Changing a mobile device is often stressful, as the new gadget brings the fear of losing important data, especially in the phone book, which stores the numbers of colleagues, friends and emergency services. Owners of Xiaomi smartphones, switching from button phones or devices of other brands, often face the need to migrate data from a physical medium — SIM-map.
The process of transferring numbers on modern shells MIUI and HyperOS is quite simple, but has its own nuances that can confuse the inexperienced user. In this article, we will analyze the algorithm of actions in detail, consider potential problems when importing and find out why storing contacts in the cloud is a more reliable option than SIM card memory.
Before you take action, you need to make sure that your SIM-The card is physically correct and correctly defined by the system. Insert the media into your Xiaomi slot and wait for the network icons to appear in the status bar. If the network appears, you can move to the software part of the process.
Preparation for data portability and verification SIM-map
The first step before any data operations are started is to create a backup copy. SIM-The original data is not usually deleted, an accidental failure can lead to unpredictable results.
It is also worth checking where the numbers are stored on the old one. SIM-Some carriers limit the number of characters in the contact name (usually up to the 10-15 The format restrictions may cause long names to be cut or second numbers lost.
⚠️ Note: If you use a dual-sim smartphone, the system may request a choice SIM-Please carefully monitor this notice so that you do not copy data from an empty or unnecessary card.
It is recommended to close the background applications before the procedure, which can consume the CPU resources, this will ensure a more stable interface and speed up the process of reading data from the SIM card chip.
Standard method of import through the Contacts app
The main and most reliable way to transfer records is to use an embedded system application. In Xiaomi smartphones, it can be simply called Contacts or Phone, depending on the firmware version. The algorithm of actions is the same for most models, from budget Redmi to flagship Mi.
To start, open the app and find the settings menu, which is usually hidden behind three dots in the corner of the screen or called by a swipe, and you'll need to find the contact management item. In MIUI, this section is often called Import/Export Contacts.
After entering the menu, select the option “Import with” SIM-The system will automatically scan the media and display a list of the records found. At this point, you can select specific numbers or mark everything at once.
☑️ Pre-import checks
It is important to choose the right location for saving: Mi or Google accounts are preferable to internal phone memory, as this ensures data synchronization. If you choose Phone, contacts will only be linked to that device.
Alternative methods through system settings
Sometimes a standard application may not work properly or be inaccessible due to interface errors, and in such cases, you can use Android system settings, which is a deeper method that allows you to manage data at the system level.
Go to Settings for your smartphone, look for Apps or search for settings by entering the word Contacts, and you need to find the system app that stores and displays the phone book.
Inside the app menu, the import feature is often hidden. Click on Storage and then Storage Management (the path may vary depending on the HyperOS version). There is an import feature available that works similarly to the standard one, but sometimes allows you to bypass software interface bugs.
⚠️ Note: When using system settings, be careful with the Clear Data button, which will delete all local contacts if they are not synced to the cloud.
This method is useful if the standard Contacts icon has been deleted or hidden by the user, and provides direct access to the device’s phone book database.
Use of Google and Mi Cloud Services
Xiaomi’s modern ecosystem is closely integrated with cloud technology, and using Google Contacts or Mi Cloud is the most convenient way to not only transfer but also permanently store your data, which looks like synchronization, not just copying.
To work with Google services, make sure that your account is added to your phone settings. Open the Google Contacts app (separate app or account settings). From the menu, select Set up Imports and specify the source — SIM-The system will upload the numbers to the cloud.
Mi Cloud users need to log in to their Mi Account. Select the sync setting from the contacts menu. When you turn on the Contact Sync option, the phone will suggest combining data. If the SIM card has numbers and there are none in the cloud, select the copy option from SIM to your account.
What is the difference between Google and Mi Cloud?
The main advantage of cloud technology is that it's independent of the physical medium. SIM-The card will be lost or damaged, your contacts will remain secure and will be accessible from any device after login is entered.
Comparison of Storage Methods: SIM, Phone or Cloud
The choice of location affects the usability and security of contacts, and many users tend to keep numbers on a SIM card without thinking about the technical limitations of that media.
Below is a table that will help you decide on the best option for storing a phone book for your use case.
| Characteristics | SIM-map | Phone memory | The cloud (Google/Mi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limit of symbols in a name | Limited (10-15) | No restrictions. | No restrictions. |
| Number of rooms | Usually 1-2 to contact. | No restrictions. | No restrictions. |
| Risk of loss | High (if card breaks) | Medium (when the phone breaks) | Minimum |
| Access from another device | Only when the card is moved. | Only from this phone. | From any device |
As you can see from the comparison, cloud storage is the most functional solution, allowing you to add photos, email addresses, residential addresses and social networks to one contact, which you can't implement on a single contact. SIM-map.
If you still store numbers on your SIM card, it is highly recommended to perform a move to the cloud right now.This will take a couple of minutes, but will save you from losing data in the future.
Possible problems and ways to solve them
The transfer process is not always smooth, users may experience reading errors, interface freezes, or partial data importation, and understanding the causes of these problems will help to quickly eliminate them.
One of the common problems is the encoding of names. When transferring from old SIM cards, names can appear as "crownberry" or question marks, which is due to the difference in the tables of character encoding. To solve the problem, try first copying contacts to your phone, and then using third-party editor apps, fix the encoding before the final synchronization.
There is also an error “Not enough memory” even if there is free space, which may be due to overflowing of the cache of the Contacts app, in which case you need to go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Contacts and select “Clear Cache.” Don’t confuse cleaning the cache with cleaning the data, otherwise you will delete all local numbers.
⚠️ Warning: If the import is interrupted in the middle, don't panic. Check the contact list - rather, part is already saved. Re-starting the procedure can create duplicates.> In rare cases, herself SIM-If the phone doesn't see the card at all, try erasing the contacts with a pin or pasting the card into another phone for verification. After successful importation, you may find that some contacts have been duplicated, which is a common occurrence, especially if you previously synced some numbers with Google and now added them to the same number. SIM-Xiaomi's built-in tools allow you to quickly combine duplicates. Open the Contacts app, go to settings and find "Combine Repetitive Contacts." The system automatically finds matches by number or name and prompts you to merge them. You can also check manually, and you can go through the list, especially the numbers you use to make sure that you have the right data and the right photo attached to your contact. 💡Use voice search in contacts by naming a person's name to quickly find all the entries with that name and check them for duplicates. Regularly cleaning the phone book is a good habit that helps keep the system in order and speeds up the search for the right subscriber. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Will contacts with SIM-No, the standard import procedure copies the data, not moves it. SIM-However, if you use third-party applications or specific settings, always check for data on the map after the process is complete. Can I transfer contacts if my phone is not connected to the Internet? SIM-Import to the device works without the Internet, but to sync with Google or Mi Cloud, connecting to Wi-Fi or mobile data is mandatory. Why are contact names cut to 10 characters? That's the limit. SIM-If you import from card to phone, the full names must be preserved. SIM-map, long names will be cropped due to the technical limitations of the storage format on the chip. How do you transfer contacts from an old button phone? The easiest way is to keep all contacts on the chip. SIM-card in an old phone, move the card to Xiaomi and use the import instructions described above. Alternatively, you can use Bluetooth file transfer vCard if the old phone supports this feature. What to do if your phone is writing «SIM-You can try to reboot your smartphone. If it doesn't work, remove the tray, wipe your contacts. SIM-So you can put the cards in a soft cloth and put them back in, make sure the cutout is right.