Moving to a new smartphone is always stressful, associated not only with getting used to the new interface, but also with the need to transfer all important information. The issue of preserving the phone book is especially acute, because the loss of numbers can lead to serious communication failures. Owners of devices Xiaomi and sub-brand Redmi often wonder how to correctly transfer contacts from an outdated SIM card directly to the gadget’s internal memory. Modern operating systems based on Android provide several convenient tools for performing this task without using third-party software.
The procedure for importing numbers on devices with a shell MIUI or a new one HyperOS is maximally simplified and built into the standard Contacts application. You don't need to connect your phone to your computer or use complex synchronization apps. It is enough to have it at hand SIM card and access to the smartphone settings. Proper data transfer ensures that your numbers will not be lost when replacing a SIM card or resetting settings, if you choose the right storage location.
Preparing for the contact import procedure
Before you start the copying process, you need to make sure that the storage medium is in physical condition. Insert your SIM card into the appropriate slot of the device Redmi. Make sure that the card is detected by the system: a network icon should appear in the notification shade, and the operator's name should be displayed in the settings. If the phone does not see the SIM card, try rebooting the device or wiping the contacts on the card itself with a soft cloth.
It is also worth checking the free space in the internal memory of the smartphone. Although the text of the contacts takes up a negligible amount of space, the system should be able to create corresponding records in the database. It is recommended to log in to your Google accountin advance in order to be able to synchronize the transferred numbers with the cloud in the future. This will provide additional protection of data from loss.
It is important to understand the difference between storing numbers on a SIM card and in the phone’s memory. Usually only the name and number are stored on a SIM card, while in the device memory or account you can add an email, address, photo and notes. When importing, these additional fields, if they were somehow saved, may not be transferred if the original SIM card format did not support them.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting a bulk import, make sure that there are no duplicate entries on the SIM card. Old SIM cards often contain several entries with the same numbers, which can lead to clogging of the phone book on a new smartphone.
☑️ Preparing for transfer
Step-by-step guide through the Contacts application
The main and most reliable method of data transfer is implemented directly in the standard calling application. Open the application menu on your Redmi and find the icon labeled “Contacts”. After launching the application, pay attention to the interface: in new versions MIUI controls are often hidden behind the “three dots” menu or the “More” button in the upper corner of the screen.
Click on the menu button and select “Settings” or “Manage contacts”. In the list of parameters that opens, find the section responsible for importing and exporting data. The system will prompt you to select the source from which you need to pick up the numbers. Select option SIM card. If the phone has two SIM cards, the system will ask you to clarify which card you need to read data from.
After selecting the source, the phone will scan and display a list of all found records. At this stage, you can manually check the boxes only for those numbers that are really needed, or select the “Select All” option. Next, click the “Import” or “Copy” button. You will be asked to select a destination: internal phone memory, account Google or account Xiaomi.
Select a Google account as the destination, not just “Phone”. This will allow you to automatically synchronize contacts with the cloud and restore them if your device is lost or stolen.
Confirm the action by clicking the “OK” or “Import” button. The process will only take a few seconds, even if the card contains several hundred numbers. Upon completion of the operation, the system will notify you of successful copying. Now your numbers are in the protected memory of your smartphone and are available for editing and expanding information about the subscriber.
Import through a standard application is the fastest method that does not require installation of additional software and an Internet connection at the time of copying.
Alternative method through system settings
If for some reason the standard application does not start or the interface seems inconvenient for you, you can perform the transfer through global system settings Android. This path duplicates the functionality of the contacts application, but sometimes works more stable in case of software interface failures. Go to the main menu “Settings” of your device Redmi.
In the list of options, scroll down to the “Applications” section or use the settings search by entering the word “Contacts”. Select "Contacts and Sync" or simply "Contacts". Inside this menu, find the line “Import/export contacts”. By clicking on it, you will be taken to the same menu for selecting the data source and recipient as in the application.
Select an option Import from SIM card. The system will ask you to confirm the storage location. It is recommended to select Google for automatic synchronization. If you want to store data locally, select Phone. After confirmation, the process of reading data from the SIM card chip and writing it to the selected device database will begin.
This method is especially useful if the application shortcut has been deleted from the desktop or hidden. It guarantees access to system-level contact management functionality. Please note that in different firmware versions the names of menu items may differ slightly, but the logic of the path remains the same: Settings -> Applications -> Contacts.
Where is it better to save imported numbers
When the import is completed, the system always asks where exactly to save the copied entries. The reliability of storage and availability of rooms in the future depends on this choice. Let's look at the main storage options available on smartphones Xiaomi and Redmiso you can make an informed choice.
- 📱 Phone memory: numbers are stored only on that specific device. If your phone breaks or is lost, it will be impossible to restore them without a prior backup.
