How to copy contacts with SIM-Xiaomi phone cards: all working methods

Transfer of contacts with SIM-Xiaomi smartphone cards are a challenge that every user faces when buying a new device or resetting settings. Despite the apparent simplicity, the process can cause difficulties, from the lack of visibility of contacts in the phone book to errors when importing. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to copy contacts for Redmi phones, POCO and Mi on base MIUI 12/13/14, including hidden functions and avoidance of typical problems.

Xiaomi is a big part of the way that it often changes the layout of menus in newer versions of the shell. For example, MIUI 14 has a deeper import point than MIUI 12. We have taken these nuances into account and prepared universal instructions that work on models from Redmi Note 10 to flagship Xiaomi 13 Ultra. You will also learn how to avoid duplicate contacts and why some numbers may not be copied.

If you are using a two-sided phone (for example, POCO X5 Pro or Redmi 12 5G), It is important to choose the right slot SIM-Otherwise, the system can ignore the request or copy contacts from the wrong map.

1. Standard import via the contact menu

The most obvious way is to use the built-in import feature in the Contacts app.It’s suitable for most Xiaomi models, but requires a pre-configuration of the display. SIM-contact.

First, make sure that the contact with SIM-The cards are visible in the phone book:

1. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
3. Select Contact Management → Display contacts.
4. Activate the switch opposite the SIM 1 or SIM 2 (depending on the slot).

Now we can start importing:

• 📱 Open Contacts. → three-point → Imports/Exports.
• 📋 Select Import with SIM-card (if no item, see "What to do if there is no option to import").
• 🔄 Indicate. SIM-map, SIM 1: Megaphone).
• 📤 Press Import and wait until completion (may take up to 2 minutes).

Once imported, contacts will appear in the Phone or Device section (depending on the MIUI version). If some numbers are not copied, check their format: Xiaomi can ignore contacts with non-standard characters (for example, "+7(9xx)xx-xxx-xx" instead of "+79xxxxxxxxxx").

Make sure that SIM-The card is inserted into slot 1 (main card)

Check the visibility of contacts in the menu "Display contacts"

Close background applications (especially messengers)

Connect your phone to charge (for models with a weak battery)

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2. Import through Google Account (for backup)

This method not only transfers contacts with SIM-It also syncs the cards to the cloud, which protects against loss when you drop your phone, and is suitable for users who use Google services (Gmail, YouTube, etc.).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Sign in to your account (or create a new one if you don’t have one).
3. Get back in touch. → three-point → Imports/Exports.
4. Select Import with SIM-map → Please specify your Google account as a target.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the synchronization (cloud icon in the status bar).

Advantages of the method:

• 🔒 Contacts are automatically backed up in the cloud.
• 🔄 Synced between devices (e.g., with Xiaomi on a tablet).
• 📱 Available even after resetting the phone to factory settings.

The disadvantage is that if you have a erratic Internet connection, sync may be interrupted, in which case, check your network settings or use Wi-Fi.

Nana SIM-map

On Google Account

On the phone (no synchronization)

In another cloud service (iCloud, Mi Cloud, etc.)

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3.Use Mi Cloud for backup

If you prefer the Xiaomi ecosystem, you can transfer contacts through Mi Cloud, a proprietary cloud storage, which is suitable for owners of several devices of the brand (for example, Xiaomi + Redmi Pad).

Step-by-step:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Mi Account (top of the screen).
• 🔑 Sign in to your account (or register if you don’t have one).
• 🖥️ Go to Mi Cloud. → Contacts → switch on sync.
• 📤 Get back in touch. → Imports/Exports → Select Import with SIM-maps in Mi Cloud.

Important: Before importing, check if there is enough space in the Mi Cloud. The free fare provides just 5GB, which may not be enough if you also sync photos or notes. Clear unnecessary data in Mi Cloud → Storage Management.

Mi Cloud has the advantage of faster sync on Xiaomi devices over Google, but keep in mind that contacts will only be available within the brand ecosystem. Exporting outside of the brand will require an additional step (see Export Contacts to File).

4. Manual export to VCF file (for advanced users)

If you need to back up your contacts or transfer them to another phone outside the cloud, you can export them to a.vcf file, a method that works even on older models like the Redmi 4X.

Algorithm of action:

1. Open Contacts. → three-point → Imports/Exports.
2. Select Export to Device (or Export to File).
3. Indicate. SIM-Map as a source and memory of the phone as a target.
4. The contacts.vcf file will be saved in the Download or MIUI folder.

