Owning a modern Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone opens up access to a huge number of features, but basic tasks such as managing a phone book remain critical. Users often face the need to transfer accumulated records from the device’s memory directly to the device. SIM-This may be due to a change of device, a desire to have a backup of numbers outside of the cloud, or simply a habit of old methods of data storage.
Procedure for import and export of contact in the shell MIUI (The system interface may seem overloaded, but all the necessary tools for working with the address book are in the standard "Contacts" application. SIM-The card has limitations on the amount of memory and format of stored data, so before the operation is to weigh all the pros and cons».
In this article, we will take a look at the algorithm that will help you move records safely, not only the standard path through the menu, but also the nuances of working with duplicates and storage formats. Properly following the steps ensures that your important numbers are not lost when you change your device or reset your settings.
Preparation for data transfer and verification of restrictions
Before you start taking action, you need to make sure that your SIM-Older Mini-SIM cards or damaged chips may not work properly with modern Xiaomi smartphones, and it’s also worth checking if the chip’s memory is already crowded, as old standards often limit the number of characters in the name and number.
Modern carriers typically provide cards with enough memory, but there is a limit, unlike cloud storage or internal phone memory, where you can store thousands of records with photos and email addresses, SIM-The card contains only the basic data: name and number, long names can be cropped, and additional fields (second number, address) will be ignored when exported.
It's recommended that you synchronize your current contacts with your Google or Mi Cloud account in advance, and that will create a restore point in case you have a software failure during the transfer process. A backup is your main safety cable in the digital information world, and without it, the risk of losing important numbers if you do something wrong increases many times over.
⚠️ Note: When copying the SIM-Long contact names can be cut to the 10-15 symbols, and special symbols in the room can be deleted automatically.
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Before starting a mass copy, try to move one test contact to make sure the name and number are correctly displayed on the receiving device.
Step-by-step: export contacts through the “Contacts” application
The basic method of data transfer is built directly into the standard Xiaomi phonebook application, which is the most reliable and does not require the installation of third-party software. The algorithm of actions may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the general logic remains unchanged.
To start, open the Contacts app on the home screen or in the Tools folder. In the upper right corner of the screen, find the three-dot icon or gear that indicates the settings menu. Click on it to reveal the list of available operations. You need to select an item called Import/Export Contacts or simply Contact Management.
In the menu that opens, the system will suggest selecting the transfer direction. SIM-Card (or "Copy Contacts to the Site") SIM»). Once you select this item, the system will request confirmation of the data source, make sure that you select the storage "Phone" or "Device" rather than the Google account, if you want to copy local records.
☑️ Checklist before copying
Then the smartphone will suggest you select the contacts to copy, you can mark them manually or use the "Select all" function, after confirming the choice, the process of writing data to the chip will begin, the operation time depends on the number of numbers selected and the speed of the card.
Alternative method through system settings
If for some reason the standard application is not working properly or the interface is changed, you can use the Android system settings, which is a deeper method that addresses the basic functions of the operating system, and is useful in cases where the standard Contacts application has been removed or damaged.
Go to the main settings menu of the phone. Search by settings (top line) type the word "Contacts." The system will prompt you to go to the appropriate control section. Here you can also find "Copy contacts." Select the copy option "From device" on the "C" option «SIM-map».
This can sometimes allow you to see contacts that are hidden in the main application, such as records stored in hidden profiles or system cache. However, the functionality here is often cut down: you may not be able to selectively copy, and the process will pass for the entire phone book at once. The system layer of data management is less flexible, but more reliable in critical situations.
Why can’t the contacts be copied through the settings?
Working with duplicates and cleaning the phone book
After successfully copying the numbers on SIM-Users often face the problem of duplicated records, and the phone book can simultaneously display contacts from the phone, Google account and the SIM itself, creating confusion and inconvenience when finding the right subscriber.
The MIUI shell has a built-in duplicate merging feature. To use it, go to the Contacts menu, select Settings, and find "Combine Repetitive Contacts." The algorithm will automatically analyze the database and suggest that you merge records with the same numbers or names.
It's also important to be able to filter the contacts you see, and you have a "Make contacts" menu, and you can choose which entries you want to show in the list, and if you want to see only what's on the SIM, you can only tick the corresponding item, so you can visually clear the list without physically deleting the data.
| Parameter | Phone memory | SIM-map | Google Account |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limit of records | Thousands. | 250-500 | No restrictions. |
| Length of name | No restrictions. | 10-15 characters | No restrictions. |
| Photo of contact | Yes. | No. | Yes. |
| Supplementary fields | Email, address, website | Only a number. | All fields. |
Solving problems when copying
Despite the ease of operation, Xiaomi Redmi users may encounter errors.One of the most common problems is the message "Memory" SIM-This means that the cell limit on the chip has been exhausted, in which case you need to delete old, unnecessary entries directly from the SIM card through the contact management menu.
Another common problem is encoding, because when you move your contacts from your phone to your SIM, names that contain Cyrillic characters can turn into a set of obscure characters or question marks, which is because some of the old ones are not very clear. SIM-The cards do not support encoding. UTF-8 or have restrictions on the use of national alphabets.
If the copying process is halfway through, don't panic. Force the application to close and restart the device. Often the problem is a temporary software failure. After the reboot, try to copy the contacts in smaller groups, such as 50.
⚠️ Note: If the contact names are displayed as "????" after copying, the problem is in the Cyrillic alphabet on the very first page of the page. SIM-Replace the card in the operator's cabin with a new one.
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The main cause of copying errors is overflowing memory. SIM-card or incompatibility of name encoding with card chip.
Import contacts from SIM-cards to a new phone
The situation when you need to transfer numbers from the SIM card to the new Xiaomi smartphone is no less common than the reverse. SIM-If you don't, you can automatically prompt the import of the contacts, and if you don't, you can manually start the process.
Go to the Contacts app, select the menu and the Import/Export option, this time select the Import with option. SIM-The system will ask you where to save the numbers: in memory of the phone, Google account or Mi Cloud. It is recommended to choose cloud storage or phone memory, as this will save full information about contacts.
Once you have selected your destination, confirm the action. All the records stored on the chip will be copied to the selected location, which is ideal when you switch from a push-button phone to a modern smartphone or when you change carriers while saving the number.