Changing a mobile device or switching to a different tariff plan often requires the transfer of the phone book. -- Owners of Xiaomi's shelled smartphones MIUI HyperOS may encounter a situation where the main numbers are stored in the cloud or internal memory, and the new one is stored in the cloud. SIM-The standard Android mechanism allows you to manage records, but the interface of “contacts” from Chinese manufacturers has its own characteristics.
In this article, we will take a look at how Xiaomi can migrate contacts to SIM using built-in system tools. You will learn about the differences between storage formats and understand why some fields can get lost when ported. Backup is the first step to take before any manipulation of the phone book.
It doesn't require root rights or third-party software, and all the features are built into the Contacts system application, and we'll look at a few scenarios, from simply copying a single number to mass exporting the entire phone book, and looking at possible errors and ways to fix them.
Preparation of the telephone book for transfer
Before you start exporting, you need to make sure that all the important records are in one place. Often the numbers are scattered across different sources: part in a Google account, part in a phone memory, and some could be saved on an old SIM. To work properly, you better reduce all the records to a single denominator.
Open the Contacts app and go to the settings. Usually they're hidden behind a three-dot icon or a gear in the corner of the screen. Find "Display settings" or "Contact filter." Here you can choose which sources will be visible in the list. If you see only a portion of the numbers, change the filter to "All contacts."
☑️ Pre-copying check
Note the format of numbers: the international format (+7, +380, etc.) is preferable, as it ensures that the number detector and messengers work correctly after the transfer. If the numbers are recorded without a country code, there may be problems with the identification of the subscriber when changing the region or operator.
⚠️ Attention: SIM-The card has a limited memory, and unlike cloud storage, it's usually placed on a map from a computer. 200 before 500 records, and the length of the contact name is often limited 10-15 symbolism.
Step-by-step: copying contacts to SIM
The main method of transfer is through the contact management menu. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the logic of the actions remains the same. First, open the Contacts app on the home screen or in the Tools folder.
Click the menu button (three dots in the upper right corner) and select "Import/Export contacts." In the window that opens, the system will suggest select the direction of operation. SIM-map or "copy in" SIM-If you have two SIMs, the phone will ask you to specify which one to record.
Then you'll see a list of all the numbers available to copy, and you can select individual records by clicking on the circle next to the name, or you can use the "Select All" button at the top of the screen. After selecting, click on "Copy" or "Export". The system will warn that some data (photo, email, addresses) will be lost, as the format is not available. SIM-The cards don't support them.
The copying process takes anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes, depending on the number of records, and when you complete the operation, you'll see a notification of success, and now your numbers are physically written to the card chip and will be available on any phone once you install this SIM.
Google Contacts as an Alternative
Xiaomi’s modern smartphones are closely integrated with Google’s ecosystem, and using a Gmail account is often a more reliable way to sync than storing it on a mobile phone. SIM-This allows you to save not only the number and name, but also a photo, job title, email address and other metadata.
To move contacts through Google, make sure sync is enabled. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google. Make sure the switch next to Contacts is active. If you just added numbers to your phone, they will automatically fly to the cloud when you have the Internet.
If you want to transfer data from your phone to your SIM, but the standard menu doesn't work, you can use the web version. Go to contacts.google.com from your computer, export contacts to vCard or CSV, Then import them back to your phone by selecting your destination when importing them «SIM-map».
Why Google is Better SIM-map?
Re-establishment of contacts with SIM-maps on Xiaomi
The situation may be reversed: you inserted an old SIM into the new Xiaomi and want to upload the numbers stored on it to internal memory. This is a standard procedure that is performed in the same way as export, but in the opposite order.
Go to the Contacts app, open the menu and select “Import/Export Contacts.” This time, select “Import from” SIM-The system will suggest you to choose where to save data: in memory of the phone, to Google account or to Mi Account. It is recommended to choose a Google account or phone memory for later reservation.
| Parameter | SIM-map | Phone Memory / Google |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum recordings | ~250 pcs. | No restrictions. |
| Length of name | Up to 15 characters | No restrictions. |
| Photo of contact | Not supported | Supported |
| Additional fields (Email) | No. | There is. |
Once you've selected the source and the recipient, you start copying, and if you have a lot of numbers on the SIM, it can take time. SIM-card and do not turn off the phone until the operation is complete to avoid damaging the contact file system.
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Use the “Contacts Unite” function in the app settings if you have duplicate numbers with the same names after importing.
Possible problems and solutions
When transferring data, users often encounter technical nuances. The most common problem is the memory error. SIM-This happens if you try to write more numbers than a physical chip allows, or if you already have old records on the map.
To solve the problem, clean up SIM-map from unnecessary numbers. Go to the contact settings, select the display only with SIM-You can pick up old records and delete them, and you can also have a problem if the contact names are too long, and the system will automatically cut them, but in rare cases, it will give you an error.
⚠️ Note: When copying the SIM-Contact names may be cropped or displayed incorrectly if they contain emojis or special symbols.
Another common situation is that contacts have been copied but are not displayed in the call list. Check the display filter. In the Contacts app, click three dots and make sure the check box is opposite the call list «SIM-card" or "All contacts. Sometimes the system by default hides the SIM card records for performance.
Comparison of data storage methods
The choice of location for the contacts depends on your phone usage habits, if you change devices frequently and don't like to set up syncs, SIM-The card remains a universal, albeit limited, carrier, but for full use of the smartphone Xiaomi is better to rely on cloud technology.
The vCard (vcf) format used in memory export retains the entire contact structure, including multiple numbers in a single name, which cannot be implemented on the same name. SIM-This makes digital exports a much more flexible tool.
So let's look at the main advantages and disadvantages of each method: Local storage in a phone's memory gives you fast access without the Internet, but the risk of data loss when a device breaks down is maximum (Google/Mi Cloud protects against loss, but requires an internet connection for initial synchronization.
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The optimal strategy is to keep the main base in Google Contacts with enabled synchronization, and on the Internet. SIM-Copy only the most important numbers in case of emergency.