How to transfer all contacts to SIM-Xiaomi map: 3 working ways

Transfer of contacts to SIM-The map in Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that users face when changing their device, resetting settings or backing up important numbers, despite the prevalence of cloud services like Mi Cloud or Google Contacts, SIM-The card remains a reliable physical medium, independent of the Internet. MIUI (particularly 13/14) Standard export options may be hidden or restricted due to Google’s policy of abandoning support for outdated contact storage formats.

In this article you will find the most relevant ways to transfer contacts to the SIM All models of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO — from budget Redmi 9A We will discuss both standard methods through the phone menu and workarounds for devices without visible export function. SIM-cards by number of saved contacts (usually no more than 250) and storage format (name only) + number, without mail/address).

Why you can not have the option “Export on SIM” in Xiaomi

Many Xiaomi users are facing the disappearance of the “Export to SIM” item in the contact menu, which is due to three key factors:

• 📱 Version. MIUI: Starting with MIUI 12 (based on Android 10)+) Xiaomi is gradually removing support for outdated features, including work with the company. SIM-This is related to Google's security requirements.
• 📇 Type SIM-Modern nano-SIMs (especially eSIMs) often don't support the storage of contacts. SIM section for the phone book (usually it is not available for operators "Tele2" and "Yota»).
• 🔄 Cloud sync: If you enable sync with Mi Account or Google, the system can automatically hide “extra” export options.

Before trying to move contacts, make sure yours is yours. SIM-This card supports this function:

1. Insert the SIM into another phone (such as Samsung or Nokia of the older model).
2. Try adding test contact through the menu. SIM-map.
3. If the option is not available, your SIM does not support the storage of contacts (you need to replace it with an older micro-SIM).

⚠️ Attention: Contacts to SIM saved in vCard format 2.1 They have a very strict character limit. 14 symbols and numbers with extensions (+7 999 123-45-67 dob.123) may be circumcised!

Method 1: Standard export through Contacts (MIUI 11 and older)

If your device is running MIUI 11 or earlier, the easiest way is to use the built-in export function. Instructions are suitable for Redmi Note 8/9, Xiaomi Mi A2/A3 and other Android 9/10 devices:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette).
2. Press three points (⋮) top-right → Select Contact Management.
3. Go to the Import/Export Contacts section.
4. Select Export on Export SIM-map.
5. Tick the necessary contacts (or click “Select all”) → Export.
6. Wait until the process is complete (it can take up to 2-3 minutes with 200+ contacts).

If there is no “SIM Export” option, try an alternative route:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Contacts → Memory → Clear cache

After cleaning the cache, restart the Contacts app – sometimes this returns hidden options.

Insert SIM-card to slot 1 (main)

Check the space available on SIM (maximum 250 contacts)

Disable sync with Google/Mi Cloud (Settings → Accounts)

Close all background applications (especially messengers)

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Method 2: Use of a third-party application (for MIUI 12/13/14)

In the new versions MIUI (12 and above) a standard export function is often missing. SIM-Best of all, better than the best:

• 📲 SIM Contacts Manager (free, no advertising) – supports batch export and editing of contacts on the Internet SIM.
• 📱 Copy to SIM Card is a simple interface that works even on Android 13.
• 🔄 Contacts Backup & Restore – allows you to first create a backup copy to a file and then transfer it to the file. SIM.

Instructions for SIM Contacts Manager:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and give access to Contacts and Warehouse.
3. Click Export to SIM → select contacts (you can filter by group).
4. Confirm the export. The app will show the number of contacts successfully transferred.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (such as Truecaller) may block access to contacts. Before exporting, temporarily remove or disable such programs in the Settings settings → Annexes → Permits.

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If the app does not see SIM-card, try restarting the phone with the option “Flight mode” turned on, and then inserting again SIM. This resets the communication module and often solves the problem.

Method 3: Manual transfer via contact editing

If the first two methods fail, the manual method is one contact, which is long but guaranteed to work on any version of MIUI, suitable for transferring only the most important numbers (up to 20-30 pieces).

1. Open the Contacts app and select the contact you want.
2. Click Edit (pencil icon).
3. Scroll down to the section Additional → select Copy on SIM-map.
4. Confirm the action. The contact will be duplicated on SIM.

To speed up the process:

• 📋 Use the Selection Mode (clutch your finger on the contact) → highlight a few → «Edit in groups»).
• 🔍 Sort the contacts by alphabet (A)→I'm) to carry them in blocks.

Standard export through the menu

Application side (SIM Contacts Manager, etc.)

Manual transfer by one contact

Cloud Services (Google/Mi Cloud)

I can't stand contacts. SIM-->

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When migrating contacts to SIM, Xiaomi users face typical problems, and consider the most common and ways to eliminate them:

• 🚫 Mistake «SIM-Card does not support contacts: Make sure you use the usual card. SIM (not eSIM) and that it is from the operator that supports the phone book (e.g. MTS or Beeline). SIM op-phone.
• ❌ Contacts are not exported (process freezes): Clear the cache of the application Contacts and SIM-Manager in settings. If it doesn't help, restart your phone in Safe Mode (press the power button). → «Safe regime»).
• 📵 Disappeared contacts after export: SIM-The card may save numbers in an incompatible format. Try importing them back into your phone via Settings → Additionally. → Import with SIM.
• 🔢 Not all contacts moved: Check if the 250-contact limit is exceeded. SIM Does not support numbers with symbols +, * or # - Remove them before exporting.

If none of these methods worked, use the following route:

1. Export your contacts to the.vcf file via Google Contacts.
2. Copy the file to your computer and edit it in Notepad, leaving only names and numbers (delete mail, addresses, etc.).
3. Import the cleaned file back to your phone, then transfer the contacts to SIM manually.

How to check if your contacts are successfully transferred to SIM

After export, it is important to make sure that the contacts are actually maintained on the SIM-For this purpose:

1. Extract. SIM-A card from Xiaomi and paste it into another phone (like a Nokia button or an old Samsung phone).
2. Open the contact menu and select the “Show contacts with SIM” option (the name may vary).
3. Make sure that all names and numbers are displayed correctly (without cropped characters).

If there is no second phone, check this:

1. At Xiaomi, go to Contacts → Settings (⋮) → Show contacts.
2. Select the display only SIM-contact.
3. Make sure the list matches the exported data.

⚠️ Attention: Contacts to SIM They don't sync with the clouds, if they're lost or damaged. SIM-You can't restore your maps!We recommend you to duplicate important numbers in Google Contacts or Mi Cloud.

Alternative methods of backup contacts

If SIM transfer is not possible or convenient, consider alternative backup methods:

• ☁️ Google Contacts: Automatic sync with Google account. Included in Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of contacts.
• 📱 Mi Cloud: Xiaomi Cloud (requires Mi Account registration) Supports backup of contacts, messages and notes.
• 💾 Local Backup: Export to.vcf via Contacts → Settings → Export: You can copy the file to a computer or a flash drive.
• 📧 Export to Gmail: Send your.vcf file to your email, so it will be available from any device.

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For maximum reliability, use a combination of methods: transfer critical contacts to SIM, and save the full phone book to Google Contacts and a local.vcf file.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions