How to transfer contacts from SIM-card to Xiaomi phone memory: all ways

Transfer of contacts with SIM-Xiaomi smartphone memory cards are a challenge that every user faces when buying a new device or changing operator. Despite the apparent simplicity, the process can cause difficulties due to the features of the shell. MIUI, The variety of models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11) and firmware versions. In this article, we will discuss all current portability methods, including hidden functions. MIUI, Solutions of typical errors and nuances for devices with two SIM-map.

The main problem is that the contacts SIM-The card has strict restrictions: the maximum length of the name — 14 symbols, no fields for email or address, and the risk of data loss if the card is damaged. Google/Mi Account solves these problems by adding synchronization, backup and extended fields. MIUI (14–15) The way to set up contacts has changed, and some options are hidden in the depths of the menu.

Why you should move your contacts with SIM in memory Xiaomi

SIM cards are unreliable storage for contacts, and here are the key reasons to migrate to internal memory or the cloud:

• 📱 Limited volume: by SIM Only 200-250 contacts can be placed (depending on the operator), whereas the memory of the phone can hold thousands of contacts.
• 🔍 Extracted data: by SIM You can not save a photo, email, address or multiple numbers for one contact.
• ☁️ Lack of synchronization: when changing the phone contacts with SIM You will need to manually migrate, while cloud services (Google Contacts, Mi Cloud) do it automatically.
• 🛡️ Risk of loss: SIM-The card may be broken, lost or blocked by the operator (for example, if you lose your phone).

In addition, contacts in the phone’s memory are integrated with other services: they can be used in Mi Pay for transfers, in Mi Home for managing smart devices, as well as in instant messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp for quick search.

⚠️ Note: If you use two of these SIM-maps in Xiaomi, contacts with each of them are transferred separately. MIUI It does not automatically combine them – you will have to repeat the process for the second slot.

Method 1: Standard transfer through the “Contacts” application

The most obvious method is to use the built-in Contacts app (or Contacts in global firmware).The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the general logic is maintained:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette on the home screen or in the app menu).
2. Slip along three horizontal lines (☰) in the upper left corner to open the side menu.
3. Select Contact Management → Import/Export of contacts.
4. Press Import with SIM-Maps and where to save data: Memory phone or Google Account.
5. Select the desired contacts (or click Allocate) and confirm the transfer.

V MIUI 14-15 paths may look different: Contacts → ⚙️ Settings → Imports/Exports → Import with SIM. If you don’t have an option, update the Contacts app via Play Market or App Gallery.

Free space in the phone memory (minimum 10 MB)

Battery charge > 20% (to avoid failures)

Disabling the energy saving mode (may interrupt the process)

Sync with Mi Account or Google is disabled (to avoid duplications)

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After the transfer, it is recommended to check the contacts for duplicates. To do this, in the same Contact Management menu, select Combine Duties - MIUI will automatically find and merge the duplicate entries.

Method 2: Transfer through system settings (for MIUI 12–15)

If the standard method didn’t work (for example, due to a glitch in the Contacts app), you can use system settings, which is universal for all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi 10C, POCO F4 and Mi 11 Lite:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Contacts (or Settings → Applications → Application Management → Contacts → Memory).
2. Slip on Import/Export.
3. Select Import with SIM-maps and specify the target storage: Device or Google.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed (it can take up to 1-2 minutes with a large number of contacts).

In some firmware (e.g., POCO X3 Pro), the path may be different: Settings → Google → Backup → Contacts → Import with SIM. If you are not using Google services, select Local Storage.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with two SIM-cards (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro) before transfer, make sure that you choose the right slot. SIM 1 SIM 2 – Check which card to copy the data from.

Method 3: Export contacts to VCF file and import to memory

If previous methods failed (for example, due to a MIUI failure), you can use a workaround: export your SIM contacts to a.vcf file, and then import it into your phone’s memory.

1. Open Contacts. → ⚙️ Settings → Imports/Exports → Exports to SIM (Yes, we export first!).
2. Select Export to file and save contacts in.vcf format (for example, for internal memory or SD-map).
3. Now import this file: Contacts → ⚙️ → Imports/Exports → File-based import.
4. Specify the path to the saved.vcf and select the target storage (phone memory or Google).

