How to transfer contacts from Android to SIM-card in Xiaomi phones: 5 proven ways

Transfer contacts from Xiaomi phone to SIM-The card is a challenge that users face when changing their device, resetting or switching to a different tariff. Despite the fact that modern smartphones sync contacts with Google or Mi Account accounts, many still prefer to store important numbers on their mobile devices. SIM — This guarantees access to them even without the Internet or when the phone breaks. MIUI (particularly since MIUI 12 and later) export function to SIM Often hidden or operating with restrictions.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to transfer contacts to the SIM-Smartphone card Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO — From standard system tools to third-party workarounds, you'll learn how to avoid data loss, what formats are supported, and why some numbers may not move. MIUI, which allows you to export your contacts to SIM Even where it's not on the menu.

Why SIM Contact Transfer Is Relevant in 2026

In the age of cloud services, it may seem that SIM-The map as a contact repository is obsolete, but it has some undeniable advantages:

• 🔄 Universality: Contacts to SIM available on any phone, even on a button or device without the Internet.
• 🛡️ Security: Data is not affected by cloud failures, account hacking or Google blocking.
• ⚡ Speed: Transfer takes seconds, while synchronization with the account can take longer.
• 📱 Compatibility: Relevant for owners of two SIM-People who change phones frequently.

On the other hand, the method has limitations. SIM-The card only stores basic information: name and number (sometimes an additional number), photos, addresses, birthdays and other fields will not be saved. SIM limited – usually 250–500 contacts depending on the operator.

⚠️ Attention: If yours SIM-map issued before 2010 year (format) SIM 2G), It can only support you until 250 contact with a length limit of the name (up to the 14 - Contemporary symbols. USIM 4G/5G lacking in this.

Method 1: Standard export through Xiaomi settings

The most obvious method is to use the built-in MIUI function, but in the latest firmware versions it may be hidden or missing altogether.

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette).
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Contact Management.
3. Scroll down and find the Import/Export item (in some models, Contact Transfer).
4. Select Export on Export SIM-map and indicate which contacts to move (all or selective).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.

If there is no SIM export, try an alternative route:

Settings → Applications → Contacts → Storage → Export to SIM

Make sure that SIM-The card is inserted into slot 1 (main card)

Check the free space on SIM (via ##4636##)

Disable sync with Google/Mi Account during export

Backup your contacts to the cloud in case of a crash-->

On some models (Xiaomi 12/13, Redmi Note 11/12), the function may be blocked by the operator, in which case the method using the engineering menu (see Method 3) will help.

Method 2: Transfer through the Google Contacts app

If the standard method doesn't work, use Google Contacts, which is often more functional than the standard MIUI solution:

1. Install Google Contacts from the Play Market.
2. Open it and tap on the profile icon in the upper right corner.
3. Select Contact Management → Exports to SIM-map.
4. Mark the contacts you want (or select All) and click Export.

The advantage of this method is that it supports package exports and more stable operation. However, please note that the Google Contacts application may not see contacts saved in your Mi Account. VCF-File and import it to Google.

⚠️ Note: When exporting via Google Contacts, prefixed numbers (+7, 8) may be duplicated. Before transferring, bring all contacts to a single format (e.g., only +7XXXXXXXXXX).

Standard export through MIUI|Google Contacts app|Third-party programs (such as Super Backup)|Manual input on new SIM|Another way.-->

Method 3: Hidden MIUI function via engineering menu

If your firmware does not have an export option on SIM, it can be unlocked through the engineering menu, which works on most Xiaomi devices, but you need to be careful:

1. Open the phone app and enter the combination: ##3646633###
2. In the menu that appears, select Connectivity → SIM Card.
3. Find SIM Contacts and tap on Export to SIM.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.

This way activates a hidden feature that Xiaomi has disabled in the interface but left in the system settings.

• 🚫 Do not change other options in the engineering menu – this can disrupt the network.
• 🔧 In some models (POCO F4, Redmi K50) The path may be different: Hardware Testing → SIM.
• 📱 After export, restart your phone to make the changes take effect.

Method 4: Using Third-Party Applications

If the built-in methods don't work, third-party utilities will come to the rescue, and we recommend two proven solutions:

Instructions for Super Backup & Restore:

1. Install and open the application.
2. Select the Contacts tab.
3. Tap backup and save contacts to internal memory.
4. Then select Restore/Remove → Nana SIM-map.
5. Make the necessary contacts and confirm the export.

⚠️ Note: Apps like Super Backup can request access to contacts, SMS Check reviews and ratings in the Play Market before installing - some utilities contain advertising software.

💡

If your app doesn’t see yours SIM-Try restarting your phone or temporarily disabling the second card SIM (Sometimes it helps to retrieve and re-installe the card in the slot.

Method 5: Manual transfer through VCF-File (for experienced users)

This method is suitable if you need to migrate contacts selectively or edit them before exporting to SIM.

1. Export contacts to the file VCF: Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Management → Export to file: Save the file (e.g. contacts.vcf) to internal memory.

Total Commander

FX File Explorer

VCF

Notepad++

Imports from SIM-cards

Example of structure VCF-file:

BEGIN:VCARD


VERSION:3.0




FN: Ivan Ivanov




TEL;TYPE=CELL:+79123456789




END:VCARD

This method allows you to control the format of numbers (for example, bring everything to the view +7XXX) and remove duplicates.

💡

VCF-The file is a universal format for transferring contacts, and can be opened on any device, from an iPhone to a button phone that supports importing contacts.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When migrating contacts to SIM, Xiaomi users often encounter common mistakes, and here’s how to avoid or fix them:

If the contacts on SIM are displayed in characters or cracosyabra after the transfer, the problem is encoding.

1. Delete all SIM contacts through the phone menu.
2. Export contacts again by selecting UTF-8 encoding (if you have such an option).
3. If the problem persists, use a third-party application (such as SIM Card Contacts) with manual encoding selection.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions