Changing a mobile device or switching to a different plan often requires the phone book to be physically moved. owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones may face having to keep numbers directly on the chip. SIM-maps to be accessed from any phone without syncing cloud services, especially for users who prefer local storage or use older device models.
The procedure for moving records in the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS has its own features that differ from stock Android. Xiaomi security sometimes hides direct export routes, requiring certain actions to activate the function. Understanding the logic of the standard application "Contacts" will help to avoid losing important data and save time.
In this guide, we will discuss the algorithm of actions in detail, consider possible errors and propose alternative methods for saving the phone book. You will learn how to properly prepare the device and what nuances should be considered when working with the memory of a SIM card, which has a limited volume and a specific format for storing data.
Preparation of the device and compatibility check
Before starting the procedure, you must make sure that your SIM-The card is serviceable and correctly installed in the slot.Modern Xiaomi smartphones often use a combined slot or hybrid tray, so it is important to check that the reading card is installed correctly and determined by the system. β The phone. β All settings and make sure that the operator name and signal level are displayed.
Older chips can hold a limited number of records, usually up to 250 contacts, and often do not support the retention of long names or multiple numbers for a single subscriber. If your card has been in use for many years, it makes sense to contact a carrier to replace it with a new one with USIM support and increased storage.
β οΈ Note: Before any manipulation of contacts, it is strongly recommended to back up your current phone book to the Mi Account or Google cloud to avoid irretrievable data loss in the event of a crash.
Make sure the device has a standard set of applications from Xiaomi, as third-party launchers can block access to the export system functions. If you use custom firmware, make sure that the telephony components work correctly.
Basic method of transfer through a standard application
The main method of copying numbers is built directly into the system application "Contacts". This method is the most reliable and does not require the installation of additional software. Open the application and find the menu button, which is usually represented by three dots in the corner of the screen or hidden in the sidebar.
In the list that opens, select Settings or Contact Management. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of the MIUI shell, but the logic remains the same. You will need to find the section responsible for importing and exporting data.
βοΈ Algorithm of action
Once you have selected a source, "Phone Memory" or "Account," the system will ask you to select all contacts or to mark specific records manually. For mass transfer, it is more convenient to use the "Select All" function"SIM-The process can take some time, especially if the phone book is large.
It is important to understand that when copying to a SIM card, long names can be cropped and additional fields (addresses, email, second numbers) will be lost. The format of storage on the chip is limited to the GSM standard, so backing up to the cloud remains the preferred option for the complete preservation of the data structure.
Alternative method through system settings
If the contacts are not copied through the app, you can use deep system settings. This method often helps when the standard contact menu is bugged or hidden. Go to the main smartphone settings and enter the phrase "contacts" in the search bar at the top.
The system will give you a list of related parameters. Find the Import and Export contacts. Here the functionality duplicates the capabilities of the application, but sometimes it works more stable, because it addresses directly to the system manager of Android contacts. SIM-map.
Why are some contacts not copied?
In some versions of the firmware, the path may look like Settings β Applications β Contacts β Storage β Import / Export. Be careful when choosing a target medium, so that you do not accidentally erase the entries on the card if such an option is offered.
Once the operation is complete, the system will notify you of success or report errors. If the process is interrupted, try repeating the procedure by selecting fewer contacts for simultaneous processing, which will reduce the load on the card memory controller.
Table of limitations and possibilities of storage formats
The differences between cloud storage, phone storage and SIM are significant, and understanding these differences will help you make the right decision about where to move information.
| Parameter | Phone Memory/Cloud | SIM-map | File.vcf |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max. The length of the name | Up to 200+ characters | Usually up to 20 characters | No restrictions. |
| Number of rooms | Unlimited. | One (main) | Unlimited. |
| Photo of contact | Supported | Not supported | Supported |
| Additional fields (Email) | Supported | Not supported | Supported |
As you can see from the table, SIM-The card is the most limited medium, and it's only suitable for base numbers and short names, and all the media and advanced information will be lost when you transfer it to the chip.
That is why experts recommend using a SIM card only as a temporary means of transferring data between devices, rather than as a permanent storage.
Solving Mistakes in Exporting Contacts
Xiaomi users often face a situation when the button "Copy on" SIM-The card is inactive or the process ends in error, and one of the most common reasons is that contacts are tied to an account, the synchronization of which does not allow direct export to an external medium without first copying to local memory.
To fix this, try changing the contacts you see. In Contacts, click on the filter menu and select All Contacts or Phone specifically. If the contacts are only on Google, import from Google to your phone's memory first, and then copy to SIM.
β οΈ Note: When copying contacts with the same names, the system can create duplicates on the same name. SIM-It is recommended to pre-clean the phone book from duplicates.
Another cause of failure may be damage to the contact database file, in which case cleaning the app cache will help. Go to Settings β Apps β All Apps β Contacts β Memory and click Clear cache. Don't confuse with Clear all data, otherwise you may lose unsaved records.
π‘
If standard tools fail to copy contacts, install the Google Contacts app from the Play Store, which often has more flexible import/export settings and allows you to bypass the limitations of the MIUI shell.
Also make sure that on SIM-Delete old or unnecessary numbers directly from the map through the contact management menu by selecting the display"SIM-map".
Import contacts from SIM-cards to the new Xiaomi
After successfully transferring the numbers to the map, paste it into the new Xiaomi smartphone. The import procedure mirrors export. Open the Contacts app, go to the settings and select Import from SIM-map.
The system will suggest you choose your account or device memory to save. Select a Google account or Mi Account so that contacts are immediately synchronized and not lost when you lose your phone. Store only in the phone's memory is less secure.
It can take a few minutes. Once completed, check a few random entries for cropped names or numbers. If the data is displayed correctly, the procedure can be considered complete.
π‘
Optimal strategy: Keep a master copy of contacts in the cloud (Google/Mi Cloud, a. SIM-Use the card solely as an emergency tool for quickly transferring the number base between devices.
Do not forget to hide the display of contacts with the import SIM-cards in filtering settings so as not to see duplicates in the general phone book.