Why SIM contacts are better stored on your phone
SIM cards are still a popular way to store phone numbers, especially among users who often change devices or prefer simple button phones. However, this approach has serious disadvantages: a limited number of records (usually up to 250 contacts), no ability to add photos, email or additional fields. Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI offer much more flexible tools for managing contacts – from synchronizing with Google Account to backing up in the Mi Cloud.
Moving your SIM contacts to Redmi, POCO or Xiaomi’s flagship 13/14 models not only frees up space on the map, but also protects data from loss. Imagine you lost your phone and your SIM card is locked with a pin code. Without a backup in the cloud or on your device, it will be extremely difficult to restore numbers. In addition, modern instant messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram automatically pull contacts only from your phone’s memory, ignoring SIM entries.
In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to transfer contacts, from standard MIUI tools to workarounds for older models, and learn how to avoid common errors (such as duplication of records) and what to do if the phone does not see contacts on SIM.
Method 1: Standard import through the Contacts app
The easiest method is to use the built-in Contacts app (or Contacts in global firmware) which works on all Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12 and later, including Redmi Note 11/12, POCO X5 and Xiaomi 13 Lite. The main condition is that the SIM card must be correctly recognized by the system (recognition errors will be discussed in the section on the problems).
Step instructions:
- 📱 Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette on a green background).
- 🔍 In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Settings.
- 📤 Go to the Import/Export Contacts section → Import with SIM-map.
- 📋 Check the necessary contacts (or click Select All) and confirm the import.
- 💾 Wait for the process to be completed – the system will show a notification of the number of copied records.
By default, contacts will be saved to the phone’s local memory. To sync them with Google Account, after import, go to Settings → Google Accounts → Contact Sync and enable the option. This will protect the data when you reset or replace the device.
☑️ Preparation for import of contacts
Method 2: Export via VCF file (for backup)
If you want to not only transfer contacts to your phone, but also back them up, use export to.vcf (vCard) file. This format is supported by all modern devices and services, including iCloud, Outlook and Yandex.Mail.The method is suitable for Xiaomi on MIUI 11-14, as well as for devices with custom firmware.
How to export SIM contacts to VCF:
- Launch the Contacts app and go to Settings → Import/Export.
- Select Export on Export SIM-Map (Yes, you need to export first to create a file).
- Specify a save path, such as Inner Memory → Download.
- Name the file (for example, contacts_backup_2026.vcf) and confirm.
- Now import this file back to your phone via Import from the VCF file.
The advantage of the method is that you can send a.vcf file to an email, upload it to the cloud, or copy it to your computer. If you need to restore contacts later (for example, after resetting to factory settings), just import it through the same menu.
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The VCF file can be opened in a text editor (e.g. Notepad++) and manually edited numbers or names before importing.
Method 3: Sync with Mi Account (for Xiaomi owners)
If you use Xiaomi’s branded services, the most reliable way is to synchronize your contacts with Mi Account, which ensures that your data is available on any Xiaomi device after you sign in. However, note: Mi Cloud only stores 5,000 contacts (this is a limitation for free accounts).
Step-by-step:
- 🔄 Open the Settings. → Accounts. → Mi Account and make sure you are authorized.
- 📱 Back to Settings → Synchronize and turn on the slider opposite Contact.
- 🔙 Now import contacts with SIM via the Contacts app (as in Method 1).
- ☁️ Wait for automatic synchronization (can take up to 5 minutes).
To check if your contacts are saved in the cloud:
- Go to i.mi.com and log in to your account.
- Select Contacts section – all imported numbers should be displayed there.
⚠️ Note: If you delete a contact on your phone, it will automatically disappear from the Mi Cloud (and vice versa).To avoid accidental losses, turn on Backup in your account settings.
Method 4: Use of third-party applications (for older models)
On devices with MIUI 10 and below (e.g. Redmi 5A or Mi A1), standard import tools may not work as well, such as Sim Contacts Backup or Copy to Phone from Google Play, which supports mass-transfer of contacts, including fields with multiple numbers or email addresses.
Recommended annexes:
| Name of name | Ratings. | Features | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sim Contacts Backup | 4.7 ★ | Export to VCF/Excel, backup to Google Drive | Download |
| Copy to Phone | 4.5 ★ | Support for dual SIM, filtering duplicates | Download |
| Contacts Optimizer | 4.3 ★ | Combining duplicates, editing before import | Download |
How to use Sim Contacts Backup:
- Install the app and give access to contacts.
- Select Import from SIM and select the required entries.
- Click Save to Phone or Export to VCF.
- Edit contacts directly in the app if necessary (e.g., add photos).
⚠️ Note: Some applications request access to SMS You can't give up these permits, because you don't need them to import contacts.
Method 5: Manual input for a small number of contacts
If your SIM has fewer than 20 contacts, the safest (albeit long) method is manual input, which is important for users who want to avoid duplicate entries or name encoding errors (for example, when Cyrillic characters are displayed as "??").
How to enter contacts manually:
- 📞 Open the Phone app and go to the Contacts tab.
- ➕ Click on the Add Contact button (Icon "+" lower-right).
- 📝 Fill in the fields: Name, Phone, if necessary, add Email or Address.
- 💾 Click Save and select your account to sync (Google or Mi Account).
Advantages of manual input:
- 🔍 The ability to filter out unnecessary numbers (e.g. old or duplicates).
- 📊 Control over formatting (e.g., you can separate work and personal numbers).
- 🛡️ No risk of data loss due to program failure.
What to do if SIM contacts are displayed by Krakozabras?
Common problems and solutions
Even when following the instructions, Xiaomi users sometimes encounter errors when importing contacts.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Phone can't see contacts on SIM | Incorrectly inserted card or damaged slot contacts | Reboot your phone, check the SIM position in the slot (the chip should be on top). Try inserting the card into another slot (if there is one). |
| Imports are interrupted by half | Lack of memory or conflict with another process | Close all background applications, free up 100-200 MB of memory and repeat the import. |
| Duplicate contacts | Imports were made and the records were left in the phone’s memory. | Use Contacts Optimizer to combine duplicates or manually delete duplicate numbers. |
| Names are displayed as "???" | Incompatibility of SIM encoding (often happens with old Beeline or MTS cards) | Export contacts through a third-party app or enter them manually. |
If none of these methods helped, check:
- 🔧 Updates MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update the system and install the latest patches.
- 📶 Network operator: sometimes problems with SIM This is caused by a base station malfunction. LTE" mobile network settings.
- 🔄 Resetting settings SIM: In Settings → SIM-Maps and mobile networks select your own SIM and press Resetting Settings.
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If the phone doesn't recognize SIM-card at all (no network), the problem may be physical damage to the card or slot. in this case, contact the service center Xiaomi or the operator for a replacement SIM.