The switch to a new Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone is often accompanied by data migration, and the first step is usually to move the phone book. SIM-The card, considering it a more reliable way, independent of accounts or cloud services. MIUI, has its own peculiarities of working with contacts that can confuse the beginner.
Unlike older push-button phones, modern smartphones offer defaults to store data in a Google account or internal device memory, which allows synchronization and backup. However, the ability to export to physical media has not gone away, although hidden in the depth of settings. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to move your records to the SIM card, what restrictions are there and how to avoid losing important data in the process.
It is worth noting that the menu interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13, 14 or HyperOS) and the model of your device.We will consider the universal paths that are relevant to most modern devices in the Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO line.
Limitations and features of storing contacts on SIM
Before proceeding with the transfer, it is important to understand the technical limitations of the carrier. SIM-A card is a chip with very limited memory, designed primarily to identify a subscriber on the network, not to store multimedia data. When you decide to copy a phone book there, the system forcibly trims the excess information, leaving only the basic data.
The main limitation is the length of the name and number of numbers: If the contact has multiple numbers (mobile, work, home), the SIM card will usually only have one main number, the name will be cropped if it is too long, and fields such as address, email, (notes) and photo will be completely deleted.
- 📉 The maximum length of a name is often limited. 10-15 with symbols, the rest will be cut off.
- 📞 Only one phone number is usually saved per record, the rest are ignored.
- 🚫 Contact photos, ringtones and additional fields are not physically portable.
Another important feature is the storage format. Android uses a single database, whereas SIM cards have a file structure inherited from the time of the time. GSM-This leads to the fact that when exporting, there may be duplicate records if the phone book already had numbers saved previously on the same SIM.
⚠️ Warning: Before starting mass export, be sure to back up your current contacts in your Google account or export them to file.vcf. The SIM card recording operation is irreversible in terms of losing additional data (photo, email).
Preparation of the device and compatibility check
The transfer process does not require an Internet connection or special applications, all the necessary tools are already built into the standard Contacts or Phone application. However, before you start, make sure that the SIM card is correctly installed in the slot and is determined by the system. If you have a device with two SIM cards, the system will suggest choosing which one (SIM 1 or SIM 2) will be recorded to.
It's recommended that you check how much space is left on the chip. Modern SIM cards can hold 250 to 500 records, old ones can hold much less. If your contact list has thousands of numbers, full porting to the SIM card is physically impossible, in which case you should consider exporting to the cloud or to the memory card.
☑️ Ready for transfer
On the latest versions of Android (11, 12, 13, 14), Google is gradually removing direct support for SIM card recording from the standard menu, relying on cloud synchronization. Owners of new Xiaomi Android 12+ versions may need to use third-party apps or special codes if the standard feature is hidden by the manufacturer.
Step-by-step: export through the Contacts app
The most common and secure way to migrate data is to use the built-in Contacts app from Xiaomi or Google. The interface may be different, but the logic of the action remains the same. First, you need to open the app where your phone book is stored, usually an app with an icon of a phone handset or a human silhouette.
Next, you'll find the control menu. MIUI This is often three horizontal bars in the corner of the screen or the "More" button, and you have to choose "Import/Export Contacts" or just "Export" and the system will tell you to choose the source (where we take it from) and the recipient (where we write). Choose “Phone” or “Mi Account” as your source, and as your recipient — «SIM-map».
The path to the menu (standard for MIUI):
Contacts → Menu (three stripes) → Settings → Import / Export of contacts → Export to SIM-cardOnce you select the source, the system will ask you to mark the contacts you want to move, you can choose "Select all" or select specific numbers manually. Be careful: if you choose too many contacts that exceed the SIM card limit, the process will be interrupted or error-free, it is better to carry out the transfer in small groups of 50-100 numbers.
- 📲 Open the Contacts app on the home screen.
- ⚙️ Go to the import/export settings or menu.
- 💾 Select the option "Export to the SIM-map».
- ✅ Confirm your contact selection and wait until the process is complete.
