Contents
- Introduction: Why it is important to transfer contacts with SIM
- Method 1: Standard import through “Contacts”
- Method 2: Export via MIUI Account (Xiaomi Cloud)
- Method 3: Using Google Accounts to sync
- Method 4: Transfer through VCF files (for advanced)
- Method 5: Specialized applications (for older SIMs)
- Typical errors and their solution
- Frequent Questions (FAQ)
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 by the features of the firmware. MIUI, It's not like the old button phones, which were the ones where the contacts were stored exclusively on the phone. SIM, modern-day Redmi, POCO Xiaomi and other models offer several ways to import – from standard Android tools to branded solutions from Xiaomi.
The main problem is that SIM-The card only supports basic information (name) + The number is used, while smartphones allow you to save photos, additional fields and attachments to accounts, and many users experience errors such as “Can not import contacts” or “Can not import contacts «SIM-In this article, we will discuss 5 portability workflows, including bypassing typical restrictions, and provide recommendations for backing up data.
Method 1: Standard import through the Contacts app
The most obvious way is to use the built-in Contacts app (or Contacts in global firmware), which works on all Xiaomi models running MIUI 12-14 and does not require an internet connection, but has a limitation: only name and number are imported, with no additional fields.
Instructions:
- Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
- Slip on three horizontal stripes (menu) in the upper left corner.
- Choose Contact Management → Import/Export Contacts.
- Press Import with SIM-maps and select your target account (e.g. Local Storage Device or Google for Sync).
- Tick the necessary contacts or click Select all.
- Confirm the import with the OK button.
It is important: if you have duality SIM-card, the system will suggest to choose a slot (SIM 1 SIM On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) may need to be introduced PIN-code SIM before importation.
Make sure that SIM-The card is inserted into the slot and recognized by the phone
Make sure that there is enough space on the SIM (maximum of ~250 contacts)
Close all background applications to avoid crashes
Connect the charger if the battery level is below 20%
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⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI for the Chinese market (China) ROM) item “Imports with SIM» In this case, use Method 4 (VCF) or specialized applications.
Method 2: Export via MIUI Account (Xiaomi Cloud)
If you use a branded Xiaomi Account, you can move your contacts to the cloud and then sync them to your phone, which is a good way to back up and restore data on a new device.
Step-by-step:
- 📱 Open the Settings. → Accounts and synchronization → Mi Account.
- 🔄 Make sure the contact sync switch is on.
- 📤 Get back in touch. → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
- 🖥️ Select Export to your device (contacts will be saved in.vcf format in the folder). MIUI/backup/Contacts).
- 📥 Now import the.vcf file back through Import from your device by selecting Mi Account as your target.
The advantage of this method is automatic synchronization between all Xiaomi devices associated with one account. However, note that the free MIUI Cloud is limited to 5 GB, and if you exceed the limit, synchronization of contacts can be blocked.
| Method | Speed. | Preservation of additional fields | Internet is required | Suitable for dual SIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard imports | ⚡ Quickly. | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. |
| MIUI Account | 🐢 Slowly (depending on the speed of the cloud) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
| Google Account | ⚡ Quickly. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
| VCF file | 🐢 Middle-Average | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. |
Method 3: Sync through Google Account
For users who are actively using Google services, this method will be the best solution, it allows you not only to transfer contacts with SIM, but also automatically sync them with Gmail, Google Contacts and other devices on Android.
How it works:
- Import SIM contacts to your device (see Method 1).
- Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
- Select your account and turn on the Contacts switch.
- Wait until the synchronization is complete (it can take up to 10 minutes).
- Check the contacts at contacts.google.com.
Warning: If you have previously synced your contacts with another Google account, new data may be duplicated, to avoid this, before importing:
⚠️ Note: Export existing contacts from Google to.vcf (on contacts.google.com), then delete them from your account and then sync with Xiaomi.
1. Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
2. time and date settings (must be automatic).
3. No restrictions on the Settings → Annexes → Google Contacts → Permits.-->
Method 4: Transfer through VCF files (for advanced users)
The.vcf (vCard) format is a universal standard for storing contact information, and this method is suitable if:
- 🔄 You need to move contacts between different devices (not just Xiaomi).
- 📱 SIM-The card is not recognized by the phone (for example, after trimming under nano-SIM).
- 🔧 You need to edit the contacts before importing (e.g., delete duplicates).
Instructions:
- Export your SIM contacts to.vcf: Contacts → Contact Management → Export to your device → Select SIM → Save
- Connect your phone to your PC via USB (in File Transfer mode).
- Copy the contacts.vcf file from the MIUI/backup/Contacts folder to your computer.
- If necessary, edit the file in a text editor (for example, Notepad++) or using services like VCF Editor.
- Import back: Contacts → Contact management → Import from device → Select file
How to edit VCF-hand-file?
Method 5: Specialized applications for old SIM-map
If you SIM-The card was released before 2010 or has a non-standard format, standard methods may not work:
| Annex | Reference | Features | Support for MIUI |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIM Card Contacts Backup | Google Play | Exports to CSV/VCF, support for old SIMs | ✅ Yes. |
| Super Backup & Restore | Google Play | Backup of contacts and SMS | ✅ Yes (may require manual permission) |
| Copy My Data | Google Play | Transfer between devices over Wi-Fi | ⚠️ Partially (depending on version) MIUI) |
Examples of SIM Card Contacts Backup:
- Install the app and give access to contacts.
- Select Backup from SIM.
- Mark the contacts you need and click Backup.
- The file will be stored in the phone's memory, and it can be imported via Restore or sent to another device.
💡
Third-party apps can request permissions to access SMS, call logs, and storage. Before installing, check reviews and rankings on Google Play to avoid malware.
Typical errors and their solution
Even when following the instructions, Xiaomi users often face problems.
- 🚫 Mistake «SIM-The card is not supported" Reason: Obsolete SIM (So, for example, the Mini-SIM format in the adapter, or the damaged contacts. SIM To another device and export contacts from there. If it doesn't work, use Method 5.
- 🔄 Contacts are not imported in full Reason: Restriction SIM-Cards by the number of characters in a name (usually up to 14 characters).Solution: Edit long names before importing or use.vcf.
- ☁️ Synchronization with the Google/Mi Account Reason: Internet outage, incorrect date/time settings or restrictions in Settings → Annexes → Permissions. Solution: Check the network connection, turn on the automatic date and grant all permissions to the Contact app.
- 📵 After importation, photos of contacts disappeared: SIM-The cards do not store images, only text data Solution: Restore photos from backup or add them manually through the Contacts app.
If none of the methods worked, check:
- 🔋 Battery level (at low charge) MIUI can block operations with SIM).
- 🛠️ Availability of firmware updates (Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).
- 📶 Quality of communication (with a weak signal of the operator, imports may be interrupted).