- ☁️ Google account: the best option for most users. Contacts are synchronized with the cloud, accessible from any device after logging into your account and easily restored.
- 🌏 Xiaomi Account (Mi Cloud): alternative cloud storage from the manufacturer. Convenient if you are deeply integrated into the ecosystem MIUI, but less versatile when switching to phones from other brands.
- 💾 SIM card: The least recommended option for permanent storage due to the limitation on name length and the inability to add a photo or additional data.
Choosing in favor of Google Contacts gives you the advantage of cross-platform. You can edit numbers even from a computer through a browser, and the changes will be instantly reflected on your smartphone. Local storage on your phone is only suitable for temporary data or numbers that you absolutely do not want to sync with the Internet for privacy reasons.
| Storage location | Risk of loss | Synchronization | Recording limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIM card | High (if the card is lost) | None | ~250 numbers |
| Phone memory | High (if reset/breakdown) | Local only | Depends on memory |
| Google Account | Minimum | Automatic | Up to 25,000 contacts |
| Mi Account | Low | Automatic | Up to 50,000 contacts |
⚠️ Attention: The synchronization settings interface may change with the version update MIUI or HyperOS. If you do not find the item you need, use the search inside the settings menu for “synchronization.”
Solving possible import problems
Sometimes the process of transferring numbers may encounter technical obstacles. One of the common problems is SIM card reading error. If your phone gives you an error message when you try to import, try removing the SIM card, gently wiping its chip, and reinserting it. Make sure it sits in the slot tightly and clicks.
Another common situation is that the import is successful, but the numbers are not displayed in the general ledger. Check your display settings in the Contacts app. Tap the menu and select Contacts Filter or Contacts to Display. Make sure that there is a checkmark next to the storage where you imported (for example Google or “Phone”). If the filter is “Only with SIM”, you will not see the copied data.
In rare cases, the system may not see contacts due to the recording format. Old SIM cards may use encoding that modern Android interprets incorrectly, especially if special characters were used in the names. In such a situation, a third-party contact manager from Play Marketcan help, which can work with outdated database formats.
What to do if the import freezes?
If the import process freezes in the middle, do not turn off the phone immediately. Wait 2-3 minutes. If nothing changes, force restart your device. After turning it on, check whether at least some of the contacts appear. It is not recommended to repeat the procedure immediately; it is better to clear the Contacts application cache through application settings.
Cleaning the SIM card after transfer
After successfully transferring all numbers to the smartphone’s memory, many users prefer to clear the SIM card. This is done in order to avoid confusion in the future and prevent new numbers from being accidentally saved back to the card, which limits the ability to edit them.
To clear, go to the contact management settings, as described in the previous sections. Select the "Delete contacts from SIM card" option. The system will show a list of records located on the chip. Select all numbers and confirm deletion. Remember that this action is irreversible for the data on the card itself, but your numbers are already safely stored in the phone or the cloud.
Emptying the SIM card also frees up space for new entries if you plan to use this card in a feature phone or other device where there is no possibility of synchronization with the cloud. However, for a modern smartphone Redmi storing contacts on a SIM card is considered an outdated approach.
Synchronization and backup
Simply transferring numbers to your phone is not enough for complete data security. It is necessary to set up automatic synchronization so that any changes (adding new numbers, editing) are saved in the cloud. Go to your phone settings, section “Accounts and synchronization”.
Find yours in the list Google account and click on it. Make sure the switch next to Contacts is active (blue or green). If synchronization was disabled, turn it on and click the “Sync” button manually to immediately update the data on Google servers.
Regularly check the web version of Google Contacts through a browser on your computer. This will allow you to see what your records look like “from the outside,” remove duplicates that may have formed during import, and combine cards of identical people into one record with complete information.
Is it possible to transfer contacts from iPhone to Redmi?
Yes, it is possible. The easiest way is to log into the same Google account on your iPhone and enable contact syncing in the iCloud or iOS accounts settings. After that, on Redmi you just need to add the same account, and the numbers will appear automatically.
What to do if contact names are displayed in hieroglyphs?
This is an encoding problem. Try exporting your SIM contacts to a VCF file through a third-party app and then importing the file back into your phone. This often corrects incorrect display of the Cyrillic alphabet.
How many contacts can a regular SIM card hold?
The standard capacity of a SIM card varies from 250 to 500 entries depending on the operator and card type. However, the name length is often limited to 20-30 characters.
Will the contact be deleted from the phone if I delete it from the SIM after importing?
No, it will not be deleted. After the import procedure, independent copies of records are created in internal memory or in the cloud. Removing the source (SIM card) does not in any way affect the already copied data in the phone.