How to transfer all contacts to SIM-map in Xiaomi smartphones: instructions with nuances

Why SIM-card contact transfer is still relevant

In the era of cloud services and sync through Google Account, transferring contacts to SIM-But it still has some major advantages: autonomy (contacts are available even without the Internet), universal compatibility (any phone supports reading). SIM-contact information) and reliability in emergency situations, such as when a smartphone is dropped or when access to an account is lost.

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI (including Redmi models, POCO, Mi) support this function, but with important limitations. Unlike the old "bells", modern SIM-Cards (especially nano-SIMs) have a strict limit on the number of records — usually 250 contacts, and the storage fields are reduced to a minimum, which means that you can only transfer names and main numbers, without photos, addresses or additional fields.

In this article, current ways of exporting contacts to SIM-Xiaomi map for 2026, including avoidance of common bugs and alternative solutions for new versions MIUI 14 and HyperOS, where the function can be hidden.

Preparation: What to do before the transfer

Before you start exporting, take a few critical steps. First, check the type. SIM-Cards: The function only works with standard SIM (Mini-SIM) and micro-SIM: Owners of nano-SIM will need an adapter or a card change from the operator. SIM Free space – old contacts can be deleted through the Contact Menu → Management SIM-contact.

It's just as important to clear the duplicates in the phone book.

• 🔍 Open the Contacts app → press ⋮ (three-point) → Contact management → Combine duplicates.
• 📱 Check Contact Groups: Only those stored in your phone’s local memory (not in Google or Mi Cloud) are exported).
• 🔄 Make a backup copy through Settings → The phone. → Backup – in case of failure.

Pay special attention to the format of the numbers. SIM-The cards do not support special symbols (e.g, "+", All non-standard formats will be automatically converted, which can lead to errors. +7 (999) 123-45-67 on SIM remain as 79991234567.

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If you plan to transfer contacts to a new phone, export them to a file first. VCF via Contact → ⋮ → Exports/imports → Export to file. This will save all data without loss.

Method 1: Standard Exports via Contact Menu (MIUI 12–14)

This is the simplest method available on most Xiaomi devices. MIUI 12, 13 and 14, including the Redmi Note models 11/12/13, POCO X5/F5, Mi 11/12 etc. The main condition — SIM-The card must be active (inserted into the slot). 1 or 2) and recognized by the system.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
2. Press on. ⋮ (three points) in upper right corner → Select Contact Management.
3. Go to the Import/Export Contacts section.
4. Select Export on Export SIM-map.
5. Check the contacts for transfer (or click Allocate).
6. Click Export and confirm the action.

The process can take anywhere from a few seconds to a minute, depending on the number of contacts, when the Export notification is complete, check the result in the Contacts → SIM menu.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T or Redmi K60) export point SIM-The card may not be available due to operator policies or regional restrictions.

Method 2: Alternative portability through settings (for newer versions of MIUI)

V MIUI 14 and HyperOS function of export to SIM-The card is sometimes hidden in the depth of settings. This method works on Xiaomi 14 devices, Redmi Note 13 Pro+, POCO F6 And other flagships from 2023 to 2026, and it's important to keep in mind that the path to the menu may vary depending on the firmware version.

Algorithm of action:

1. Open Settings → go to the Applications.
2. Select Application Management → find Contacts in the list.
3. Press Warehouse. → Data management.
4. Tap on Export Contacts → Choose On SIM-map.
5. Confirm the export and wait until it is completed.

If you do not have a contact point, try another route:

• 📱 Settings → Memory. → Files. → Contacts (for some regions).
• 🔧 Use the search by settings (the magnifying glass icon at the top) and enter the export contact request.

Problem Solving: What to Do When Contacts Are Not Portable

Even with the right actions, exports can end up in error, and consider typical scenarios and ways to eliminate them:

Problem 1: Button Export to SIM-card inactive or absent.

