How to transfer contacts from SIM-card to Xiaomi Redmi 9A: all ways with photos and videos

Transfer of contacts with SIM-Smartphone cards are a challenge faced by every new Xiaomi Redmi owner 9A. Although seemingly simple, the process can cause complications, from missing a menu item to importing errors. In this article, we will discuss all current transfer methods (including hidden functions). MIUI), Explain why some contacts may not be copied and show you how to avoid data loss.

Redmi 9A

MIUI

Save numbers in the Xiaomi cloud

If you’re moving from a button phone or other smartphone where contacts were only stored on SIM, this guide will help you move them losslessly and with minimal effort.We’ve tested all methods on Redmi 9A with the latest versions of MIUI (including global and Russian firmware), so the instructions are up to date for 2026.

1.Preparation: What to do before transferring contacts

Before you start importing, follow a few important steps to avoid common mistakes, such as when contacts are duplicated or disappear after copying.

First, check the space on your phone. Although contacts are memory-consuming, there may be delays with a large number (500+ numbers) go to Settings → About Phone → Memory and make sure that at least 500MB is free.

Second, update the Contacts app. Often, import errors are related to an outdated version of MIUI. Update it through the Google Play Store or MIUI App Store. If there are no updates, reinstall the app.

The third step is verification SIM-Make sure that you have a map:

• 📱 Card inserted into slot SIM 1 (on Redmi) 9A Imports are more stable from the first slot).
• 🔍 Contacts are actually saved on SIM (Check on your old phone or through USSD-*#100# for some operators).
• 🔄 The card is not blocked by the PIN code (unlock in Settings). → SIM-maps and mobile networks).

⚠️ Note: If you are using a double SIM (Dual SIM), Importing contacts can only work with the first card. SIM on the Redmi 9A Often does not support this function due to limitations. MIUI.

Finally, back up contacts on your old device, and if something goes wrong, you can repeat the transfer, and export the contacts to.vcf (more on this in the alternatives section).

2. Standard method: import via the "Contacts" menu

The most obvious method is to use the built-in import function in the Contacts app, but in MIUI it can be hidden or unstable.

1. Open the Contacts app (the icon with the human silhouette).

2.Shoot three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select "Settings".

3. Scroll down to the "Contact Management" section and click "Import/Export contacts".

4. Select "Import with" SIM-map".

5. tick the desired contacts (or click "Select all") and confirm the import.

If the item "Imports with SIM-No map, so your version is MIUI In this case, use alternative methods from the following sections.

Once the import is successful, the contacts will appear in the Local Contacts section (not Google!) to sync with your Xiaomi or Google account, link to your account settings.

⚠️ Note: Some of the Redmi firmware 9A importation SIM may interrupt 200-It's a bug. MIUI. The solution is to break down imports into parts by 100-150 contact.

Make sure SIM is in slot 1| Update Contacts |Unlock SIM (if there is a PIN) | Check free space on your phone |Create a backup on your old device-->

3. Alternative method: export to VCF file and import to Xiaomi

If standard import doesn’t work, the most reliable way is to export contacts to a.vcf file on an old phone and then upload it to Redmi. 9A. This method is universal and works even if SIM-map damaged.

Instructions for an old phone (e.g. Samsung, Nokia, iPhone):

1. Open the "Contacts" → Settings → Export.
2. Select the.vcf (or vCard) format.
3. Save the file to a memory card or send it to your post office.

Now we're moving the file to Redmi 9A:

1. Download the.vcf file to your phone (for example, via Telegram or mail).
2. Open the file and the system will prompt you to import contacts.
3. Select an account to save (local, Google, or Xiaomi).

Advantages of this method:

• 🔄 It works on any device, even if it SIM readless.
• 📁 You can edit the.vcf file manually (e.g., delete duplicates).
• ☁️ Contacts are synced to the cloud immediately if you choose to use the Google/Xiaomi.

If the file is large (500+ contacts), break it down into multiple parts using services like VCF Splitter, which will speed up import and reduce the risk of errors.

