Switching to a new Xiaomi smartphone or replacing it SIM-The card often challenges the user to quickly transfer the phone book. Owners of Android devices face the need to move records from the cloud, internal memory or old device. MIUI HyperOS offers convenient data management tools, but the process may differ from standard procedures.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to copy numbers to a SIM card in Xiaomi and Redmi phones. You will learn about the intricacies of working with contacts, the limitations of the storage format and how to protect your data from loss. Competent organization of the phone book is the key to quickly configuring a new gadget without losing important connections.
Preparation for data transfer and compatibility check
Before you start copying, you need to make sure your data is ready to migrate. Often users try to migrate records that are already in the Google cloud or Mi Account, which leads to confusion. First, open the Contacts app and check the current storage source of records.
Notice the number of characters in names and numbers. SIM-The cards have strict restrictions inherited from the days of button phones, long names can be cropped, and additional numbers (fax, extra) are often not saved when exported to the chip.
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Always back up your contacts in your Google account before any import and export manipulations so as not to lose data in case of an error.
Make sure yours is yours. SIM-The card is set to the correct slot if the device supports two cards.In some Xiaomi models with a hybrid tray, the choice of slot affects the availability of contact management features. Check for free space in the SIM memory itself, as old samples can hold no more than 250 records.
Instructions for copying contacts from the phone memory to SIM
The basic method of porting numbers is implemented through the regular call management application. MIUI interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic of actions remains the same for all Redmi and Poco models. You will need to perform a sequence of actions in the contact settings menu.
To start, open the Contacts app on the home screen or in the Tools folder. Click on the menu button, which is usually represented by three dots or horizontal bars in the corner of the screen. From the list that opens, select Settings or Contact Management.
☑️ Copy algorithm for SIM
In the control section, find the option “Import and export contacts.” The system will prompt you to select a data source. If you want to transfer the internal memory numbers to the SIM, select “Export to the SIM”, SIM-The phone will warn you that some data may be lost due to format limitations.
Once confirmed, the system will start the copying process. The run time depends on the number of records. Do not retrieve the card or restart the device at this point so as not to damage the contact file system.
⚠️ Note: When exporting to SIM-The card is retained only by name and primary telephone number, and the photos, email addresses, positions and second numbers will be permanently deleted from the exported copy.
Import of numbers from SIM-cards in memory of the Xiaomi smartphone
The reverse is when you insert an old SIM card with a accumulated phone book into the new Xiaomi, which means that to use all the features of Android, you need to transfer these records to the device memory or cloud account, which will allow you to sync them with other gadgets and messengers.
The import process is similar to export, but the opposite direction is chosen. Go to the Contact Settings and select Import with SIM-The system will automatically detect the records on the chip and prompt you to select the place where they are stored.
It is recommended to choose a Google account or Phone as your intended storage, which will ensure that you retain complete contact information, including avatars and additional fields, and if you choose a Google account, the data will instantly appear on your tablet or computer after authorization.
What to do if the import is frozen?
Once you have finished importing, check the contact list. Make sure the names are displayed correctly and don't contain strange characters, which sometimes happens when you encode text. If you see duplicates, Xiaomi's system will suggest combining them automatically.
Working with two SIM-maps: nuances of source selection
Xiaomi smartphone owners often use two SIM cards at the same time. When dealing with contacts, it is important to understand which card you copy data from or write it to. In the contact management menu, always specify the source: SIM 1 or SIM 2.
If you want to copy contacts from two cards at once, you'll have to do it twice. First, select the export from the first card, then switch to the second card, and the phone's internal memory or the cloud will act as an intermediate buffer where all the records flow.
When you call or text, the phone may suggest that you choose a SIM card to save a new number. Be careful: if you keep contact with the SIM card, it will be physically tied to the chip. If you move the card to another phone, the contact will move with it, but lose the link to the account.
| Parameter | Phone Memory / Google | SIM-map |
|---|---|---|
| Limit of symbols in a name | Up to 200+ characters | Usually up to 14-20 characters |
| Number of rooms | Unlimited (depending on location) | Limited memory of the card (250-500) |
| Additional fields | Address, email, notes, photo | Name and number only |
| Synchronization | Automatic over the Internet | No physical transfer (only physical transfer) |
Sync with Mi Cloud and Google Account
The modern approach to managing contacts on Android eliminates the need for manual copying on the Internet. SIM-Using the Mi Cloud and Google Contacts cloud services, you can save data forever. Even if the phone is lost or broken, the numbers will remain available.
To activate sync, go to Settings → Mi Account and enable contact sync. Similarly, check Google: Settings → Accounts → Google → Sync. Make sure the slider opposite Contacts is active.
This is especially useful when changing devices, and just type in the username and password on the new Xiaomi, and the entire phone book will load automatically, so you don't have to find ways to flip numbers or use old SIM cards as storage media.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure the device has data on or Wi-Fi connection, otherwise sync won't happen.
Use the web version of contacts for mass editing. On your computer, you can easily edit names, delete duplicates, and group contacts, and the changes will automatically be pulled to the phone.
Recovery of remote contacts and problem solving
Sometimes users accidentally delete important numbers or mistakenly clear a list when copying. Android has a shopping cart where remote contacts are stored for 30 days, making it easy to recover lost information without third-party software.
To return a remote one, open the Contacts app, click on the menu, and select Contact Recovery or Recycle Bin, which will show a list of recently deleted posts, highlight the ones you need and confirm the recovery.
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Regularly checking your contact cart and having an active sync with Google is the best protection against accidentally losing your phone book.
If contacts are lost after a system update or reset, check the display filter. In the contact list settings, select All Contacts or a specific account to make sure that the posts are not hidden, but actually deleted. Often the problem lies in the filtering settings of the sources displayed.