⚠️ Note: During the copying process, do not remove the SIM card or restart the phone. Interrupting the recording can damage the SIM card file structure and lose already recorded numbers.
Alternative methods: Google Contacts and third-party utilities
If Xiaomi’s standard menu doesn’t offer SIM export options (which is common on global firmware versions with pure Android), you can use Google Contacts, which is pre-installed on all certified devices. Go to the application settings, find the “Contact Management” section and select “Export to” SIM-map».
In some cases, especially on the cut-down versions of firmware for other markets, this feature can be completely blocked, and third-party apps from the Google Play store come to the rescue. There are many utilities, such as Copy My Data, SIM Card Manager, or Export Contacts to SIM, which work on the same principle, but have more flexible settings.
Why can the function be hidden?
When using third-party software, be sure to check the permissions requested. The application needs access to contacts and, in some cases, permission to send SMS (to check the SIM card), although local copying is not required. Once installed, launch the application, select "Copy to SIM" and follow the instructions on the screen.
Table of comparison of methods of storage of contacts
To help you make an informed decision about whether to use a SIM card to store numbers at all, we suggest comparing the basic methods, each with its own advantages and disadvantages depending on your security and convenience needs.
| Parameter | SIM-map | Google Account | Internal memory. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memory capacity | Limited (250-500 contacts) | Limitless (depending on Google Drive) | Depends on the free memory of the phone |
| Details | Name and number only | Photo, email, address, notes, several numbers | Complete (as in Google) |
| Synchronization | No (physical transfer required) | Automatic in real time | Only on this device. |
| Security | High (data not available online) | Medium (depends on the Akka-unt password) | Low (when the phone breaks down, the data will disappear) |
The table shows that the SIM card loses in functionality, but benefits in autonomy. If you often change phones for buttons or devices without Internet, the SIM card remains relevant. For users of Xiaomi smartphones with constant access to the network, the best choice is Google Account.
Solving problems and mistakes in importation
Users often experience errors during the transfer process, the most common being, "Not enough space on the port." SIM-Even if you see vacant cells, the system may not allow you to record the contact if the name is too long or the number format does not match the international standard supported by the chip.
Another problem is duplicate contacts, and you can find that one subscriber has two or three entries created after the transfer, which happens if the SIM card has already saved numbers, and you add new ones on top of them, and you can solve this by using the "Combine Duplicates" feature in the Google Contacts app or manually deleting the extra entries.
If the phone says "Write error," try removing the SIM card, wipe the contacts with an alcohol napkin and paste back in. Sometimes contact oxidation or a loose landing in the Xiaomi tray causes data recording failures. Also make sure the SIM card is not locked. PIN-code at the time of the operation, although usually the system will request its unlocking.
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Expert advice: If you have a lot of contacts (more than that) 1000), Don't try to transfer them all at once. Break them down into stages: copy them all. 100-200 You can pause the numbers and check the results, and this will reduce the load on the SIM card memory controller and minimize the risk of failure.
Importing contacts back to the phone
Once you've changed your device or just want to return the data from your SIM card to your smartphone, the procedure is called import. It's similar to export, but in the opposite direction. Open Contacts, select Import with SIM-maps and indicate the place of preservation - in MIUI This is usually a “Mi Account”, “Google” or “Phone».
It is important to choose the right target storage. If you choose Phone, contacts will only be on that device. If Google is automatically synced and accessed from any other gadget once you log in. Xiaomi owners also have Mi Cloud imports available, which is convenient for the brand ecosystem.
Once you have completed importing, be sure to check a few random contacts. Make sure that the numbers are written in the correct format (such as with country code +7 or 8) and that the names are displayed correctly, without "crabbish." If you notice errors in the encoding, you may need to change the input language or region settings in the system.
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Main conclusion: Storage of contacts on SIM-The map is an archaic but reliable backup method that doesn't require the Internet, but syncing with Google accounts is preferable to a smartphone with photos, emails and instant messengers.