Owning a new smartphone Xiaomi or Redmi always begins with a pleasant anticipation of the possibilities, but is often overshadowed by the need to transfer the old phone book. Users switching from feature phones or older Android models often store all important communications exclusively on plastic SIM card. This creates a specific problem, since modern operating systems, in particular MIUI and HyperOS, by default tend to cloud data storage.
The procedure for importing contacts seems trivial, but in the ecosystem Xiaomi it has its own nuances, ignoring which can lead to data loss or the appearance of dozens of duplicates. For example, not everyone knows that when transferred from a SIM card, numbers can be recorded in the local memory of the phone, and not in the account Google, which will lead to their disappearance when the settings are reset. That is why it is important to clearly understand where exactly you are saving the information at the time of conversion.
In this guide we will analyze not only the standard algorithm of actions through the “Contacts” system application, but also consider possible errors that arise when working with dual-SIM devices. You will learn to distinguish between types of storage and understand why storing numbers on the plastic of a SIM card in 2026-2026 is a risky strategy that is best abandoned immediately after the transfer.
Preparing the device and checking compatibility
Before starting the data migration process, you need to make sure that the device correctly recognizes the installed card. Smartphones often use combination trays, where the second slot can work either as a SIM or a memory card. Make sure that in the settings the exact slot where the SIM card with numbers is inserted is activated. Redmi Combination trays are often used, where the second slot can work either as a SIM or a memory card MicroSD. Make sure that in the settings the exact slot where the SIM card with the numbers is inserted is activated.
It is important to understand the difference between storage formats. Old SIM cards may have limited the length of the contact name (usually up to 10-12 characters) and the number of numbers per entry. When transferring to Android these restrictions are removed, but artifacts may arise in the form of truncated names or split entries if there were several numbers on the SIM card for one name.
⚠️ Attention: If your SIM card is very old (Mini-SIM format, which had to be cut out from a large one), it may work unstably in modern trays. Before starting the bulk import, make sure that the phone sees contacts at all by opening the SIM card menu.
It is also worth checking how full the internal memory is. Although the contacts themselves take up negligible space, the synchronization and backup process may require a temporary buffer. Free up at least 100-200 MB if the smartphone's memory is critically full.
Before starting any manipulations with contacts, make a backup copy of them via Mi Cloud or Google Contacts, if the phone already has some records that you would hate to lose.
Standard import via the Contacts application
The main and most reliable way to transfer data is to use the built-in application from Xiaomi. It has its own phone book management engine, which often ignores the standard Android settings in favor of the MIUI interface. Open the Contacts application (icon with a silhouette of a person) on the desktop or in the Tools folder.
After launching the application, you need to go to the control menu. Depending on the shell version MIUI, this may be a button with three dots in the corner of the screen or a “Settings” button inside the list. Find the item called “Import and export contacts”. This is where the functionality for working with external media is hidden.
- 📲 Select the option “Import from SIM card” (or “Import from SIM 1/2” if you have two active cards).
- 💾 The system will prompt you to select a destination: “Google Account”, “Phone” or “Mi Account”.
- ✅ Confirm the selection of all numbers by selecting them, or click “Select all”.
- 🔄 Wait for the copying process to complete without turning off the smartphone screen.
The key point here is choosing the storage location. If you select "Phone", the contacts will only be on this device. When you select Google or Mi Account, they are instantly synchronized with the cloud. This ensures that if your smartphone is lost or broken Redmi, your numbers will be saved.
☑️ Check before import
Working with two SIM cards simultaneously
Smartphones Xiaomi i Redmi traditionally support two SIM cards, which creates additional confusion during the transfer. The user may not remember which card the old numbers were saved on. In the import menu, the system often prompts you to select a source: “SIM 1” or “SIM 2.”
If you're not sure where the data is, try previewing it. When you select an import source, the phone will show a preview of your contacts list. If the list is empty or contains only service numbers of the operator, it means that the required SIM card is selected incorrectly. Repeat the procedure for the second slot.
| Parameter | SIM 1 (Main) | SIM 2 (Additional) | Phone memory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading speed | Standard | Standard | Instant |
| Limit of characters in the name | ~15 characters | ~15 characters | No restrictions |
| Number of numbers per contact | Usually 1 | Usually 1 | Unlimited |
| Risk of loss when changing phone | Low (physical media) | Low (physical media) | High (no synchronization) |
Interestingly, when importing from two cards at the same time (if such an option is available in your firmware version), the system can automatically assign prefixes or create duplicates if the names are the same. It is better to perform the procedure sequentially: first import from one card, check the result, then from the second.
⚠️ Attention: When transferring contacts from two different SIM cards, there is a high risk of creating duplicates if the same number is recorded on both cards under different names. After importing, be sure to use the “Merge duplicates” function.
Alternative methods and using Google Contacts
If a standard application MIUI for some reason does not work correctly or the interface seems too confusing, you can use the native tools Android. To do this, use the Contacts application from Google (blue icon with the letter “A” or a silhouette of a person). It is often preinstalled on global firmware versions.
