Switching to a new smartphone is always stressful, but the most critical task is to keep the phone book. Owners of Xiaomi devices often face the need to move accumulated contacts into internal memory to physical memory. SIM-A map to secure data or prepare it for a change of device, and while modern cloud services offer more flexible solutions, direct transfer to the chip remains a popular method for many users.
With MIUI and the new HyperOS, this process is simple enough, but the interface may vary depending on the firmware version. You don't need to install third-party apps or have super-user rights. All the functionality is built into the standard Contacts app, which is pre-installed on every device in the brand. Just know where to look for the menu options you want.
Before you start manipulating, you need to understand the difference between storage formats. Contacts stored in your phone’s memory or Google account may contain photos, additional email addresses, and detailed notes. SIM-The card has severe limitations on the amount of data and the number of characters in the name, so when copying some of the information can be lost or cropped.
Preparation of SIM-card and checking the storage format
The first step is to check how your numbers are stored and whether your SIM card is ready to record. Often users don’t even know that their contacts are already synced with your Google account, rather than lying dead in the device’s memory. To verify your current status, you need to go to the contact app settings and see the Accounts for Sync section.
Make sure yours is yours. SIM-The card is properly installed in the slot and is determined by the system. In dual-symbol Xiaomi devices, it is important to understand which slot you plan to write data to. If the card is new or previously used in a button phone, it can be empty, which is ideal for clean transfer. If it already has records, new ones may be added to them or, in rare cases, require the removal of old ones.
⚠️ Attention: SIM-The old cards can only hold 250 Contacts and names may be cut off. 10-15 Don't be surprised if the long name Ivan Ivanovich Ivanov turns into Ivan Ivan Ivanov».
It's also worth checking if you have aggressive energy savings enabled, which can block background synchronization processes. While direct transfer through the menu usually works consistently, MIUI system constraints sometimes interfere with standard applications.
Step-by-step: copying through the Contacts app
The fastest and most reliable way to move data is to use the built-in shell toolkit, so you don't have to search for hidden engineering menus or download questionable software, all the necessary features are available in a regular application that has an icon of a blue man or a phone handset on the desktop.
To start, open the app and find the management menu. Depending on the version of HyperOS or MIUI, it can be in the upper right corner (three dots or a gear) or called by a swipe. We need an item called "Import and Export Contacts" or simply "Contact Management."
☑️ Transfer algorithm
After selecting the source "Phone" (or "Device Memory"), the system will prompt you to select the recipient. SIM-map (SIM 1 SIM 2) Then you will receive a confirmation request. The system will alert you that a certain number of records will be copied. Click OK or Copy».
The process takes anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes, depending on the volume of the phone book, at which time the screen may flash or show the progress bar. Do not interrupt the process or remove the card from the slot until the message of successful completion appears. If there is an error, try repeating the operation with fewer contacts.
What to do if the copy button is inactive?
Using the Mi Cloud cloud service for synchronization
An alternative and more modern method is the use of cloud storage Mi Cloud, which is preferable because it does not require the physical movement of files and insures against data loss when a SIM card breaks. Synchronization allows you to keep the current version of the phone book on all devices associated with the same Mi Account.
To use this method, go to your phone's settings and select "Mi Account" section. Make sure the slider opposite the "Contacts" item is activated. The system will suggest combining local data with cloud data, and once synced, your numbers will be available not only on your current device, but also on any other device where you log in.
The advantage of this approach is that the Mi Cloud retains full versions of names, photos and additional fields that are cropped off. SIM-If you lose your phone or replace your SIM, you just log in to your account on a new device, and the whole book is automatically restored, which is much more convenient than manually copying it to a plastic media.
| Parameter | SIM-map | Phone Memory / Mi Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Limit of symbols in a name | 10-15 characters | No restrictions. |
| Photo preservation | No. | Yes. |
| Number of fields | Only a number. | Email, address, notes |
| Network dependency | Not required | Internet is required |
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Cloud sync via Mi Cloud or Google is the most secure and functional way of storing data, which saves all the data, unlike limited memory. SIM-map.
Working with Google Contacts on Xiaomi
Most Android users save numbers to Google account by default. On Xiaomi smartphones, managing this data is also possible, but requires switching the display. In the Contacts app, click on the three menu bars on the left or top to open the sidebar.
In the list of accounts, select your Google profile. Here you will see all synced contacts. SIM, Select the desired entries (you can select all at once with a long press). In the menu that appears, select the option “Copy” or “Move”, and then specify SIM-map as target storage.
It's important to distinguish between copying and moving. When you copy, the original stays in the Google cloud, and a duplicate appears on the SIM, when you move, the record is deleted from the cloud and only remains on the SIM card, and you should always make a copy so that you don't lose the extended information (photo, email) that won't fit into the SIM.
If you plan to switch to a phone of another brand (such as iPhone or Samsung), have contacts on Google or on the Internet. SIM-However, for the Xiaomi ecosystem, using native tools or Google services is the best solution for everyday use.
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Use vCard (.vcf) format for full backup. From the Import/Export menu, select Export to Storage to get a file with all the contacts that you can save to your computer or send to your messenger.
Solving problems and errors when copying
Users may encounter various errors in the process of data transfer, the most common of which is "Memory". SIM-This means that the limit of the entries on the chip has been exhausted, in which case you need to delete old or unnecessary numbers directly from the SIM card through the control menu, making room for new ones.
Another common problem is name encoding, which can turn Cyrillic names from Android to SIM and back into unreadable characters or question marks, due to different text encoding standards. To avoid this, try using Latin for important contacts or storing them digitally (Google/Mi Cloud), where UTF-8 is fully supported.
⚠️ If photos of contacts disappear after copying, do not panic. SIM-The card does not technically support storing graphic images, and the photos are left in the memory of the phone or account, just when displaying contacts with the user. SIM They don't show up.
It is also possible that the phone cannot see. SIM-The card is copied, and check if it's on the map. PIN-code that blocks access to read/write before entering. Enter the code when you request the system. If the problem persists, try restarting the device without removing the card.
Cleaning duplicates after data transfer
Once you've copied numbers from your phone to your SIM, there's often chaos in duplicates. The same person can be displayed twice: once as a memory record, once as a SIM card record. Xiaomi has a built-in tool to solve this problem, but it needs to be activated.
Go to the Contacts app, open the settings menu, and find the "Combine Repetitive Contacts" option, and the system will tell you to find duplicates automatically, and the algorithm will analyze the numbers and names, suggesting that you combine the cards into one, which will make the phone book clean and easy to find.
You can also set up the contact display to only see certain sources, so you can check the filter menu only for Phone or SIM, but for everyday use, it is better to keep all sources on by combining the duplicates.