How to transfer contacts from phone to phone SIM-Map on Xiaomi Redmi: Full Guide

Transferring contacts from phone to phone SIM-A map on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones seems like a simple task, but users often face unexpected problems, from the lack of an option in the menu to errors in export. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways - from standard features. MIUI Up to workarounds for models without built-in option.

The feature of Redmi is that the manufacturer gradually removes support. SIM-contacts in new versions of the firmware, considering it obsolete, but for many users, saving the numbers on the firmware SIM It's the only way to quickly move data between devices without cloud services, and we've tested all of these methods on models from the Redmi Note 10 to the Redmi 12 -- and we're ready to provide you with the instructions that work.

Important: Before starting the procedure, check that yours is yours. SIM-The card supports the storage of contacts (usually these are mini-SIM or micro-SIM cards of the old model.

Why Xiaomi is taking away support SIM-contact

Since MIUI 12, many users have noticed the disappearance of the option to export contacts on SIM. This is not an accident, but a deliberate policy of Xiaomi, which is associated with several factors:

• 📱 Limited memory capacity SIM: modern SIM-The card can store everything. 200-250 contacts with a minimum set of fields (name and number only).
• 🔒 Synchronization problems: contacts on SIM They are not synced to the cloud and easily lost when changing maps.
• ☁️ Focus on cloud services: Xiaomi is actively promoting Mi Account and Google Contacts as more reliable alternatives.
• 🛠️ Technical limitations: new standards 5G eSIM does not support the storage of contacts.

However, even with new firmware, there are ways to get around this limitation, and we will look at all the available methods, from official to alternative.

Method 1: Standard export via Contacts (for MIUI 11 and below)

If your Redmi is running MIUI 11 or earlier, the easiest way is to use the built-in export feature, which works on most models up to and including the Redmi Note 9.

Instructions:

1. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Contact Management.
3. Go to the Import/Export Contacts section.
4. Select Export on Export SIM-map.
5. Check the necessary contacts (or click Select All) and confirm the export.

Important: if the option to export SIM-The card is missing, which means your firmware doesn't support it.

⚠️ Note: When exporting to SIM Only the basic phone numbers will be saved, and additional fields (email, address, notes) will be lost.

Method 2: Use the Google Contacts app

On smartphones with MIUI 12+, the standard Contacts app is often devoid of the SIM export function. However, you can use the alternative Google Contacts app, which is pre-installed on all Redmi services with Google Play.

Step-by-step:

1. Install (if not already installed) the Google Contacts app from the Play Store.
2. Open the app and click on the profile icon in the upper right corner.
3. Select Settings → Contact Management → Import / Export.
4. Click Export on SIM-map.
5. Select an account (if requested) and confirm the export.

If this method did not work, the reason may be:

• 🔄 Outdated version of Google Contacts app (update it).
• 📵 SIM-The card does not support the storage of contacts (check in the phone settings).
• 🔒 Mobile operator restrictions (some operators block this feature).

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Before exporting, sort contacts alphabetically – this will simplify the verification of the correctness of data transfer.

Method 3: Export via VCF files (for any version of MIUI)

If you're directing SIM It is not possible to use an intermediate format. VCF (This method works on all versions of the business card. MIUI It allows you to transfer contacts even to those SIM-Cards that do not support direct recording.

Algorithm of action:

1. Export contacts to.vcf: Open Contacts → Settings → Contact Management → Export to file. Select a save location (e.g., Internal Memory → Download).

.vcf

VCF Editor

Outlook

Save the edited file and transfer it back to your phone.

SIM Card Contacts

Play Market

Critical detail: most applications for working with SIM-Contacts require root rights on new versions of Android.If your Redmi runs on Android 11+, This method may not work without additional manipulation.

⚠️ Note: When editing a.vcf file manually, do not change the encoding - this can lead to the loss of Cyrillic characters. UTF-8.

Method 4: Using Third-Party Applications

If the built-in methods don't work, third-party tools come to the rescue, and we tested some popular applications and selected the most reliable ones:

The recommended app is SimplerApps' SIM Card Contacts, which does not require root rights and works correctly with most Redmi models.

1. Install the app from the Play Store.
2. Open it and give access to your contacts.
3. Select the option of Copy Contacts to SIM.
4. Mark the contacts you need and press Copy.
5. Wait until the process is complete (it can take up to 5 minutes for 200+ contacts).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install MyPhoneExplorer from the official website.
2. On the phone, turn on Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to activate the developer mode).
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
4. Connect the phone to your computer and select File Transfer mode.
5. Launch MyPhoneExplorer, wait for the connection and go to Contacts.
6. Select the necessary contacts, right-click and select Export → Nana SIM-map.

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ It works on all versions. MIUI Android.
• ✅ Allows selective transfer of contacts.
• ✅ Preserves the formatting of names (unlike standard methods).

⚠️ Note: When connecting via MyPhoneExplorer, don’t interrupt the sync process, which can lead to duplicate contacts on your phone. If the program is stuck, first turn off the cable, then close it through Task Manager.

Solving problems when transferring contacts

Even when following the instructions, Xiaomi Redmi users often encounter errors, and we have collected the most common problems and solutions:

If you get an error “Insufficient SIM memory”, try:

• 🧹 Delete old contacts or SMS s SIM-Cards (they have the same memory).
• 📊 Breaking up exports into parts (e.g. 50 contacts at a time).
• 🔄 Use the other SIM-card (some operators reserve some memory for their services).

Advice for owners of Redmi Note 11 and newer: If neither method works, consider using two SIM-Some users successfully transfer contacts by inserting a second (old) SIM-slot-card SIM2 And exporting the data to it.

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On new Xiaomi models (Redmi Note 12 and later), the SIM connection is often blocked at the firmware level, in which case the only reliable way is to use a computer and MyPhoneExplorer.

FAQ: Frequent questions about contact transfer