The advantage of this method is the ability to edit contacts before importing (for example, delete unnecessary or fix errors)..vcf file can be opened on a computer using Excel or specialized programs like VCF Editor.

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If an error occurs when importing from a.vcf file, try opening the file in the text editor and removing the first 2-3 lines (they may contain service information that is incompatible with MIUI).

Solving problems when transferring contacts

Even in current versions of MIUI, users experience errors when transferring contacts. Consider typical situations and ways to fix them:

• 🔄 Failure to import contacts error: usually caused by memory shortages. Free up space (delete unnecessary files or applications) and try again. Also check if power saving mode is on, which can block background processes.
• 📵 Contacts are not displayed after transfer: restart your phone and check the display settings in Contacts → ⚙️ → Contacts to display. Make sure all sources are selected (Device, Google, SIM).
• 🔒 Contacts requested, but permission is not saved: go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Contacts → Permits and manually enable access to contacts, storage and phone calls.
• 📶 Transfer is interrupted on a dual-sim phone: turn off the second SIM-map in Settings → SIM-Maps and mobile networks and repeat the process.

If the contacts are transferred, but are displayed in hieroglyphs or cracosyabra, the problem is encoding. SIM-The decision:

1. Export contacts to.vcf (as in Method 3).
2. Open the file on your computer in Notepad++ and resave it to UTF-8 encoding.
3. Import the corrected file back to your phone.

Transfer of contacts to new Xiaomi models (2023–2026)

In the latest flagships Xiaomi (Xiaomi 14, Redmi K70, POCO F6) process of transferring contacts is simplified, but there are nuances:

• 🤖 AI Assistant: In MIUI 15 When you first start the application Contacts, the system will offer to import data from SIM If you missed this step, return it via Settings. → Contacts → Initial setup.
• ☁️ Cloud Priority: By default, the new models offer to save contacts to Mi Cloud or Google Contacts. To select local memory, click on Additional settings in the import menu.
• 🔗 Mi Account integration: If you are logged in to a Xiaomi account, contacts are automatically synced between devices (e.g., Xiaomi). 13T To turn this off, go to Settings. → Mi Account → Synchronization.

On HyperOS devices (a new shell instead of MIUI, which debuted in Xiaomi 14), the path to contact settings has changed:

Settings → Applications → Contacts → Storage and Cache → Import / Export

Important: When importing with SIM, HyperOS stores the contacts by default to “Private Storage” (encrypted partition) rather than shared memory. To display them in other applications (such as WhatsApp), after transfer, go to Settings → Privacy → Contact Permits and enable access for the desired programs.

Alternative methods: third-party applications and PC

If the built-in MIUI tools don't work, you can use third-party solutions.

1. Copy My Data app (to switch from Android to Xiaomi)

The utility allows you to transfer contacts (as well as photos, calendars and SMS) from one phone to another over Wi-Fi.

1. Install Copy My Data on both devices (available in the Play Market).
2. On your old phone, select Send Data, on Xiaomi, Receive Data.
3. Connect to a single Wi-Fi network and follow the instructions.

2. Transfer over a computer (for backup)

If you need to save contacts on the PC before resetting your phone:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your computer via USB (in file transfer mode).
2. Copy the.vcf file (from the Download or MIUI folder) to the hard drive.
3. After reset, return the file back and import through Contacts.

3.Mi Mover service (official solution from Xiaomi)

The Mi Mover app is pre-installed on new Xiaomi smartphones and allows you to transfer data (including contacts) from another Android device.

1. Run Mi Mover on both phones.
2. On the old device, select I am the sender, on Xiaomi I am the receiver.
3. Scan it. QR-code and select Contacts in the data list for transfer.

Standard import through "Contacts"

Export to VCF file

Applications (Mi Mover, Copy My Data)

Synchronization with Google/Mi Account

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FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts to Xiaomi

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The most reliable way to transfer contacts is using cloud services (Google or Mi Account), which ensures automatic synchronization between devices and protection against data loss.