Switching to a new smartphone or a simple change SIM-The card often puts users on the verge of migrating their phonebook, and owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices face this issue regularly, especially given that the default system offers to store data in the cloud or internal memory. However, the classic method of storing numbers on a physical chip remains relevant to many, ensuring compatibility with push-button phones and independence from a Google account.
Shell transfer process MIUI It has its own nuances that can confuse an untrained user. The interface hides some features, and the format limitations. SIM-The cards make adjustments to the procedure. SIM-The card does not support storage of additional fields such as email, subscriber photo or address, so some information may be lost when exported.
In this article, we will take a look at how to copy data correctly, what are the limitations of the vCard format, and how to avoid losing important numbers. You will learn about the hidden functions of the contact manager and understand why in some cases it is better to use cloud sync instead of physical porting.
Limitations and features of data storage on SIM
Before we start technical actions, we need to understand the fundamental differences between the modern file system of a smartphone and the archaic structure of memory. SIM-Standards. GSM, The SIM card system was developed decades ago and did not store large amounts of textual information, so the character limit in the contact name is strictly limited, usually up to the end of the day. 10-15 sign.
If you keep a room with a long name, for example, "Dmitry Alexandrovich Mendeleev", on SIM-It can be cut off to "Dmitri Alexa" or not displayed correctly, and the storage format does not allow multiple numbers for the same name. SIM There will be only one of them, most often the first on the list.
⚠️ Note: When copying contacts with a large number of records (more) 200-300) It can take a long time. Don't take it out. SIM-card and do not restart the phone until the operation is complete, otherwise the phone book file on the chip may be damaged.
Also worth considering is the difference in character encoding: Cyrillic names can be displayed by crank-toots on some older phone models or in low-level Bluetooth-enabled cars, which is because standard SIM encoding may differ from UTF-8 used on Android.
- 📉 Maximum length of contact name is limited 10-15 symbolism.
- 📉 Inability to keep more than one number in one name.
- 📉 Lack of support for photos, email and additional fields.
- 📉 The risk of losing Cyrillic encoding on older devices.
Despite the listed disadvantages, the method remains a working tool for fast backup or transferring the number base between devices of different operating systems, for example, from iPhone to Android or vice versa, through an intermediate device. SIM-map.
Preparation of the device and compatibility check
To successfully perform the operation, make sure that your SIM-The card is physically healthy and correctly defined by the system. Modern Xiaomi smartphones often use combined trays, where the second slot can be occupied by a microSD memory card. If you have a dual-sim machine, select the card you plan to write data to and make sure it is active.
Check the fullness of the memory itself. SIM-Telecom operators often pre-set their service contacts (e.g. Balance, Internet) that occupy precious cells. Older cards may have a limit of everything. 100-150 The new standards allow for the storage of 250 If the card is full, the system will give an error when you try to copy.
☑️ Readiness to move contacts
Before starting a mass operation, it is recommended to back up your current phone book to your Google account, which will protect you from accidental data loss in the event of a software failure or human error.
It is also worth clearing the cache of the Contacts app if you have noticed a phone book that is unstable before, and you can do this through the app settings menu by searching the Contacts list and selecting Clear Cache, which will not delete your numbers, but can correct display errors.
Step-by-step: export through the Contacts app
The main and most reliable way to transfer data is built directly into the standard Contacts app from Xiaomi. the interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI or HyperOS, but the logic of actions remains the same for all models, whether it is a budget Redmi Note or flagship Xiaomi 14.
Open the Contacts app on your desktop or app menu. Note that you need an app with a handset icon or a man, not a Phone icon, although functions are often duplicated. In the upper right corner of the screen, find a menu button marked with three dots or horizontal bars.
In the drop-down list, select Settings. In some versions of the shell, this item may be simply called Import and Export and be immediately on the main menu. Next, we are interested in the Import / Export Contacts section. Click on it to reveal additional options.
Contacts → Menu (three points) → Settings → Import / Export of contacts → Export to SIM-cardThe system will suggest you to choose the source of contacts. As we transfer data from the memory of the phone, select "Export from the memory of the phone" or "Export contacts from the device." If you have multiple accounts on your phone (Google, Mi Account, Exchange), the system can ask which accounts you want to copy. Choose the desired or mark all.
What to do if there is no “SIM Export” item?
After selecting the source, the system will show the list of available SIM-Choose the one you plan to write numbers to, then you'll see a list of contacts available for transfer, you can select individual numbers manually, or you can click "Select all" at the top of the screen.
Confirm the action by clicking "OK" or "Export." The copying process will take time proportional to the number of records. The screen will display the progress bar. Upon completion, you will receive a notification of successful completion of the operation.
- 📲 Open the Contacts app on Xiaomi.
