How to copy phone numbers from SIM-Xiaomi cards: all working methods

Transfer of contacts with SIM-Xiaomi smartphone 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 visibility of contacts in the phone book to errors in importing. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of copying numbers - from standard tools. MIUI Up to workarounds for old or damaged SIM.

The feature of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phones is the customized MIUI shell, which sometimes hides obvious options. For example, in some versions of the firmware, the contact import point is hidden in the depth of the menu, and in others it requires pre-setting a Google account, we took into account all the nuances and prepared instructions that work on models from Xiaomi Mi 11 to the budget Redmi Note 12.

Important: If yours SIM-The card was issued before 2010, and can use an outdated format for storing contacts (up to 200 entries with a restriction on characters), in which case some numbers may not be copied.

1. Standard import via MIUI settings

The most reliable way is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It does not require the installation of additional applications and works even without an Internet connection. The instructions are relevant for MIUI 12-14 firmware (including global and Chinese versions).

Steps:

• 📱 Open the Contacts app** (human silhouette icon).
• ⚙️ Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Select Contact Management.
• 🔄 Tap Import/Export Contacts → Import with SIM-map.
• 📋 Check the necessary contacts (or click Select all) → Imports.
• 📲 Specify your target account: Device (for local storage) or Google (for sync).

If the item Import from the SIM-card is missing:

1. Check if the SIM is inserted into the SIM1 slot (on some models, the import only works with the first slot).
2. Restart your phone – sometimes the system doesn’t recognize the card right after installation.
3. Update the Contacts app** via Google Play (if you use global firmware).

Make sure that SIM-card inserted SIM1

Check the visibility of contacts in the call menu (#4636##)

Update the Contacts app to the latest version

Restart the device before importing-->

⚠️ Attention: On phones with duals SIM (Xiaomi 13 Pro: Imports can only work for a card in a slot SIM1. If contacts are not displayed, try moving the card to another slot or using alternative methods.

2. Import via Google account (synchronization)

This method is suitable if you plan to use contacts on multiple devices or want to create a backup.The advantage: once synchronized, the numbers will automatically recover when you reset your phone or switch to a new Xiaomi.

How to transfer contacts via Google:

• 🌐 Connect to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 👤 Open the Settings. → Accounts and synchronization → Google.
• ☑️ Turn on the Contact switch (if it is turned off).
• 🔄 Return to Contact»** → Management → Imports/Exports → Import with SIM-map.

After importation:

1. Wait for the sync to complete (check in Settings → Accounts → Google → Sync).
2. Make sure contacts are displayed on contacts.google.com (enter your login details).

Through phone settings

Through a Google account

The side of the application (for example, Super Backup)

Manual input

Another way.-->

3. Use of third-party applications

If standard methods didn’t work (for example, on phones with custom firmware or damaged SIM), third-party software will help. We tested 5 popular applications and selected the two most reliable ones:

1. Super Backup & Restore (Google Play):

• 📥 Supports imports from SIM, export to.vcf and.xml.
• 🔒 Encrypts backup copies.
• ⚠️ Requires permission to access contacts and SMS.

2. Copy to SIM Card (Google Play):

• 🔄 Bilateral exchanges (c) SIM phone and back).
• 📊 Shows the number of available slots on SIM.
• ❌ Does not work with nano-SIM cards on some devices.

Instructions for Super Backup:

1. Install and open the application.
2. Tap contact. → Import with SIM.
3. Select contacts and click Import.
4. Save the backup to your internal memory or Google Drive.

⚠️ Note: Applications like "Copy to" SIM Cards may request access to SMS Check reviews and rankings on Google Play before installing, some of which contain advertising software.

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If the app does not see SIM-If you can reboot your phone, try rebooting it with Flight Mode on. If you reboot, turn off the mode and try again to import.

4. Manual contact transfer (for older SIMs)

Nana SIM-For cards issued before 2010, there are often restrictions: a maximum of 200 contacts, no Cyrillic support in names, truncation of long numbers, in which case automatic importation may end with an error or not transfer all data.

Manual transfer algorithm:

1. Insert the SIM into a Xiaomi phone.
2. Open the phone application** (call key).

To speed up the process:

• 📋 Use Google Tables or Excel to temporarily store copied numbers.
• 🤖 Automate input with MacroDroid (a macro creation application).

5. Transfer of contacts via PC

If Xiaomi phone doesn’t recognize SIM-card (for example, after falling or getting moisture), you can use a computer:

• 💻 PC Windows/macOS.
• 📱 Card reader for SIM (or microSD adapter→SIM).
• 🔌 Programme SIM Card Data Recovery or PhoneBook.

Step-by-step:

1. Remove the SIM from the phone and insert it into the card reader.
2. Connect the card reader to the PC.
3. Install and run SIM Card Data Recovery.
4. Select the disc with SIM-card → Scan.
5. Export contacts to a.vcf or.csv file.
6. Transfer the file to Xiaomi phone and import through Contacts** → Import/Export.

Programs for working with SIM on PC:

⚠️ Note: Not all card readers support nano-SIM. modern cards may require a nano adapter.→micro or specialized USB-reader (e.g, ACR38U).

6. Solving problems when importing contacts

If contacts are not copied or not fully transferred, check the following points:

Problem 1: SIM-map not defined

• 🔧 Reboot the phone.
• 🔄 Change the slot for SIM (If the phone supports 2 cards).
• 📱 Check it out. SIM In another device (for example, in an old phone).
• 🛠️ Clear the contacts. SIM alcohol (carefully, without pressure).

Problem 2: Contacts are imported without names

• 📛 It's a format limitation. SIM: names are stored in encoding 7-bit, non-Cyrillic.
• 🔤 Solution: After import, edit contacts manually in the Contacts app»**.

Problem 3: Failure to import

• 📵 Make sure that SIM free-lock PUK-code.
• 🔋 Check the battery charge (at low charge) MIUI block off SIM).
• 📲 Update the Contacts app** via Google Play.

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If none of the methods worked, contact the salon of your operator (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2). SIM-Free card (service called "Copying the phone book»).

7. How to avoid future contact loss

To avoid having to re-copy numbers when resetting or replacing your phone, set up automatic backups:

Method 1: Synchronize with Google

• ☁️ Enable autosynchronization: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of contacts.
• 🔄 Set backup frequency (daily/weekly).

Method 2: Local backup via MIUI

• 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Backup.
• 💾 Select Local Backups → mark the contact.
• 📁 Save the file to your internal memory or SD-map.

Method 3: Export to.vcf file

• 📋 Open the "Contact»** → Management → Export to file.

Storage recommendations:

• 🔐 Do not keep a single copy of your contacts on SIM-The map is easy to lose or damage.
• 📧 Check your backups regularly (every 3 months) in Google Contacts.
• 🚫 Avoid low-rated backup apps (<4.0 Google Play).

FAQ: Frequent questions about contact transfer