How to copy numbers from SIM to Xiaomi phone: all ways for MIUI

Why SIM contacts don’t show up on Xiaomi and how to fix it

You just put it in. SIM-The new Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 or POCO X6 Pro, but the phone numbers didn't appear in the phone book? That's a typical situation that users face when they switch to devices from the phone book. MIUI. The fact is that modern Xiaomi smartphones by default do not import contacts with the Internet. SIM Automatically – this operation must be manually started.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to transfer numbers from SIM to your phone memory or Mi Account, including methods for older models (such as the Redmi 4X) and new flagships (such as the Xiaomi 14 Ultra).

It is important that you use two SIM-maps, the system can request clarification of which card to import data from. MIUI 15 the function of automatic determination of active SIM for importation, but in earlier versions (MIUI 12 and below, you will have to make this choice yourself.

Method 1: Standard import through Contacts (MIUI 12–15)

This is the simplest method that works on most Xiaomi devices, including the Redmi 10C, POCO F5 and Xiaomi 13T. The instructions are relevant for MIUI firmware since version 12:

1. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
2. Slip along three horizontal lines (menu) in the upper left corner.
3. Select Contact Management → Import/Export of contacts.
4. Press Import with SIM-map.
5. Please indicate where to keep your contacts: 📱 Phone Memory – Numbers will be stored locally (risk of loss when resetting). ☁️ Mi Accounts – synced to the cloud (recommended). 📧 Google Account – if you use Gmail.

Highlight everything

⚠️ Attention: If you have two SIM-The system can ask which cards to import data from. 12S Ultra and later this choice appears automatically if both are SIM contacts.

Free space in the memory of the phone (minimum) 10 MB)|Active Internet connection (for synchronization with the Internet) Mi/Google)|Battery charge at least 30%|Absence of lockdown SIM-map PIN-code-->

Method 2: Import via Settings (for MIUI 11 and older)

On devices with MIUI 11 or earlier (e.g., Redmi 8A or Mi A3), the path to importing contacts may be different.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Contacts.
2. Slip on Import/Export Contacts.
3. Select Import with SIM-map.
4. Specify the target storage (phone memory or account).
5. Confirm the operation.

🔍 Why can't contacts be imported? Most often, the problem is that they don't have to be imported:

• 🔒 Blocked. SIM-map (enter PIN-code).
• 📵 Damaged data on the SIM (Try inserting a card into another phone and checking contacts).
• 🛑 Operator restrictions (some of them) SIM MTS/Beeline does not support the storage of contacts).

Through Contacts | Through Settings |Sync with Google |Manual typing |Another way-->

Method 3: Sync with a Mi or Google account

If you want to not just copy SIM numbers to your phone, but save them in the cloud, use sync, which will protect your contacts from being lost when you reset or replace your device.

For the Mi Account:

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account.
2. Turn on the contact synchronization slider.
3. Return to Contacts and import data from SIM by selecting Mi Account as your goal.

For the Google account:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
2. Select your Google account.
3. Turn on contact sync.
4. Import numbers with SIM by specifying Google as storage.

⚠️ Note: When syncing with Google, contacts may be duplicated if you have previously saved them in your phone memory. To avoid this, delete local copies in Contacts before importing. → Management → Combine the takes.

Method 4: Manual input (unless the contacts are automatically copied)

If automatic methods do not work (for example, on the Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite with a damaged SIM), you can manually transfer the numbers:

1. Open Contacts → Create a contact (+ icon).
2. Enter your name and phone number.
3. Click Save and select storage (phone, Mi Account or Google).
4. Repeat for all the necessary contacts.

💡 Tip: To speed up the process, take screenshots with contacts on the old one SIM (Plug it into another phone and then enter the data from the photos.

Method 5: Use of third-party applications (for advanced users)

If Xiaomi’s built-in tools don’t work, you can use third-party utilities, such as the Sim Contacts Backup app (available on Google Play) that allows you to:

• 📲 Export contacts with SIM file.
• 🔄 Import them back to your phone or cloud.
• 🔍 Look at the contacts on SIM before importation.

Instructions:

1. Install Sim Contacts Backup.
2. Open the app and select Import with SIM.
3. Specify the save format (e.g., VCard).
4. Save the file and import it to standard Xiaomi Contacts.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party apps, disable access to contacts after import (in Settings) → Annexes → Permits. This will protect your data from leakage.

💡

Before using third-party apps, check reviews and rankings on Google Play. avoid utilities with suspiciously high permissions (such as SMS or geolocation access).

Frequent problems and their solutions

Problem 1: Contacts are imported but not displayed in the phone book.

Solution: Check the filter in the Contacts app (funnel icon in the upper right corner). Make sure all sources are selected: Phone, SIM, Mi Account and Google.

Problem 2: When importing, there is an error "I could not read" SIM-map».

Decision:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📶 Check if it is inserted correctly SIM (on some models, for example, POCO X3 Pro, the tray has a locker key).
• 🔧 Update the firmware through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

Problem 3: Contacts are duplicated after importation.

Solution: In the Contacts app, select Management → Combine Duties. The system will automatically find and combine the repeated entries.

💡

If none of these methods worked, try inserting. SIM-card to another phone (such as Android or iOS), export contacts to a.vcf file, and then transfer it to Xiaomi via Bluetooth or the cloud.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions