Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the need to move the phone book when changing devices or preparing for a complete system reset. Although modern gadgets automatically sync data through a Google account, physical copying of records on the phone is a very important part of the system. SIM-The card remains the most reliable way to save numbers in hardware, which is especially true if you are switching to Android from a button phone or just want to have a backup outside of the cloud.
The MIUI or HyperOS copying procedure is simple enough, but it has some nuances that you need to know about in advance, such as the number of characters in the contact name on the SIM is limited, and the cards themselves have a limit on memory, and in this article we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions, possible errors and how to solve them, so you can be sure of the security of your data.
Preparation for data transfer and capacity check
Before the operation, you need to make sure that your SIM-The card is good and correctly installed in the slot. In two-symbol models Xiaomi data is usually copied to the card that is selected for voice calls by default, or to the main card (SIM 1) Check if the network is displayed and if the map itself is visible in the system through the Settings menu. → The phone. → General information.
It's important to understand the technical limitations of the host. SIM-The cards can hold only 250 records, whereas modern ones can hold only 250 records. USIM-If your phone book is much larger than the card capacity, you can only copy some of the contacts, so you should decide which numbers are critically important.
It is also worth noting that when exporting SIM-The chip's storage format usually supports only a basic set of Latin or Cyrillic characters, but without emojis and complex formatting. Make sure important notes (such as "worker" or "home") are not lost when shortened.
⚠️ Note: When copying contacts to SIM-The card deletes all additional fields, such as email, address, photo and second phone number, and only the name and one primary number are saved.
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Before a mass operation, back up your current contacts to your Google Account or.vcf file to avoid losing data in the event of a crash.
The standard way to copy through the contact menu
The most common method of data transfer is built directly into the standard Contacts app, which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones. This method does not require installing third-party software and works stably on any firmware versions. First, open the application and find the menu icon or three dots in the corner of the screen.
Next, select the item "Import / export contacts" The system will offer several options for action, among which we are interested in "Export to the country". SIM-If you have two SIMs, the phone will ask which one you want to write data to. Choose the right slot and confirm the action.
Once you select a source (usually a Phone or a Google Account), the system will show you a list of all available records, you can manually mark specific numbers or click the "Select All" button at the top of the screen, and the copying process will begin after confirmation, which will take from a few seconds to a couple of minutes depending on the number of records.
☑️ Algorithm of action
Use of the import/export function in the settings
If the standard contact menu is not available or is not working properly, you can use system settings, which are often more informative and allow you to manage the memory itself. SIM-Go to the settings. → Annexes → Application settings → Contacts (the path may vary slightly depending on the version) MIUI).
Inside the contact settings menu, find the data management section, where the "Copy Contacts" option is often available, and the system automatically scans the internal memory and prompts you to select a source, and the difference is that it sometimes allows you to more flexibly manage duplicates before writing.
When using this method, it is important to keep track of the process in the background. Do not switch sharply between heavy applications so as not to overload RAM, although modern Snapdragon or MediaTek processors easily cope with this task. Once completed, you will receive a notification of successful completion of the operation.
Below is a table showing the differences between storage in a phone’s memory and storage on the phone. SIM-map:
| Parameter | Phone Memory/Google | SIM-map |
|---|---|---|
| Memory capacity | Almost without restrictions | Limited (250-500 entries) |
| Length of name | Up to 255 characters | Usually up to 14-20 characters |
| Supplementary fields | Email, address, photos, notes | Name and number only |
| Security | Depends on your account password. | Physical preservation of the card |
Problem Solving: Contacts are not copied or cropped
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the process stops in the middle or some numbers are not transferred, most often this is due to overflow of memory. SIM-In this case, the system will issue a warning, delete old or unnecessary entries directly from the SIM via the contact management menu.
Another common problem is the incorrect display of names (crackberry or empty fields), which is due to the difference in encoding. SIM-To minimize risks, important contacts can be renamed before export using only Latin letters or short words in Russian without special symbols.
If the error occurs systematically, try to remove it. SIM-A card, wipe the contacts with soft cloth and paste them back in, and rebooting the smartphone before the operation, in rare cases, the problem is that the contact file system is damaged, which is solved by cleaning the contact cache through the Settings. → Annexes → All applications → Contacts → Clear the cache.
⚠️ Attention: Don't pull out SIM-This can damage the phone book file on the chip and lose all the data previously on it.
What to do if your phone says "memory" SIM-card-full"?
Import contacts from SIM-cards to the new Xiaomi
Once you've successfully copied the data to a SIM, the next step is often to transfer it to a new smartphone. SIM-The system will automatically detect the presence of records on the media and may suggest copying them when you first set up.
If you don't get an automatic offer, do the reverse. Go to Contacts, select the menu and click Import/Export. Now select Import with SIM-You will be asked to choose your destination: a phone memory or a Google account. It is recommended that you choose a Google account for automatic sync in the future.
The import process is faster than the export. Once it is completed, be sure to check several random numbers to make sure that the transfer is correct. Pay special attention to the number formats (for example, the presence of a country code +7 or 8), as when transferring between different operators or countries, the format can be lost.
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Always choose to copy to your Google account when transferring to a new phone, which will ensure the safety of data even if the device is lost or broken.
Alternative methods and work with vCard
In addition to direct work with SIM-There is a more modern and reliable backup method, the use of vCard (.vcf) files, which allows you to save not only the number and name, but also all the additional fields, photos and addresses. SD-card or send yourself an email.
To create such a copy, select Export to.vcf from the Import/Export menu. The file you create will be in the root folder or folder. MIUI/Contacts. This method is free of all limitations. SIM-The card is preferred by Xiaomi smartphone owners who value their data.
Using a telecom operator's cloud services may also be an alternative. Many operators (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2) They have their own apps or websites where you can upload contacts from SIM-And then you can restore it to any device, but it requires the Internet and the operator's service.