💡

If some contacts are not displayed when importing.vcf, check the file encoding. Open it in a notebook: if the letters are "??", save the file in UTF-8 encoding.

4. Transfer through a Google account (if contacts are already in the cloud)

If your contacts were linked to a Google account on your old phone, they can be easily synced to the Redmi 9A. This method is suitable if you’ve used Android before.

Steps for transfer:

1. On Redmi 9A, open Settings → Accounts and Sync.
2. Add your Google account (if not added).
3. Turn on the sync for Contacts.
4. Wait until it is completed (it can take up to 10 minutes).

If no contact appears:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📶 Check your internet connection (synchronization only works with mobile or Wi-Fi network).
• 🔧 Update Google Play Services to Settings → Annexes → Google Play Services.

Once synchronized, the contacts will be available in the Google section of the Contacts app, which can be copied to local memory or Xiaomi account.

⚠️ Note: If the old phone only had the contacts stored on it SIM, This method won't work. First, export them to a Google account or a.vcf file.

5. Use of third-party applications (if nothing helps)

If the built-in MIUI tools don't work, you can use third-party apps, and we tested a few and selected the most reliable ones:

1. "SIM Contacts Backup" (Play Market):

• 📥 Import contacts with SIM phone.
• 🔄 Exporting contacts back to SIM.
• 📁 Stores backup copies in.vcf.

How to use:

1. Install the application and open it.
2. Select "Import from SIM".
3. Mark your contacts and press "Import".

2. "Copy My Data" (for porting from iPhone):

• 📱 It works on Wi-Fi between devices.
• 🔄 Transferring contacts, photos, calendars.
• 🚫 No, he doesn't. SIM-map.

3. "My Contacts Backup":

• ☁️ Save contacts in the cloud or email.
• 📄 Exports to.vcf or.xls.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party apps, disable access to contacts after transfer (c Settings) → Annexes → Permits. This will reduce the risk of data breaches.

6. Problem Solving: Why Contacts Are Not Portable

Even with the right actions, there can be mistakes, and let's look at the typical problems and their solutions.

Problem 1: There is no item in the Contacts menu called Import with SIM.

Decision:

• Update MIUI to the latest version.
• Install an alternative contact app (e.g. Google Contacts).
• Use the method with a.vcf file.

Problem 2: Contacts are imported but not displayed.

Decision:

• Check if they are hidden in the display settings (in "Contacts" → Settings → Displayed contacts).
• Reboot the phone.
• Remove the cache of the "Contacts" application in Settings → Applications.

Problem 3: Not all contacts are transferred (e.g., only 100 out of 300).

Decision:

• Break the imports into parts (50-100 contacts at a time).
• Use the.vcf file.
• Check if it's damaged. SIM-Card (try inserting it into another phone).

Problem 4: Contacts are duplicated.

Decision:

• In Contacts, select "Combine duplicates" (in settings).
• Remove duplicates manually or using apps like “Duplicate Contacts”.

💡

If the contacts on the SIM are saved in a non-standard format (for example, with Cyrillic alphabet in Latin encoding), their import can result in an error, the decision is to edit them on an old phone before the perenosom.

7. How to save contacts in the Xiaomi cloud (Mi Cloud)

After moving contacts to Redmi 9A We recommend that you save them to Mi Cloud, Xiaomi cloud storage, which will protect your data from loss when you reset your phone or replace it. SIM-map.

Synchronization instructions:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Account.
2. Sign in to your Xiaomi account (or sign up).
3. Turn on the "Contact Synchronization" slider.
4. Wait until the cloud is finished (the cloud icon will turn green).

Advantages of Mi Cloud:

• ☁️ Automatic backup.
• 🔄 Synchronization between Xiaomi devices.
• 🔒 Encryption of data (more secure than storage) SIM).

To check if your contacts are saved in the cloud:

1. Go to i.mi.com.
2. Sign in and go to the "Contacts" section.
3. Make sure all the rooms are in place.

If the contacts are not synchronized:

• Check your Internet connection.
• Update MIUI to the latest version.
• Go back to Xiaomi's account.

FAQ: Frequent questions about contact transfer