How to transfer contacts from Xiaomi phone to SIM-map: 3 proven methods

Transfer of contacts with Xiaomi to SIM-Map is a challenge that users face when changing devices, backing up or switching to a different tariff, despite the development of cloud services, SIM-Maps remain the only universal way to keep contacts compatible with any phone, including push-button devices. However, in modern Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi, Poco and Mi), this feature is often hidden or limited – especially on devices with a mobile phone. MIUI 12+, where the manufacturer is betting on synchronization through Mi Account.

In this article you will find 3 working methods of transferring contacts to the SIM-map, including circumvention of restrictions MIUI, And we'll also look at the nuances for different firmware versions and models so you can complete the task without losing data.

⚠️ Important: Before starting the procedure, make sure your SIM-The card supports the preservation of contacts. Modern nano-SIM and eSIM often do not have this function - check compatibility with the operator.

1. Standard method: through the "Contacts" application

The most obvious method is to use the built-in Contacts app (or Contacts on global firmware), but in MIUI 14 and later, this option may be hidden or unavailable for some regions.

Open the Contacts app → press three points (⋮) top-right → Choose Contact Management (or Contact Management) in older versions. MIUI (up to 12) the path may look like this: Contacts → Settings → Imports/Exports → Exports to SIM-map.

• 📱 For MIUI 13-14: If the item “Export to the SIM» Try a long press on any contact. → Highlight everything → Share. → choose SIM-Card (if an option is available).
• 🔄 Restriction: No more than 250 contacts can be exported at a time (limiting most) SIM-map).
• ⚙️ Data format: By SIM Only the name and number will be saved – photos, email and additional fields will be lost.

If your menu doesn’t have the option of exporting to SIM, it may be due to:

• 🌍 Regional firmware (e.g. on Xiaomi for India feature is often disabled).
• 📱 Absence of physicality SIM-Cards (if only eSIM is used).
• 🔒 Operator restrictions (some of them) SIM, for example Tele2 Virtual operators do not support recording of contacts).

2. Alternative method: through phone settings

If the Contacts app doesn’t offer SIM export, try circumventing the restrictions through system settings, which works on most Redmi Note, Poco X, and Mi A models (including Android One devices):

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Contacts app (or com.android.contacts) and open its settings.
3. Select Memory → Clear data (this will reset the app settings, but won’t delete contacts!).
4. Return to Contacts – now the previously hidden export option may appear in the menu.

⚠️ Note: This method can reset sync with Google Account or Mi Account. Before doing so, make sure that contacts are backed up in the cloud or locally (for example, through export to a.vcf file).

If the method does not work, try another round:

1. Install a third-party contact management app (such as Sim Contacts Manager or Copy to SIM Card from Google Play).
2. Give the application permission to access the contacts and SIM-map.
3. Follow the instructions of the application for data transfer.

3. Manual copying through the engineering menu (for advanced)

On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi 9, Poco F3), the SIM export function can be accessed via an engineering menu, a method that requires caution as improper actions can disrupt the phone.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code: ##4636##.
2. In the menu that appears, select Phone Information (or Phone Information).
3. Scroll down to the SIM Information section and click Refresh.
4. Return to Contacts – now the export option on SIM can be made available.

⚠️ Note: Do not change other options in the engineering menu unless you are sure of their purpose. For example, editing network settings (Network Type) can lead to loss of connection.

If the engineering menu is not available, try another code:

##86583##

This code opens the Logkit menu, where the contact management option sometimes appears in the SIM Toolkit section.

4 Problems and Solutions: Why Contacts Cannot Be Moved

Even following the instructions, users often encounter errors.

If you SIM-The card does not support contact recording (e.g. eSIM or virtual). SIM The only way out is to use cloud services or a physical nano-SIM with this feature.

5. Export contacts to file as an alternative to SIM-card

If porting to SIM is not possible, consider exporting contacts to.vcf (vCard) file, which is compatible with any device and allows you to save all fields (including photos, email and addresses).

Instructions:

1. Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to file.
2. Choose your contacts for export (you can note everything).
3. Specify a save path (e.g., internal memory → Download).
4. The contacts.vcf file can be copied to a computer, sent by email or uploaded to the cloud.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 All contact information is stored (unlike the SIM, where additional fields are lost).
• 📱 The.vcf file is imported to any smartphone, including iPhone or iOS devices.
• 💾 You can create multiple backups (e.g. on Google Drive and locally).

⚠️ Note:.vcf files are not password protected. If you store them in the cloud, make sure your account access is secure.

💡

To import contacts from.vcf to a new Xiaomi phone, move the file to the device memory, then in the Contacts app, select Import/Export → Import from the file and specify the path to the file.

6.Moving contacts from the cloud to the cloud SIM-map

If your contacts are synced to Mi Account or Google, they can be downloaded to your phone first and then exported to SIM. This method is useful if you have lost a local copy of your contacts.

For Mi Account:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account.
2. Make sure that the synchronization of contacts is enabled (Contacts → Sync).
3. Wait until the synchronization is complete (may take a few minutes).
4. Contacts are now available for export to SIM via the Contacts app.

For Google Account:

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Google → Your email.
2. Turn on contact sync.
3. In the Contacts app, select Settings → Accounts → Google and wait for the data update.
4. Export contacts to SIM as described in the first method.

If contacts are duplicated after synchronization, use the Connect Contacts function in the Contact Management menu to avoid confusion when exporting.

7. Comparison of methods: which way to choose

The choice of method depends on your Xiaomi model, MIUI version and portability goals.

For most users, the best solution is:

1. First, export contacts to the.vcf file (for reserve).
2. Try standard export to SIM through Contacts.
3. If you can’t, use a third-party app (e.g., Sim Contacts Backup).

💡

If you need to transfer contacts to a button phone or device without support.vcf, the only reliable way is to record a phone. SIM-In other cases, export to the file is preferred.

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts to Xiaomi