In the Google Contacts application, the logic of actions is similar, but the menu is located differently. Tap the hamburger button (three stripes) or the profile button, then select Settings. In the list that opens, look for the item “Import contacts from SIM card.” The system will prompt you to choose which Google account you want to save the data in.
The advantage of using Google tools is cross-platform. If you switch to a smartphone of another brand in the future (for example, Samsung or Pixel), your contacts will already be in place, since they are tied to the mailbox, and not to the shell Xiaomi. This eliminates the need to repeat the import-export procedure.
What to do if the import button is inactive?
If the “Import” option is gray or unavailable, this may mean that there are physically no entries on the SIM card, or the phone has not yet read the card’s index table. Try rebooting the device by turning airplane mode on and off, or removing and reinserting the SIM card.
Solving problems with encoding and duplicates
A frequent problem when transferring data from old SIM cards to modern ones Redmi is name distortion. Instead of "Mom" the user may see "????" or a set of meaningless characters. This is due to differences in the character encoding used by the telecom operator when writing to plastic, and the encoding UTF-8that Android uses.
To correct the situation, you can try changing the input language or region in the phone settings before importing, but most often this does not help. In such cases, it is recommended to use an intermediate link - exporting contacts from a SIM card to a computer through a special card reader (if possible), correcting the file and importing it back. However, for the average user it is easier to rename contacts manually after the transfer.
The problem of duplicates is solved by built-in tools. The Contacts application on Xiaomi often has an automatic cleaning service. It scans the database, finds identical numbers or names and offers to combine them into one card. This is a critical procedure for maintaining order in your phone book.
- 🔍 Open the Contacts application and find the "Manage Contacts" section.
- 🧹 Select "Clear duplicates" or "Merge duplicates."
- 👆 Confirm the action for all found pairs or groups.
⚠️ Attention: MIUI and HyperOS shell interfaces are constantly updated. The location of menu items may vary. If you have not found the exact name, look for synonyms: “Management”, “Services”, “Organization”.
The cleanest result is obtained by transferring not directly, but through intermediate export to a .vcf file, if the standard import works with errors.
Why you should not store contacts on a SIM card
We inherited the technology of storing contacts on a SIM card from the first generation GSM era. The memory capacity of a modern SIM card is extremely small and is often limited to 250 entries. In addition, the record format does not allow you to save additional fields: email, address, photo, several numbers of different types (work, mobile) for one person.
If the SIM card is lost or damaged (which often happens due to oxidation of contacts or power surges), you lose the entire phone book instantly. Unlike a SIM card, an account Google or Mi Cloud is protected by a password and two-factor authentication, and the data is stored on servers in several copies.
Modern smartphones Redmi allow you to flexibly control the display. You can leave the SIM card in the phone for calls, but prevent the display of contacts from it, using only the cloud database. This speeds up the phone's operation and makes searching for contacts more convenient, since there is no need to scan the slow SIM card memory every time you dial a number.
Thus, the procedure for transferring numbers from a SIM card to a phone is not just copying, but a necessary step in upgrading your personal database. After successful import and verification, it is recommended to delete contacts from the SIM card itself through the control menu to avoid confusion in the future.
Is it possible to restore contacts from a SIM card after formatting?
If you deleted contacts from a SIM card through the phone menu, it is impossible to restore them using standard Android tools. SIM cards do not have a basket. The only chance is special programmers for SIM cards, but they are rare and expensive.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
What to do if, when importing, the phone says “SIM memory is full”?
This message means that the SIM card itself has run out of space for new entries, but it does not interfere import from it. If an error occurs when you try to copy to a SIM card, it means you have chosen the wrong direction. Contacts need to be copied from SIM card to phone memory/Google account, and not vice versa. The SIM card memory is too small for modern needs.
Will contacts from the SIM card be lost after transferring to Redmi?
No, during the “Import” or “Copy” operation, the original data on the SIM card remains unchanged. They don't disappear anywhere. However, if you decide to use the “Move” function (if offered by the system), the originals will be deleted. Always use the “Copy” or “Import” function.
How to transfer contacts if the phone screen is broken and does not work?
If the sensor does not work, but there is an image, you can try connecting a USB mouse via an OTG adapter. If the screen is completely black, but the phone works, try connecting it to your computer and using specialized Android management software (for example, Scrcpy), although this may be difficult for simple import from a SIM card. It’s easier to temporarily insert a SIM card into another work phone, import there, and then sync via Google account.
Why were some contact names cut to 10 characters?
This is a limitation of the storage format on the SIM card itself. When recording on plastic, long names were cut off. When read back (imported) to the phone, they will not be restored. You will have to manually edit such contacts in the phone book Redmi and save the changes to the cloud.
Is it possible to transfer contacts via Bluetooth without a SIM card?
Yes, if you have an old phone, you can export contacts to a .vcf file via Bluetooth to a new one Redmi. This is an even more reliable method than using a SIM card, since it saves the entire data structure, including photos and additional numbers.