How to keep contacts on SIM-Map in Xiaomi smartphones: the full guide

Switching to a new smartphone or the need to back up contacts often puts Xiaomi users in front of the question: how to save numbers on the phone. SIM-Despite the development of cloud services like Mi Cloud or Google Contacts, recording contacts directly to the Internet. SIM This is still relevant, especially for people with limited Internet access or who want to have a physical copy of important numbers. SIM firmware MIUI 12/13/14, including nuances for different models (Redmi Note) 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T etc.), and consider alternative backup methods.

It is important to understand that modern SIM-cards (particularly nano-SIM and eSIM) have a limited amount of memory for contacts – usually no more than 250 entries of 11 characters per number, which means that long names or additional fields (email, addresses) will not be saved. MIUI type SIM-cards (physical or virtual) if you use duality SIM, You will need to select a target card to save.

Why Keeping Contacts on SIM Is Important in 2026

In the era of cloud technology, contact recording SIM-The map may seem anachronistic, but this method has significant advantages:

• 🔄 Universal Compatibility: Contacts for SIM You can read it on any phone, even if it doesn’t support Mi Account or Google.
• 🛡️ Protection against data loss: when resetting the phone to factory settings or breakage contacts on the SIM will remain intact.
• 🌍 Working without the Internet: no network connection is required to access numbers.
• 📱 Quick transfer to a new phone: just insert SIM to another device and the contacts are immediately available.

But there are some drawbacks to this method: First, there is a limited amount of memory: SIM can hold far fewer contacts than the cloud; second, there is no synchronization: if you change a number on your phone, you will have to manually update your SIM record. Third, there is no support for additional fields (photos, emails, birthdays); however, it remains reliable for backing up your most important numbers (relatives, colleagues, emergency services).

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi is working on MIUI 14 and later, the function of exporting SIM It may be hidden in the depth of the menu or not on some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra.

Preparing for maintaining contacts on SIM

Before you start transferring contacts, follow several mandatory steps:

1. Check the type SIM-cards: physical nano-SIM or eSIM. On eSIM, it is often impossible to save contacts - check with the operator.
2. Free up space: Remove old or unnecessary contacts from your home. SIM, If you already have them, please contact us. → Settings → Contact management → SIM-contact.
3. Update MIUI: Some export bugs are fixed in the latest firmware versions. Check for updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update.
4. Backup: Before mass penos save contacts in Mi Cloud or Google Account in case of failure.

Also note that Xiaomi has two SIM-You have to select a target card to save, and by default, the system can offer the main card. SIM (If you need to save contacts to the second card, it will have to temporarily make the main one in the settings:

→ SIM-maps and mobile networks →Main SIM-map settings

Method 1: Save contacts through the standard MIUI menu

This is the easiest method that works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12-14. Instructions are suitable for the Redmi Note 11/12, POCO X4/X5, Xiaomi 12/13 series models:

1. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
2. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Settings.
3. Go to Contact Management (or Import/Export contacts in older versions).
4. Select Export on Export SIM-map.
5. Tick the contacts you want to save, or click Select All.
6. Click Export and confirm the action. The process can take a few seconds.

If the export items SIM-The map is not on the menu, try an alternative path:

Contact → Three points (⋮) → Import/Export → Export to SIM

Free memory on SIM is tested

The right one. SIM-card (at two slots)

Backup of contacts in the cloud

Updated firmware MIUI last-minute-->

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 11T Pro, Redmi K50) After export, contacts may be duplicated in the phone book. To avoid this, delete all existing contacts with the phone book before export. SIM via the Contact Management menu → SIM-contact → Delete everything.

Method 2: Use the Google Contacts app

If the standard method does not work (for example, there is no export point on MIUI 14), you can use the Google Contacts app.

1. Install Google Contacts from Play Market if it is not installed by default.
2. Open the app and click on the profile icon in the upper right corner.
3. Select Export on Export SIM-Card (or Contact Management) → Exports in older versions).
4. Make the necessary contacts and confirm the export.

The advantage of this method is that it is more stable on new versions of MIUI. However, there is a caveat: Google Contacts may not display contacts saved in the Mi Account.

Settings → Accounts → Mi Account → Contact Synchronization (enable)

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If an error occurs when exporting via Google Contacts "SIM-The card is not supported, try to temporarily disable the second card. SIM-It's a card in the phone settings, and sometimes it solves the problem of slot conflict.

Method 3: Manual contacting on SIM

If the automatic methods don't work (e.g., on custom-built POCO F4), you can manually enter contacts on the SIM.

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Press + (add contact).
3. In the field Save in select SIM-map (if there is no such item, see the decision below).
4. Fill in the name and number, then save it.

If the option to save on SIM is not in the menu add contact, follow the following steps:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Contacts → Permissions → Memory (allow)

This will give the app access to SIM-Once you change permissions, restart your phone and try again.

Solving problems while maintaining contacts with SIM

Even if you follow the instructions, Xiaomi users may encounter errors, and consider the most common ways to fix them:

• ❌ Mistake "SIM-card does not support an operation: usually occurs on the eSIM or if SIM The solution is to contact the communications salon to change the card to a physical one.
• ❌ Contacts are not exported (process freezes): clear the Contacts app cache in settings (Settings) → Annexes → Contacts → Memory. → Clear the cache).
• ❌ No item "Exports to the SIM": refresh MIUI Up to the latest version or use Google Contacts.
• ❌ Not all contacts are exported: check that contacts are saved in a Device or Mi Account, not just Google.

If none of these methods worked, try an alternative method via PC Suite:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your computer via USB.
2. Install Mi PC Suite (official software from Xiaomi).
3. In the program, select Contacts and export them to the.vcf file.
4. Copy the file to another phone, paste the same one. SIM-map and import contacts through the Import menu SIM.

Alternative methods of backup contacts

If saving to SIM is impossible or uncomfortable, consider alternative backup methods:

• ☁️ Mi Cloud: Automatic synchronization of contacts with the Xiaomi account. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization of contacts.
• ☁️ Google Contacts: Sync with Google account. Activated in Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of contacts.
• 📄 Export to file VCF: backs up on your device or in the cloud. → Settings → Export to file.
• 🔄 Transfer of Bluetooth/NFC: Quick transfer to another phone without internet.

Cloud services have the advantage of automatically updating contacts and not having any restrictions on the number of records, but they require a stable Internet connection and a trusted account, and we recommend using a combination approach to maximize reliability:

1. Keep your main contacts on SIM.
2. Sync all contacts with Mi Cloud or Google.
3. Regularly (once every 1-2 months) export contacts to a.vcf file and save it to a computer or flash drive.

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Keeping contacts on SIM is not a replacement for a full backup, but an additional security measure. Use at least two backup methods (e.g. SIM + cloud) to be reliable.

FAQ: Frequent questions about keeping contacts on SIM in Xiaomi