How to transfer contacts to SIM-Map in Xiaomi: all the ways and nuances

Transfer of contacts to SIM-Xiaomi’s smartphone map is a challenge that users face when changing their device, resetting or switching to a new number, SIM-The card remains a reliable way to store basic contacts: it does not require Internet, is not tied to an account and works on any phone. MIUI (Especially in newer versions, this feature is hidden deep in the settings or is not at all in the usual form.

In this article, you will find the most current ways to export contacts to SIM for all models of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO – from the budget Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. We will analyze not only the standard methods, but also workarounds for devices where the option is removed by the manufacturer, and you will learn why some contacts may not be transferred and how to fix it.

If you use MIUI 14 or later, be prepared for the fact that the export function on SIM may be hidden or limited, this is due to Xiaomi’s policy to promote cloud services (Mi Cloud).

1. Preparation for the transfer of contacts to SIM

Before you start exporting, make sure your SIM-Modern nano-SIMs (and even more so eSIMs) often lack this feature — it is only available on outdated mini-SIMs or micro-SIMs with a file system:

• 🔍 Put it in. SIM to another phone (e.g. old Nokia or Samsung on Android 8 and below).
• 📱 Try to create a test contact right on the map through the phone menu.
• 💾 If the option is available, yours. SIM portable.

Also consider the limitations SIM-map:

⚠️ Attention: One SIM-The card usually stores no more than 250 contacts, and the fields are limited: only name and number (without email, addresses or photos!

If you are using MIUI 13/14, check the firmware version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. In some regional builds (for example, for Europe), the export function on the SIM is intentionally disabled - we will talk about this in the section on workarounds.

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Before transferring, back up your contacts to Mi Cloud or through Settings → Google → Backup. This will save your data if something goes wrong.

2. Standard method: export through "Contacts" (MIUI 12 and older)

In MIUI 12 and below, the SIM contacts are transferred via the built-in Contacts app. Here is a step-by-step instruction:

1. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
2. Press three points (⋮) top-right → Select Contact Management.
3. Go to Import/Export Contacts.
4. Select Export on Export SIM-map.
5. Tick the necessary contacts (or click Allocate).
6. Confirm the export, wait until the completion (can take up to 1-2 minutes for 200+ contacts).

If the export items SIM-No map - your version MIUI It doesn't support it. Move to the next section with alternative methods.

Free space on SIM-card | Contacts are not duplicate | Names shorter than 20 characters | International format numbers (+7...)

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3. alternative methods for MIUI 13/14 (if the standard method does not work)

Newer versions of MIUI (starting with MIUI 13 for global firmware) often lack the SIM export function, due to the shift to cloud solutions, but there are several ways to get around the limitation:

Method 1: Through the Google Contacts app

If your contacts are synced to your Google account, use the official Google Contacts app (install it from the Play Market if removed):

1. Open Google Contacts → Click on the profile avatar → Contact Management.
2. Select Import/Export → Export to SIM-card.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen.

⚠️ Note: This method does not work on all Xiaomi devices due to manufacturer restrictions. If the option is not available, try the following method.

Method 2: Engineering menu (for advanced users)

On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro) you can enable hidden export function through the engineering menu:

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On the menu that opens:

1. Go to the phone information.
2. Scroll down to Select SIM for Export Contacts (if there is one).
3. Activate the option and return to standard Contacts – the export function should appear.

If the engineering menu did not help, the last option remains – the use of third-party applications.

4. Transfer of contacts through third-party applications

If the built-in methods didn’t work, install one of the apps from the Play Market, which we tested on the Xiaomi 13T and Redmi Note 12 Pro+ with MIUI 14:

Instructions for Sim Contacts Manager (we recommend it as the most stable option):

1. Install and open the application.
2. Press Export to SIM.
3. Choose. SIM-card (if two of them).
4. Tag contacts or click Select All.
5. Confirm the export.

⚠️ Note: Some applications may request access to SMS — It's necessary to work with SIM-card, but revoke permissions after exporting to Settings → Annexes → Permits.

5. Solving problems in the transfer of contacts

Even if you did everything right, you can make mistakes, and here are the most common ways to correct them:

Problem 1: Contacts are not carried over (the error "failed to export")

Causes and solutions:

• 🔋 Not enough space for SIM: Remove old contacts from the card via another phone or in the Contacts menu → SIM.
• 📵 SIM-card does not support function: Try another card (for example, from MTS or Beeline instead of Tele2).
• 🔄 Mi Cloud Conflict: Turn off sync in Settings → Accounts. → Mi Cloud → Synchronize contacts and repeat exports.

Problem 2: Not all contacts are transferred

This is most often due to restrictions. SIM-map:

• 🆔 Long names: Contacts with names greater than 20 characters may not be exported.
• 📞 Non-standard numbers: Make sure the numbers are in format +7XXX... (bracketless, dashless or spaceless).
• 👥 Group contacts: SIM-The card does not support groups - only transfer single records.

Problem 3: Once the contacts are transferred, they are duplicated

This happens if the contacts have already been on SIM or synced with multiple accounts, to clear the duplicates:

1. Export your SIM contacts to your phone (via Import in the Contacts menu).
2. Delete all contacts with SIM (manually or through the Sim Contacts Manager app).
3. Move the contacts back to SIM – the duplicates will disappear.

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If contacts are not carried over standard methods, always try third-party apps – they often bypass the limitations of MIUI.

6 How to transfer contacts from SIM new Xiaomi

If you bought a new Xiaomi smartphone and want to download contacts with SIM, do the following:

1. Put it in. SIM-contact card in a new phone.
2. Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
3. Select Import with SIM-map.
4. Please indicate where to keep contacts: 📱 The device is only on this phone. ☁️ Google Accounts – synced to the cloud. 🌐 Mi Cloud – if you use a Xiaomi account.

Confirm the import. Contacts will appear in the phone book in 1-2 minutes.

If you do not have an import option (for example, on MIUI 14), use the Sim Contacts Manager app:

1. Install and open it.
2. Press Import from SIM.
3. Select contacts and save them in your phone memory.

Cloud services have the advantage of automatically recovering when you change your phone or reset your settings, for example, when you first turn on a new Xiaomi, the system will offer to restore contacts from Mi Cloud or Google.

⚠️ Note: If you use Mi Cloud, link your current email and phone number to your Xiaomi account, without which it will be impossible to restore access to contacts if you lose your password!

8.Frequent Questions About Shifting Contacts to Xiaomi