The switch to a new smartphone from Xiaomi, Redmi or Poco is often accompanied by the need to transfer the phone book. Many users, out of habit or for compatibility reasons, prefer to store the numbers directly on the SIM card chip, which allows you to quickly move the card to any other phone, whether it is a button “bell” or a device of another brand, and instantly access all the records.
However, in modern versions of the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS, the procedure for transferring contacts is not always obvious at first glance. The interface of the standard Contacts application has undergone changes, and some options are hidden in additional menus. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to copy contacts to the SIM card correctly so as not to lose important data and avoid technical errors.
It's important to understand that SIM-based storage has its limitations compared to cloud storage or smartphone internal memory. The number of characters in a contact name is limited, and the formatting of numbers can be confused. However, for backup or migration to a device without Internet access, this method remains one of the most reliable.
Preparation for transfer: Memory and format check
Before you start copying, you need to make sure your SIM card is ready to accept new entries. Older Mini-SIM cards or expired cards may have a small amount of internal memory that is already occupied. SIM-maps vary 250 before 500 records, but old samples can contain everything 50-100 number.
Also consider the format of the storage of numbers. SIM cards usually do not store additional fields such as email, address, photo or second phone number. When copying from a Google account or internal memory Xiaomi, this data will be irretrievably lost.
Make sure the card is properly installed in the tray and is determined by the system. If the device has two SIM cards, the system will prompt you to choose the one for which the import will be made, check the balance and availability of free space in the card storage, if such information is available through the settings menu.
Checking for compatibility of naming formats will also be helpful. Some older SIM cards do not support Cyrillic in contact names or have limits on the number of characters in the Name field. If you plan to carry long compound names, be prepared for them to be cropped.
Step-by-step: copying through a standard application
The main way to transfer data is built directly into the regular Contacts app, which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones. This method does not require installing third-party software and works even without an Internet connection. The algorithm of actions may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the overall logic remains the same.
First, open the Contacts app on the home screen or in the Tools folder. In the upper right corner of the screen, you will see a three-dot icon or profile icon. Click on it to open the drop-down menu. In the list of options, you will find the item "Import and export contacts" or "Contact management".
☑️ Checklist before import
In the menu, select the option “Export to” SIM-The system will automatically scan the internal memory and prompt you to select the contacts to transfer, you can mark specific numbers manually or select the option "Select all." Once the selection is confirmed, the copying process will begin.
Note that during the process, a warning may appear that some data (photo, email) will not be stored. This is the normal behavior of the system, since the GSM technical standards do not provide for storing such information on the chip. Confirm the action by clicking "OK" or "Continue".
⚠️ Note: Do not remove the SIM card or turn off the smartphone during the copying process. Interrupting the data record can damage the file system of the card and lose already recorded contacts.
Using Mi Mover to migrate from another Android
If you are switching to Xiaomi from another Android smartphone and want to immediately transfer contacts to the SIM card of the new device, you can use the proprietary Mi Mover utility. Although the main purpose of the program is to transfer data to the cloud or internal memory, it allows you to flexibly manage sources and destino data.
Run the Mi Mover app on both devices. On the new phone, select Receiver and on the old phone, Sender. QR-code or manual key entry, select Contacts, and in the transmission settings you can specify where the data should be stored: in your Mi Account, Google or SIM card.
This method is particularly useful because it allows you to filter out duplicates at the transfer stage. Mi Mover algorithm can recognize the same numbers and combine them, which prevents the phone book from clogging with repeats, and once the transfer is completed, the data will be available in the standard phone book.
What if Mi Mover can’t see the contact?
It takes only a few minutes to transmit a few hundred numbers, and make sure that the screens of both devices do not go out during the process.
Alternative methods and third-party applications
In some cases, standard tools may not work properly or be available due to the limitations of the carrier who blocked the SIM card entry, in which third-party applications from the Google Play store come to the rescue, utilities such as “Copy My Data”, “SIM Card Manager” or “Contacts To SIM” are popular.
These applications often provide more detailed control over the process, such as showing the exact number of free cells on a map, allowing you to edit the contact name before recording to fit into the character limit, or force the number to be formatted into an international standard.
| Method | Speed of operation | Photo preservation | Risk of data loss | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard menu | Tall. | No. | Low. | Low. |
| Mi Mover | Medium | No (on SIM) | Low. | Medium |
| Third-party APKs | Depends on the software. | No. | Medium. | Tall. |
| Hand-setting | Very low. | No. | Tall (human) | Tall. |
When using third-party software, carefully review the permissions requested. The contact application should not require access to your geolocation or microphone without an explicit need.
Solving common problems and errors
Users often face a situation where the button "Export to" SIM-The card is inactive or hidden. This can be for several reasons: First, check if the carrier's restriction is worth it.
Second, the problem may lie in the overcrowded memory of the SIM card, which, if old, can be filled with junk entries from previous phones, and then clearing through the contact management menu will help: select “Delete all contacts with SIM” by pre-backup if there are numbers.
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If your phone can't see the SIM card, try wiping the contacts on the chip with a soft, dry cloth, and contact oxidation is a common cause of recording errors.
Another common mistake is encoding incompatibility, where names can turn into a set of characters or question marks when exported, whether by changing the smartphone's regional settings or using encoding converter apps before writing.
⚠️ Note: If the contacts are displayed incorrectly after copying (for example, instead of the name "Mother" it is written «+7999.."), which means that the map is full or the format of the record is damaged.
Restrictions on data storage on SIM-card
It is important to be aware of the technical limitations of chip storage technology. Unlike cloud databases, SIM is heavily regulated by GSM standards. The maximum length of a contact name is usually between 10 and 14 characters, depending on the card manufacturer.
In addition, a single cell can often only write one phone number. If a contact has three numbers (mobile, work, home) in the Xiaomi phone book, only the first on the list will likely be recorded on the SIM card, or three separate contacts with the same name will be created.
The lack of Unicode support in full means that special characters, emoji in names or complex punctuation marks can be replaced with spaces or removed.Modern SIM cards (USIM) support more characters, but backward compatibility with devices can be compromised.
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A SIM card is not a reliable storage. Always keep the main copy of your contacts in your Google account or email account, using SIM only as a temporary buffer or for basic calls.