To import contacts from the file back to the phone:

• 📁 Open Files (File Manager application).
• 🔍 Find the contacts.vcf file and tap it.
• 📱 Select Imports in Contacts → Please specify your account (phone or Google).

This is useful if you are planning to switch to another brand (e.g. Xiaomi to Samsung), and the.vcf file is supported by all modern smartphones, and can be edited on a PC using Microsoft Outlook or Google Contacts.

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If the contacts.vcf file doesn't open, check its extension. Sometimes the system saves it as contacts.vcf.txt. Rename the file by removing ".txt" and repeat the import.

5. Transfer of contacts using third-party applications

If the built-in MIUI tools don't work (for example, on custom firmware or after a system failure), you can use third-party utilities. We tested 3 reliable applications that are compatible with Xiaomi:

Examples of Super Backup & Restore:

1. Install the app and give access to contacts.
2. Select Backup → Contacts.
3. Specify the source (SIM-map and format (VCF).
4. Save the file to your phone or cloud.

Third-party applications are useful if:

• 🔧 The phone's got a broken slot. SIM-The card is read through the adapter.
• 📱 You need to transfer contacts to an iPhone or device without Google services.
• 🔄 Requires massive editing of numbers before import.

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Third-party apps can request access to SMS and call logs. Check reviews and ratings on Google Play before installing them - some utilities contain advertising software.

6.Typical import problems

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, Xiaomi users are faced with errors. Let’s consider the most common ones and ways to fix them.

Problem 1: Contact with SIM-maps not displayed

If the import/export menu does not show the option of importing with SIM:

• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes the system doesn’t recognize SIM-card.
• 📶 Check if it's active. SIM-map in settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [Choose. SIM] → Turn it on.
• 🛠️ Update. MIUI: Older versions (below 12.5) may not support modern versions. SIM-map.

Problem 2: Not all contacts are imported

If part of the numbers is not copied:

• 📞 Check the format of numbers: Xiaomi can ignore records with non-standard characters (brackets, dashes).
• 🔢 Make sure you're on SIM-enough free space (maximum 250 contacts on one card).
• 📱 Try importing contacts in parts (e.g. 50 entries at a time).

Issue 3: Duplicate contacts after importation

If the contacts are duplicated:

• 🧹 Use the built-in merging function: Contacts → Settings → Combine duplicates.
• 🔍 Check if your contacts are synced with Google and Mi Cloud.
• 📤 Export contacts to a file, delete all records from your phone, then import again.

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If duplicates appear after each import, turn off automatic sync in Settings → Accounts → Google/Mi Account → Contact Sync.

Problem 4: Mistake "Can't import contacts"

An error message may appear for several reasons:

• 🔋 Low battery (less than 15%) – connect your phone to charge.
• 📵 SIM-card blocked PUK-code - unlock it through the Settings menu → SIM-map.
• 🛠️ Contacts cache damaged – clear it in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Contacts → Clear the cache.

⚠️ Note: If after importing the contacts are displayed as "Unknown number", check the encoding SIM-Older cards (before 2010) may use an incompatible format. SIM.

7. Alternative methods: Bluetooth and computer

If none of the above methods worked, you can transfer the contacts to the SIM-Xiaomi cards via Bluetooth or a computer, which require additional devices, but are guaranteed to work even on phones with damaged screens.

Method 1: Transfer over Bluetooth

You will need a second phone (like an old Samsung or Nokia) that supports contact exports.

1. Put it in. SIM-card.
2. Export SIM contacts to the device memory (usually via Contacts → Settings → Import / Export).
3. Turn on Bluetooth on both phones and send the.vcf file to Xiaomi.
4. On Xiaomi, open the file and import contacts.

Method 2: Using the computer

This method requires a card reader or adapter to SIM-map.

1. Connect. SIM-card to computer through card reader.
2. Use SIM Card Data Recovery or Mobile Trans to export contacts to.vcf or.csv.
3. Flip the file to Xiaomi via USB-cable.
4. Import contacts via Contacts → Import/Export.

These methods are relevant for:

• 📱 Broken screen phones (if the touchscreen doesn’t work).
• 🔧 Devices after a failed update MIUI.
• 📟 SIM-cards that are not recognized by the smartphone.

⚠️ Note: Do not remove the card reader when using the card reader SIM-If the card is old (over 10 years old), make a backup on another phone beforehand.

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts to Xiaomi