Moving to a new smartphone is always an exciting process, especially when it comes to saving important data. Among the entire array of information, telephone numbers remain a critical element, the loss of which can lead to serious problems. Owners Xiaomi Redmi 9 often face the need to transfer records from an old SIM card to the device’s internal memory or a cloud service to ensure their reliable storage.
Unlike old feature phones, modern Android-based smartphones offer flexible contact management tools. However, the MIUI interface installed on Redmi 9 has its own characteristics that can confuse an inexperienced user. Proper data transfer ensures that when you replace the SIM card or reset your settings, your phone book will remain completely intact.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the stages of importing numbers, consider alternative synchronization methods and answer frequently asked questions that arise when working with the phone book. You will learn not only how to complete the procedure, but also how to avoid common mistakes that lead to duplication of records or loss of part of the information.
Preparing the device and SIM card for import
Before proceeding with the direct transfer of data, you need to make sure that the hardware is working correctly. Make sure your SIM card physically intact and correctly installed in the device tray. The model Redmi 9 uses a combination slot, so it is important not to confuse the orientation of the chip when installing.
Check whether the smartphone sees the installed card. To do this, go to Settings → About phone → All characteristics → SIM card status. If the device displays the operator and signal strength, it means that the connection with the storage medium is established correctly. Otherwise, try removing and reinserting the card, after wiping the contacts with a soft cloth.
⚠️ Attention: If the SIM card has more than 500 contacts, the import process may take considerable time. Do not interrupt the operation or turn off the smartphone screen until the procedure is completed to avoid damage to the phone book database.
It is also recommended to update the Contacts application to the latest version through the store Google Play or the built-in catalog GetApps. Outdated software may contain errors that prevent data from being read correctly from older media. After the update, reboot your device to apply the changes.
Standard transfer method through the Contacts application
The most reliable and easiest way to transfer numbers is to use the built-in functionality of the system. The MIUI interface provides a convenient tool for managing imports, which does not require the installation of third-party software. Open the standard application Contact on the main screen or in the all applications menu.
At the bottom of the screen or in the upper corner (depending on the shell version), find the menu icon or three dots. Click on them to expand the list of available actions. You will need to select item Settings or Import/export contacts. In some firmware versions, this item may be simply called “Contact Management.”
In the menu that opens, select the option Import from SIM card. The system will prompt you to select a destination storage for new entries. It is recommended to save data to your account Google or to the phone memory, but not back to the SIM card, since its capacity is limited and does not support additional fields (photos, email, addresses).
☑️ Check before import
After selecting the source and destination the system will show a list of all numbers found on the chip. You can mark all the entries at once or select only the ones you need, unchecking the unnecessary ones. Click the confirm button and the copying process will begin. Upon completion, you will see a notification that the import was successful.
Alternative methods of synchronization via Google Account
Using the Google ecosystem is the most modern and secure method of storing your phone book. If your contacts are already linked to your Gmail account on your old device, they will appear on Redmi 9 automatically after entering your username and password. This eliminates the need for manual transfer from a SIM card.
To configure synchronization, go to section Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Google. Make sure the switch next to Contacts is active. The system will automatically download all recordings from the cloud to the smartphone’s memory. This method is especially convenient when switching between devices from different manufacturers.
⚠️ Attention: When synchronizing via Google, duplicates may occur if the same numbers are stored both on the SIM card and in the cloud. Use the Merge Duplicates feature in Contacts Settings to clear your list.
If the contacts are only on the SIM card of the old phone, you can first export them to a file VCF, upload them to Google Contacts via a browser on your computer, and then synchronize with Redmi 9. This path is a little longer, but guarantees the creation of a backup copy in the cloud.
What is a VCF file and why do you need it?
A file with the .vcf (vCard) extension is a universal format for storing contact information. It is supported by all operating systems and email clients. One such file can contain hundreds of entries with names, numbers, photos and email addresses. This is an ideal format for transferring data between different platforms, for example, from Android to iOS or vice versa.
Importing data through a file manager and backups
Sometimes the standard import method does not work due to a specific recording format on the SIM card or reading errors. In such cases, a file manager comes to the rescue. If you have a contacts backup file (usually with the extension .vcf or .csv), you can import it manually.
