How to transfer contacts to SIM-map MIUI 12: Complete guide

Transfer of contacts to SIM-map in Xiaomi smartphones with a shell MIUI 12 may seem like a trivial task, but in practice, users are faced with a lot of nuances. SIM often hidden or restricted, MIUI 12 retains the classic interface, but with reservations. For example, not all models support recording contacts on the SIM Due to the operator’s hardware limitations, and some contacts (e.g., multiple numbers) may not be ported correctly.

In this article, we will discuss all working ways of transferring contacts – from standard export through the phone menu to workaround solutions for cases where SIM-The map is not displayed in the list of target devices. MIUI 12, which allows the export of contacts even to "unsupported" SIM You will also learn how to avoid data loss when duplicated records and why some contacts can “disappear” after transferring them.

If you are using Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro, Poco X3 NFC or other device MIUI 12, this guide will help you keep your phone book in a safe place - right on the phone. SIM-And if the standard method doesn't work, we have backup options using third-party apps and cloud services.

Why SIM Contact Transfer Is Relevant in 2026

In the era of cloud storage and sync through Google Account or Mi Cloud, moving contacts to the Internet SIM-This map may seem like an anachronism, but there are a few good reasons why this method remains in demand:

🔹 Self-contained access. SIM-The card does not require internet, account or battery charge – contacts are always at hand, even if the phone is discharged or broken.

🔹 Rapid migration: When changing smartphones (especially to other brands), moving contacts from the mobile phone to the mobile phone SIM It takes minutes, while synchronization through the cloud can take longer.

🔹 Security: Some users prefer to store critical numbers (such as bank or service numbers) locally, without linking to accounts.

Besides, SIM-The card often becomes a lifeline in situations where:

• 📵 Phone stolen or lost, and no backup;
• 🔄 You need to switch to a spare device (for example, Xiaomi Redmi). 9A Wi-Fi-free);
• 🛡️ There are suspicions of hacking a cloud account.

However, the method has disadvantages: a limit on the number of records (usually 250-500), the lack of support for additional fields (email, address) and the risk of data loss if incorrect extraction. SIM. V MIUI 12 these problems are compounded by the fact that the system may not show an export option to the SIM for certain operators (for example, Tele2 Virtual operators like Tinkoff Mobile).

Preparation for transfer: what to check before export

Before you start transferring, make sure your SIM-The card and the phone are ready for surgery, and skipping these steps can lead to errors like "Can't export contacts" or loss of data.

🔧 1. Check the type SIM-map

• 📱 Nano-SIM (the most common format in Xiaomi after 2018) – supports the transfer of contacts;
• 🔄 eSIM (built into Xiaomi 13 Pro) – does not allow you to store contacts;
• 🀄️ Micro-SIM or Mini-SIM (in older models) – may require an adapter.

🔧 2. Make room for SIM

Standard. SIM-The card can hold 200 to 500 contacts (depending on the operator) to check the space available:

1. Open the Contacts app;
2. Go to Settings. → Contact management → Imports/Exports;
3. Select Export on SIM-map - the system will show the available number of slots.

🔧 3. Clear contacts of takeovers

Duplicate records can interrupt the export process. Use the built-in merger function:

1. In Contacts, press three points (⋮) → Contact management;
2. Choose Find and combine duplicates;
3. Confirm the merger of the same records.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using MIUI 12.5 Enhanced Edition, disable Contacts before exporting → Settings → Show contacts from all accounts except your phone, and this will prevent unnecessary transfers (such as WhatsApp or Viber).

Standard way: export contacts through the menu MIUI 12

This is the easiest method that works on most Xiaomi devices (including Redmi Note 10 Pro, Poco, and other devices). F3, Mi 11 Lite et al. Instructions are relevant for clean MIUI 12 no custom firmware.

📌 Step-by-step instruction:

1. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person’s silhouette);
2. Click on three dots in the upper right corner (⋮) → Select Contact Management;
3. Go to Import/Export Contacts;
4. Select Export on SIM-map;
5. Tick the contacts you want to transfer (or click Select All);
6. Click Export and wait until it is completed (can take up to 2-3 minutes for 200+ contacts).

🎯 What to do if the option "Export to the Export" SIM" absent?

This is a common problem in MIUI 12, especially on devices with two SIM-Solutions, decisions:

• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes the option appears after the reboot;
• 📶 Change the slot. SIM (If you have dual-SIM, the export may only be available for slot 1;
• 🛠️ Update the Contacts app via Google Play (sometimes Xiaomi rolls back bug versions).

⚠️ Attention: If you are using SIM-If you're a Yota or Tinkoff Mobile operator, the standard export may not work because of operator restrictions, then you can switch to alternative methods.

