How to transfer contacts to Xiaomi SIM-map: all ways and nuances

Maintaining contacts SIM-The map in Xiaomi smartphones is a task that seems simple only at first glance. MIUI Not always allow you to export your contacts directly, especially if you are talking about modern models with Android 12+. The reasons lie in the limitations of the operating system, the manufacturer’s policy and even the type of the product itself. SIM-map.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to transfer contacts to the SIM-Map of Xiaomi, Redmi and devices POCO, including workarounds for new firmware versions, you'll learn which models support direct recording. SIM, How to prepare contacts for export, and what to do if the phone does not see the save option. MIUI, This allows you to bypass Google’s restrictions on working with SIM-Contacts in Android 10 and later.

Why Xiaomi does not allow you to keep contacts SIM-map?

Starting with Android 10 (and related versions) MIUI 11+), Google has imposed strict restrictions on the work with contacts on the Internet SIM-It's connected to maps:

• 🔒 Security policy: SIM-Contacts are stored in an unprotected format and are vulnerable to theft if you lose your card.
• 📱 An outdated format: SIM-cards support only name and number (without email, addresses, photos).
• ⚙️ Restrictions MIUI: Xiaomi hides export option for users with Mi Account to encourage cloud storage.

However, not all Xiaomi models lack this feature. 9A/10A or old flagships (Mi) 8, Mi 9) They still allow you to keep in touch with SIM It's on the standard menu. 13 pro POCO F5 s MIUI 14 option may be hidden.

⚠️ Note: If your phone is running on Android 12+ and does not show the option of exporting SIM, It doesn't always mean that the function is missing, but it's often hidden in developer mode or requires third-party software to be installed.

Which Xiaomi models support SIM contacts?

Possibility of exporting contacts SIM-The card depends on the version of Android, firmware MIUI And the phone models, and below is the compatibility table for popular devices:

If your model is not in the table, check the support through the engineering menu:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination ##4636##.
3. Go to the section Information about the phone → Choice of network.
4. If there's a item on the list SIM Management, your device supports the work with SIM-contact.

Method 1: Standard export via contact menu (for supported models)

If your Xiaomi is a device with direct support SIM-Contacts, follow this instruction:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette).
2. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Contact Management.
3. Go to Import/Export Contacts → Exports to SIM-map.
4. Select the right contacts (or click Select All) and confirm the export.

If the export items SIM-map:

• 🔄 Try changing. SIM-The old card (not nano-SIM).
• 📱 Make sure your contacts are stored locally, not in your Google account.
• 🔧 Activate the Developer Mode (see the next section).

Make sure that SIM-The card is inserted into slot 1 (main card)

Check the space available on SIM (maximum of ~250 contacts)

Disable synchronization with Google account

Reboot your phone before exporting-->

⚠️ Note: When exporting to SIM-The card is lost all additional contact fields (email, addresses, birthdays) and only the name and phone number (maximum 20 characters for the name) will be saved!).

Method 2: Activate hidden option through developer mode

On devices with MIUI 12+, the export option to SIM can be hidden, but it can be returned via the developer’s options:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on the MIUI Version (you will be notified "You are a developer").

Settings → Additional → For Developers

USB debugging

Contacts

• Allow the recording on SIM (if any).
• Show me. SIM-contact.
• Restart your phone and check the Import/Export menu in the contacts.

If you don’t have options in the developer menu, try an alternative method through ADB:

adb shell settings put global sim_contacts_enabled 1

This team is forced to include support SIM-system-level contacts. It requires a PC connection to run it.

Method 3: Use of third-party applications (for supported models)

If the standard methods don't work, third-party utilities will come to the rescue.

• 📱 SIM Contacts Manager (Play Market) – allows you to import/export contacts even on Android 13.
• 🔄 Copy to SIM Card – supports mass transfer and editing of records on SIM.
• 📲 Contacts Optimizer – additionally cleans duplicates before export.

The following is a step-by-step guide for SIM Contacts Manager:

1. Download and install the app from the Play Market.
2. Open it and give access to Contacts and Warehouse.
3. Choose Export to SIM.
4. Mark the contacts you need and click Save.
5. Wait until it is completed (it can take up to 5 minutes for 500+ contacts).

⚠️ Note: Some applications require root rights to work with SIM If your Xiaomi is not rooted, choose utilities marked No Root.

💡

Before using third-party apps, back up your contacts in.vcf format via Settings → Google → Backup. This will protect your data when you crash.

Method 4: Manual transfer via another phone (universal method)

If none of the above methods worked, use the workaround using the second phone (even the oldest):

1. Export your contacts to Xiaomi to.vcf: Open Contacts → Management → Export to file. Save the file to a memory card or internal memory.

arch-phone

Nokia

Samsung

Android 8

.vcf

Transfer contacts from the old phone to the old phone SIM-map through the menu.

Xiaomi

This method works 100% of the time, but requires a second device, and the advantage is that it is compatible with even the newest Xiaomi models, where direct SIM is blocked.

Problem Solving: Frequent Errors and Corrections

When transferring contacts to SIM-Xiaomi users face typical problems. Let's look at the most common problems and how to fix them:

If the contacts after transfer are not displayed on the phone:

1. Go to Contacts → Settings → Display Contacts.
2. Make sure that the option is selected SIM-map.
3. If there are no contacts, try importing them back with SIM into your phone.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux).
2. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices (should appear serial number of your Xiaomi).
3. Run the command to unlock. SIM-Adb shell content insert --uri content://com.android.contacts/settings --bind name:s:sim_contact_enabled --bind value:i:1
4. Reboot your phone: adb reboot
5. After restarting, check the Contact Menu → Imports/Exports.

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell settings put global sim_contacts_enabled 1


adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.SIM_CONTACTS_ENABLED

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB It can cause you to reset your settings if you type in the wrong commands. Do not edit other system settings without understanding their purpose!

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts to SIM in Xiaomi