Copy the backup file to the internal memory of Redmi 9 or to a microSD card. Open the application Explorer (File Manager) and find the saved file. Click on it - the system will offer to open it using the Contacts or Import Contacts application.
Confirm the action, and all entries from the file will be added to your phone book. This method also allows you to easily transfer contacts from your computer or receive them from friends who sent you their business card as a file.
| Transfer method | Speed | Reliability | Saves additional. fields |
|---|---|---|---|
| Import from SIM | High | Medium | No (name and number only) |
| Google synchronization | Depends on networks | High | Yes (completely) |
| VCF file | Instant | High | Yes (completely) |
| Manual input | Low | High | Yes (completely) |
Synchronization with a Google account is the most reliable method, as it protects data from loss even if the smartphone itself is broken or lost.
Solving problems with duplicates and name encoding
A common problem when transferring contacts from SIM cards of old operators is incorrect display of names. Instead of Cyrillic letters, the user may see a set of characters or question marks. This is due to differences in the encoding used by older chips and the modern Android operating system.
Unfortunately, it is difficult to correct the encoding of already imported entries. In such cases, it is recommended to delete the problematic contacts and try to import them again, first changing the system language settings to English, and then returning them to Russian. However, this does not always give results.
Another common problem is the appearance of duplicates. When the same number is recorded under different names or duplicated several times, the phone book becomes disorganized. The Redmi 9 Contacts app has a built-in tool to solve this problem.
⚠️ Attention: Before mass deleting or merging contacts, be sure to create a backup copy. Erroneously deleting the desired number without the possibility of recovery can become a critical error.
Go to Settings → Contact management → Clear duplicates. The system will automatically analyze the database and offer to merge records with the same numbers or names. You can review each offer before confirming so as not to lose unique data.
If contact names are not displayed correctly after import, try changing the system font in the screen settings to standard, since some third-party fonts do not support specific characters of old SIM cards.
Configuring the display and grouping of contacts
After successfully transferring numbers, it is important to set up a convenient display of the list. In the Contacts application settings, you can choose which accounts to display in the general list. This is useful if you have several mailboxes or corporate profiles connected.
Go to Settings → Displaying contacts. Here you can activate the “Only contacts with numbers” filter to hide empty records left after import. Sorting by first or last name is also available, which simplifies searching in a large list.
For ease of navigation, it is recommended to create contact groups, for example, “Family”, “Work”, “Friends”. This will allow you to quickly filter the list and send group messages. Groups are created through the contact management menu on the “Groups” tab.
⚠️ Attention: The MIUI settings interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version (Global, Russia, China). If you do not find the specified item, use the search inside the settings menu using the keyword.
Do not forget to regularly check the relevance of the data. Deleting old numbers and adding new ones keeps your phone book in order. Regular synchronization with the cloud ensures that any changes are saved instantly.
Why are some contacts not saved to the SIM card?
Modern SIM cards have a limited amount of memory (usually up to 250 entries) and only support text fields of a limited length. They cannot store photos, email addresses, social media links, or multiple numbers for a single contact. Therefore, storing in the phone memory or the cloud is the only correct solution for a full-fledged phone book.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I transfer contacts if the Redmi 9 screen is broken?
If the sensor does not work, but there is an image, you can connect a USB mouse via an OTG adapter. This will allow you to manage the interface and transfer contacts in a standard way. If the screen is completely black, you will need to connect to your computer and use USB debugging, if it was enabled previously.
Where is it better to save contacts: to your phone, SIM or Google?
It is definitely recommended to save contacts in your account Google. This provides automatic synchronization, protection against loss when changing devices, and the ability to edit from a computer. Storing on a SIM card is considered an outdated method due to limitations on the volume and type of data.
Why did contact photos disappear after the transfer?
SIM cards do not technically support storing graphic images. When importing from SIM, only text data (name and number) is transferred. Photos must be added manually or restored from a backup if they were previously saved to a cloud profile.
How to recover deleted contacts on Redmi 9?
If you have Google synchronization enabled, go to contacts.google.com from your computer. In the menu on the left, select “Trash” or the “Cancel changes” function, which allows you to restore the state of the phone book to any date within the last 30 days.
Does transferring contacts affect the balance of the SIM card?
No, the operation of reading and importing contacts is performed locally on the device and does not require sending SMS or connecting to paid operator services. This process is completely free and does not affect the tariff plan or personal account balance.