How to transfer numbers from SIM-Xiaomi phone cards: all ways 2026

Transfer of contacts with SIM-Xiaomi smartphone cards are a challenge that every new owner of the device faces. Despite the apparent simplicity, the process can be complicated due to the features of the firmware. MIUI, Operator restrictions or outdated storage formats. In 2026, 5 transfer methods are relevant, and we will analyze each with nuances for different models, from the budget Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

The main problem with importing contacts is data loss due to incompatibility of encoding or failures in standard tools. For example, many users complain that after transfer, Cyrillic characters in names disappear or records are duplicated. In this article, you will find not only step-by-step instructions, but also solutions to typical errors, as well as a unique method for restoring contacts through the MIUI engineering menu, which is not in the official documentation.

Why you can’t just copy your SIM contacts to Xiaomi

At first glance, the link transfer seems simple: inserted SIM, clicked "Import" — ready, but in practice, users face a number of problems related to the MIUI architecture and the limitations of mobile operators.

• 📱 Limitation SIM-maps: most operators (MTS, Beeline, Tele2) keep on SIM Name and number only, without additional fields (email, address, notes.
• 🔤 Coding problems: old ones SIM-The cards use encoding GSM 7-bit, It's not Cyrillic, and as a result, names are displayed by Cracosabras.
• 🔄 Conflict with MIUI: Xiaomi firmware by default blocks import of contacts if the phone already has entries in the Mi or Google account.
• 📵 Lack of slot: new models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T) Often released without a physical slot under SIM, What makes the transfer impossible without an adapter.

Another nuance is duplicate contacts. If you've previously synced your phone to Google Contacts or Mi Account, when you import it from SIM, the records can merge into a chaotic list, for example, the same number can be displayed 3 times: from SIM, from Google, and from the phone's local memory.

Method 1: Standard import via MIUI settings

This is the most obvious method that works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and other models. POCO firmware MIUI 12-14. It's fine if you're physically SIM-The card and no problems with encoding. Instructions are relevant for devices with two slots (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro).+ 5G):

1. Put it in. SIM-slot-card SIM1 (If you have two cards, use the main slot).
2. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
3. Slip on three dots in the top right corner and select Contact Management.
4. Go to Import/Export Contacts → Import from SIM-card.
5. Select SIM1 or SIM2 (depending on the slot) and confirm the import.
6. Wait until the process is complete. Contacts will appear in the Device section.

If after importing the names are displayed incorrectly (for example,???? instead of "Ivan Ivanov"), then the problem is in the SIM encoding.

⚠️ Note: Do not edit the contacts immediately after importing! First export them to the.vcf file (via Contact Export), then delete duplicates from the contact file. SIM And import it back from the file.

Method 2: Transfer via VCF file (for any model)

The.vcf (vCard) format is a universal standard for storing contacts that all Xiaomi smartphones support.

• 📲 You don't have physical access to SIM (For example, you use eSIM).
• 🔄 You need to move contacts from an iPhone or other Android device.
• 🛠️ Previous importation was made with errors (names, duplicates lost).

Instructions for exporting from SIM to VCF and importing to Xiaomi:

1. On your old phone, open Contacts → Settings → Export and select Export on SIM (if needed) or immediately in the.vcf file.
2. Flip the file to Xiaomi via Bluetooth, Email, or the cloud (such as Mi Cloud).
3. On Xiaomi, open the.vcf file and automatically prompt you to import contacts.
4. Select Save to Device or Google Contacts (if you need sync).

The advantage of this method is to save all contact fields (email, address, birthday) that are lost when imported directly from SIM.

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If the.vcf file weighs more than 10 MB, import it through your computer: connect Xiaomi over USB, copy the file to the Download folder, then open it through Files → Local Storage.

Method 3: Sync through Google Account (for MIUI 13-14)

If you use Google services, this method will not only allow you to transfer contacts, but also automatically sync them between devices, Suitable for Xiaomi models with pre-installed Google Play Services (for example, global versions of Redmi K60 or POCO F5).

Step-by-step:

1. On an old phone, export contacts to Google Contacts: Open Contacts → Settings → Contact Management → Export. Select Google as your target account.
2. On Xiaomi, add the same Google Account: Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Add an account → Google. Enter data and enable contact sync.

Wait until the synchronization is complete (it can take up to 10 minutes).

Contacts

Google

An important caveat is that if Xiaomi already had contacts, they can merge with Google records, creating duplicates.

⚠️ Note: Before synchronization, open contact → Settings → Connecting contacts and manually combining duplicate records will prevent chaos in the phone book.

Method 4: Transfer over Mi Account (for Chinese firmware)

If your Xiaomi runs on Chinese firmware (e.g. Xiaomi 12S Ultra for the domestic market), standard import methods may not work due to the lack of Google Services, in which case Mi Account, a branded Xiaomi account, will help.

Algorithm of action:

1. On an old phone, export contacts to a.vcf file (as in Method 2).
2. Upload the file to Mi Cloud: Open i.mi.com on your computer. Sign in to your Mi Account. Go to Contacts → Import and download.vcf.
3. On Xiaomi, enable sync: Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Contacts (move the slider to the right).

Wait until the synchronization is complete (it can take up to 15 minutes).

The advantage of this method is that it is fully compatible with Chinese firmware, where Google Services is not available.

• 🌍 Contacts will only be available on Xiaomi devices linked to your Mi Account.
• 🔒 When resetting your phone without a backup, contacts may be lost.
• 📧 Additional fields are not synchronized (e.g. contact photos).

💡

Mi Cloud is the only reliable way to transfer contacts to Xiaomi with Chinese firmware, but requires pre-registration of an account and backup data.

Method 5: Manual copying through the engineering menu (for experienced)

This method is suitable if the standard methods have not worked, and contacts are critically important to transfer without loss. We will use the Xiaomi engineering menu, which allows you to directly interact with the database of contacts. Attention: improper actions in the engineering menu can lead to a phone reset or data loss. Use this method only if other options are exhausted.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code: ##4636## This will open the Testing menu.
2. Go to Phone Information → Battery (yes, that’s weird, but that’s how MIUI works).
3. Tap 5 times on the item Build Number to unlock hidden settings.
4. Go back to the main menu and select Settings. SIM-map.
5. Click Import Contacts with SIM and follow the system prompts.

If no contacts have appeared after these actions, try an alternative method through ADB (requires a computer):

1. Connect Xiaomi to your PC and enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
2. Open the command line on your PC and type in: adb shell content query --uri content://com.android.contacts/raw_contacts This will show all the contacts in the system.
3. For importing c SIM Please use the adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.INSERT -t vnd.android.cursor.dir/raw_contact -e sim true

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB It may vary depending on the version MIUI. If after entering the command the phone restarted or an error message appeared, immediately turn off. USB-Debug and restart the device.

Solving Common Mistakes in Contact Transfer

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems, and we've collected some of the most common errors and ways to fix them:

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 📶 Internet connection: without a network sync with Google or Mi Cloud does not work.
• 🔋 Battery charge: at a level below 20% MIUI Blocks background processes, including importing contacts.
• 🔄 System Updates: An Older Version MIUI You may not support new contact formats. Update the firmware in Settings → Updating the system.

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts to Xiaomi