• 🔄 Solution: Check if inserted SIM-slot 1 card (on some models, slot 2 does not support recording of contacts).
• 📶 Make sure that SIM-Card recognized by the system: go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
• 🔧 Update the firmware: in older versions MIUI The function could have been disabled due to bugs.

Problem 2: Exports are interrupted with an error.

• 🧹 Solution: Clear the cache of the Contacts app in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Contacts → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 📵 Check if it's full. SIM-Card: Delete unnecessary entries through Contacts → SIM.
• 🔄 Restart your phone and try again.

Problem 3: The transferred contacts are displayed in hieroglyphics or incorrectly.

• 🌐 Solution: The problem is encoding. Try changing the language of the system to English before exporting.
• 📱 Use the Latin alphabet for names (for example, Ivan Petrov instead of Ivan Petrov).

⚠️ Note: If contacts are duplicated in the phone book after transfer, turn off the display SIM-Contacts: Contacts → ⋮ → Settings → Display contacts → Take the tick off SIM.

Alternative methods: if the standard method does not work

If none of these methods worked, consider alternatives that require additional action, but guarantee results.

Method 1: Export to a VCF file and then import to another phone

1. Export contacts to the file: Contacts → ⋮ → Exports/imports → Export to file (save to phone memory).
2. Move the.vcf file to another phone (e.g., via Bluetooth or the cloud).
3. On the target device, import contacts from the file.

Method 2: Use of third-party applications

Applications like Super Backup & Restore or Copy My Data allow you to transfer contacts between devices, including exporting to other devices. SIM-Note that they require access rights to contacts and may contain advertisements.

• 📱 Install the app from Google Play.
• 🔄 Follow the instructions of the export master (usually you need to choose the source and purpose — SIM-map).
• ⚠️ Check reviews before using: Some apps don’t support new Xiaomi models.

Method 3: Manual input through USSD-Teams (for experienced users)

This method is suitable only for individual contacts and requires knowledge. USSD-For example, you can save the number on the MTS. SIM team *111*321#, functionality is limited.

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If the standard export for SIM-The card is not available, the most reliable way is to use an intermediate file. VCF. This will save all data without loss and allow you to transfer them to any device.

Frequent questions and myths about SIM-contact

The transfer of contacts to SIM-There are many misconceptions in the map. Let's look at the most common ones:

Myth 1: “Nano-SIM cannot keep contacts.”

✅ Reality: You can, but only if you use an adapter for micro-SIM or mini-SIM. The nano-SIM itself has no memory for contacts - it's just smaller in size.

Myth 2: “Exports to SIM-Card erases contacts from phone".

✅ Reality: No, these are two independent operations. Contacts stay in the phone's memory unless you manually delete them.

Myth 3: "SIM-The cards support an unlimited number of contacts".

✅ Reality: The limit depends on the operator and the type of card. It's usually 250-500 records, but in practice it's better not to exceed 200 to avoid crashes.

Conclusion: Whether to use SIM-contact-card

Transfer of contacts to SIM-Xiaomi's smartphone map remains a working method, but with serious limitations:

• 🔄 Quickly transfer the main numbers to another phone (for example, when selling or repairing).
• 📵 Emergency backup if you don’t have access to the cloud.
• 🌍 Use in countries with unstable Internet.

However, for permanent storage of contacts, it is better to use Google Account or Mi Cloud – they store all information (photos, addresses, mail) and sync between devices. SIM-The card is suitable only for basic needs.

If you are experiencing a problem not described in the article, check:

• 📱 Compatibility of your Xiaomi model with the export function (on some budget devices it is disabled).
• 🔧 Availability of firmware updates - in new versions MIUI bugs are often corrected.
• 🛠️ Alternative methods, such as exporting to VCF or use of third-party utilities.

Remember: Technology doesn’t stand still, and over time, support is needed. SIM-Contacts can be removed from smartphones completely, so consider switching to cloud services, which is more reliable and convenient.