Alternative methods of transferring contacts to SIM

If the standard method didn't work, use one of these methods. MIUI 12 on any device, including Xiaomi Mi 10T redmi 9C.

🔧 Method 1: Engineering menu (for advanced users)

This method allows you to bypass the limitations of the operator, but requires caution.

1. Open the phone application;
2. Enter the code ##4636##
3. Go to Phone Information → Scroll down to Select SIM;
4. Choose yours. SIM-Map and click Export Contacts (option may be called Copy Contacts to) SIM).

🔧 Method 2: Through Third Party Applications

Apps like Super Backup & Restore or Copy to SIM Cards (available on Google Play) allow you to export contacts even to "unsupported" ones" SIM. Algorithm:

• 📥 Install the app and give access to contacts;
• 🔍 Select the Export to option SIM;
• ✅ Confirm the transfer (some applications allow selective export).

🔧 Method 3: Through the cloud with subsequent importation

If you SIM It doesn't support direct recording, you can do a workaround:

1. Export contacts to.vcf file (via Import/Export) → Export to file);
2. Copy the file to another phone (or the same phone, but with another phone) SIM);
3. Import contacts from the file to a new one SIM.

💡

If you are using Xiaomi with a Hybrid slot (like the Redmi Note 8 Pro), make sure the slot is installed before exporting. SIM, It's not a microSD card, or the port option might disappear from the menu.

Common mistakes and their solutions

Even if the instructions are followed correctly, users MIUI 12 are facing errors. Let's take a look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

🚨 Mistake 1: “Contacts could not be exported"

Causes and solutions:

• 📶 Weak network signal – go to the plane mode and back;
• 🔋 Low battery charge (less than 15%) – connect charging;
• 🛠️ Damaged. SIM — try another card.

🚨 Error 2: Contacts are moved but not displayed

This is because of the fact that MIUI 12 by default hides contacts with SIM. To see them:

1. Open Contacts. → Settings → Show contacts from;
2. Activate the switch next to SIM-map;
3. Reboot the phone.

🚨 Mistake 3: Not all contacts are transferred

Chances are you are trying to export contacts with multiple numbers or additional fields (email, address). SIM-The card only supports:

• 📞 One primary number;
• 👤 Name (up to 20 characters).

Solution: Manually edit contacts before exporting, leaving only the name and primary number.

⚠️ Note: If the contact is transferred to SIM They're in characters, which means that the card is using incorrect encoding. SIM Or use a third-party app with support UTF-8.

How to transfer contacts with SIM back-phone

If you need to return your contacts with SIM On the device (for example, after resetting the settings), do the following:

🔄 Import of contacts with SIM into MIUI 12:

1. Open Contacts. → Contact management → Imports/Exports;
2. Select Import with SIM-map;
3. Tag the necessary contacts or click Select all;
4. Specify your account to save (for example, phone or Google);
5. Press Import.

⚠️ Important nuances:

• 📱 When importing to Xiaomi with MIUI 12 contacts can be duplicated. Before importing, check if there are already such entries in the phone book;
• 🔄 If you import contacts into a Google Account, they sync to the cloud. To avoid this, select the Phone option;
• 🚫 Don't take it out. SIM-card during importation – this may result in loss of data.

🔍 How to check where the contacts are kept?

After importing, open contact → Settings → Show contacts from and make sure that the account you imported data to is ticked.

💡

Import with SIM on MIUI 12 does not automatically merge duplicates. If you already have contacts with the same names, they will be added as new entries.

Security and backup tips

Transfer of contacts to SIM — It's good, but it's not good enough to back up reliably:

🔐 1. Create a backup in.vcf format

The.vcf file (vCard) stores all contact fields without restriction.

1. Go to Contacts. → Management → Export to file;
2. Select a save location (for example, internal memory or Google Drive).
3. Name the file (for example, contacts_backup_2026.vcf) and keep.

🔐 2. sync with Mi Cloud

If you have a Xiaomi account, turn on sync:

1. Open the Settings. → Accounts. → Mi Account;
2. Turn on the Contact Switch;
3. Press Sync.

🔐 3. Check the integrity of the data after the transfer

After export, SIM:

• 🔍 Check out some random contacts on SIM, Make sure that the names and numbers are kept correctly;
• 📞 Try calling from one of the transferred numbers;
• 📱 Compare the number of contacts on SIM from the original list (must coincide with the).

⚠️ Note: If you are planning to use SIM-card in a phone of another brand (for example, Samsung or iPhone), note that some devices do not support Russian characters in the names of contacts on the phone. SIM. Before the penos, replace the Cyrillic alphabet with the Latin alphabet (for example, "Ivan Ivanov" → "Ivan Ivanov").

FAQ: Frequent questions about the transfer of contacts to SIM into MIUI 12