphone cards seem like a simple task - until you encounter typical errors.Many Redmi Note 12 users, POCO X5 or Mi 11 complain that after importing, contact names were lost, numbers were duplicated or records older than 5 years were not displayed at all. SIM-maps and firmware features MIUI.

Standard. SIM-The card stores the contacts in a pared-down format: only the name (up to 14 characters) and one number, no additional fields for email, address or second phone. When transferred to Xiaomi, this data is "cut" to a minimum set, which often leads to loss of information, MIUI 14+ By default, the import block is SIM, If the card is not from the operator, tied to the region of the phone – it is a “chip” security, which few people know.

Another trap is duplicate contacts. If you've previously synced numbers with a Google Account or Mi Cloud, when you import them from SIM, they can merge into a chaotic list, for example, the same person will be displayed 3 times: from SIM, from Google and from the phone's local memory. You can fix this, but you have to work hard.

Method 1: Standard import through Xiaomi settings

The most obvious method is to use the built-in function. MIUI. It is suitable for most models, including the Redmi. 10C, POCO M5 and Xiaomi 13 Lite, the main condition: SIM-The card must be inserted into the slot SIM1 (On some devices, import only works with the first slot).

Instructions:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette).
2. Slip on three dots in the top right corner → select Contact Management.
3. Go to Import/Export Contacts → Import from SIM-card.
4. Select the contacts you need (or click Select All) → Import.
5. Specify the target storage: Device or Google Account.

An important nuance: if you have a dual-sim Xiaomi (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+), the system can request a selection of SIMs for import.

• 📱 SIM1 — usually supports import/export.
• 📱 SIM2 — It often works only for calls (depending on firmware).

Slot SIM-maps (should be) SIM1)

Free memory on your phone (minimum 10 MB)

Disable sync with Mi Cloud (to avoid duplications)

Battery charge > 20% (in case of a long process)

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If contacts are not displayed after import, check:

1. Device Contacts folder in Contacts app (sometimes imported numbers are hidden there).
2. Filter settings: tap on three lines in the upper left corner → remove the ticks from Hidden contacts.

Method 2: Export via.vcf file (for advanced)

This method is suitable if the standard import failed or you need to save extended contact details (such as notes or extra phones).

• 📱 Another phone (even a button) with support for contact exports.
• 💾 Memory card or USB-file-transfer.
• 📄 File Manager on Xiaomi (e.g. Explorer or Mi File Manager).

Step-by-step:

1. On an old phone, export your SIM contacts to a.vcf file (usually the option is in the contacts menu).
2. Flip the file to Xiaomi via Bluetooth, email or flash drive.
3. On Xiaomi, open the.vcf file and automatically prompt you to import contacts.
4. Select the target storage (Device or Google).

The advantage of this method is that the.vcf file stores all contact information, including:

• 📞 Several phone numbers.
• 📧 Email addresses.
• 🏠 Addresses and notes.
• 🎂 Dates of birth.

💡

If you don’t have a second phone, you can use online conversion services. SIM-contacts in.vcf. For example, SIM Contractor (requires) SIM-PC reader).

Note that some Xiaomi models (such as the POCO F4) may not open.vcf files directly.

1. Copy the file to the Download folder.
2. Use the Google Contacts app (install from the Play Market if it doesn’t exist).
3. In Google Contacts, tap on three points → Import → select the.vcf file.

Method 3: Sync with Google Account (for backup)

If you plan to not only move contacts but also sync them regularly, linking to a Google Account is the best solution, a method that works on all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi A2 and Xiaomi 12T, but requires a stable Internet connection.

How to set up:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
2. Add a Google Account (if not) or tap on an existing one.
3. Turn on the contact sync switch.
4. Get back in touch. → three-point → Contact management → Import with SIM-map.
5. When importing, select Google Account as your target storage.

After that, all contacts will be available:

• 📱 On the phone itself (in the Google folder in the Contacts app).
• 🌐 In the web version of Google Contacts.
• 🔄 Automatically sync to other devices with the same account.

💡

Syncing with a Google Account is the only way to save contacts when resetting your phone to factory settings.

Note: If you have previously had contacts with Google, you may have duplicates when importing with SIM.

⚠️ Before importing, export your current Google contacts to a.vcf file (backup), then delete them from your account. SIM Return the backup copy back up.

Method 4: Use of third-party applications (for complex cases)

If the built-in methods didn’t work (for example, on Xiaomi Black Shark 5 with custom firmware), third-party software will help. We tested 3 applications that are guaranteed to work with MIUI 14/15:

Recommendations for use:

• 🔍 Check reviews before installing – some apps may not work on MIUI Russia (due to Google restrictions).
• 🛡️ Give apps access to Contacts and Warehouse only (do not allow access to the app) SMS or call).
• 📥 After importing, remove the app if it is no longer needed.

Example of SIM Contacts Backup:

1. Install the application and open it.
2. Select Import with SIM → specify SIM-map (SIM1 or SIM2).
3. Click Export to file → save.vcf to internal memory.
4. Import the file through standard Xiaomi Contacts.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

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

Errors are especially common on global firmware devices (such as Xiaomi 13 Global), where the import function can be disabled by default.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find contact. → Permits.
3. Activate access to SIM-map and vault.

⚠️ Nana POCO F5 redmi K60 s MIUI 14+ You may need to disable Battery Optimization for Contacts, otherwise the import will be interrupted due to background restriction.

If after all the manipulations the contacts have not been transferred, try an alternative method:

• 📱 Put it in. SIM to another phone (such as a Samsung or iPhone).
• 📤 Export contacts to.vcf.
• 📥 Flip the file to Xiaomi and import it through Google Contacts.

How to avoid data loss during transfer

Moving contacts is always a risk of losing important numbers. To minimize problems, follow these rules:

1. Create a backup copy: 📱 Export current contacts with SIM The file (even if it is incomplete). 🖥️ Save a copy to your computer or to the cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud).
2. Check the format: 🔍 Make sure that the contact names are no longer than 14 characters (otherwise they will be cut off). 📞 The numbers must be in an international format (e.g, +79123456789, not 89123456789).
3. Test Step-by-step: 🧪 Import first. 2-3 contact, check the correctness. 🔄 Only after a successful test, transfer all numbers.

On devices with MIUI 15 (e.g. Xiaomi 14), when importing with SIM, the folder “Imported with SIM” is automatically created in the Contacts app. If not, update the Contacts app via Play Market.

If you use Xiaomi with custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), standard import may not work.

• 🛠️ Install Open Contacts from F-Droid.
• 📥 Import contacts through this application.
• 🔧 Set up synchronization with DAVx⁵ (for Nextcloud/OwnCloud).

Standard import through MIUI

Exports to.vcf and imports

Synchronization with Google

Party of annex

Another way.-->

Frequently asked questions