How to transfer contacts from Xiaomi phone to SIM-Map: A complete guide with nuances

Transfer of contacts with Xiaomi to SIM-The map seems like a simple task, but in practice, users face format limitations, export errors and non-obvious settings. MI Cloud, recording contacts on SIM It has a strict limit: most cards only support the name. + number (without email, addresses or photos), and the memory rarely exceeds 250-500 record.

In this article — 3 Transfer method (including hidden functions) MIUI), Compatibility table of Xiaomi models with types SIM, and also solve common errors such as "lack of memory on the SIM" or "contacts are not displayed after importation." Special attention is paid to new smartphones. 2023-2026 years (Redmi Note) 13 Pro+, Xiaomi 14, POCO F6), where standard methods may not work due to updated firmware.

If you need to move contacts once (for example, when changing your phone), built-in tools are enough. MIUI. For regular backup, it is better to combine SIM Cloud Services – we will talk about this below.

Why transfer to SIM-The map may not work: 5 key limitations

Before you start exporting, check your technical limits. SIM-Even if the menu of Xiaomi has the option "Export to the phone". SIM", This does not guarantee a successful outcome.

The main pitfalls:

• 📱 Type SIM-maps: Old SIM (128 CBs are stored to 250 contacts, modern USIM (before 1 GB - up to 500-1000, But it depends on the operator.2.
• 📇 Data format: SIM retains only the name + All additional information (email, address, birthday, photos) will be lost.
• 🔄 Encoding: Russian characters in names can be displayed as "????" on phones of other brands (Samsung, iPhone).
• 🔒 MIUI-Restrictions: On some models (Redmi) 10C, POCO M5) Export option hidden in the developer or requires activation via #4636##.
• ⚡ Recording speed: Transfer 300+ contacts may be taken 10-15 minutes - do not interrupt the process!

If your goal is full backup, consider alternatives:

• ☁️ MI Cloud (up to 5 GB free, sync with Xiaomi and PC).
• 📱 Google Contacts (cross-platform, Gmail integration).
• 💾 Exports to VCF (The file can be saved to a memory card or to the cloud).

⚠️ Note: If you use two of these SIM-cards in Xiaomi, the system can suggest selecting a slot for export. make sure that the correct slot is selected (usually SIM 1), otherwise the contacts will be recorded on an inactive card.

Method 1: Standard export through Contacts (works on 80% of Xiaomi models)

This is the easiest method, but it is not available on phones with MIUI 14+ Android 13/14 If the option is not on the menu, go to the Method. 2.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) top-right → Select Contact Management.
3. Go to Import/Export Contacts → Exports to SIM-map.
4. Select Contacts to Transfer (or Click Select All) → Exports.
5. Wait for the process to be completed (notification will appear on the screen).

If the item "Export to SIM" is not:

• 🔧 Check that SIM-The card is active and recognized by the phone (go to Settings). → SIM-maps and mobile networks).
• 📲 Update the Contacts app via Google Play (sometimes the option appears after the update).
• 🔄 Reboot the phone – it resets the cache of system applications.

What to do if exports are frozen?

If the process is “freezing” by 0% or 100%:

1. Wait. 10-15 Sometimes the system takes a long time to process large lists.
2. Remove and re-insert. SIM-card (without turning off the phone!).
3. Try exporting contacts in portions (by 50-100 piece).

Method 2: Export via "Settings" (for the purpose of MIUI 14 Android 13/14)

On the new versions MIUI The contact transfer option is often hidden in the system settings, and this method works even if there is no export point in the Contacts app.

Algorithm of action:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find contact. → Memory. → Clear the cache.
3. Back to Settings → Memory. → Additionally. → Backup of contacts.
4. Select Export on SIM-map and follow the clues.

If the item "Contact Backup" is not:

• 🔍 Enter the request in the search for settings "SIM Contacts – the system can show a hidden option.
• 📱 Install an alternative contact app (such as Simple Contacts) that supports exporting to the UK. SIM.

Nuance for two. SIM-map:

If you have Xiaomi with two slots (like Redmi Note 12 Pro)+), The system can choose which one to choose. SIM - Export contacts:

• 📌 Contacts will only be recorded on the selected card - check that this is the right slot.
• 🔄 After export, restart your phone to make the changes apply.

Method 3: Manual copying through an engineering menu (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can use Xiaomi’s service menu, which requires caution, but often saves you on phones with custom firmware or after resetting.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and type the combination: ##3646633## (or ##4636### on older models).
2. Go to the Information section → SIM Card Info.
3. Choose yours. SIM-Card (if there are two) and tap Export Contacts.
4. Confirm the action and wait until the completion (do not press the buttons!).

