How to transfer contacts with SIM-Xiaomi Redmi cards: all ways 2026

Transfer of telephone numbers from SIM-Xiaomi Redmi cards are a challenge that every new owner of the device faces, and despite their apparent simplicity, the process can cause complications from the lack of visible options on the menu to import errors. Especially relevant problem for users switching from button phones or old Android devices, where contacts have been accumulated for years only on the Internet. SIM.

In this article, we will discuss all current methods of transfer (including hidden functions). MIUI), We will explain why some rooms may not be imported, and show you how to avoid duplication of contacts. SIM (For example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G eSIM) and the features of working with two SIM-map.

Note: if you use Xiaomi Redmi on MIUI 14/15, the standard route through Contacts → Import / Export may not be available. This is not a mistake - the manufacturer simplified the interface by hiding some of the features. But they can still be returned!

1. Standard import through the “Contacts” app

The most obvious way is to use the built-in Contacts app, but in recent versions of MIUI, the import option is hidden deep in the settings. Here's how to find it:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Swipe on the three dots in the upper right corner (or swipe left on the home screen).
3. Choose Contact Management → Import/Export Contacts.
4. Press Import with SIM-maps and select your target account (e.g. Device or Google).

Import/Export option is missing, so your version of MIUI has hidden it.

Make sure that SIM-card inserted SIM1 (Some models read only contacts from him)

Check that there is free space on the SIM (otherwise the import will be interrupted)

Turn off battery optimization for the Contacts app in settings

Close all background apps (especially messengers)

-->

Once imported, the contacts will appear in the Device section or in the linked Google account, and to avoid duplicates, we recommend clearing existing contacts before importing:

1. Go to Contacts → Contact Management → Clear all contacts.
2. Select an account (such as a Device) and confirm the deletion.

⚠️ Note: When importing with SIM Xiaomi Redmi may miss Russian characters in their names (for example, "Ivan" turns into "???"). MIUI, coding SIM. Solution – transfer contacts through a Google account (mode 3).

2.Import via the phone's "Settings" (hidden method)

If there is no import option in the Contacts app, try an alternative route through system settings. This method works even on MIUI 15:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Contacts app and tap it.
3. Select Storage → Clear Data (this will reset the app settings, but won’t delete contacts!).
4. Return to Contacts – the Import/Export option should appear.

If this doesn’t work, use the code to call the hidden menu:

##3646633##

In the Engineering menu that opens, go to Connectivity → SIM Management → Import from SIM. Be careful: changing other options in this menu can disrupt the network!

Through the "Contact" app

Through a Google account

Copying it by hand.

I couldn't stand it, I left it on SIM.

Another way.-->

3. Transfer through a Google account (the most reliable way)

Synchronizing contacts with a Google account is the only method that is guaranteed to save Cyrillic characters and allows you to restore numbers even after resetting your phone.

1. Make sure that you have added a Google account (Settings → Accounts and Sync) on your phone.
2. Open Contacts. → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Import with SIM-map.
3. Select Google (not the device!) as your goal.
4. Wait for the import to be completed and check sync in Settings → Accounts → Google → Contact Sync.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 Automatic backup to the cloud.
• 🌍 Contacts are available on any device after logging in to your account.
• 🛡️ Protection against loss in case of reset or breakdown of the phone.

⚠️ Note: If you previously imported contacts into your Device and now want to transfer them to Google, use Export to File VCF, And then import this file to Google. MIUI often works with errors.

4. Manual transfer via VCF file (for power users)

If the automatic methods don’t work, you can export your SIM contacts to a.vcf (business card) file and then import it into your phone.This method is suitable for Xiaomi Redmi with MIUI of any version, including the Redmi Note 13 Pro and Redmi K60.

Step 1 Exports with SIM to VCF:

1. Insert the SIM into another phone (like an old Samsung or iPhone) where there is an export option.
2. Export contacts to a.vcf file (usually via Contacts → Settings → Export).
3. Move the file to Xiaomi via Bluetooth, Telegram or USB-cable.

Step 2. Import VCF to Xiaomi:

1. Open the.vcf file on Redmi (stamp it in the file manager).
2. Select your target account for import (Google or Device).
3. Confirm the import and wait until it is completed.

Important: If you use Xiaomi Redmi with eSIM (e.g. Redmi Note) 12T Pro, contact transfer is only possible through a Google account or file VCF, physical SIM-missing.

5. Transfer of contacts using third-party applications

If the built-in MIUI tools fail, third-party utilities will come to the rescue, and we tested 3 reliable applications that are compatible with Xiaomi Redmi:

• 📱 Copy My Data (from Media Mushroom) – transfers Wi-Fi contacts from one phone to another without any need for a new one. SIM.
• 🔄 SIM Card Contacts Backup – Creates a backup of contacts with SIM cloud-file.
• 📂 Contacts Optimizer – Cleans duplicates and corrects encoding after import.

Instructions for Copy My Data:

1. Install the app on both phones (old and Redmi).
2. On your old phone, select Send Contacts.
3. On Redmi, select Receive Contacts and connect to the Wi-Fi network created by the first phone.
4. Confirm the transmission and wait for completion.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party apps, disable battery optimization for them in Settings → Battery, otherwise the transmission may be interrupted.

💡

If strange symbols appear in the contacts after importation (for example, "Ðиван" instead of "Ivan," open the edit contact and manually correct the encoding. In the future, only import through a Google account or file. VCF.

6. Features of the transfer to Xiaomi Redmi with two SIM-map

If your Xiaomi Redmi supports two of your SIM-Cards (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro)+ 5G or Redmi 10C), When importing contacts, nuances may occur:

• 📶 Contacts are imported only from SIM1 (To move numbers from the main slot SIM2, temporarily swap the cards.
• 🔀 If both SIM contain contacts, import will have to do alternately, each time rebooting the phone.
• 📞 When calling from an imported number, the default will be used SIM1. To change this, open the contact. → Edit → SIM default.

How to appoint SIM-map:

1. Open the contact in the Contacts app.
2. Tap Edit (pencil icon)
3. Scroll down to the field. SIM-Default card and select SIM1 or SIM2.
4. Save the changes.

💡

On Xiaomi Redmi with two SIM-The cards are tied to the slot, not the phone number, which means that if you change the card, you can change the phone number. SIM-cards in places, linking contacts to slots will remain, but the actual SIM change!

7. Problem solving: why are contacts not imported?

If there are errors when transferring contacts, check the following points:

If none of the methods worked, try resetting the Contacts app settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Contacts.
2. Select Warehouse → Clear data and Clear cache.
3. Restart the phone and repeat the import.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring contacts to Xiaomi Redmi