How to transfer numbers from phone to phone SIM-Map on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Transfer contacts from Xiaomi phone to SIM-The map is a challenge that users face when changing their device, resetting or switching to a different tariff. Despite its apparent simplicity, the process has nuances: not all models support direct recording of the data. SIM, The memory of the card is often limited to 250-500 contacts. MIUI, including bypassing system restrictions and saving additional fields (email, addresses).

It is important to consider that modern Xiaomi (e.g. Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5) sync contacts with your Mi or Google account by default, but do not offer the option of exporting to SIM in the standard menu. You will have to use hidden features or third-party tools. We tested all methods on MIUI firmware 13-14 and highlighted those that work stably.

Why you can’t transfer contacts to SIM-map: common causes

Users often find that the SIM export option is not on the menu, and here are the key reasons:

• 📱 Outdated firmware: B MIUI 12 and newer feature is hidden due to Xiaomi's policy of promoting cloud services. on older versions (e.g., on the Internet, MIUI 10) the option is available directly.
• 🔄 Type SIM-maps: Nano-SIM cards (especially from Tele2 or Iota) may not support contact recording.
• 🔒 Operator restrictions: Some SIM (For example, virtual or corporate blocks changes in data on the map.
• 📴 Lack of slot under SIM: In models with eSIM (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) physical card may not be available.

Before you start transferring, make sure your SIM-The card is not locked by a PIN code, which is a common cause of failures. Also check the free space: the card should have at least 10-15% of memory (usually 5-10 free cells for contacts).

⚠️ Note: When exporting to SIM Any additional contact fields, except name and number, will not be saved. Addresses, email, and notes will not be saved. VCF-file.

Method 1: Standard export via MIUI settings (for older versions)

If your Xiaomi has MIUI firmware 11 or older, try the classic method:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette).
2. Slip on three dots in the top right corner → select Contact Management.
3. Go to Import/Export Contacts → Exports to SIM-map.
4. Check the necessary contacts (or click Allocate) → Export.
5. Choose. SIM-card (if there are two) and confirm the action.

It takes 10 to 30 seconds depending on the number of contacts, and when you're done, you'll notice, and it's important that if you don't have an Export option on SIM, you go to the following.

Method 2: Use the Google Contacts app

The Google Contacts app (set by default on most Xiaomi) lets you bypass the MIUI restrictions.

1. Open Google Contacts (an icon with a colorful mug).
2. Slip on your avatar in the upper right corner → Contact management.
3. Choose Contact Exports → mark SIM-goal-card.
4. Press Export and wait until it is completed.

If this method didn’t work, try updating the app through Google Play. In some cases, cleaning the cache helps: go to Settings → Apps → Google Contacts → Memory → Clear the cache.

⚠️ Note: When exporting through Google, multiple numbered contacts (e.g., work-related contacts) + Personal number will be retained only the main number will be lost.

Method 3: Manual transfer through engineering menu (for advanced)

If the standard methods don’t work, you can use the Xiaomi engineering menu, which is suitable for models on MIUI 12-14, but requires caution:

1. Open the phone app and enter the code: ##4636##
2. In the menu that appears, select Phone Information.
3. Scroll down to the block. SIM-Map and tap on Contact Management SIM.
4. Select Import/Export → Export from phone to SIM.

This method does not work on all devices, as Xiaomi gradually removes access to the engineering menu, and if nothing happens after entering the code, then the feature is blocked for your model.

Method 4: Contact transfer applications (if nothing helps)

If Xiaomi’s built-in tools don’t work, install a third-party app.

• 📲 Copy My Data (from Media Mushroom) – transfers contacts over Wi-Fi, including data to the Internet SIM.
• 🔄 SIM Contacts Backup – Specializes in working with SIM-Maps, supports backups.
• 📱 My Contacts Backup – Exporting Contacts to the Internet VCF, which can then be written down SIM PC.

Example of SIM Contacts Backup:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Start it and give access to the contacts.
3. Select Export on SIM → mark the necessary contacts.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.

Third-party applications have the advantage of supporting batch exports and saving additional fields (e.g., birth dates), but beware: some programs request excessive permissions (SMS, geolocation).

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Before using third-party software, create a backup of contacts in VCF-For this purpose, select Export in Google Contacts. → File. VCF And save it to Google Drive.

Method 5: Transfer over a computer (for complex cases)

If the phone doesn't allow you to export your contacts directly, you can use a PC.

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS;
• 📱 Cable USB (Xiaomi-inspired);
• 🔌 Programme Mi PC Suite (official utility from Xiaomi).

Instructions:

1. Download and install Mi PC Suite from the official website.
2. Connect the phone to your PC and allow debugging over USB (when a request appears).
3. In the program go to the Contact section → Exports.
4. Select the VCF format and save the file to your computer.
5. Put it in. SIM-card to card reader or other phone that supports recording SIM, Import contacts from the file.

This method is universal, but requires additional hardware, and if you don’t have a card reader, you can temporarily insert the SIM into an old phone (for example, Nokia or Samsung with card write support).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you migrate contacts to SIM, users make common mistakes that lead to data loss or crashes.

• 🔋 Phone discharge: If the battery runs out during export, the process will be interrupted and contacts may be damaged. Always start transferring when charged above 30%.
• 📵 Extraction SIM during recording: This causes the card file system to crash. SIM It stops being defined and has to be replaced.
• 🔢 Exceeding the contact limit: If there is only 10 contacts left on the map and you are trying to export 50, the system can "hang.
• 📱 Using unoriginal cables: When transported via PC, cheap cables can cause data transmission errors.Use the original cable from Xiaomi.

If after export, SIM contacts are displayed with characters or question marks, the problem is encoding.

1. Delete all SIM contacts through the phone menu.
2. Repeat export by selecting UTF-8 encoding in the application settings (if you have such an option).
3. If the problem persists, use another transfer method (e.g. via PC).

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Before mass export, test the process on 2-3 contacts, which will help to avoid losing all data due to incompatibility.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions