How to transfer contacts from SIM to SIM on Xiaomi: 5 working ways

Why do you transfer contacts to SIM on SIM Xiaomi is a problem?

Changing your SIM is a standard procedure when switching to a new tariff, changing the operator or updating the format (from Mini-SIM to Nano-SIM). However, owners of Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones often face an unexpected problem: the MIUI branded shell does not always offer intuitive tools to copy contacts directly between SIM cards. Unlike the old “calls”, where transfer was carried out with a couple of clicks, modern Android devices rely on synchronization with the cloud – but what if there is no Internet and contacts are stored only on the old SIM?

In this article, we’ll break down 5 proven ways to transfer contacts between SIM cards to Xiaomi, including hidden features. MIUI, Google Contacts and even manual methods for emergencies, and we will pay special attention to the nuances that the manufacturer does not advertise: Why some contacts are lost when copying, how to avoid duplicate records, and what to do if the new SIM does not support the old storage format (e.g., the new SIM, ADN).

If you use an eSIM SIM, the portability algorithm will be different – read about this in a separate section. It is also important to note that on devices with MIUI 14+ (for example, Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12), the menu interface may differ from older versions (Redmi 9, POCO X3).

Method 1: Standard export/import via MIUI settings

The most obvious method is to use built-in MIUI tools. It is suitable for most Xiaomi models, but has a limitation: it only works if the contacts are initially saved to the SIM card (rather than in the phone’s memory or Google account).

Instructions:

1. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
2. Slip on three dots in the top right corner → select Contact Management.
3. Go to the Import/Export Contacts section.
4. Select Export from SIM-card → specify the old SIM as the source.
5. After exporting to your phone memory, go back to the menu and select Import on SIM-map, indicating the new SIM as the target.

⚠️ Note: If the menu does not include the item Import/Export, then your version MIUI It uses a simplified interface, and in this case, try an alternative path: Settings. → Annexes → Contacts → Warehouse → Exports of contacts.

SIM card inserted into SIM1 slot (main)

There is enough memory for contacts on the new SIM

The phone is not in power saving mode (can block operations)

Contacts are not blocked by the operator (relevant for corporate sims)-->

An important nuance: MIUI exports contacts in.vcf (vCard) format by default, but when imported to a SIM, it converts them to a stripped-down ADN format. This means that fields like "Additional Phone" or "Notes" can be lost. If you are critical to save all data, use Method 3 (via Google Contacts).

Method 2: Copying through the menu SIM-maps (hidden function)

Few people know, but Xiaomi has a hidden SIM management menu that allows you to copy contacts directly, bypassing the Contacts app, which works even on custom firmware devices (such as Xiaomi.EU).

Algorithm of action:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
• 🔍 Select the SIM card you want to copy your contacts from (for example, SIM 1).
• 📋 Scroll down to Contact Point. SIM-maps (on some models it is hidden under the additional).
• 🔄 Tap to copy contacts → specify the target SIM.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI Global for Redmi Note 10 and older, this item may be called Manage SIM If the menu is not available at all, then your operator has blocked access to the SIM card functions (relevant for MTS, Beeline with tariffs "No Limit").

The advantage of this method is speed: copying takes less than a minute for even 500+ contacts, but there is a disadvantage: MIUI does not show the progress of the operation, so do not interrupt the process until the notification of successful completion appears.

Method 3: Transfer through Google Contacts (most reliable)

If you want to keep all your contact fields (including photos, birthdays, and notes), the best option is to sync with Google Contacts, which is universal and works even if the SIM cards are of different formats (e.g. Micro-SIM → eSIM).

Step-by-step:

1. Export contacts from the SIM to the phone memory (as in Method 1).
2. Open Contacts → Settings → Import / Export → Import from your device → select the.vcf file.
3. When importing, specify your Google account as a place of preservation.
4. Wait for sync (check in Settings → Accounts → Google → Contact Sync).
5. Insert a new SIM → repeat export, but now from Google Contacts on the SIM.

Critical detail: if you use two-factor authentication in Google, make sure you have backup codes before synchronizing. When changing your SIM card (especially the operator), the confirmation code SMS may not reach you.

(1) Is mobile internet or Wi-Fi enabled?

2) Is there enough space in the Google account (free – 15 GB).

3) Is the energy saving mode active (it suspends background processes).-->

Method 4: Use of third-party applications (for complex cases)

If the built-in MIUI tools fail (e.g., Xiaomi Black Shark or rooted firmware devices), specialized utilities will come to the rescue. We tested 5 apps and selected the two most reliable ones:

1. Sim Contacts Manager (free, no advertising): 🔹 Supports copying between different formats. 🔹 Keeps the history of calls (optional). 🔹 It works on Android 12.+ (including MIUI 14).

Copy to SIM Card

• 🔹 Packet editing of contacts before copying.
• 🔹 Support for eSIM (rare for such utilities).
• 🔹 Export to.csv for backup.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party apps, turn off battery optimization for them (Settings) → Annexes → Permits → Battery optimization? Otherwise MIUI It can be forced to close the program during copying.

Manually (one by one)

Through Google Contacts

Third-party applications

I can't stand it, I use the cloud.

Another option-->

Warning for owners of POCO F5 and Xiaomi 13 Ultra: some applications (for example, Super Backup) conflict with the App Cloner function in MIUI. If after installation, the utility icons begin to disappear, clear the cache through Settings → Storage → Clean up.

Method 5: Manual transfer for emergency cases

If you don't have access to the Internet, and your phone has custom firmware without Google Services (like LineageOS), the only option is manual copying, which is a long, but guaranteed method to work even on bricks with a damaged system.

What you need:

• 📝 Paper and pen (or second phone to take pictures of the screen).
• 🔋 Charge of the phone at least 50% (in case of hanging up).
• 🛠️ File Manager application (built-in MIUI).

Algorithm:

1. Open Contacts → Settings → Export to SIM (if available) or take a photo of each contact.
2. Create a folder in the File Manager SIM_Contacts_Backup.
3. Copy photos there or write down data manually.
4. Insert a new SIM → Enter contacts through Contacts → Create a contact → Save to SIM.

💡 Tip: If your contacts are more than 100, use voice input. MIUI It supports commands like, "Create contact Ivanov phone 89123456789." To activate, say, "OK, Google, make contact".

Features of transfer to eSIM

The eSIM (embedded SIM) is becoming the standard for Xiaomi flagships (Xiaomi 14, Mix Fold 3), but the transfer of contacts to it has nuances:

• 📱 It is impossible to save contacts directly to eSIM – they are stored only in the phone’s memory or the cloud.
• ☁️ Synchronization with Google or Mi Account is required (otherwise, when resetting your phone, contacts will disappear).
• 🔄 To transfer from a physical SIM, use Method 3 (via Google Contacts).

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi with MegaFon or Tele2 eSIM may require additional setup APN for synchronization. Check the settings in Settings → SIM-map → Access points (APN).

💡

On eSIM, contacts are stored only in the cloud or in the phone’s memory. There is no physical storage on the chip (like a regular SIM).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even Xiaomi experienced users have problems migrating contacts, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

🔧 Technical lifehack: If the contacts are displayed in hieroglyphics after the transfer, the problem is encoding the SIM card:

1. Export contacts to.vcf.
2. Open the file in Notepad → save with UTF-8 encoding.
3. Import back.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions