How to transfer contacts from SIM-card to the phone Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: all working ways

Transfer of contacts with SIM-Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 cards seem like a simple task – until you encounter the nuances of firmware MIUI, format constraints SIM Unlike older button phones, where contacts were automatically copied when you insert a card, modern smartphones require manual actions. SIM (500+ In the phone book, the question of transfer becomes even more relevant.

In this article — 5 Proven ways to keep contacts, including hidden features MIUI 12/14, circumventing the restrictions of operators (MegaFon, Beeline, MTS) and instructions for cases when the phone does not see SIM-We'll also look at why some numbers lose their names when they're imported, and how to avoid that. If you've tried to move contacts and you've got a "failed to import" error, there's a solution.

Preparation: What to do before moving contacts

Before you copy your SIM contacts to Redmi Note 9, follow 3 critical steps, and ignoring them will result in loss of names, duplication of numbers, or process failure.

• 📱 Check the version. MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI. Redmi Note 9 is currently running versions 12.5-14. MIUI 11 or lower – Update through Settings → Update the system, otherwise the import function may not be available.
• 📶 Activate the mobile network: SIM-The card must be inserted into the slot SIM 1 (left slot on Redmi Note 9) and determined by the operator.If the phone says "No service", restart the device or check the card in another phone.
• 🔋 Battery charge >30%: When importing a large number of contacts (100)+) The system backs up, which uses energy, and if the charge is lower, the process can be interrupted.

Pay special attention to the format SIM-Redmi Note 9 supports only nano-SIM. If you use a micro-SIM adapter, contacts may not be displayed. SIM-contacts through the menu - in this case, the bypass method will help (see the section about manual input).

⚠️ Note: If you are transferring contacts from a dual-SIM phone (such as a Samsung or iPhone), make sure they are saved to the phone. SIM, To check, insert the card into an old phone and export the contacts to a.vcf file, which guarantees their integrity.

Method 1: Standard import via MIUI settings

The most obvious method is to use the built-in MIUI function. It works on all firmware versions, but has a limitation: contacts with Cyrillic names (like "Ivan Petrov") can appear as empty entries or with crakozabras. This is a firmware bug that Xiaomi has not fixed so far.

Instructions:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette).
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → select Settings.
3. Go to Contact Management → Import/Export Contacts.
4. Select Import with SIM-map → specify SIM 1 SIM 2 (depending on the slot).
5. Tick the necessary contacts (or click Allocate) → Import.
6. Specify your account to save: Phone (local memory) or Google (cloud sync).

If after importing the contact names appear as "Unknown" or??? symbols, try:

• 🔄 Restore contacts to SIM via an old phone in format UTF-8 (There are in the export settings on Samsung, Nokia).
• 📝 Manually edit names after import (see method 4).

Contacts are displayed in the list without the SIM | Names readable (no cracks) | Numbers saved in the correct format (+7 or 8) | No duplicates-->

Method 2: Export to VCF and import to Xiaomi

If standard importation doesn’t work, the most reliable option is to back up contacts in a format. VCF (This is a universal method that works even if the phone can't see. SIM-contact.

You'll need a second phone, any phone, even a button phone, or a computer with a card reader.

1. Export from SIM to VCF: Insert SIM into another phone (such as Samsung or iPhone). In the contact settings, select Export to memory card or Share → save the contacts.vcf file. If there is no phone, use a card reader: insert SIM into the adapter, connect to your PC and use the SIM Card Reader program (download from the official website).
2. Transfer VCF to Xiaomi: Tip the contacts.vcf file to Redmi Note 9 via Bluetooth, Telegram or cable. Open the file - the system will suggest importing contacts. Select an account to save (Phone or Google).

The advantage of the method: all fields (name, surname, additional numbers, email) are saved, whereas with direct import from the SIM They lose notes and categories. VCF Maintains Cyrillic without errors.

Manual input |Standard import |Through VCF/Excel |Apps like My Contacts Backup |I can't stand it, I leave it on SIM-->

Method 3: Using Third-Party Applications

If the built-in MIUI tools don't work, specialized applications will come to the rescue.

• 🔍 Reading contacts with SIM, Even if the phone doesn't see them.
• 📊 Keep your phone history and SMS numbered.
• 🔄 Synchronize data with the cloud (not only Google, but also Yandex, Mail.ru).

Top.-3 Proven applications for Redmi Note 9:

1. My Contacts Backup (Play Market): Exports contacts to VCF or Excel; sends backup to email; runs without the internet.
2. SIM Card Contacts (APKMirror): Shows hidden contacts on SIM. Supports older SIM formats (e.g., from Nokia 3310).
3. Contacts Optimizer: Removes duplicates after import. Corrects name encoding (solves the Krakozabra problem).

How to use (for example, My Contacts Backup):

1. Download the app from the Play Market.
2. Launch → press Backup.
3. Select the SIM card as the source.
4. Save the file to the device or send it to an email.
5. Import the file back through Contacts → Import/Export.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (such as Super Backup) require permission to access the app. SMS And call logs. On the Redmi Note 9 with MIUI 14 these permissions must be enabled manually: Settings → Annexes → Permits → Special access → Reading magazines.

Method 4: Manual contact (if nothing works)

If all automatic methods fail, you have to manually type it, which is a long time, but it guarantees 100% accuracy.

• 📋 Screen photography: Take a picture of the contact list on your old phone and type in with a photo.
• 🖥️ Excel/Google Tables: Move numbers to a table on PC, then import to Google Contacts.
• 🎧 Voice input: Use Google Assistant to dictate numbers (team: OK Google, keep contact Ivan, phone 8912...").

The following is a step-by-step guide for Redmi Note 9:

1. Open Contacts → Press + (Add icon).
2. Enter name and number. To speed up: Use Copy/Put in for numbers (hold your finger on the input field). Set up a quick add to Contact Settings → Quick action.

Google

If you have a lot of contacts (100+), break the process down into stages of 20-30 numbers per day, so you avoid errors due to fatigue, and check the numbers entered through a search in Contacts - often typos in one digit make the number inaccessible.

💡

To speed up manual input, turn on T9-Tricks in the Gboard keyboard: Keyboard settings → Text input → Contact prompts. When you type in a name, the system will substitute the numbers that were saved.

Method 5: Sync with Google Account (for backup)

If you port contacts not only to SIM, but also from other sources (WhatsApp, Viber, old phone), the optimal solution is synchronization with Google, which will protect data from loss when you reset your phone and allow you to restore it on any device.

How to set up on Redmi Note 9:

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Select your account (or add a new one).
3. Activate the Contact Switch.
4. Return to Contacts → Settings → Import/Export.
5. Select Import with SIM and specify Google as your target account.

After synchronization, check contacts at contacts.google.com. If any numbers don't show up:

• 🔄 Update the page (sometimes sync is delayed up to 5 minutes).
• 📱 Restart your phone and check your internet connection.
• 🔧 In the Google account settings, click Sync Now.

⚠️ Note: If you used the Mi Account to sync on your previous Xiaomi phone, contacts could have been saved there.To transfer them to the Redmi Note 9, log in to the same Mi Account in the settings and enable contact sync.

Solving Common Mistakes When Transferring Contacts

Even if you follow the instructions, Redmi Note 9 users face typical problems.

If none of the methods worked, check the integrity. SIM-Over time, the contacts on it can become damaged:

• Insert SIM into another phone and try to read the contacts.
• If they do not appear, the card is damaged. Contact the operator for a replacement (the service is free when you save the number).

💡

Before any contact manipulation, back up! Even if you just update MIUI, there is a risk of data loss. Use Settings → System → Backup or Swift Backup application (requires root).

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts to Xiaomi