- 📲 Go to Settings. → Import/export of contacts.
- 📲 Select the option Export to SIM-map.
- 📲 Confirm your contact selection and wait until the process is complete.
Alternative method: via the SIM control menu
There is a second path that leads to the same result, but through the system SIM management menu, which can be useful if the standard contact app is not working properly or you can’t find the right button in the phone book interface.
Go to the general settings of your Xiaomi smartphone.Look for the About Phone section (older versions) MIUI) Or just go to the point "SIM-In newer versions of HyperOS, this section is often placed in a separate menu called Mobile Network".
Choose a specific one. SIM-If you have two cards, the settings menu on this card should include "Contacts to the map" SIM-map” or “Contact management SIM". Clicking on it, you will be taken to a special menu, which displays only those numbers that are physically on the chip.
In this menu, click the menu button (three dots) and select Add Contacts or Copy Contacts. The system will tell you to choose a source, the phone's memory, and then the algorithm is similar to the first method: select numbers and confirm copying.
⚠️ Note: When using this method, make sure that you copy the contacts specifically to the SIM, not SIM. The menu often has both features, and by confusing them, you can inadvertently clear the map or create duplicates.
This also allows you to visually estimate how much space is left on the map, and usually in the corner of the screen you'll see a counter, like "45 out of 250 used," which helps you plan the transfer if you have too many contacts.
Solving problems with duplicates and coding
After the transfer of contacts to SIM-The card and the subsequent insertion of this card into another phone (or return to Xiaomi) users often face the problem of duplicates. SIM-The card does not know how to combine the numbers of one subscriber, when imported back into the phone, each number from the SIM can create a new record.
To solve this problem, MIUI has a powerful unification tool built in: Go to Contacts, click on the menu and select Contacts Organise or Tools, and it will have a "Joint Duplicates" feature, and the system will automatically find the entries with the same numbers or names and offer to merge them into one card.
| Problem. | Probable cause | Decision-making |
|---|---|---|
| Are the contacts displayed as "Unknown" or "?" | Transfer encoding error | Edit the contact manually or use Google Contacts |
| Not all the numbers were copied. | I'm out of memory. SIM-map | Remove unnecessary service numbers with SIM |
| Names are trimmed to 10 characters | Limitation of the GSM format | Inevitable Limitation, Requires Manual Editing |
| The "Not enough space" error | Physical Limit of Memory Cells | Use cloud export (VCF) instead of SIM |
If you see Russian letters turned into incomprehensible symbols after transferring, it is almost impossible to fix this massively. You have to rename important contacts by hand. SIM-as the primary storage facility in 2026-2026 years.
💡
Use Google Contacts (contacts.google.com) to bulk-clean duplicates. Go to the menu on the left, select Combine and Fix, and the system will suggest combining similar entries, which is much faster than manual editing in the phone.
Comparison of Storage Methods: SIM, Phone, Cloud
Users often wonder: Which storage method is the most reliable? Let's compare the three main options available to Xiaomi owners. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on your use cases.
SIM-The map is an option for conservatives and platform change situations, and the main advantage is independence from the Internet and accounts. The disadvantages we discussed are small volume, no photos and no additional fields.
Phone memory (local storage) is fast access and full functionality. You can record anything you want to contact, but if the phone is lost or it breaks, it will be impossible to restore numbers without a backup, and the risk of data loss is maximum.
The cloud (Google / Mi Cloud) is the gold standard of our time: automatic synchronization, recovery when you lose your device, access from your computer and any other gadget. For owners of Xiaomi, Mi Cloud is especially convenient, which is deeply integrated into the system, but Google Contacts remains the most versatile solution.
It is recommended to use a hybrid approach: keep the main base in the cloud for security, and to keep it in the cloud. SIM-card to rewrite only the most important numbers (relatives, emergency services) in case the smartphone will discharge at the most inopportune moment and you will need to urgently call from someone else's device.
⚠️ Note: When selling or transferring a phone to a new owner, be sure to perform a full reset (Wipe data). Simply removing contacts from the address book is not enough, since the data may remain in cache or on the Internet. SIM-map if you don't take it out.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I transfer my contact with the photos to SIM-map?
How many contacts can hold the maximum SIM-map?
What if your phone says “SIM memory is full” at 50 contacts?
Will my phone contacts disappear if I copy them to SIM?
How to transfer contacts if the phone screen is broken and not working?
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The most reliable way to store contacts is synchronization with Google Account, as this guarantees the safety of data even in the event of complete physical loss or breakdown of the Xiaomi smartphone.
In summary, the transfer of contacts to SIM-The card in Xiaomi devices is a simple procedure, but requires attention to detail. Use this method to back up or change your device, but for everyday use, rely on cloud technology to provide you with disproportionately greater comfort and security.