How to transfer contacts from Xiaomi phone to SIM-Map: 5 working methods

Why SIM-card contact transfer is relevant in 2026

Even in the era of cloud services and sync through Google Account, many Xiaomi users prefer to keep contacts on the Internet. SIM-This decision is justified in several cases: when changing the phone to a device of another brand (where MIUI Unavailable when traveling abroad from a local SIM-If you don’t trust the cloud storage. SIM-The card remains a universal carrier, compatible with 99% of mobile devices.

However, this method has limitations: SIM-Nano-SIM cards (used in modern Xiaomi) support storage of no more than 250 contacts, with fields limited to 11 characters for the name and 20 characters for the number. This means that long names (e.g., Ivan Ivanovich Petrov-Sidorov) will be cut off and additional fields like email or address will be lost, but for basic backup or rapid migration to a new device, the method remains in demand.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to export contacts with Xiaomi to the Internet. SIM-map, including hidden functions MIUI, circumventing constraints and solving problems (for example, when the export button is inactive). MIUI 14/15 HyperOS, where the interface has changed significantly.

Method 1: Standard export through Contacts (MIUI 12–15)

The most obvious method is to use the built-in functionality of the Contacts app, which works on most Xiaomi devices, including the Redmi Note. 12, POCO X5 and flagship Xiaomi 13/14. Important: Make sure before you start SIM-card inserted SIM 1 — Some models block exports to the second SIM.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
• 🔍 Press three points (⋮) top-right → Select Contact Management.
• 📤 Tap Import/Export Contacts → Exports to SIM-map.
• 📋 Select Contacts for Export (or Click Select All) → Ready.
• ✅ Wait for the notification of successful completion (usually takes 10–30 seconds).

Make sure that SIM-The card is not filled (check in ##4636## → Information on SIM)

Close all background apps (especially messengers)

Disable VPN – it can block access to system functions

Check the space available on SIM (minimum 50 KB per 100 contacts)

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If the Export button is on SIM-The card is inactive (grey), the reasons may be as follows:

⚠️ Note: Some HyperOS firmware (e.g. Xiaomi 14 Ultra) has hidden the export function. To activate it, go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Contacts → Permits and enable access to the Warehouse and SIM-map.

Method 2: Export through System Settings (for MIUI 14+)

In recent versions of MIUI, developers have moved some of the contact management functions to system settings, a method that is especially useful if the standard Contacts app is not working properly (for example, after a firmware update).

Open Settings → scroll to the Apps → select Application Management. In the search box, type “Contacts” and tap on the app.

• 🔧 Go to Warehouse and Cache → Data management.
• 📥 Choose Contact Exports → specify SIM-target.
• 📌 Confirm the action (you may need to enter a password or pattern lock).

The advantage of this method is to bypass possible bugs in the interface of the Contacts application, but here is a caveat: only those contacts that are stored in the local memory of the phone are exported. If your numbers are synchronized with a Google Account or Mi Account, they must first be copied to the phone book:

Settings → Accounts → Google/Mi Account → Synchronization → Disable Contact Synchronization


Settings → Applications → Contacts → Reset → Copy contacts from your account to your phone

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If, after export, SIM-map shows only numbers without names, check the encoding: go to Settings → Additionally. → Language and input → Coding SIM and choose UTF-8 (It can stand by default GSM 7-bit, non-Cyrillic).

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

On devices older than the Redmi Note 9 (or with custom firmware), standard methods may not work, in which case the Sim Contacts Manager app from Google Play will help. SIM-map and even backup to.vcf file.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Sim Contacts Manager.
2. Launch the application and provide access to Contacts and Warehouse.
3. In the main menu, select Copy to SIM → mark the desired contacts.
4. Press Copy and wait until it is completed (the app will show the number of successfully copied records).

Advantages of this method:

• 🔄 The ability to choose which fields to copy (e.g., only numbers without names).
• 🛠️ Correction of encoding errors (support of Cyrillic and special symbols).
• 📊 Preview of contacts before export.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (such as Super Backup) offer exporting contacts to a file and then importing them to a file. SIM-This method works in an unstable way, often resulting in duplicate records or loss of data. Use it only if other methods are not available.

Standard export through "Contacts"

Through MIUI settings

Third-party annexes

Manual input on the new SIM

Another option-->

Method 4: Manual input through USSD-Teams (for experienced users)

If you only need to move a few contacts, you can use it. USSD-This method does not require Internet access and works even on locked phones (for example, if you forget the pattern lock.

Algorithm:

1. Open the Phone app and go to the Keyboard tab.
2. Enter. USSD-contact-watching team SIM: ##7465625## (some firmware may require #746##).
3. In the menu that appears, select Add Contact and enter the data manually.
4. Repeat for each number.

Limitations of the method:

Method 5: Export via PC (for mass migration)

If you need to move hundreds of contacts (for example, when switching from Xiaomi to an iPhone or a phone from another brand), it is more convenient to use a computer.

• 🖥️ PC Windows/macOS and established by Mi PC Suite.
• 📱 Cable USB (Preferably original from Xiaomi).
• 💾 Empty. SIM-map (or sufficient space).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable File Transfer (in the notification curtain).
2. Run the Mi PC Suite and wait for the device to be recognized.
3. Go to Contacts → Export → Select the VCard format (.vcf).
4. Save the file to your PC, then import it through Sim Contacts Manager (see Method 3).

Important nuance: Mi PC Suite does not support direct export to the SIM-So you first need to back up the file and then move it to the file. SIM The alternative is to use MyPhoneExplorer (a free program with direct control). SIM-contact).

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Exporting via PC is the only reliable way to transfer contacts with additional fields (email, address, birthday) without loss. SIM-The card will still need intermediate software, since the system tools MIUI They do not support mass imports to SIM.

Typical errors and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users face problems. Consider the most common ones:

1. Mistake "Cannot export contacts"

Causes and solutions:

• 🔋 Low battery (less than 15%) Connect your phone to charge and try again.
• 📵 SIM-The card doesn't recognize. Restart the phone or try inserting it. SIM slot.
• 🔒 Operator restrictions. SIM-Cards (e.g. virtual eSIMs) do not support the storage of contacts. Check by *#06# if it is displayed IMSI, not ICCID, lock-in.

2. Contacts were exported but not displayed on the new SIM

It's because of the incompatibility of the encoding.

1. Install the SIM Card application from Google Play.
2. Open it and select View SIM Contacts.
3. If the contacts are visible in the app but not in the standard interface, the problem is the firmware. Update MIUI to the latest version.

3 Russian letters in names disappear

The culprit is a 7-bit GSM encoding that doesn't support Cyrillic.

→ SIM- maps and mobile networks → Additional → Encoding SIM → UTF-8

1. Export contacts to SIM via Sim Contacts Manager.

2. Insert the SIM into an old phone (e.g. Nokia 3310).

3. Copy the contacts back to the new one SIM — It often corrects the encoding.-->

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts to SIM