How to transfer all contacts to SIM-Map of Xiaomi: 3 working methods

Transfer of contacts to SIM-Xiaomi’s smartphone card may be needed in a variety of situations: when buying a new phone, resetting settings or simply wanting to have a backup of important numbers. Even though modern devices sync contacts to a Google account or Mi Cloud, many users still prefer to store them on a physical medium, especially for owners of budget Redmi models or even the most expensive ones. POCO, where the amount of internal memory is limited.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of exporting contacts to the SIM-Xiaomi smartphone card based MIUI 12, 13 and 14, including bypassing common errors (e.g. when the export button is inactive).You will also learn how to prepare the card for portability, what restrictions exist for different formats. SIM, What to do if the contacts are not displayed after copying.

Important: the procedure may vary depending on the firmware version and phone model. If your Xiaomi runs on Android 13+ with HyperOS shell, some menu items may have different names - we will specify alternative paths.

1.Preparation: What to do before transferring contacts

Before you start exporting, make sure your SIM-The card meets several key requirements, and first, it must support the storage of contacts, which is only possible on the standard cards. SIM (2G) or USIM (3G/4G). Modern eSIMs and virtual cards don't have this feature, and secondly, there should be enough free space on the card: one record takes about one time. 140 byte, and the standard limit — 250-500 Contacts (depends on the operator).

To check the type of card:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-map and see the section Type of map.
3. If you have a USIM or SIM, you can move contacts, and if you have an eSIM or ViLTE, you won't have a function.

We also recommend:

• 🔄 Sync your contacts with Google (in case of a crash): go to Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of contacts.
• 📱 Update MIUI, If you are using an outdated version: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📇 Remove duplicates in the phone book (via the Contacts app) → Management → Combining and correcting).

⚠️ Note: If you are using Xiaomi with two SIM-With cards, the system can suggest you select a target card for export. Make sure you choose the one you want to transfer contacts to - after copying, you can't delete them from the card without losing data.

Method 1: Standard export through the “Contacts” application

This is the easiest method that works on most Xiaomi models (including the Redmi Note). 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5 and flagship Mi 11/12/13). The instructions are relevant to MIUI 12-14:

Open the Contacts app (an icon with a human silhouette) in the upper right corner, click three dots (⋮) and select Contact Management. Next, go to Import/Export Contacts. → Exports to SIM-map.

The system will offer to select contacts for export:

• 📋 All contacts - will carry the entire phone book.
• 🔍 Selectively - will allow you to mark only the necessary numbers (convenient if there is little space on the map).

Once confirmed, the copying process will begin. The time depends on the number of contacts — usually 10-30 seconds.

Contacts are displayed in the section "SIM-map

Numbers saved in +7 format (or other international)

Names not cut off (SIM-The cards support up to 20 characters in the name)

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⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmware button Export to SIM-This is due to operator limitations (e.g. Tele2 or Yota) and the solution is to use Method 2 or Method 3 of this article.

3. Method 2: Export via "Settings" (for MIUI 13/14)

If the standard method didn’t work, try an alternative way through system settings, which often helps on newer versions of MIUI, where the Contacts app interface is simplified.

Go to: Settings → Applications → Contacts → Storage → Export Contacts.

Choose Exports here for Exports SIM-You can do this by following the instructions on the screen, and unlike the first one, you can't have selective export, and you can transfer all the contacts at once.

Advantages of this method:

• 🔧 It works even if the button in the Contacts app is blocked.
• 📲 Supports Xiaomi with HyperOS (e.g. Redmi Note 13 Pro)+).
• 🔄 Allows you to select a target SIM-Cards with Dual-SIM.

If this method didn’t work, go to Method 3, which is guaranteed to help, but it will take a little longer.

Method 3: Manual transfer via VCF file (for all models)

This universal method works on any Xiaomi smartphone, including outdated models like Redmi. 4X or Mi A1. The idea is to export the contacts to the.vcf file first and then import them to the.vcf file. SIM-map.

Step 1: Export contacts to the file:

1. Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to file.
2. Select the VCF format and save the file in the phone’s memory (for example, in the Downloads folder).

Step 2: Install the application for import on SIM:

Download SIM Contacts (or Copy to SIM Card, SIM Card Manager) from Google Play, which bypasses the limitations of MIUI and allows you to record contacts even on blocked cards.

Step 3: Import through the application:

1. Open the installed utility and select the Import from VCF option.
2. Please indicate the file previously saved.
3. Select your target. SIM-map and confirm the transfer.

Warnings:

• 🚫 Not all apps support Cyrillic names – check for correctness after import.
• 📵 Some utilities require permission to access contacts and SMS (Don’t be afraid, it’s necessary for work).

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If the app asks for import fees, use free alternatives: Simple Mobile Tools SIM Card or Contacts Optimizer.

5. Mistakes in the transfer of contacts and their solutions

Even if you follow instructions correctly, Xiaomi users often encounter problems, and we have collected the most common errors and ways to fix them:

If none of these methods helped, check:

• 🔌 Possibility of work SIM-Cards: Try calling or sending SMS.
• 📱 Updates MIUI: Older versions may contain bugs.
• 🛠️ File System Integrity: Run verification through Settings → Memory. → Cleanup.

Standard export through "Contacts"

Through MIUI settings

With the help of VCF-file and third-party applications

I never transferred my contacts to SIM.

Another way.-->

6 How to transfer contacts from SIM-Maps back to Xiaomi

If you need to return your contacts with SIM-cards to your phone (for example, after resetting your settings), do the following:

Open the Contacts app, click ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Import with SIM-The system will ask you to choose the map:

• 📱 Import of all contacts – copy the entire phone book from the card.
• 🔍 Selective import - will allow you to select specific numbers.

Once confirmed, the contacts will appear in the general telephone book.

• 🔄 Imported contacts don’t automatically sync to Google or Mi Cloud – do it manually.
• 📇 If you already have contacts with the same names on your phone, the system will suggest combining, skipping or replacing duplicates.

⚠️ Note: When importing with SIM-Maps on Xiaomi with Android 12+ There may be a duplication error of numbers. To avoid this, export your current contacts to the port before importing. VCF-file and after importing from SIM Compare and delete duplicates through Contacts → Management → Combining and correcting.

7. Alternative methods of backup contacts

SIM-based transfers are not the only way to keep contacts, but consider the more reliable alternatives that are supported by all Xiaomi smartphones:

Sync with Google Account:

• 🔗 Contacts are automatically backed up and available on any device.
• 📱 How to turn on: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of contacts.

Export to the VCF/CSV file:

• 📄 The file can be saved to Google Drive, USB drive or sent by mail.
• 🖥️ How to export: Contacts → ⋮ → Management → Imports/Exports → Export to file.

Backup via Mi Cloud:

• ☁️ Available only for users with a Mi-account.
• 🔄 How to turn on: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization of contacts.

Third-party annexes:

• 📲 Super Backup & Restore – Creates backups of contacts, SMS and call logs.
• 🔧 Contacts Backup – Exporting contacts to the XML or VCF cryptographic.

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SIM-A card is an unreliable way to store contacts, and it can fail, get lost, or have a limited lifespan (especially for operators like MTS or Beeline, who regularly update maps.

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts to Xiaomi