Smartphone owners Xiaomi Redmi often face the need to transfer a phone book after purchasing a new device or changing a telecom operator. Storing numbers directly on SIM card is considered an outdated method, since the chip has limited memory and does not allow storing additional data such as photos or email addresses.
Import process on devices with shell MIUI or new HyperOS may differ from standard Android, which raises questions among users. In this article, we will look in detail at how to safely move all entries to internal memory or the cloud, while maintaining the contact structure and avoiding duplication.
Before you begin, make sure that your SIM card is correctly installed and is recognized by the system. If you have just inserted a new chip, wait until the network icon appears in the status bar.
Preparing the device and checking the visibility of contacts
The first step before starting the transfer procedure is to check whether your Redmi records stored on the operator chip can be seen at all. Sometimes, by default, only contacts from your phone memory and Google account are displayed, which makes the list appear empty.
Go to the standard “Contacts” or “Phone” application. In the top right corner, click on the three dots or filter icon. In the menu that opens, select Display settings or Contact filter. Here you need to activate the checkbox next to your SIM card.
If numbers appear after turning on the display, it means the data is read correctly and is ready for export. If the list remains empty, the card may be damaged or the contacts were saved in a format incompatible with the current version of Android.
⚠️ Attention: If you have two SIM cards in your phone, the import procedure is performed separately for each of them. The system will not automatically combine them into one list when transferring.
It is also worth checking whether the contacts are not hidden by accident. In some versions MIUI there is a “Hidden Contacts” function, which is accessed through a special gesture or password. Make sure that the entries you need are not located there.
Before starting a bulk import, create a backup copy of your current phone book through Google Contacts, so that in case of an error you can easily roll back the changes.
The classic method of importing through the Contacts application
The most reliable and frequently used method of data transfer is built right into the system phone book app. This method does not require installing third-party software and works even without an Internet connection.
Open the application Contact and go to the settings menu. It is usually hidden behind a gear icon or three dots in the corner of the screen. Find the section Import/Export contacts. In this menu you will see several options for actions.
You need to select the item Import from SIM card. The system will prompt you to select the source (your SIM card) and destination. It is extremely important to carefully consider the choice of target storage.
- 📱 Phone —contacts will be saved only in the device memory. If the settings are reset or broken, they will be lost forever.
- ☁️ Google Account is the best option. The data is synchronized with the cloud and will be available on any device after logging in.
- 💾 File.vcf — creating a backup copy in the form of a file that can be saved to a flash drive or sent to your messenger.
After selecting the destination, the system will show a list of all found numbers. You can tick only the ones you need or click Select all for bulk transfer. Confirm the action with the button Import or OK.
☑️ Algorithm of actions when importing
The process may take from a few seconds to a minute depending on the number of entries. Upon completion, you will see a notification about the successful copying.
Using the Mi Mover application to migrate data
For users who just bought a new Redmi and are transferring data from an old phone, Xiaomi has developed a special utility Mi Mover. This application allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also photos, music and installed apps.
Run Mi Mover on both devices. On the new phone, select the “Recipient” role, and on the old phone, “Sender”. The applications will connect via a temporary Wi-Fi network.
In the list of transferred data, be sure to check the section Contact. If the numbers are stored on the SIM card on the old device, the utility will offer to first read them and then transfer them to the new device.
| Parameter | Standard import | Mi Mover | Manual input |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | High | Very high | Low |
| Saving photos | No (only with SIM) | Yes (full profile) | Yes |
| Requires Internet | No | No | No |
| Risk of data loss | Minimal | Minimal | High |
This method is especially convenient if you are moving from another smartphone based on Android. However, if the old phone does not support installation Mi Mover, it is better to use the classic method through the contacts menu.
Synchronization with Google account: the most reliable method
The modern ecosystem Android is built around a Google account. Linking contacts to it guarantees their safety even if the smartphone is completely lost or stolen. After importing from a SIM card, it is recommended to immediately set up synchronization.
If you chose to save to your Google account during import, the data will automatically go to the cloud if there is Internet access. You can check this by going to Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Google. Make sure that the switch opposite the item Contact is active.
To manually check, go to the site contacts.google.com from your computer or phone browser. If you see your numbers there, it means the process was successful and the data is protected.
⚠️ Attention: During synchronization, duplicates may occur if the same number is stored both on the SIM card and in the phone memory under different names. Use the “Merge Duplicates” feature in the Contacts application.
The advantage of this approach is the ability to edit contacts from any device. You can add an avatar, work email or address directly through the web interface, and the changes will be reflected on your Redmi.
What to do if synchronization is frozen?
If the synchronization icon spins endlessly, try unchecking the contact, restarting the phone and turning the checkbox on again. Also check the availability of free space in Google Drive.
Troubleshooting: contacts are not imported or duplicated
Sometimes users encounter a situation where the import button is inactive or the process ends with an error. Most often this is due to a full SIM card memory or an incorrect recording format.
One of the common problems is the appearance of duplicates. This happens when you import multiple times without deleting the old entries from the SIM card. To correct the situation, use the built-in cleaning tool.
In the application Contact find the section Contact management and select Merge duplicates. The system will automatically find duplicate numbers and offer to merge them into one card.
- ❌ Memory error —free up space on your phone before importing large lists.
- 🔄 Synchronization failure —check the stability of the Internet connection and the correctness of the account password.
- 📛 Invalid format —some old SIM cards use encoding, which new versions Android read with errors (crazy words instead of letters).
If numbers are displayed incorrectly (symbols instead of letters), try changing the system language temporarily to English, importing, and then returning to Russian. Sometimes this helps the system correctly recognize the encoding.
Always delete contacts from the SIM card after successful import to the phone or cloud to avoid confusion and duplication in the future.
Deleting contacts from the SIM card after transfer
After you have ensured that all numbers have been successfully saved in the smartphone’s memory or the cloud, it is recommended to clear the SIM card. This will prevent you from accidentally re-copying old data in the future.
Return to menu Import/Export contacts. This time select the Delete contacts from the SIM cardoption. The system will warn you that the action is irreversible.
Confirm the deletion. Now your SIM card is clean and all important data is in a safe place. This will also speed up the phone a little when launching the contacts application, since it will not need to scan the chip every time it starts.
⚠️ Attention: The menu interface may vary slightly depending on the MIUI firmware version (12, 13, 14 or HyperOS). If you don't find the item you need, use the settings search.
Remember that storing contacts on removable media is a risk. If the card is damaged or lost, you will lose your entire phone book, so regular synchronization with the cloud is a must-have habit for the modern user.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to import contacts if the phone does not see the SIM card?
No, to import the phone must physically read the chip. If the SIM card is not detected, check that it is installed correctly, clean the contacts on the chip with alcohol, or try inserting it into another slot. If the problem is not resolved, the card may be damaged.
How many contacts fit on a standard SIM card?
Capacity depends on the card type and operator, but usually ranges from 200 to 500 entries. In this case, only the name (of limited length) and number are saved on the card, without additional fields.
What to do if after import the names disappeared and only numbers remained?
Most likely, the names were written in encoding that is incompatible with your version of Android. Try inserting a SIM card into your old phone, saving contacts to a .vcf file, transferring the file to Redmi and importing it from the phone’s memory.
Is it safe to delete contacts from a SIM card?
Yes, it is safe if you have previously successfully imported them into the phone’s memory or Google account. Always check the presence of numbers in the phone book before clearing the card.