⚠️ Attention: The engineering menu contains settings that affect the operation of the phone. Do not change other settings unless you are sure of their purpose. For example, accidentally editing the Band Selection item can lead to loss of the network.

What to do if the menu does not open?

• 🔐 Make sure that SIM-card not blocked PIN-code (unlock in Settings) → Security).
• 📶 Check that the phone is connected to the network (sometimes the menu requires an active Internet connection).
• 🔄 Restart the device and repeat the code entry.

On Xiaomi phones 13T Redmi Note 13 Pro with MIUI 14.0.5+ The engineering menu may be blocked, in which case use Method 1 or 2.

Compatibility table: which Xiaomi models support the transfer to the SIM

Not all Xiaomi smartphones work equally with the export of contacts. Below are the data on popular models (relevant for 2026):

If your model is not in the table, check the version. MIUI In Settings → About the phone, for firmware older. MIUI 12 are usually available in all 3 ways.

Typical errors and their solutions

Even with the right actions, users face problems.-5 errors and ways of eliminating them.

1. “Insufficient memory on the SIM-map"

• 🗑️ Remove old contacts with SIM: Go to Contacts. → SIM, Select unnecessary records and click Delete.
• 🔄 Use another one. SIM-card (for example, from Tele2 instead of MTS - memory limits may differ).
• ☁️ Export contacts to VCF-file and then import it into SIM 100-piece.

2. Contacts were exported but not displayed on the new SIM

• 🔍 Check that the contacts are recorded: insert SIM In another phone and look at the list.
• 📱 On Xiaomi go to Contacts → Settings → Display contacts and enable the option SIM-map.
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes the system doesn’t update your contact list right away.

Error "Cannot export contacts"

• 🛠️ Clear the Contacts app cache (see Method 2).
• 📲 Update the firmware: go to Settings → Updating the system.
• 🔧 Reset network settings: Settings → SIM-map → Resetting network settings.

4.The Russian letters in the names are displayed as "???"

It's a coding problem. SIM-Solutions:

• 🌍 Restore contacts with Latin characters (e.g., "Ivan" instead of "Ivan").
• 📱 Use it. VCF-Transfer file – it supports Unicode.
• 🔄 Try another one. SIM-card (for example, Beeline often works better with Cyrillic alphabet).

5 Exports interrupted by 99%

A common problem with Xiaomi with two SIM-The solution:

1. Take out the second. SIM-pre-export.
2. Turn off the mobile Internet (sometimes background processes interfere with recordings).
3. Export contacts in portions (by 50-100 piece).

💡

If you often transfer contacts between phones, create a template. VCF-Main file numbers and store it in the cloud (Google Drive, MI Cloud. This will eliminate coding problems and limitations. SIM.

Alternative methods of backup contacts

If the transfer is SIM Not suitable (for example, due to entries limits), consider 4 reliable alternatives:

Export to VCF (vCard) file

• 📄 Supports all data (names, phones, email, addresses, photos).
• 💾 The file can be saved to a memory card, to the cloud or sent by email.
• 🔄 Imported to any phone (including iPhone and Samsung).

How to export:

1. Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
2. Select Export to File → Specify a save location (e.g., Internal Memory).
3. The file will be created in.vcf format – copy it to a secure location.

2. Sync with Google Account

• ☁️ Automatic backup when connecting to the Internet.
• 📱 Access contacts from any device (including PCs via contacts.google.com).
• 🔒 Data protected by two-factor authentication.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Turn on sync for Contact.
3. Wait until completion (check in Settings → Accounts → Sync).

Backup copy in MI Cloud

• 📱 Integration with Xiaomi ecosystem (rapid recovery on new devices).
• 🔐 5GB free (enough for 10,000)+ contact).
• 🔄 Automatic update when data changes.

How to turn on:

1. Register your Mi Account (if not already).
2. Go to Settings → Accounts → MI Cloud.
3. Activate Contacts and press Sync.

4. Backup applications

If the built-in tools are not satisfied, install one of these applications:

• 📲 Super Backup & Restore (Saves Contacts, SMS, call-in).
• ☁️ Contacts Backup (export to the XML/VCF emailed).
• 🔗 SIM Card Contacts Recovery (Recovery of Deleted Records) SIM).

💡

For maximum reliability, use a combination of methods: for example, sync with Google. + backup VCF It'll protect the data even if you lose your phone or reset your settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts to SIM